Palawan March — island and boat in the turquoise waters of El Nido during dry season

Palawan · Philippines

March

Still excellent dry season conditions — slightly less crowded than Jan–Feb and heat beginning to build.

Best match

#6 of 12 months

There are better months for Palawan — see the full ranking below.

See when to go instead →

Climate

High

31°C

Low

23°C

Rain

25mm

Sun

8.5hrs/day

30-year climate normals · Open Meteo ERA5

How March scores in Palawan

Weather
Outstanding
Value
Below average
Crowds
Below average
Events
Above average
Atmosphere
Very good

What you gain in March

  • Rainfall stays very low at 25mm and sea conditions remain reliable — boat tours to Tour A, B, C, and D in El Nido all run comfortably
  • Temperatures are warming to 31°C, making the turquoise lagoon water feel more refreshing rather than uncomfortably cold; snorkelling is ideal
  • Crowds begin to ease slightly from the January-February peak, making it marginally easier to secure last-minute bookings and uncrowded beach time

What you sacrifice

  • Still expensive — prices remain well above mid-season rates; this is the tail of peak season, not a value window
  • Daytime heat on open boats is genuine at 31°C; sunscreen, hats, and shade are not optional
  • Easter week (date varies) can spike crowd levels sharply as Filipino domestic tourism surges — check dates and book accordingly

How March compares to December (best month)

FactorMarchDecember
Weather
9
9
Value
3
3
Crowds
3
3

March in other destinations

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