Climate guide for Underground River, Philippines

Best Time to Visit
Underground River

How to read the score (0–10)
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01 · Philippines

About Underground River

The Underground River flows through a limestone cave beneath the mountains of Palawan, and boat trips from Sabang take visitors into the dark to a lagoon at the far end. The site is a UNESCO World Heritage area inside a national park of forest and karst, and permits are limited, so book ahead. Puerto Princesa is the gateway, and Sabang sits on the island's west coast. December to May is the dry season and the calmest time to travel; the wet months bring rough seas.

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Did you know?

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Travel Tips

01Best time & timing
Target February, March, April — that is where comfort scores peak (6.8/10). September is the weakest month at 3.5/10.
02Weather & what to pack
February averages 27°C with 27 mm of rain and about 24 days with 6+ hours of sunshine. Pack the lightest clothing you own, a hat and more water than feels necessary.
03Budget timing
If budget matters most, April is the cheapest month (6.2/10) — expect weather trade-offs.

Things to do in Underground River

Underground River, Philippines. Live activities and tours from GetYourGuide, matched to this destination.

When to visit Underground River: the short answer

Plan Underground River for February, with March, April close behind — the stretch with the most usable temperatures and the fewest lost days to rain: February averages 27°C with 27 mm of rain and about 24 days with 6+ hours of sunshine. The months to avoid unless you have a specific reason are September, July.

Across the year Underground River swings from 27°C in January to 30°C in May, a 3-degree spread, while rainfall ranges from 27 mm in February to 309 mm in July. In short, Underground River is not equally good year-round — the gap between its best and worst month is 3.3 points on the same 10-point scale.

Warmest month: May (30°C). Coolest: January (27°C). Driest: February (27 mm). Wettest: July (309 mm).

Underground River month by month

January in Underground River — middling scores, decent value

Trade-offs · 5.5/10

Days in January average 27°C (81°F) and humidity near 82% — front-load outdoor plans before the heat builds and treat the middle of the day as indoor time.

Budget for roughly 87 mm of rain this month — a flexible day or two helps — with about 19 days with 6+ hours of sunshine and 11.5 hours of daylight to work around it.

That is 5.5/10 on the same scale — 4th of 12 months, versus 6.8/10 for the best month here.

Budget for mid-season pricing, and crowds are moderate.

Pack the lightest breathable clothing you own, a hat, and more water than feels necessary, a packable rain layer, footwear you can get muddy.

February in Underground River tops the year's climate scores

Best window · 6.8/10

Days in February average 27°C (81°F) and humidity near 80% — front-load outdoor plans before the heat builds and treat the middle of the day as indoor time.

With around 27 mm of rain, any showers tend to pass through rather than settle in; about 24 days with 6+ hours of sunshine and 11.7 hours of daylight fill the rest.

On our climate-comfort scale this is the top-ranked month of the year for Underground River at 6.8/10 — the reference point every other month on this page is measured against.

Expect peak pricing, and this is one of the busiest months here. You are paying the year's highest rates for the year's best conditions — book early or shift a few weeks either side.

Pack the lightest breathable clothing you own, a hat, and more water than feels necessary, footwear you can get muddy.

March in Underground River — workable with trade-offs

Trade-offs · 6.4/10

March averages 28°C (82°F) and humidity near 76%, so the practical pattern is early mornings, a long midday break, and evenings back outside.

Expect 40 mm of rain — occasional showers rather than washed-out days — alongside about 31 days with 6+ hours of sunshine and 11.9 daylight hours.

It scores 6.4/10 here, 2nd of 12 months, against 6.8/10 in the destination's best month.

Plan for peak pricing, with crowds are moderate. You are paying the year's highest rates for the year's best conditions — book early or shift a few weeks either side.

Pack the lightest breathable clothing you own, a hat, and more water than feels necessary, footwear you can get muddy.

April in Underground River — workable with trade-offs

Trade-offs · 6.2/10

Days in April average 29°C (84°F) and humidity near 74% — front-load outdoor plans before the heat builds and treat the middle of the day as indoor time.

