Malaysia – Travel Guide
Malaysia, a captivating fusion of modernity and tradition, invites exploration of its diverse landscapes and rich cultural tapestry. Discover the vibrant cityscape of Kuala Lumpur, where towering skyscrapers juxtapose with historical landmarks like the Petronas Twin Towers and Batu Caves. Dive into the lush depths of Malaysian Borneo, where ancient rainforests house an abundance of wildlife, including orangutans and proboscis monkeys. Relax on the idyllic shores of Langkawi or indulge in the flavorsome delights of Malaysian cuisine, a tantalizing blend of Malay, Chinese, and Indian influences. With its warm hospitality and boundless opportunities for adventure, Malaysia promises an unforgettable journey into the heart of Southeast Asia.
All about Malaysia
Malaysia FAQ
What is Malaysia known for?
Malaysia features idyllic tropical beaches, scenic countryside landscapes, soaring skyscrapers, island escapes, sprawling gardens and parks, and is home to Formula One. The country fuses multiculturalism, colonial history, and an indigenous lifestyle. The Petronas Towers are on display in Kuala Lumpur, steel-covered twin towers that soar on the skyline. Exploring hidden caves such as Ramayana Cave at the Batu Caves, and Stepping Stone Cave a limestone cave leading to a hidden grotto. Sprawling gardens and parks such as Taman Tugu are set amidst the lush verdant forest in Kuala Lumpur and a canopy walk through the treetops in the rainforest at Kuala Lumpur`s Forest Eco Park. Shopping throughout the country can be enjoyed at major shopping malls and markets such as Central Market which dates back to the ’30s a top location for shopping in Kuala Lumpur. Relaxing and soaking up the sun, sea, and sand in Malaysia is a favorite pastime with thousands of miles of pristine beaches along with tiny offshore islands like the Langkawi archipelago boasting one of the most stunning beaches in the country. The lush dense rainforests cover a majority of Malaysia along with mangrove forests and offshore coral reefs it is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world. Rare and endangered species can be seen including elephants, rhinoceroses, tigers, turtles, and orangutans. The Taman Negara National Park is a large preserve in the heart of Malaysia where an abundance of flora, fauna, and birdlife can be spotted. Formula One fans will flock to Malaysia`s Grand Prix in Sepang, opened in 1999 a major draw for international sports fans allowing for speeds up to 200 mph.
What are the best places to visit in Malaysia?
Kuala Lumpur is Malaysia`s largest city and its vibrant capital filled with high-class shopping, historic temples, awe-inspiring towers, and fascinating museums. The streets here are filled with some of the most delicious food in the world and iconic landmarks such as the Petronas Twin Towers and the KL Tower. Exciting activities and adventures await at the ancient Batu Caves and the historic Jamek Mosque. Langkawi is officially known as `The Jewel of Kedah` a stunning archipelago of over 100 idyllic islands set in the breathtaking Andaman Sea. The beautiful island is filled with luxurious accommodations, the waters offer excellent diving opportunities and the beaches are the ultimate for relaxing and rejuvenation. Kota Kinabalu is a tropical jewel on Borneo Island surrounded by scenic countryside leading to hot springs, charming river cruises, scenic train rides and the main jewel of Mount Kinabalu. There are vast amounts of things to see and do, including interesting museums, bustling vibrant markets, delicious fresh seafood, breathtaking lookouts, and vibrant architecture.
How many days should I spend in Malaysia?
We recommend 7-10 days based on what you want to see and do. We offer flexible vacation packages so you can select your number of nights in each city, desired hotel and activities. We suggest a minimum of 3 nights in larger cities.
What is the best way to get around Malaysia?
By Car: Driving around the countryside of Malaysia can be an enjoyable experience, but driving in bigger cities like Kuala Lumpur can be much more stressful. The Lebuhraya Highway runs north to south, a six-lane expressway that stretches for 619 miles from the Thai border in the north to Johor Bahru in the south. The airports and major cities offer major rental car company names such as Hertz and Avis.
