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Cuyo Islands

Spend 2–3 days in Cuyo Islands for beach, fort, kiteboarding and snorkeling; reachable by ferry from Puerto Princesa or Iloilo.

The Cuyo Islands are 45 islands in the Sulu Sea, northeast of mainland Palawan, with about 46,000 people on 130 km². Cuyo Island is the largest and holds most of the population, split into the municipalities of Cuyo, Agutaya and Magsaysay. The draw is Cuyo Town — the oldest in Palawan Province — and its Spanish-era fort and church finished in 1680. There is no scheduled airline, so you arrive by ferry, and the sea decides your schedule.

basic guide: no trip line yet
More
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
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Local time, weather, currency, airports
Weather
see forecast
Currency
PHP
Best months
Dec–Mar (amihan dry season, steady winds for kiteboarding)
avoid Jun–Oct (habagat, heavy rains and possible typhoons)
Airport
Cuyo (CYU)
Nights
2–3

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide for Cuyo Islands: no airport-to-bed path, walking clusters or day plans yet. Fares and schedules here are unverified. What this page does cover
Rules in force · 5Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore…
  • Southeast Asia ↗Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Brunei and Myanmar; never carry a bag or parcel for anyone.
  • Southeast Asia ↗Carry a passport valid for at least six months from entry with two blank pages; airlines refuse boarding on less.
  • Philippines ↗Complete the free eTravel registration on the official government site within 72 hours before arrival; ignore lookalike sites that charge.
  • Philippines ↗Typhoon season runs roughly June to November: flights and boats are cancelled at short notice; buy flexible tickets and keep a spare day.
  • Philippines ↗Carry pesos in small notes; many stalls, jeepneys and taxis are cash-only.

Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide

Checking your follows…
What is in this basic guide8 covered · 4 not yet ▾

Not in this guide yet

  • Walking areas with bag rules
  • Day plans checked against opening hours
  • Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
  • Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Cuyo Islands911 ▾
  • National emergency hotline911

Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.

EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Cuyo Islands, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Show all 12 answers
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Cuyo Fort and St. Augustine Parish Church, finished 1680Cuyo Town, the oldest town in Palawan ProvinceQuiet rural island life and beachesCuyonon food: tuba and cashew brittle
Airports
CYU Cuyo Airport (Magsaysay) (No scheduled airline serves Cuyo Island; the field sits about 20 minutes from Cuyo town. Arrive by ferry instead.)

Map of Cuyo Islands

Where it is, and the guides within about 120 km.

San Jose de Buenavista

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

  • Cuyo Islands
  • Basic guide

Directions in Google Maps · Apple Maps

Guides nearby

Best months at a glance

From the guide's best and avoid lists

  1. Jan

    Best

    30°C (86°F)

  2. Feb

    Best

    30°C (86°F)

  3. Mar

    Best

    31°C (88°F)

  4. Apr

    not flagged

    32°C (90°F)

  5. May

    not flagged

    32°C (90°F)

  6. Jun

    Avoid

    31°C (88°F)

  7. Jul

    Avoid

    30°C (86°F)

  8. Aug

    Avoid

    30°C (86°F)

  9. Sep

    Avoid

    30°C (86°F)

  10. Oct

    Avoid

    30°C (86°F)

  11. Nov

    not flagged

    30°C (86°F)

  12. Dec

    Best

    30°C (86°F)

Best: Dec–Mar. Avoid: Jun–Oct. Month by month →

Warmest Apr (32°C (90°F)), coolest Jan (24°C (75°F) low), wettest Jul (19 rain days), driest Feb (4). Averages, not a forecast.

