Malaysia in December

Langkawi good; east coast closed; year-end holidays fill KL and Penang.

• West coast · Kuala Lumpur, Melaka, Penang, Ipohfine

  Hot and humid all year (31–34 °C); afternoon storms, heaviest Apr and Oct–Nov; haze from Sumatra fires possible Jun–Sep.

• Langkawi and the north-west · Langkawi, Kedah, Perlisbest weather

  Distinct dry season Dec–Apr; the wettest months are Aug–Oct.

• East coast · Perhentian, Redang, Tioman, Kota Bharu, Kuala Terengganustorm or typhoon risk

  Northeast monsoon Nov–Feb closes most island resorts and boats; Mar–Oct is the beach season.

• Borneo (Sabah and Sarawak) · Kota Kinabalu, Kuching, Sandakan, Mount Kinabalurainy

  Wettest Nov–Feb (Kuching floods in some years); Sabah drier Mar–Sep; Kinabalu cold at the summit.

• Highlands · Cameron Highlands, Fraser's Hillfine

  15–25 °C; rain most afternoons.

Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.

• Christmas

  25 Dec

  Malls decorated; school holidays fill resorts.

Crowds · Malaysia

High

Prices · Malaysia

High

High-price month: see what to book ahead.

• A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast
• A spare day in the plan: storms can cancel flights and ferries

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Rated best or good this month

• Langkawi and the north-west

  Best weather of the year (Langkawi, Kedah, Perlis)

• George Town

  Best months: Dec–Feb (driest, least humid)

Better another month

• East coast

  Northeast monsoon Nov–Feb closes most island resorts and boats; Mar–Oct is the beach season.