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When to go · Kota Bharu

Kota Bharu in January

Avoid month. Listed as a month to avoid: Nov–Jan (northeast monsoon rain); Ramadan daytime closures.

Key facts

Verdict
Avoid
Temperature
29°C (84°F) / 23°C (73°F)
average high / low
Rain days
14
Crowds
Medium
Malaysia overall
Prices
Medium
Malaysia overall

Verdict

AvoidBest and avoid months for Kota Bharu

Listed as a month to avoid: Nov–Jan (northeast monsoon rain); Ramadan daytime closures.

Is another month better than January?

January is rated avoid. These months rate higher:

Weather in January

Long-term averages
  • Kota BharuHighs around 29 °C (84 °F), lows around 23 °C (73 °F), rain on about 14 days
  • East coast, Malaysia · 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.

Festivals and holidays

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.

  • Chinese New Year big impact

    Jan–Feb (lunar — check) · Malaysia

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

Crowds and prices

Crowds · Malaysia overall
Medium
Prices · Malaysia overall
Medium

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

Compare two months

Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Kota Bharu, side by side.

  • Verdict

    Jan: Avoid

    Feb: Great (better)

  • Daytime high

    Jan: 29 °C (84 °F)

    Feb: 30 °C (86 °F)

  • Night low

    Jan: 23 °C (73 °F)

    Feb: 23 °C (73 °F)

  • Rain days

    Jan: 14

    Feb: 9 (better)

  • Crowds

    Jan: Medium

    Feb: High

  • Prices

    Jan: Medium

    Feb: High

  • Festivals listed

    Jan: 1

    Feb: 1

January: Listed as a month to avoid: Nov–Jan (northeast monsoon rain); Ramadan daytime closures.

February: Inside Kota Bharu's best window: Feb–Sep.

Kota Bharu: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.

What to pack

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

Build the full packing list for your trip →

Across Malaysia in January →