Month guide · Palawan · Philippines
Palawan in May
What May is really like in Palawan: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Simon Hefti, Schweiz ( de:User:Nikswieweg ), CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
May is a shoulder-season month. Expect average highs of 33°C (91°F), lows of 25°C (77°F), about 12 rainy days and roughly 12.6 hours of daylight. Very hot with the warmest water; afternoon storms start towards the end of the month.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 33°C (91°F) / 25°C (77°F)
- Rainy days
- About 12
- Daylight
- About 12.6 hours
- Sea temperature
- 30°C (86°F)
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in May
May is the 2nd-warmest month in Palawan: days average 33°C (91°F) against a yearly average high of 32°C (90°F), and nights fall to about 25°C (77°F). Rain falls on roughly 12 of its 31 days. Compared with April (33°C (91°F)), May is about as warm; by June highs stay near 32°C (90°F).
- Sunrise (15 May)
- About 05:44
- Sunset (15 May)
- About 18:18
- Daylight
- About 12.6 hours
- Sea
- 30°C (86°F)
Cool dry season (December–February). Sunny, breezy and calm, with the most comfortable temperatures; Christmas and New Year are the most expensive weeks.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, May rates 4 for crowds (the peak is April at 5) and 4 for hotel prices (highest in April). Book accommodation early: May is one of the pricier months.
Events in May
May has no major recurring festival in Palawan, which usually means easier bookings.
What to do in May
With intense heat, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Nature · Miniloc Island, El Nido
Big Lagoon and Small Lagoon
Choose a boat that visits Miniloc early or late in the day; the lagoons are busiest from late morning.
- Time needed
- Full-day tour
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- Nature
- Active
- Photo spot
- Couples
Nature · Coron Island
Kayangan Lake
A clear freshwater lake ringed by limestone on Coron Island, reached by a stairway of around 300 steps.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Views
- Photo spot
- Nature
Experience · Coron Bay
Coron Bay wreck dives
Dive with a centre that matches wrecks to your certification; penetration dives need advanced training.
- Time needed
- Full day
- Cost
- Expensive
- History
- Active
- Iconic
Beach · Matinloc Island, El Nido
Hidden Beach and Matinloc Shrine
On El Nido's Tour C, boats stop at Hidden Beach, a small cove reached by swimming through a gap in the rocks, Secret Beach and the abandoned Matinloc Shrine, a chapel on a headland with viewpoints over the western islands.
- Time needed
- Full-day tour
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Nature
- Active
- Views
- Off the beaten path
The sea averages 30°C (86°F) — warm enough to swim. Best beaches near Palawan.
What to pack
For highs near 33°C, lows near 25°C and 12 wet days: light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; a compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; comfortable walking shoes.
Is May a good time to visit Palawan?
A shoulder-season month. If your dates are flexible, January–April are better overall. Compare every month.
Palawan in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is May a good time to visit Palawan?
It is a shoulder-season month. Very hot with the warmest water; afternoon storms start towards the end of the month.
+How warm is Palawan in May?
Average highs are around 33°C (91°F) and lows around 25°C (77°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Palawan in May?
Expect rain on about 12 days of the month, so pack for wet weather.