What to Wear in Palawan + Island Hopping

If you’re wondering what to wear in Palawan, you’re not the first person.

You may be wondering: Do I need to dress conservatively in Palawan? What should I wear in Palawan to go island hopping? Essentially, what should I pack for Palawan?

I’ve been to Palawan twice in the past five years, so I’ve learnt the hard way exactly what is and isn’t worth packing.

There are a few key things you need to think about when deciding what to wear in Palawan: the temperature, weather forecast, cultural expectations, mosquito protection and Palawan’s primary activity, island hopping.

Palawan is predominantly Catholic, so it’s important not to flaunt around town in a bikini top.

As one of the most southern archipelagos in the Philippines, it is also very hot and humid, so lightweight, breathable clothing is best too.

If you’re planning your full trip, I’d recommend you start by reading my guide to island hopping in Palawan.

I have also written detailed guides on how to choose the best El Nido tour or the best Coron island hopping tours.

Where is Palawan?

Palawan is a province in the southwest of the Philippines. It is an archipelago with 7,000+ islands and islets.

Flying from Manila to Palawan takes approximately 60 to 90 minutes, depending upon which airport you are bound for.

What to Wear in Palawan: What is the Weather Like in Palawan?

If there is one word to define the weather in Palawan, it’s hot.

There are two main seasons in Palawan:

• Dry season: October to May
• Wet season: June to September

1. Dry season: October to May

Average temperature: 27°C

The temperature in Palawan in the dry season averages around 27 °C.

You should expect some rainfall early in the season, mainly from October to November.

November to March is typically the best time to visit Palawan because there is little rain and the temperature is warm and sunny.

I visited Palawan in November 2018 and November 2022. Both times, it was predominantly sunny with a few days of tropical downpours.

I was lucky enough to narrowly miss a typhoon before my second visit, which resulted in many of the boat tours being cancelled the week before.

2. Wet season: June to September

Average temperature: 27°C

The wet season in Palawan also has an average temperature of 27 °C.

However, typhoons are more likely in the wet season.

The eastern side of the archipelago generally receives more rain than the west side of the archipelago. 

The wet season is not an ideal time to visit Palawan and many of the tours may be cancelled at last minute or not running.

What to Wear in Palawan: Palawan Travel Tips

1. Visit Palawan during the dry season

As I learnt during two consecutive days of rainfall in El Nido, there’s not much to do in Palawan when it rains.

Most of the activities are centred around island hopping and other outdoor activities.

When it rains, you’re left with indoor activities such as café hopping and massage treatments, or if you’re in a city such as Puerto Princesa, you could visit shopping malls.

2. Decide your route and book your flights early

To reach Palawan, you need to take a domestic flight from Manila or Cebu.

Manila is usually the most convenient departure point, as it has a large, international airport.

The cheapest flights into and out of Palawan are from Puerto Princesa International Airport.

Palawan is 425 kilometres long, so usually, you will travel in one direction up or down the length of Palawan.

You can chop and change the route below when planning your itinerary:

Coron – Island-hopping tour Past Linapacan – Napcan Beach – El Nido Town – Port Barton – Puerto Princesa.

Coron and El Nido are separated by the ocean. While you can take a ferry or a flight between Coron and El Nido, you also have the option of taking a multi-day island-hopping expedition.

Starting at several hundred USD, the tours typically include all meals, transport, snorkelling activities and glamping-style accommodation.

Naturally, this is going to be significantly more expensive than the ferry. However, I still count Tao Philippines as one of my best travel experiences to date.

There’s nothing like the feeling of having a remote island to yourself, stopping at abandoned islets, and snorkelling all day long.

Bamboo huts in the Tao Philippines trip

3. Bring plenty of cash

Palawan is predominantly cash-only. It’s uncommon for restaurants, hotels, hostels, and other organisations to offer a card machine.

Ideally, you should withdraw enough cash to cover your trip before leaving Manila.

There are ATMs in Palawan’s bigger towns and cities, including El Nido and Puerto Princesa. However, they experience quite a high demand from tourists, so they are often empty.