By Train: Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTM) is the national railway company offered throughout peninsular Malaysia, trains travel from north to south between the Thai border and Singapore stopping in major destinations such as Penang, Kuala Lumpur, and Johor Bahru. Trains are comfortable, economical, and modern with two lines; line one runs up the west coast from Johor Bahru through Kuala Lumpur, and line two branches off at Gemas and through Kuala Lipis up to the northeastern corner of the country near Kota Bharu in Kelantan.
By Bus: Bus travel in Malaysia is relatively easy, cheap, and comfortable with several long-distance services offered throughout the country. Most of the largest cities and towns had the main bus station, one for the local and regional buses, and then long-distance buses operated from another. Public buses serve small towns and villages across the country and long-distance services often operate on Konsortium Transnasional Berhad with brands including Transnasional, Cityliner, and Plusliner, some might not offer air conditioning and travel slowly.
By Boat: Boats and ferries travel from Peninsular Malaysia to offshore islands and along the rivers of Sabah and Sarawak. There are a number of domestic and international destinations that can be reached from Peninsular Malaysia such as Singapore, Thailand, and Indonesia.
What is the currency of Malaysia?
The currency in Malaysia is the Ringgit (RM). US dollars are not accepted. You will need to exchange your dollars for Ringgit. Currency Exchange desks can be found at the airport and major banks, it is advised to exchange some dollars for Ringgit before arriving in the country. ATMs are also located throughout the airport and at most major banks in the city. Normal banking hours are weekdays from 9:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. and from 9:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. on Saturdays. Tipping is not a common practice, but you may find that most hotels, restaurants, and entertainment outlets do charge a 10% service charge and a 5% government tax on your bill which often deems tipping unnecessary. For more detailed information, consult our guide by clicking here Tipping in Malaysia.
Do people speak English in Malaysia?
The spoken language in Malaysia is Bahasa Malaysia and English. Most people in Malaysia can speak and understand English especially those working in the service industry. We suggest you get a good English-Malaysian guidebook and familiarize yourself with common phrases such as hello, goodbye, excuse me, and numbers 1 -10.
Best time to visit Malaysia
Malaysia offers a warm climate year round due to its location just north of the Equator, making it a great destination for sunny vacations. The average daily temperatures year round are a warm 86F degrees or higher with high humidity.
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Due to its tropical climate, the country also experiences afternoon showers on most days which are normally short downpours. Monsoon season runs from late November to the middle of February and mostly affects the east coast. Due to the country`s shape and location, the seasons on each coast can be quite different. The west coast (Penang and Langkawi) experiences warm tropical weather throughout the year with the wet season taking place September through October. The East Coast (Perhentians and Tioman Island) offer the best weather from June through August. The Highland areas (Cameron and Kelabit) tend to experience more frequent wet and cooler weather due to their elevated locations.
January – February
The beginning months of the year in Malaysia are full of sunshine and warm temperatures that hover in the mid to high 80`s. The west coast of Malaysia (Penang and Langkawi) is the perfect beach destination and this time of year the weather is perfect for beach days and other outdoor activities. This is a relatively dry time of year on the west coast, however, the east coast and the islands differ quite dramatically from the west and experience high rainfall and monsoon`s during this time.
Events and Festivals
– Chinese New Year (January, dates vary)
– Thaipusam (January)
– Federal Territory Day (February 1st)
This is said to be the best time of year to visit the country where you will escape most of the rain and monsoon type weather that the area experiences and enjoy the lush green countryside and plentiful rivers and waterfalls. The weather this time of year is perfect and April is a very popular time of year to visit. In the month of March, the weather on the East coast of the country becomes drier with mostly sunny days, and June through August is the best time of year to plan your visit to this coast including the Perhentians and do some island hopping to visit Redang and Tioman which is a very popular diving destination. The weather is warm and the beaches are perfect for many water sport and outdoor activities heating up. May is the season to begin visiting the east coast when the waters here are perfect, the diving and snorkeling season begins and the weather is warm and dry. Peak season hits in July on the east coast with the number of visitors rising and prices increasing with accommodations selling out months in advance. This is the time of year for Europeans to take their vacations with school holidays occurring.
