Weather in Puerto Princesa

About Puerto Princesa

This Palawan capital sits on a long coastline where the underground river winds through cathedral-scale limestone caves carved by millennia of water flow. The river emerges from mountain darkness into daylight through a vast cave mouth that creates a geological gateway between underworld and surface worlds. Nearby beaches offer equally dramatic coastal scenery.

Country

Philippines

Best months to visit

Year-round

Currency

PHP

Language

Filipino, English

Things to do in Puerto Princesa

Paddle underground river through limestone cathedral cave Tour St. Paul's Subterranean River National Park Trek to mountain caves and waterfalls Island-hop to pristine nearby islands Visit crocodile farms and wildlife sanctuaries Shop at Puerto Princesa market for fresh seafood

Weather by month

Click any month for detailed weather information and travel tips.

January

28C

Warm and pleasant, with regular rainfall.

February

28C

Warm and pleasant, with regular rainfall.

March

29C

Warm and pleasant, with regular rainfall.

April

30C

Hot and humid, with regular rainfall.

May

30C

Hot and humid, with frequent heavy rain.

June

30C

Hot and humid, with frequent heavy rain.

July

29C

Warm and pleasant, with frequent heavy rain.

August

30C

Hot and humid, with frequent heavy rain.

September

29C

Warm and pleasant, with frequent heavy rain.

October

29C

Warm and pleasant, with frequent heavy rain.

November

29C

Warm and pleasant, with frequent heavy rain.

December

29C

Warm and pleasant, with frequent heavy rain.

Puerto Princesa is the gateway to Palawan, an island repeatedly ranked among the world's best, and home itself to the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where a navigable cave river winds beneath limestone cliffs for several kilometres. Most visitors pass through quickly on their way to El Nido or Coron, but the underground river and nearby Honda Bay islands are worth a stop in their own right.

Best areas to stay in Puerto Princesa

Puerto Princesa City Centre

The main town with hotels, restaurants and the airport, used as a base or transit point.

Sabang

A coastal village serving as the entry point for the Subterranean River National Park, about 1.5-2 hours from the city.

Honda Bay

A group of islands a short boat trip from the city, popular for snorkelling day trips.

Iwahig

An area south of the city known for its open-air penal colony farm and mangrove paddleboat tours.

Getting to Puerto Princesa

✈

Flights

Fly into Manila or Cebu, then take a domestic connection to Puerto Princesa.

⏱

From London

~16-18 hours direct London to Manila with a stopover, plus about 1.5 hours by domestic flight to Puerto Princesa.

🚕

Getting around

Vans and tricycles cover the city and Sabang; boats run from Honda Bay's jetty for island-hopping trips.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get to Puerto Princesa?

Puerto Princesa Airport has frequent domestic flights from Manila and Cebu, and is the main entry point for trips around Palawan.

Do I need to book the Subterranean River in advance?

Yes - visitor numbers to the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park are limited and require advance permits, usually arranged through tour operators in the city.

What are Honda Bay islands?

A group of small islands a short boat ride from Puerto Princesa, popular for day-trip island-hopping, snorkelling and white-sand beaches.

How do I get from Puerto Princesa to El Nido?

Vans and buses run the roughly 5-6 hour road journey to El Nido; some travellers also fly directly into El Nido's smaller airport from Manila.

When is the best time to visit Puerto Princesa?

The dry season from November to May offers the most reliable weather for boat trips and outdoor activities.

Traveler reviews

★★★★★

The Subterranean River was unlike anything else - gliding through the cave in near-total darkness with bats overhead and limestone formations lit up by the guide's lamp.

Anna T. · March 2024

★★★★☆

Used Puerto Princesa as a one-night stop before El Nido, but the Honda Bay island-hopping trip in the morning was a great way to fill the time.

Josh M. · January 2023

★★★★☆

Booked the river tour well in advance as recommended - glad we did, as it was clearly limited in numbers and felt special rather than crowded.

Lara F. · April 2024