January in Kota Kinabalu — the hardest end of the year
Hardest · 4.9/10January averages 26°C (79°F) with humidity around 85%, so the practical pattern is early mornings, a long midday break, and evenings back outside.
225 mm of rain puts this in monsoon territory — about 26 sunny days across the whole month, and multi-day washouts are normal.
It scores 4.9/10 here, 2nd of 12 months, against 5.7/10 in the destination's best month.
Expect mid-season pricing, and 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.
February in Kota Kinabalu — the year's strongest window
Best window · 5.7/10February averages 26°C (79°F) with humidity around 82%, so the practical pattern is early mornings, a long midday break, and evenings back outside.
At 119 mm this is a genuinely wet month: about 26 sunny days in total, and outdoor plans need an indoor fallback.
On our climate-comfort scale this is the top-ranked month of the year for Kota Kinabalu at 5.7/10 — 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, a proper rain shell rather than an umbrella, footwear you can get muddy.
March in Kota Kinabalu — the hardest end of the year
Hardest · 4.9/10March averages 27°C (80°F) with humidity around 82%, so the practical pattern is early mornings, a long midday break, and evenings back outside.
202 mm of rain puts this in monsoon territory — about 29 sunny days across the whole month, and multi-day washouts are normal.
It scores 4.9/10 here, 3rd of 12 months, against 5.7/10 in the destination's best month.
Expect mid-season pricing, and 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.
April in Kota Kinabalu — the hardest end of the year
Hardest · 4.6/10April averages 27°C (81°F) with humidity around 82%, so the practical pattern is early mornings, a long midday break, and evenings back outside.
211 mm of rain puts this in monsoon territory — about 28 sunny days across the whole month, and multi-day washouts are normal.
It scores 4.6/10 here, 7th of 12 months, against 5.7/10 in the destination's best month.
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.
May in Kota Kinabalu — the hardest end of the year
Hardest · 4.3/10May averages 28°C (82°F) with humidity around 81%, so the practical pattern is early mornings, a long midday break, and evenings back outside.
395 mm of rain puts this in monsoon territory — about 27 sunny days across the whole month, and multi-day washouts are normal.
It scores 4.3/10 here, 12th of 12 months, against 5.7/10 in the destination's best month.
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.
June in Kota Kinabalu — the hardest end of the year
Hardest · 4.6/10June averages 27°C (81°F) with humidity around 80%, so the practical pattern is early mornings, a long midday break, and evenings back outside.
266 mm of rain puts this in monsoon territory — about 25 sunny days across the whole month, and multi-day washouts are normal.
It scores 4.6/10 here, 8th of 12 months, against 5.7/10 in the destination's best month.
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.
July in Kota Kinabalu — the hardest end of the year
Hardest · 4.8/10July averages 27°C (81°F) with humidity around 78%, so the practical pattern is early mornings, a long midday break, and evenings back outside.
210 mm of rain puts this in monsoon territory — about 27 sunny days across the whole month, and multi-day washouts are normal.
It scores 4.8/10 here, 4th of 12 months, against 5.7/10 in the destination's best month.
Expect mid-season pricing, and 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.
August in Kota Kinabalu — the hardest end of the year
Hardest · 4.6/10August averages 27°C (81°F) with humidity around 79%, so the practical pattern is early mornings, a long midday break, and evenings back outside.
309 mm of rain puts this in monsoon territory — about 27 sunny days across the whole month, and multi-day washouts are normal.
It scores 4.6/10 here, 9th of 12 months, against 5.7/10 in the destination's best month.
Expect mid-season pricing, and 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.
September in Kota Kinabalu — the hardest end of the year
Hardest · 4.6/10September averages 27°C (80°F) with humidity around 80%, so the practical pattern is early mornings, a long midday break, and evenings back outside.
403 mm of rain puts this in monsoon territory — about 24 sunny days across the whole month, and multi-day washouts are normal.
It scores 4.6/10 here, 10th of 12 months, against 5.7/10 in the destination's best month.
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.
October in Kota Kinabalu — the hardest end of the year
Hardest · 4.6/10October averages 27°C (80°F) with humidity around 84%, so the practical pattern is early mornings, a long midday break, and evenings back outside.
415 mm of rain puts this in monsoon territory — about 26 sunny days across the whole month, and multi-day washouts are normal.
It scores 4.6/10 here, 11th of 12 months, against 5.7/10 in the destination's best month.
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.
November in Kota Kinabalu — the hardest end of the year
Hardest · 4.7/10November averages 27°C (80°F) with humidity around 84%, so the practical pattern is early mornings, a long midday break, and evenings back outside.
226 mm of rain puts this in monsoon territory — about 27 sunny days across the whole month, and multi-day washouts are normal.
It scores 4.7/10 here, 5th of 12 months, against 5.7/10 in the destination's best month.
Expect mid-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.
December in Kota Kinabalu — the hardest end of the year
Hardest · 4.7/10December averages 26°C (79°F) with humidity around 85%, so the practical pattern is early mornings, a long midday break, and evenings back outside.
293 mm of rain puts this in monsoon territory — about 27 sunny days across the whole month, and multi-day washouts are normal.
It scores 4.7/10 here, 6th of 12 months, against 5.7/10 in the destination's best month.
Expect mid-season pricing, and 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.
