Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia: What to pack, what to wear, and when to go [2022]

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Traveling to Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia? If you're planning to go to Kota Kinabalu, this is some important information about when to go, what to wear, and what to pack.

Contents

About your travel guide

Hi! I'm Dev. I've traveled all over the world and in my travels, I have made many packing lists. In this series, my team and I have compiled the most useful information, as well as things we couldn't live without, to help you plan your trip.


When to go to Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia

Based on the climate and weather in Kota Kinabalu, the best time to go is February. See below for details.

Important essentials for Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia

Here are some general tips on what to wear in Kota Kinabalu, as well as several items to remember to pack when traveling there.

COVID-19 ESSENTIALS FOR 2022


  • N95 masks to use in crowded airports

    These N95 masks provide the best level of COVID-19 protection you can have.


  • Travel insurance

    If you or a companion get COVID-19, your amazing trip can be ruined. Good travel insurance can help. See plans


  • Kids' KN95 masks

    N95 masks are not available for kids. These are a good alternative (and can also be used by adults if N95 masks are not available).


  • Travel disinfecting wipes

    Use these to sanitize plane and hotel surfaces.


  • A vaccine card protector

    Vaccine cards may get worn. An unreadable card can have severe consequences. This vaccine card protector helps stop that.


  • Hand sanitizer

    This hand sanitizer is an easy-to-carry TSA-friendly choice.

General health necessities

Don't forget these

What to wear/what to pack for Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia by month

Already know when you're traveling?

January

January here is pretty consistently hot. Temperatures average in the 80s F (high 20s C) during the day.

What to wear/what to pack:

Mosques often require certain dress, so if you are planning to visit the stunning Sabah State Mosque, take the following:

Note that there may be restrictions on who may enter the building; it is best to check with the Kota Kinabalu tourism authority.

If you see the Sabah State Museum, wear museum-appropriate clothing and take:

Kota Kinabalu has some great beaches. If you plan go to the beach, take:

February

February in this region is extremely warm. Temperatures average in the 80s F (high 20s C) during the day.

What to wear/what to pack:

Mosques often require certain dress, so if you are planning to visit the stunning Sabah State Mosque, take the following:

Note that there may be restrictions on who may enter the building; it is best to check with the Kota Kinabalu tourism authority.

If you see the Sabah State Museum, wear museum-appropriate clothing and take:

Kota Kinabalu has some great beaches. If you plan go to the beach, take:

March

If you vacation in Kota Kinabalu during March, you might find that it is consistently hot. Temperatures tend to hover around the 80s F (low 30s C) during the day, while at night they can dip into the low 70s F (low 20s C).

What to wear/what to pack:

Mosques often require certain dress, so if you are planning to visit the stunning Sabah State Mosque, take the following:

Note that there may be restrictions on who may enter the building; it is best to check with the Kota Kinabalu tourism authority.

If you see the Sabah State Museum, wear museum-appropriate clothing and take:

Kota Kinabalu has some great beaches. If you plan go to the beach, take:

April

If you are traveling to Kota Kinabalu in April, you will notice that it can be very hot. Daytime temperatures are in the high 80s F (low 30s C).

What to wear/what to pack:

Mosques often require certain dress, so if you are planning to visit the stunning Sabah State Mosque, take the following:

Note that there may be restrictions on who may enter the building; it is best to check with the Kota Kinabalu tourism authority.

If you see the Sabah State Museum, wear museum-appropriate clothing and take:

Kota Kinabalu has some great beaches. If you plan go to the beach, take:

May

If you go to Kota Kinabalu in May, you will notice that it is constantly hot. Daytime temperatures are in the high 80s F (low 30s C).

What to wear/what to pack:

Mosques often require certain dress, so if you are planning to visit the stunning Sabah State Mosque, take the following:

Note that there may be restrictions on who may enter the building; it is best to check with the Kota Kinabalu tourism authority.

