Kota Kinabalu, though not as widely known and revered as other Malaysian tourist hotspots is fast acquiring the status of its more illustrious peers with its national parks, breathtaking mountains and a bustling commercial town center. Here is a guide to the best time to visit Kota Kinabaslu to enjoy its natural beauty.

Weather

Kota Kinabalu sports a primarily equatorial climate with relatively uniform temperatures and a high level of humidity owing to a perennial rainfall in the region. The best time to visit the city is from January to March, when the climate is cool and dry and makes for less messy and comfortable sightseeing sessions and outdoor activities. October sees torrential strokes of rain in Kota Kinabalu and it would do visitors good to avoid making a trip during this period. The months of April and May are extremely hot and humid and hence not the best time to make a trip to the region.

Festivals

The period from November to mid January is best avoided due to the fact that the festival season sees hordes of Catholics and members of the Christian community flock to the city. Kota Kinabalu is uncomfortably crowded during the festivals and it is a daunting task to find decent accommodation options and go for city sightseeing sessions. Late January and February are a good time to enjoy the weather and a relatively peaceful vacation in Kota Kinabalu.

Sabah Fest

For visitors who don’t mind the sultry weather in their quest to discover the gems of the Sabah State culture, the Sabah fest held annually in the month of May is a good time to catch colorful displays of the heritage of the region with customary rituals, statewide celebrations and lectures on the land’s ethnography and civilization.

Mount Kinabalu International Climbathon

The exciting annual mountain climbing event sees hordes of climbing purists and enthusiasts from all over the world vying for the coveted top mountain runner’s title. The race covers 4096 meters over a cumulative distance of over 21 kilometers.

Malaysia Mega Sale Carnival

Shopaholics from all over the world converge in the town during the annual mega sale carnival held in the region from June to September. Visitors can bag some of the best deals and special discounts on a range of items from designer apparel and accessories to electronic gadgets and local artifacts.

Kota Kinabalu is a year round attractive destination depending on what visitors come for. Climatically January and February are the best months but for a cultural odyssey of the town, the May Sabah fest is the best time to visit. Compulsive shoppers will not be able to resist travelling here between June to September during the annual carnival sale.