January is Palawan's finest month. The northeast monsoon brings clear skies, calm seas, and the best snorkelling visibility of the year across El Nido, Coron, and the Puerto Princesa area. The Big Lagoon, Small Lagoon, and Hidden Beach — Palawan's most iconic sights — are at their most accessible and most photogenic. The trade-off is the highest prices, the fullest boats, and the need to book everything weeks in advance. The ATM warning applies year-round but is most critical in January: El Nido's ATMs run out of cash quickly when the island is packed.
22–30°C (72–86°F)
Air temp
27°C (81°F)
Sea temp
Very Low
Rainfall
Peak
Crowds
why go
what's on
New Year's Continuation
First weekEl Nido and Coron see an influx of visitors celebrating New Year into January — boat tour operators are fully booked and accommodation at its peak. The first week retains a festive atmosphere from the holidays.
Chinese New Year (late January / early February)
Late January or early FebruaryThe Chinese-Filipino community celebrates with family gatherings. El Nido and Coron see some Chinese tourist influx around this period.
travel tips
CRITICAL: Withdraw all the cash you need for El Nido in Puerto Princesa before travelling north. El Nido has ATMs, but they run out of cash frequently — especially in peak January. Tour fees, island hopping, and accommodation in El Nido are largely cash-only.
Book El Nido island hopping tours (Tour A, B, C, D) at least 3–5 days ahead in January — boats reach their 10-person limit quickly and the best operators sell out.
AirSWIFT operates direct flights from Manila to El Nido (ENI airport) — far more efficient than the 5–6 hour van from Puerto Princesa. Book months ahead for January; the route sells out.
common questions
January offers Palawan's best conditions — clear skies, calm seas, and optimal visibility for snorkelling and diving. It's the most photogenic month for El Nido's iconic lagoons and Coron's lakes. The downside: it's also the most crowded and most expensive month. If budget and crowds matter, consider March or early November instead.
El Nido has a small number of ATMs (BDO, Land Bank, and a few others), but they run out of cash very quickly in peak season — especially January. The standard advice: withdraw everything you need for your El Nido stay while in Puerto Princesa, before boarding the van or flight north. Cards are accepted at very few places in El Nido.
Two main options: the AirSWIFT flight (45 minutes, book in advance, more expensive but the most convenient), or a shared van from the Puerto Princesa bus terminal (5–6 hours, PHP 800–1,000, reliable if bumpy). Vans leave throughout the morning from around 6 am. Private transfers are available for around PHP 4,000–5,000 and are faster and more comfortable.
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