Malaysia Kota Kinabalu Weather in December — Climate Guide
December in Kota Kinabalu is high
December is high for Kota Kinabalu.
Christmas-New Year peak — Korean + Japanese tourists. Hotels triple.
Travel score
Kota Kinabalu December Weather Stats
Avg High
30°C
Avg Low
24°C
Rainy Days
12
200mm total
Sunshine
6h
Daily avg
Humidity
82%
high
UV Index
10
Very high
Wind
10 km/h
Gusts 25
Sea Temp
28°C
swimming
Crowds
Very busy
At attractions
December Sunrise & Sunset
Air Quality
PM2.5
9 μg/m³
PM10
18 μg/m³
Status
good
Feels-Like Temperature & Wind
Feels like
Daytime
33°C
Nighttime
25°C
Humidity and wind affect how the actual temperature feels.
Wind
10 km/h
Max gust 25 km/h
Activities Recommended for December
December Travel Pros & Cons
Pros
- Christmas peak atmosphere
- Korean tourist peak
Cons
- Hotels triple
- Tourist crush peak
- Monsoon
December Events & Festivals
- Christmas-New Year peak
Kota Kinabalu in December — Full Picture
Christmas-New Year peak — Korean + Japanese tourists. Hotels triple.
What to Wear & What to Pack
Tropical + monsoon.
Packing Checklist
Seasonal Weather Overview
Spring (Mar·Apr·May)
31.7°C
24.7°C
8/mo
Summer (Jun·Jul·Aug)
31°C
24°C
9.3/mo
Autumn (Sep·Oct·Nov)
31°C
24°C
13.3/mo
Winter (Dec·Jan·Feb)
Current30.3°C
24°C
11.3/mo
Kota Kinabalu Monthly Weather Comparison
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun | Humid | UV | Crowd | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30° | 24° | 13d·180mm | 6h | 82% | 10 | Very busy | Peak | |
| February (Best) | 31° | 24° | 9d·130mm | 7h | 80% | 10 | Very busy | Peak |
| March (Best) | 31° | 24° | 7d·90mm | 8h | 78% | 11 | Busy | Shoulder |
| April (Best) | 32° | 25° | 8d·100mm | 8h | 80% | 11 | Busy | Shoulder |
| May (Best) | 32° | 25° | 9d·130mm | 8h | 80% | 11 | Very busy | Peak |
| June (Best) | 31° | 24° | 9d·130mm | 8h | 80% | 11 | Busy | Shoulder |
| July (Best) | 31° | 24° | 9d·120mm | 8h | 80% | 11 | Very busy | Peak |
| August (Best) | 31° | 24° | 10d·150mm | 7h | 80% | 10 | Busy | Shoulder |
| 31° | 24° | 12d·200mm | 7h | 82% | 10 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 31° | 24° | 14d·280mm | 6h | 84% | 10 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 31° | 24° | 14d·280mm | 6h | 84% | 10 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 30° | 24° | 12d·200mm | 6h | 82% | 10 | Very busy | Peak |
View Other Months
Kota Kinabalu December Hotel Picks
Frequently Asked Questions
Is December a good time to visit Kota Kinabalu?
Kota Kinabalu in December is high. Tourist crowds are very busy and flight/hotel prices are peak.
What's the average temperature in Kota Kinabalu in December?
Kota Kinabalu December averages a high of 30°C and a low of 24°C.
Does it rain much in Kota Kinabalu in December?
Kota Kinabalu December averages 200mm of rainfall over about 12 rainy days.
What should I wear in Kota Kinabalu in December?
Tropical + monsoon.
What time are sunrise and sunset in Kota Kinabalu in December?
Kota Kinabalu December sunrise is 06:20 and sunset is 18:10, with 11h 50min of daylight.
What's the air quality like in Kota Kinabalu in December?
Kota Kinabalu December air quality (AQI) averages 30, rated Good. PM2.5 averages 9μg/m³.
What activities are recommended in Kota Kinabalu in December?
In December, Kota Kinabalu is great for Tunku Abdul Rahman morning, KK City Christmas, Mari Mari.
Is December peak season in Kota Kinabalu?
Kota Kinabalu December crowds are very busy and prices are peak. Advance reservations are strongly recommended.
Best Months to Visit Kota Kinabalu
View Other Months
Why you can trust weather guide
Based in Chiang Mai for 8+ years, with 30+ countries visited across Southeast Asia, Japan, and Europe. Every detail in this guide is primary-source verified as of April 2026, with prices auto-refreshed via live exchange rate APIs. This isn't AI-generated boilerplate — it's written from the perspective of someone who has actually been there.