Kota Kinabalu · Month comparison
December vs March
March ranks #1 overall vs December at #12. Best month overall: 32°C, 95mm rain, and the clearest views of Mount Kinabalu.
December
#12 of 12 months
Worth considering
Wettest month of the year collides with Christmas prices — a poor value proposition.
- ↑Christmas and New Year celebrations in the waterfront district are festive and low-key
- ↑Filipino Market and Handicraft Night Market bustling with gift shoppers
March
#1 of 12 months
Best match
Best month overall: 32°C, 95mm rain, and the clearest views of Mount Kinabalu.
- ↑Driest skies of the year — Mt Kinabalu summit at 4,095m rewards climbers with panoramas across Borneo
- ↑Marine park islands at their best: clear coral visibility, calm seas, and white sand beaches uncrowded
| Factor | December | March |
|---|---|---|
| Weather score | 3 | 9 |
| Value score | 5 | 6 |
| Crowd score | 5 | 6 |
| Events score | 6 | 6 |
| Atmosphere | 5 | 8 |
| Avg high temp | 30°C | 32°C |
| Monthly rain | 280mm | 95mm |
| Daily sunshine | 5hrs | 7.5hrs |
December trade-offs
- ↓280mm — the wettest month in KK: sustained heavy rain dominates and boat trips cancel for days
- ↓Holiday demand pushes prices back up despite the worst weather of the year
- ↓Mt Kinabalu summit essentially unavailable for meaningful views; permits still required but largely wasted
March trade-offs
- ↓Mt Kinabalu summit permits book out fast — plan and pay at least 2 months in advance
- ↓Prices rising from February lows as word spreads about the dry season
- ↓Humidity still 76% — midday in the city centre is hot even on sunny days
Scores compare months within Kota Kinabalu. Climate data: Open Meteo ERA5 30-year normals (1991–2020). Methodology →