Palawan December — kayaking through turquoise water surrounded by limestone karst mountains at El Nido in peak season

Palawan · Philippines

December

Peak season builds through December — excellent dry conditions, Christmas atmosphere, and prices rising sharply.

Best match

#1 of 12 months

December is one of the best times to visit Palawan.

Climate

High

29°C

Low

22°C

Rain

42mm

Sun

7.8hrs/day

30-year climate normals · Open Meteo ERA5

How December scores in Palawan

Weather
Outstanding
Value
Below average
Crowds
Below average
Events
Good
Atmosphere
Excellent

What you gain in December

  • December is reliably dry at 42mm and sunny — boat tours operate every day and the water is returning to its peak-season clarity; excellent conditions
  • Christmas and New Year create a genuinely festive atmosphere in El Nido town — Filipino hospitality at its most celebratory; the island is worth experiencing in the festive season
  • Temperatures are at their most comfortable (29°C) with reduced humidity — the only month where the heat never feels oppressive

What you sacrifice

  • Prices jump sharply from the second week of December — Christmas and New Year week are the most expensive period of the year in some properties, comparable to January
  • The week between Christmas and New Year brings maximum crowd pressure: boats are full, Nacpan Beach is packed, and El Nido town is at its busiest
  • Pre-Christmas week (December 22–25) and New Year's Eve can feel chaotic rather than festive if you are unprepared for Filipino Christmas scale

December in other destinations

Climate data: 30-year normals (1991–2020) from Open Meteo ERA5 reanalysis. Scores compare months within Palawan, not across destinations. Methodology →