4. Get a local SIM card

Having a local SIM card is your key to accessing the internet on the go. This helps with everything from finding the nearest ATM to googling recommended restaurants and locating your friends if (or when) you lose each other.

SIM cards are available to buy at the airport or select newsstands, grocery shops, and post offices.

Typically, a SIM card costs between 40 and 300 PHP depending on the plan.

A pre-paid SIM card is more expensive than an eSIM. However, an eSIM can be purchased before your trip and doesn’t require you to visit a shop in person.

5. Book your accommodation in advance

Having just stayed in Indonesia before my trip, I was surprised at how expensive the accommodation was in Palawan.

The best deals are snapped up well in advance, so I’d suggest making the most of the free cancellation feature on Booking.com.

Hostelworld also has a large selection of hostels, which is great for solo travellers wanting to meet people.

Where to Stay in Palawan

There are three main tourist destinations in Palawan: Coron, El Nido and Puerto Princesa.

If you’re looking to splurge, Palawan’s private island resorts are very popular for special occasions such as honeymoons and anniversaries.

Otherwise, there are budget hostels and mid-range hotels in all of the main tourist destinations in Palawan.

Best Island Resorts in Palawan

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Best Hostels in Palawan

What to Wear in Palawan

I’m going to simplify what to wear in Palawan into four simple points:

1. Cultural expectations

Palawan is predominantly Catholic. While there is an expectation that you should dress modestly, it isn’t strict.

It’s common to see tourists showing their shoulders, thighs, and cleavage.

However, most locals wear outfits such as jeans and shirts or a long maxi skirt and blouse.

You should not wear beachwear unless you are on an island hopping tour. Wearing beachwear in the town is considered very disrespectful to the families who live there.

2. Climate

As Palawan is consistently hot and humid, you should try to wear loose, breathable clothing to keep cool.

Cottons and linens are typically good for this. Sweat-wicking fabrics (such as activewear) will also help to absorb sweat.

3. Activities

On beaches or island hopping tours, beachwear is essential. Bikinis, trunks and swimsuits are all fine to wear in Palawan.

4. Weather

While Palawan is hot and sunny for the most part, it does get its fair share of tropical downpours. You should carry a lightweight and waterproof coat and check the weather forecast regularly.

What to Wear in Palawan: Outfit Ideas

1. Palawan outfit ideas for men

• Jeans or chinos and a vest or t-shirt.
• A loose shirt and shorts.
• Beach shorts and a vest.

2. Palawan outfit ideas for women

• Blouse and shorts.
• Crop top and mini or maxi skirt.
• Sports bra and shorts or leggings.
• Maxi or mini dress.
• Long, floaty trousers and a crop top.
• Denim shorts and tank top.
• Bikini and cover-up for the beach.

What to wear in Palawan: What to wear in El Nido Palawan

In El Nido, tourists should wear loose, breathable clothes due to the hot climate.

There is no need to dress conservatively, but when you are walking around the town, you shouldn’t wear beachwear.

When you’re island hopping, swimwear and cover-ups are essential.

There are many bars and clubs in El Nido, where you can dress up in loose, breathable clothing.

What to wear in Palawan: What to wear in Coron Palawan

In Coron, try to wear breathable, sweat-wicking clothes to cope with the hot climate.

As in the rest of Palawan, there’s no requirement to dress conservatively, but beachwear is a no-no for walking around town.

When island hopping around Coron Island, it’s perfectly fine to wear beachwear.

What to Wear in the Puerto Princesa Underground River

You should avoid wearing long trousers or skirts to the underground river in Puerto Princesa because you will need to wade through shallow beach water after arriving from Sabang by boat. This is knee-deep.

Wear loose, breathable clothing in the underground river, as it is hot and humid despite being underground.

Women may feel more comfortable wearing shorts than skirts because they will need to climb in and out of the boat.

You may also want to wear a cap to provide some protection against water dripping from the cave (and bat droppings).

What to Take Island Hopping in Palawan

Knowing what to wear for island hopping in Palawan can make or break your experience.

