Things to Do in Malaysia in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
Shoulder Season · Good Value
December Weather in Malaysia
Temperature, rainfall and humidity at a glance
89°F (32°C)
High Temp
75°F (24°C)
Low Temp
11.0 inches (279 mm)
Rainfall
70%
Humidity
⚠ Heavy rainfall expected, carry rain gear daily
Is December Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
Advantages
- + December lands between monsoons. East coast islands reopen with glass-clear water. West coast stays dry enough for beach days. Smart travelers pick this month.
- + Hotel rates drop 30-40% from peak season. Beachfront rooms in Langkawi cost half January prices. Book early for best selection.
- + Durian season peaks in December. The pungent fruit crowds roadside stalls from Penang to Johor. Locals invite curious visitors to taste sessions.
- + Christmas decorations turn Kuala Lumpur malls into spectacle. Pavilion-sized reindeer stand at Suria KLCC. Snow machines at Pavilion mall.
Considerations
- − Afternoon thunderstorms hit 60% of days. They arrive fast at 3pm. Streets become rivers for 45 minutes. Then gone.
- − Humidity hovers at 70% even in 'dry' areas. Your cotton shirt sticks within minutes. Plan wardrobe accordingly.
- − Some east coast islands close December 1-15 for maintenance. Redang and Perhentian might stay inaccessible. Weather decides.
Best Activities in December
Top things to do during your visit
Penang Hawker Center Food Tours
December's cooler mornings make walking tours comfortable. Hawker centers like New Lane and Gurney Drive buzz with locals escaping afternoon heat. Chinese, Malay, and Indian stalls serve charcoal-grilled stingray, steaming bowls of assam laksa, and roti canai flipped on hot griddles. Evening tours catch golden hour when hawker centers light up with fluorescent tubes and garlic-chili scent fills humid air.
Booking Tip: Book evening food tours 5-7 days ahead. December weekends draw Singaporean crowds. Choose guides who grew up eating here.
Langkawi Mangrove Kayaking
Morning paddles through Kilim Karst Geoforest Park work well in December. Limestone caves stay cool until noon. Eagles feed at 10am when tides shift. You glide narrow channels where macaques watch from mangrove branches. Paddle echoes sound different inside cave systems. Afternoon rain rarely starts before 2pm, giving full morning on water.
Booking Tip: Morning departures (8am) run smoother than afternoon trips in December. Check operators provide dry bags for cameras. Sudden showers appear.
Cameron Highlands Tea Estate Cycling
December's cooler mountain air makes cycling between BOH tea plantations pleasant. Temperatures drop to 18°C (64°F) at 1,500m (4,920 ft). Morning mist creates tea-commercial photos. The route from Tanah Rata to Sungei Palas estate passes strawberry farms selling fresh milkshakes. The 8km (5 mile) descent back to town needs no training.
Booking Tip: Rent bikes in Tanah Rata town. Mountain bikes handle steep sections better than city bikes. Start by 7am to beat tour bus traffic.
Kuala Lumpur Night Market Walks
December nights cool to 26°C (79°F). Good for exploring Jalan Alor and Petaling Street until midnight. Night markets sell counterfeit watches and grilled chicken hearts. Neon signs reflect off wet pavement after evening showers. Food vendors shout in Hokkien and Cantonese. Sizzling woks compete with satay smoke drifting through humid air.
Booking Tip: Visit with empty stomachs around 8pm when stalls fire up. Covered sections stay open through rain. Petaling Street's tarps make rainy nights atmospheric.
Where to Stay in Malaysia in December
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for December travellers.
★★★★
Mid-Range
Tropicana the residence klcc Kuala by gold suites
From $54 / night
Check Prices on Trip.com →
December Events & Festivals
What's happening during your visit
Early December
Penang International Dragon Boat Festival
Traditional dragon boats race along Teluk Bahang dam while drums echo across water. Teams from Singapore and Thailand bring cheering sections. Food stalls sell Penang specialties like char kway teow and cendol. Races run regardless of rain. December showers make paddles splash higher.
Packing Checklist
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Climate-specific gear, brand recommendations, and what to leave at home.
View Malaysia Packing List →Essential Tips
Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid
Insider Knowledge
Book GrabCar instead of taxis. Drivers use Waze to avoid flooded roads. They won't overcharge tourists.
Download the MySejahtera app before arrival. You need it to enter any mall or restaurant. Even for coffee.
Eat at mamak stalls after 10pm. Locals go for roti canai and teh tarik then. Prices drop slightly.
Carry small bills for toll roads. Highway tolls require exact change. Attendants won't break large notes.
Avoid These Mistakes
Don't assume December means dry season everywhere. East coast islands can close for rough seas through mid-month.
Skip flip-flops in cities. Broken pavement and sudden floods destroy them. Malls require covered shoes.
Avoid booking connecting flights too tight. Afternoon storms delay domestic flights by 1-2 hours regularly.
Plan indoor backup options. Islamic Arts Museum and Petrosains Discovery Centre save rainy days.
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Top-rated things to do in Malaysia this December
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