January in Kota Kinabalu: expect compromises
Hardest · 4.9/10January averages 26°C (79°F) and humidity near 85%, so the practical pattern is early mornings, a long midday break, and evenings back outside.
225 mm makes this the wettest stretch of the year, though about 26 days with 6+ hours of sunshine still appear — keep an indoor fallback ready.
It scores 4.9/10 here, 2nd of 12 months, against 5.7/10 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.
February in Kota Kinabalu tops the year's climate scores
Best window · 5.7/10February averages 26°C (79°F) and humidity near 82%, so the practical pattern is early mornings, a long midday break, and evenings back outside.
Monthly rainfall reaches 119 mm — wet for this destination — but about 26 days with 6+ hours of sunshine still break through, so keep one indoor fallback in the plan.
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.
Plan for peak pricing, with 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 · 4.9/10Days in March average 27°C (80°F) and humidity near 82% — front-load outdoor plans before the heat builds and treat the middle of the day as indoor time.
This is the year's wettest stretch at 202 mm, but with about 29 days with 6+ hours of sunshine it is not a total loss; an indoor fallback covers the risk.
That is 4.9/10 on the same scale — 3rd of 12 months, versus 5.7/10 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 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) and humidity near 82%, so the practical pattern is early mornings, a long midday break, and evenings back outside.
211 mm makes this the wettest stretch of the year, though about 28 days with 6+ hours of sunshine still appear — keep an indoor fallback ready.
It scores 4.6/10 here, 7th of 12 months, against 5.7/10 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.
May in Kota Kinabalu — off-season conditions
Hardest · 4.3/10Days in May average 28°C (82°F) and humidity near 81% — front-load outdoor plans before the heat builds and treat the middle of the day as indoor time.
This is the year's wettest stretch at 395 mm, but with about 27 days with 6+ hours of sunshine it is not a total loss; an indoor fallback covers the risk.
That is 4.3/10 on the same scale — 12th of 12 months, versus 5.7/10 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.
June in Kota Kinabalu — the hardest end of the year
Hardest · 4.6/10June averages 27°C (81°F) and humidity near 80%, so the practical pattern is early mornings, a long midday break, and evenings back outside.
266 mm makes this the wettest stretch of the year, though about 25 days with 6+ hours of sunshine still appear — keep an indoor fallback ready.
It scores 4.6/10 here, 8th of 12 months, against 5.7/10 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.
July in Kota Kinabalu: expect compromises
Hardest · 4.8/10July averages 27°C (81°F) and humidity near 78%, so the practical pattern is early mornings, a long midday break, and evenings back outside.
210 mm makes this the wettest stretch of the year, though about 27 days with 6+ hours of sunshine still appear — keep an indoor fallback ready.
It scores 4.8/10 here, 4th of 12 months, against 5.7/10 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.
August in Kota Kinabalu: expect compromises
Hardest · 4.6/10Days in August average 27°C (81°F) and humidity near 79% — front-load outdoor plans before the heat builds and treat the middle of the day as indoor time.
This is the year's wettest stretch at 309 mm, but with about 27 days with 6+ hours of sunshine it is not a total loss; an indoor fallback covers the risk.
That is 4.6/10 on the same scale — 9th of 12 months, versus 5.7/10 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 proper rain shell rather than an umbrella, footwear you can get muddy.
September in Kota Kinabalu — the hardest end of the year
Hardest · 4.6/10Days in September average 27°C (80°F) and humidity near 80% — front-load outdoor plans before the heat builds and treat the middle of the day as indoor time.
This is the year's wettest stretch at 403 mm, but with about 24 days with 6+ hours of sunshine it is not a total loss; an indoor fallback covers the risk.
That is 4.6/10 on the same scale — 10th of 12 months, versus 5.7/10 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.
October in Kota Kinabalu — the hardest end of the year
Hardest · 4.6/10October averages 27°C (80°F) and humidity near 84%, so the practical pattern is early mornings, a long midday break, and evenings back outside.
415 mm makes this the wettest stretch of the year, though about 26 days with 6+ hours of sunshine still appear — keep an indoor fallback ready.
It scores 4.6/10 here, 11th of 12 months, against 5.7/10 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.
November in Kota Kinabalu: expect compromises
Hardest · 4.7/10November averages 27°C (80°F) and humidity near 84%, so the practical pattern is early mornings, a long midday break, and evenings back outside.
226 mm makes this the wettest stretch of the year, though about 27 days with 6+ hours of sunshine still appear — keep an indoor fallback ready.
It scores 4.7/10 here, 5th of 12 months, against 5.7/10 in the destination's best month.
Plan for low-season pricing, with 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.
December in Kota Kinabalu — the hardest end of the year
Hardest · 4.7/10Days in December average 26°C (79°F) and humidity near 85% — front-load outdoor plans before the heat builds and treat the middle of the day as indoor time.
This is the year's wettest stretch at 293 mm, but with about 27 days with 6+ hours of sunshine it is not a total loss; an indoor fallback covers the risk.
That is 4.7/10 on the same scale — 6th of 12 months, versus 5.7/10 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 proper rain shell rather than an umbrella, footwear you can get muddy.
