Palawan · Philippines
January
The driest and most popular month — ideal conditions but peak prices and maximum crowds at El Nido.
Best match
#3 of 12 months
January is one of the best times to visit Palawan.
Climate
High
29°C
Low
22°C
Rain
30mm
Sun
8.5hrs/day
30-year climate normals · Open Meteo ERA5
How January scores in Palawan
Weather
Perfect
Value
Low
Crowds
Low
Events
Above average
Atmosphere
Excellent
What you gain in January
- ↑The driest month of the year at just 30mm — El Nido boat tours to the Big and Small Lagoons run every day without cancellations, and the water is at its clearest and calmest
- ↑Temperatures are perfect: 29°C with low humidity makes touring the limestone islands genuinely comfortable rather than punishing
- ↑The full range of island-hopping tours, kayaking, snorkelling, and diving all operate at maximum capacity — this is Palawan at its most functional
What you sacrifice
- ↓Peak pricing across all accommodation: El Nido bungalows and boutique resorts charge annual maximums, and properties book out weeks in advance
- ↓El Nido town and popular beaches like Nacpan and Las Cabanas are at maximum capacity — sunrise at viewpoints requires an early start to beat the crowds
- ↓Boats to popular lagoons and Helicopter Island fill quickly; tours from lesser operators can feel rushed and overcrowded
How January compares to December (best month)
| Factor | January | December ★ |
|---|---|---|
| Weather | 10 | 9 |
| Value | 2 | 3 |
| Crowds | 2 | 3 |
January in other destinations
Lisbon (13.6°C)Barcelona (13.2°C)Tokyo (9.8°C)Bali (30.2°C)Santorini (13.4°C)Paris (7°C)New York (3.3°C)Marrakech (17.3°C)Amsterdam (5.6°C)Maldives (30.1°C)Rome (11.6°C)Bangkok (31.1°C)Istanbul (8.7°C)Vienna (3.2°C)Seoul (1.1°C)Dubrovnik (11.1°C)Rio de Janeiro (30.9°C)Kyoto (9.2°C)Phuket (31.5°C)Cape Town (26.1°C)Prague (2°C)Amalfi Coast (12°C)Mexico City (21°C)Medellín (28°C)Fiji (31°C)London (8°C)Sydney (26°C)Iceland (2°C)Tulum (28°C)Dubai (24°C)Singapore (30°C)Hoi An (24°C)Chiang Mai (29°C)Miami (24.1°C)Florence (9.2°C)Queenstown (22°C)Madrid (9.4°C)Porto (14°C)Edinburgh (7°C)Copenhagen (4°C)Budapest (4°C)Kraków (2°C)Tbilisi (6°C)Hanoi (18°C)Osaka (9°C)Goa (32°C)Cusco (19°C)Buenos Aires (30°C)Mykonos (13°C)Zanzibar (32°C)Sri Lanka (31°C)Costa Rica (25°C)
Climate data: 30-year normals (1991–2020) from Open Meteo ERA5 reanalysis. Scores compare months within Palawan, not across destinations. Methodology →