Budget for roughly 58 mm of rain this month — a flexible day or two helps — with about 30 days with 6+ hours of sunshine and 12.2 hours of daylight to work around it.

That is 6.2/10 on the same scale — 3rd of 12 months, versus 6.8/10 for the best month here.

Expect mid-season pricing, and crowds are moderate.

Pack the lightest breathable clothing you own, a hat, and more water than feels necessary, a packable rain layer, footwear you can get muddy.

May in Underground River: mixed conditions, plan around the weather

Trade-offs · 5.1/10

May averages 30°C (85°F) and humidity near 75%, so the practical pattern is early mornings, a long midday break, and evenings back outside.

Monthly rainfall reaches 128 mm — wet for this destination — but about 28 days with 6+ hours of sunshine still break through, so keep one indoor fallback in the plan.

It scores 5.1/10 here, 5th of 12 months, against 6.8/10 in the destination's best month.

Figure on mid-season pricing, with crowds are moderate.

Pack the lightest breathable clothing you own, a hat, and more water than feels necessary, a proper rain shell rather than an umbrella, footwear you can get muddy.

Flexible dates? February scores 1.7 points higher here — enough to change the trip.

June in Underground River — off-season conditions

Hardest · 4.1/10

Days in June average 29°C (83°F) and humidity near 79% — front-load outdoor plans before the heat builds and treat the middle of the day as indoor time.

Expect monsoon-level rainfall at 211 mm: only about 19 days with 6+ hours of sunshine across the month, and stretches of heavy rain are normal.

That is 4.1/10 on the same scale — 8th of 12 months, versus 6.8/10 for the best month here.

Budget for low-season pricing, and crowds are light for this destination.

Pack the lightest breathable clothing you own, a hat, and more water than feels necessary, a proper rain shell rather than an umbrella, footwear you can get muddy.

If your dates are flexible, February is materially better in Underground River — 2.7 points higher on the same scale.

July in Underground River — off-season conditions

Hardest · 3.5/10

Days in July average 28°C (83°F) and humidity near 82% — front-load outdoor plans before the heat builds and treat the middle of the day as indoor time.

Expect monsoon-level rainfall at 309 mm: only about 16 days with 6+ hours of sunshine across the month, and stretches of heavy rain are normal.

That is 3.5/10 on the same scale — 11th of 12 months, versus 6.8/10 for the best month here.

Expect low-season pricing, and crowds are light for this destination.

Pack the lightest breathable clothing you own, a hat, and more water than feels necessary, a proper rain shell rather than an umbrella, footwear you can get muddy.

If your dates are flexible, February is materially better in Underground River — 3.3 points higher on the same scale.

August in Underground River — off-season conditions

Hardest · 4.3/10

August averages 28°C (83°F) and humidity near 81%, so the practical pattern is early mornings, a long midday break, and evenings back outside.

Monthly rainfall reaches 191 mm — wet for this destination — but about 21 days with 6+ hours of sunshine still break through, so keep one indoor fallback in the plan.

It scores 4.3/10 here, 7th of 12 months, against 6.8/10 in the destination's best month.

Plan for mid-season pricing, with crowds are moderate.

Pack the lightest breathable clothing you own, a hat, and more water than feels necessary, a proper rain shell rather than an umbrella, footwear you can get muddy.

Flexible dates? February scores 2.5 points higher here — enough to change the trip.

September in Underground River — the hardest end of the year

Hardest · 3.5/10

September averages 28°C (83°F) and humidity near 82%, so the practical pattern is early mornings, a long midday break, and evenings back outside.

276 mm of rain puts this in monsoon territory — about 17 days with 6+ hours of sunshine across the whole month, and multi-day washouts are normal.

It scores 3.5/10 here, 12th of 12 months, against 6.8/10 in the destination's best month.

Plan for low-season pricing, with crowds are light for this destination.

Pack the lightest breathable clothing you own, a hat, and more water than feels necessary, a proper rain shell rather than an umbrella, footwear you can get muddy.

Flexible dates? February scores 3.3 points higher here — enough to change the trip.