Sharp rocks and corals mean that reef shoes and first-aid kits are an essential.

A dry bag is also imperative to keep your belongings dry while on the boat or beaches.

• Dry bag: A 10-20 litre bag should be sufficient. They can be purchased from markets in town.
• Reef shoes: You need to walk along rocks to reach many island-hopping sites, so reef shoes are essential.
• Sun cream and cap
• Reusable water bottles: Palawan has already banned plastic straws to prevent littering in the ocean.
• Towel: A quick-dry microfibre towel is ideal.
• First-aid kit, including plasters, immodium, anti-allergy tablets, bandages and sterile wipes.
• Toilet tissue: Some of the beaches have a basic toilet. They don’t have toilet paper, so bring your own.
• Snorkel (optional): Most boat trips include snorkels in the price or provide them for an additional price, but you may feel more comfortable using your own gear.

What to Wear in Palawan: Island hopping outfit for Palawan

Island hopping outfit for Palawan: Men

• Swim shorts.
• Loose t-shirt (to remove on the boat/in the water).
• Sandals or flip flops.
• Sunglasses and/or cap.

Island hopping outfit for Palawan: Women

• Bikini, tankini or swimsuit
• Loose dress or loose. shorts/skirt with a tank or crop top.
• Kimono to cover up if required.
• Sandals or flip flops.
• Sunglasses and/or cap.
• Hair bobbles.

Full Palawan Packing List

What not to pack for Palawan

Bulky raincoat: There’s no reason to bring a thick raincoat ti Palawan. When it rains, it’s still hot. Your raincoat should be lightweight and have a Durable Water Repellent (DWR) coating.

High heels: While there are some great bars and clubs around locations such as El Nido, the roads are often potholed. You don’t want to risk a twisted ankle.

Packing List

Miscellaneous

• Lightweight beach towel (ideally microfibre).
• Sunglasses.
• Sun cream.
• Padlocks for hostel lockers.
• Mosquito repellent.
• Tissues and/or toilet paper.
• Snacks.
• A reusable water bottle.
• Travel journal.

Clothes

• Lightweight t-shirts or shirts, including lots of spares.
• Lightweight jackets or cardigans.
• Shorts or skirts.
• Dresses.
• Long, breathable trousers.
• Swimwear.
• Beach cover-ups.
• Socks.
• Underwear and bras.
• Jewellery and/or watch.

Shoes

• Flip-flops or sandals.
• Sturdy trainers or hiking shoes.
• Reef shoes.

Bags

• Day backpack.
• Dry bag.
• Tote bag or clutch, if required.

Toiletries

• Face wash.
• Shower gel.
• Shower poof or scrubber.
• Razors and razor cream.
• Shampoo and conditioner.
• Moisturiser.
• Deodrant.
• Body spray or perfume.
• Tweezers.
• Nail clippers or scissors.
• Hair brush or comb.
• Hair bobbles and clips.

First-aid kit

• Waterproof plasters.
• Blister plasters.
• Bandages and surgical tape.
• Immodium for traveler’s diarhhea.
• Rehydration sachets
• Anti-allergy tablets.
• Antiseptic wipes.
• Antibacterial cream such as Savlon.
• Painkillers like Paracetamol or Ibuprofen.
• Mosquito relief cream or hoe hin.
• Anti-acids.
• Anti-sickness tablets for motion sickness.

Valuables

• Any prescription medicine, accompanied by a doctor’s letter.
• Passport.
• Tourist visa (or other suitable visa)
• Travel insurance documents. I recommend using Staysure or Safety Wing travel insurance.
• Mobile phone.
• Phone charger.
• Laptop and laptop charger (if required).
• Padlock for lockers in hostels.
• Ear phones.
• Plug adaptor. The Philippines typically uses plug type A, which has two flat parallel pins. This is the same plug used in North America. Some plugs may require a type C adaptor, which is a European-style adaptor.
• Camera, including a memory card and camera charger.
• Power bank.
• ID card.
• Wallet with cash and a debit or credit card.

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Katie Treharne

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