Malaysia
Kota Kinabalu in May
🌧️ Rainy seasonHot, humid and often rainy.
🎒 Pack: light, breathable clothes & sunscreen · compact umbrella or rain jacket · quick-dry fabrics
Why May scores 7.6What goes into the score
How it works- Weather comfort6.0
- ✓Hot (33°C highs / 25°C lows)
- !Very humid/sticky (dew point 23.7°C)
- !Wet: ~212 mm rain, ~6 heavy-rain days
- Air quality9.1
- ✓Good (within WHO guideline) (PM2.5 ~11 µg/m³)
- Seasonal hazards10.0
- ·No notable seasonal hazards
- Safety baseline8.0
- ·Normal precautions
| May | Feb | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 7.6 Very good | 8.6 Excellent |
| Season | 🌧️ Rainy season | ☀️ Dry season |
| High / low | 33° / 25° | 31° / 24° |
| Rain | 212 mm | 78 mm |
| Humidity | dew pt 24° | dew pt 23° |
| PM2.5 | 11 µg/m³ | 8 µg/m³ |
Typical-month data: NASA POWER (MERRA-2 reanalysis) 2015–2024 (modelled, not a forecast). Temperatures: Kota Kinabalu weather-station normals. Rainfall: Kota Kinabalu weather-station normals (national met service).
Holidays & crowdsMay 2027
Long weekendThere's at least one long weekend. Domestic travel picks up and popular spots get busier over those days.
- Eid al-Adha 15–17 May · 3 days off in a row
Other public holidays: Labor Day (1 May) · Vesak Day (20 May)
National holidays only; regional holidays and school breaks aren't included. Source: holidays (open-source public-holiday calendar).
Explore Kota KinabaluEvents, sights, food & souvenirs
Check event dates locallyThe capital of Sabah on Borneo, a gateway to Mount Kinabalu, island marine parks and the region's Kadazan-Dusun culture.
Kaamatan Harvest FestivalEvery yearCelebrated through May; the climax and state public holidays are 30-31 May every year
The Kadazan-Dusun rice harvest festival, with dances, rice wine and the Unduk Ngadau pageant.
Why go: The main venue is very busy on 30-31 May.
Where: KDCA cultural centre (Hongkod Koisaan), Penampang
Coming up later
Chinese New YearDate variesLunar calendar, late January to mid-February
Lion dances and festivities in Chinese neighbourhoods.
Why go: Some Chinese-run businesses close for several days.
Where: Citywide
Tunku Abdul Rahman Park
A group of islands off the city with beaches and snorkelling, reached by short boat ride.
Mount Kinabalugreat in May
Malaysia's highest peak, in Kinabalu Park about two hours' drive away.
💡 Summit climbs require a permit and licensed guide, booked well ahead.
Gaya Street Sunday Market
A weekly street market of crafts, food and plants.
💡 Held on Sunday mornings.
Filipino Market and waterfront
Night stalls selling grilled seafood and handicrafts.
Signal Hill Observatory
A viewpoint over the city and islands.
Mari Mari Cultural Village
A cultural centre presenting traditional houses of Sabah's ethnic groups.
Hinava
Raw fish cured in lime with ginger and chilli, a Kadazan-Dusun dish.
💡 Local restaurants serving Sabahan food
Sang nyuk mee
Pork noodle soup, a Sabah Chinese speciality.
💡 Kopitiams in the city centre
Tuaran mee
Fried egg noodles from nearby Tuaran.
💡 Kopitiams
Grilled seafood
Fish, prawns and squid grilled to order.
💡 Waterfront night market
Sabah tea
Tea grown near Mount Kinabalu.
💡 Shops and cafes
Sabah tea
Locally grown tea from Ranau.
💡 Souvenir shops and supermarkets
Pearls
Pearls and jewellery.
💡 Handicraft market on the waterfront
Rattan and beadwork
Traditional handicrafts from Sabah's communities.
💡 Gaya Street Sunday Market