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Cuyo Islands: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

30°C (86°F)

24°C (75°F)

5 rd

Feb

30°C (86°F)

24°C (75°F)

4 rd

Mar

31°C (88°F)

25°C (77°F)

4 rd

Apr

32°C (90°F)

26°C (79°F)

5 rd

May

32°C (90°F)

26°C (79°F)

10 rd

Jun

31°C (88°F)

25°C (77°F)

17 rd

Jul

30°C (86°F)

25°C (77°F)

19 rd

Aug

30°C (86°F)

25°C (77°F)

19 rd

Sep

30°C (86°F)

25°C (77°F)

18 rd

Oct

30°C (86°F)

25°C (77°F)

17 rd

Nov

30°C (86°F)

25°C (77°F)

11 rd

Dec

30°C (86°F)

24°C (75°F)

7 rd

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

Tricycles (traysikel) dominate town travel; agree price before boarding. Small motorcycles and bicycles can be rented near the market. Bangka boats provide island‑hopping; arrange locally.

Nearest full guides

Straight-line distance, not travel time

See & doDay-trips, door to door

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time
Puerto Princesaovernight

Door to door: Check

Montenegro or Milagrosa ferry from Cuyo port

Montenegro departs Monday 18:00, arrives Tuesday 10:00. Milagrosa departs Thursday and Sunday 15:00. Confirm days before you commit.

Iloilo

overnight

Door to door: Check

Montenegro or Milagrosa ferry from Cuyo port

Montenegro departs Saturday 08:00, arrives Saturday 20:00. Milagrosa departs Monday and Thursday 19:00, arriving Tuesday and Friday 08:00.

Coronovernight

Door to door: Check

Serrano Shipping M/V D'Asean Journey, Cuyo to Coron

Departs Thursday 22:00, arrives Friday 08:00; the same vessel continues to Manila.

Taytay, Palawancaution

Door to door: Check

Bangka or ferry toward the Palawan mainland, then road

No fixed published schedule: ask at the Cuyo pier a few days ahead.

Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

Cuyo Town

Near the port, fort and market; tricycles reach the rest of the island. Check current listings before booking.

Magsaysay

Where Cuyo Airport (CYU) sits, about 20 minutes from Cuyo town. Check current listings before booking.

Beach and resort stays

A few beachfront places outside town; ask locally or check listings. Rates: check.

PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Watch out

Safety

Cuyo is a small, low-crime island group; the real risks are sea conditions and logistics. Ferries are weather-dependent and there are no ATMs, so carry cash and confirm departures a few days ahead.
  • No ATMs on the islands – bring enough cash or use Western Union/G‑Cash exchange.
  • Ferry schedules are weather‑dependent; confirm dates a few days before travel.
  • During habagat (Jun‑Oct) short, heavy downpours can disrupt boat trips.

Emergency numbers

National emergency hotline
911

Pocket card

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Cuyo IslandsCuyo Islands

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

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—

—

Emergency

  • National emergency hotline911

Embassy

US consular services are in Manila; check the embassy website for updates.

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • Puerto Princesa → Cuyo (Montenegro): departs Monday 18:00, arrives Tuesday 10:00 — fare check
  • Cuyo → Puerto Princesa (Montenegro): departs Saturday 22:00, arrives Sunday 10:00 — fare check
  • Iloilo → Cuyo (Montenegro): departs Saturday 08:00, arrives Saturday 20:00 — fare check
  • Cuyo → Iloilo (Montenegro): departs Tuesday 14:00, arrives Wednesday 04:00 — fare check
  • Tricycle ride in Cuyo Town: agree the price before boarding — rate check

Schedules above are a guide only: weather, tides, cargo and mechanical problems shift them. Confirm with the shipping company a few days before departure.

Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Cuyo Islands. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: Dec–Mar (amihan dry season, steady winds for kiteboarding) · avoid Jun–Oct (habagat, heavy rains and possible typhoons) · month by month →
  2. 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. 4 day-trips, door to door
  5. 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
  2. Walking clusters with bag rules
  3. Day plans checked against opening hours
  4. Field-verified times and fares

Meanwhile

Back to Philippines

Sources

Ask about Cuyo Islands

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