If you see the Sabah State Museum, wear museum-appropriate clothing and take:

Kota Kinabalu has some great beaches. If you plan go to the beach, take:

June

June in Kota Kinabalu is constantly hot. Temperatures average in the high 80s F (low 30s C) during the day.

What to wear/what to pack:

Mosques often require certain dress, so if you are planning to visit the stunning Sabah State Mosque, take the following:

Note that there may be restrictions on who may enter the building; it is best to check with the Kota Kinabalu tourism authority.

If you see the Sabah State Museum, wear museum-appropriate clothing and take:

Kota Kinabalu has some great beaches. If you plan go to the beach, take:

July

If you visit Kota Kinabalu during July, you might see that it can be very hot. Temperatures tend to hover around the 80s F (low 30s C) during the day, while at night they can dip into the low 70s F (low 20s C).

What to wear/what to pack:

Mosques often require certain dress, so if you are planning to visit the stunning Sabah State Mosque, take the following:

Note that there may be restrictions on who may enter the building; it is best to check with the Kota Kinabalu tourism authority.

If you see the Sabah State Museum, wear museum-appropriate clothing and take:

Kota Kinabalu has some great beaches. If you plan go to the beach, take:

August

August in Kota Kinabalu is consistently hot. The rain can amount to several inches/centimeters. During this time, temperatures average in the 80s F (low 30s C).

What to wear/what to pack:

Mosques often require certain dress, so if you are planning to visit the stunning Sabah State Mosque, take the following:

Note that there may be restrictions on who may enter the building; it is best to check with the Kota Kinabalu tourism authority.

If you see the Sabah State Museum, wear museum-appropriate clothing and take:

Kota Kinabalu has some great beaches. If you plan go to the beach, take:

September

If you visit Kota Kinabalu during September, you may notice that it is consistently hot. Temperatures tend to hover around the 80s F (low 30s C) during the day, while at night they can dip into the low 70s F (low 20s C).

What to wear/what to pack:

Mosques often require certain dress, so if you are planning to visit the stunning Sabah State Mosque, take the following:

Note that there may be restrictions on who may enter the building; it is best to check with the Kota Kinabalu tourism authority.

If you see the Sabah State Museum, wear museum-appropriate clothing and take:

Kota Kinabalu has some great beaches. If you plan go to the beach, take:

October

If you visit Kota Kinabalu during October, you are likely to find that it can be very hot. Temperatures tend to hover around the 80s F (low 30s C) during the day, while at night they can dip into the low 70s F (low 20s C).

What to wear/what to pack:

Mosques often require certain dress, so if you are planning to visit the stunning Sabah State Mosque, take the following:

Note that there may be restrictions on who may enter the building; it is best to check with the Kota Kinabalu tourism authority.

If you see the Sabah State Museum, wear museum-appropriate clothing and take:

Kota Kinabalu has some great beaches. If you plan go to the beach, take:

November

Traveling to Kota Kinabalu in November, you will notice that it can be sweltering. Daytime temperatures are in the 80s F (low 30s C).

What to wear/what to pack:

Mosques often require certain dress, so if you are planning to visit the stunning Sabah State Mosque, take the following:

Note that there may be restrictions on who may enter the building; it is best to check with the Kota Kinabalu tourism authority.

If you see the Sabah State Museum, wear museum-appropriate clothing and take:

Kota Kinabalu has some great beaches. If you plan go to the beach, take:

December

December in Kota Kinabalu can be sweltering. Temperatures average in the 80s F (low 30s C) during the day.

What to wear/what to pack:

Mosques often require certain dress, so if you are planning to visit the stunning Sabah State Mosque, take the following:

Note that there may be restrictions on who may enter the building; it is best to check with the Kota Kinabalu tourism authority.

If you see the Sabah State Museum, wear museum-appropriate clothing and take:

Kota Kinabalu has some great beaches. If you plan go to the beach, take:

Activities for Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia

Here are some activity recommendations and activity-specific packing tips for Kota Kinabalu.

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