October in Underground River: expect compromises

Hardest · 3.8/10

Days in October average 28°C (83°F) and humidity near 82% — front-load outdoor plans before the heat builds and treat the middle of the day as indoor time.

Expect monsoon-level rainfall at 206 mm: only about 18 days with 6+ hours of sunshine across the month, and stretches of heavy rain are normal.

That is 3.8/10 on the same scale — 9th of 12 months, versus 6.8/10 for the best month here.

Expect low-season pricing, and crowds are light for this destination.

Pack the lightest breathable clothing you own, a hat, and more water than feels necessary, a proper rain shell rather than an umbrella, footwear you can get muddy.

If your dates are flexible, February is materially better in Underground River — 3 points higher on the same scale.

November in Underground River: expect compromises

Hardest · 4.4/10

Days in November average 28°C (83°F) and humidity near 82% — front-load outdoor plans before the heat builds and treat the middle of the day as indoor time.

134 mm of rain makes this a wet month here, though with about 20 days with 6+ hours of sunshine there is still bright weather between the fronts.

That is 4.4/10 on the same scale — 6th of 12 months, versus 6.8/10 for the best month here.

Expect low-season pricing, and crowds are light for this destination. That combination — decent conditions at the lowest rates of the year — is the best value window on this page.

Pack the lightest breathable clothing you own, a hat, and more water than feels necessary, a proper rain shell rather than an umbrella, footwear you can get muddy.

If your dates are flexible, February is materially better in Underground River — 2.4 points higher on the same scale.

December in Underground River: expect compromises

Hardest · 3.7/10

December averages 28°C (82°F) and humidity near 83%, so the practical pattern is early mornings, a long midday break, and evenings back outside.

At 159 mm this is a genuinely wet month: about 16 days with 6+ hours of sunshine in total, and outdoor plans need an indoor fallback.

It scores 3.7/10 here, 10th of 12 months, against 6.8/10 in the destination's best month.

Figure on low-season pricing, with crowds are light for this destination.

Pack the lightest breathable clothing you own, a hat, and more water than feels necessary, a proper rain shell rather than an umbrella, footwear you can get muddy.

Flexible dates? February scores 3.1 points higher here — enough to change the trip.

FAQ

Frequently asked

When is the best time to visit Underground River, Philippines?
In Ideal Weather mode, the best months to visit Underground River are February, March. February is the single peak month with an Ideal Weather score of 6.8/10 based on temperature, rainfall, humidity, daylight and days with 6+ hours of sunshine.
What is the weather like in Underground River year-round?
Underground River has a climate profile suited to nature and wildlife travel. Average monthly temperatures range from 27°C in January to 30°C in May, with Ideal Weather scores between 3.5 and 6.8 out of 10.
Which months should I avoid in Underground River?
The lowest Ideal Weather-scoring months in Underground River are July (3.5/10), September (3.5/10), December (3.7/10). These months typically combine less comfortable temperatures, higher rainfall or fewer days with 6+ hours of sunshine.
When is the rainy season in Underground River?
July is the wettest month in Underground River, averaging about 309 mm of rainfall. February is the driest, at roughly 27 mm.
Which is the sunniest month in Underground River?
March sees the most sun in Underground River, with about 31 days with 6+ hours of sunshine on average - ideal for outdoor plans.
Is Underground River a good destination for nature and wildlife travel?
Underground River is well suited to nature and wildlife travel. Its highest Ideal Weather window (February, March) aligns with the conditions travelers usually look for in this style of trip.
How is the bestime.to score for Underground River calculated?
Each month receives an Ideal Weather score from 0-10 using ERA5 climate normals for Underground River: temperature comfort, precipitation, humidity, daylight hours, and days with 6+ hours of sunshine - weighted for nature and wildlife travel.

Climate data: Open-Meteo ERA5 historical archive, the five most recent complete years (2021–2025). Scores are monthly averages for that window, not forecasts, and short-window precipitation can differ from longer-term normals. “Sunny days” count days with at least 6 hours of measured sunshine — they are not dry days.

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