Kota Kinabalu
capital of Sabah, Malaysia
Live & travel in Kota Kinabalu
Estimate for a remote worker (rent + living) from World Bank price levels. Capitals can be higher. · US travel advisory: Feb 21, 2026
Climate by month
- Temperature
- 32°24°
- Rain
- 251 mm
- Humidity
- 86%
Best months: January, February, March, and April
TerraClimate 1991–2020 · NASA POWEREmbassies & consulates in Kota Kinabalu
2 missions from 2 countries
Consulate General 1
Consulate 1
Well-known restaurants, cafés and bars in Kota Kinabalu
Ordered by how many Wikipedia language editions describe each place. That measures how famous a place is, not how good the food is.
Where to eat in Kota Kinabalu
- Tavern Kitchen & BarMid-range
Lot G-93, Imago Shopping Mall, KK Times Square Phase 2, Jalan Coastal
- Night MarketBudget
Jalan Gaya
- Gaya VegetarianMid-range
Lot 53, Ground Floor, Jalan Gaya
- BadbenBudget
Gaya Street
- El CentroMid-range
32 Jalan Haji Saman
- Souled OutMid-range
KK Times Square Imago Mall rear ground floor
- Jeff De CornerMid-range
Grd Flr, Luyang Ph 6, Shophouse
Source and corrections: Wikivoyage guide to Kota Kinabalu · CC BY-SA 4.0
Frequently asked questions
Where can you eat in Kota Kinabalu?
The travel guide to Kota Kinabalu lists Tavern Kitchen & Bar, Night Market, Gaya Vegetarian, Badben, and El Centro.
Is Kota Kinabalu safe for travellers?
The U.S. State Department currently rates Malaysia at Level 1. The national intentional-homicide rate is 0.7 per 100,000 people.
How much does it cost to live in Kota Kinabalu?
Roughly $1,500 per month for a remote worker, based on Malaysia price levels (33% of US prices).
What is the weather like in Kota Kinabalu in November?
In November Kota Kinabalu averages a high of 32°C, a low of 24°C and about 251 mm of rain.
Which embassies and consulates are in Kota Kinabalu?
2 diplomatic missions, including China (Consulate General).
Cities in Malaysia
Sources: World Bank (CC BY 4.0), TerraClimate (CC0), NASA POWER, U.S. Department of State, Wikidata (CC0), Wikimedia Commons, ExchangeRate-API.