When to go

Welcome to the tropics
Word to the wise: The Shopping Carnival, a massive annual sale held in Kuala Lumpur and across Malaysia in October/November, is worth planning a trip around.

Situated a mere smidgen north of the Equator, Kuala Lumpur enjoys (or suffers from, depending on the strength of your air-conditioner) year-round tropical temperatures averaging 25-32°C. The city generally experiences two seasons: dry (May to September) and wet (mid-November to March) but it's always worth packing a rain poncho—Kuala Lumpur receives around 200 days of precipitation each year.

To escape the crowds, try to time your visit outside Christmas, Singapore's school holiday season (May-June) and June-Sept, when city hotels typically book up with Middle Eastern holidaymakers.

If you're hoping to make a side trip to Malaysia's beautiful east coast islands and beaches, schedule travel outside the Christmas monsoon period, when resorts typically shut up shop until the wild weather dissipates.