Malaysia in January

West coast fine; east-coast islands closed; Thaipusam and Chinese New Year may fall here (check).

• 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.

• Thaipusam

  Jan–Feb (Tamil calendar — check)

  Huge pilgrimage to Batu Caves; roads near KL closed at night.

• Chinese New Year big impact

  Jan–Feb (lunar — check)

  Two public days, many Chinese businesses shut for a week; Penang and KL busy.

Crowds · Malaysia

Medium

Prices · Malaysia

Medium

• 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)

• Kuala Lumpur

  Drier; Thaipusam and Chinese New Year crowds some years.

• 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.