What's on in Puerto Princesa (Underground River), Philippines through the year

Peak crowds — Christmas and New Year season, Year-end break in Philippines

Nothing new starts in January.

Still on: Calm-sea season (15 Nov – 15 May (usually)), Christmas and New Year season (16 Dec – 1 Jan)

Busy — school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it, one of its best months for weather

Nothing new starts in February.

Still on: Calm-sea season (15 Nov – 15 May (usually))

Busy — Holy Week, school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it

• Festival

  Balayong Festival

  4 MarWildflowers & blooms

  The city's founding day (4 March), built around the balayong tree that lines the avenues and drops pink over them for a few weeks. Street dancing and a parade rather than anything quiet. Source ↗

• Holiday

  Holy Week

  20 Mar – 20 Apr · usuallyCrowdedClosures

  One of the two weeks the whole country moves, and Palawan is where a good part of Manila flies. Flights and island-hopping boats are booked out and the town's kitchens keep short hours. Source ↗

Still on: Calm-sea season (15 Nov – 15 May (usually))

Peak crowds — Holy Week, End-of-school-year break in Philippines

Nothing new starts in April.

Still on: Holy Week (20 Mar – 20 Apr (usually)), Calm-sea season (15 Nov – 15 May (usually))

Busy — End-of-school-year break in Philippines, school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in May.

Still on: Calm-sea season (15 Nov – 15 May (usually))

Peak crowds — Baragatan sa Palawan, End-of-school-year break in Philippines

• Festival

  Baragatan sa Palawan

  9–22 JunMajor festivalCrowded

  The province's founding festival at the capitol grounds and the baywalk, with a street parade at the end of it. Puerto Princesa is a working town most of the year and this is its noisy fortnight. Source ↗

• Season

  Habagat boat cancellations

  15 Jun – 15 Oct · usuallyMonsoonClosures

  The south-west monsoon brings rough seas: island-hopping bangkas in Honda Bay cancel when the waves are too high, and Underground River tours at Sabang, which usually run, are suspended after heavy rain makes the cave's current too strong. Keep a spare day. Source ↗

Shoulder season — school holidays in 5 of the markets that fill it, an ordinary month

Nothing new starts in July.

Still on: Habagat boat cancellations (15 Jun – 15 Oct (usually))

Shoulder season — school holidays in 4 of the markets that fill it, an ordinary month

Nothing new starts in August.

Still on: Habagat boat cancellations (15 Jun – 15 Oct (usually))

Busy — Term 1 wellness break in Philippines, school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in September.

Still on: Habagat boat cancellations (15 Jun – 15 Oct (usually))

Quiet — school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it, one of its worst months for weather

Nothing new starts in October.

Still on: Habagat boat cancellations (15 Jun – 15 Oct (usually))

Shoulder season — an ordinary month

• Season

  Calm-sea season

  15 Nov – 15 May · usuallyDry season

  The half-year the boats to Honda Bay and up the coast to Sabang go every morning without a discussion about the swell. It is also when the room rates are at their highest. Source ↗

Peak crowds — Christmas and New Year season, Year-end break in Philippines

• Holiday

  Christmas and New Year season

  16 Dec – 1 JanChristmas & New YearCrowdedBook early

  The peak of the country's long Christmas season: dawn Simbang Gabi masses run 16 to 24 December, lanterns hang everywhere, and domestic travel surges towards New Year, so book flights and ferries early. Source ↗

Still on: Calm-sea season (15 Nov – 15 May (usually))