March – August
This is said to be the best time of year to visit the country where you will escape most of the rain and monsoon type weather that the area experiences and enjoy the lush green countryside and plentiful rivers and waterfalls. The weather this time of year is perfect and April is a very popular time of year to visit. In the month of March, the weather on the East coast of the country becomes drier with mostly sunny days, and June through August is the best time of year to plan your visit to this coast including the Perhentians and do some island hopping to visit Redang and Tioman which is a very popular diving destination. The weather is warm and the beaches are perfect for many water sport and outdoor activities heating up. May is the season to begin visiting the east coast when the waters here are perfect, the diving and snorkeling season begins and the weather is warm and dry. Peak season hits in July on the east coast with the number of visitors rising and prices increasing with accommodations selling out months in advance. This is the time of year for Europeans to take their vacations with school holidays occurring.
Events and Festivals
– Sabah Day (May)
– Ramadam (May)
– Gawai Festival (June)
– Hari Raya Aidilfitri (July)
– National Day (August)
September – October
The rain starts to hit the west coast in the form of afternoon showers and thunderstorms beginning in September and steadily increases during the month of October, making the East coast a very popular destination during these months of the year. However, the cooler, windy weather will begin to make its way on to the east coast during late September which will bring choppier waters off the coast. The East coast now experiences lots of high winds and monsoon type rainfall. October brings the dry weather to the west coast and low season meaning lower prices and available accommodations along with plenty of sunshine and enjoyable temperatures.
Events and Festivals
– Feast of Sacrifice (September)
– Hari Merdeka (August 31st)
– Malaysia Day (September 16th)
– Awal Muharram (October)
November – December
During the last few months of the year, the islands situated on the East Coast close down due to the strong winds, heavy rainfalls, and rough seas. Many other areas on the east coast close down during the month of September with no accommodations or businesses open during this time. The months of November and December and leading into the first part of the year are a great time to reap the benefits of the glorious west coast weather. This is when there is abundant sunshine and the start of the holiday season offering plenty of festivals and celebrations.
Events and Festivals
– The Prophet Muhammad`s (Dec)
– December Solstice (Dec)
– Christmas Eve (Dec 24)
– Christmas Day (Dec 25)
– New Year`s Eve (Dec 31)
Tipping in Malaysia
The questions `when?` and `how much?` that surround tipping can leave some travelers confused, as the practice varies. This guide attempts to cover most situations that you, as a tourist, will encounter. Hopefully using these `tips` will provide a smooth experience when interacting with locals in restaurants, bars, hotels, tour operators, and taxis.
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Tipping in Malaysia
Currency: Can I pay in U.S. dollars, or should I use Ringgit?
The currency in Malaysia is the Ringgit (RM). US dollars are not accepted. You will need to exchange your dollars for Ringgit. Currency Exchange desks can be found at the airport and major banks, it is advised to exchange some dollars for Ringgit before arriving in the country. ATMs are also located throughout the airport and at most major banks in the city. Normal banking hours are weekdays from 9:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. and from 9:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. on Saturdays.
Restaurants, Cafes, and Bars: When should I tip? How much is customary?
Restaurants in Malaysia will add a 10% government tax to your bill automatically and some even add an additional 5% service tax. Locals normally round up the bill or leave their change; you can use this rule of thumb or leave an additional 10 – 15% if the service is outstanding.
Hotel Staff: Who should I tip?
Most hotels in Malaysia add a 10% government and 5% service tax to your bill automatically, therefore tipping in hotels is not required. You can leave bellboys, room service, and housekeepers RM2 – RM10 if you would like, but it is not required.
Taxi Drivers: Should I tip?
It is common to round up the fare or leave the change for your taxi driver in Malaysia, but it is not expected or required.
Miscellaneous: Is there anyone I should tip that I would not normally?
Leaving your tour guide and RM20 – RM30 tip per person, per day if you take a private tour in Malaysia, and 10% for a group tour is the rule of thumb. If you visit a spa in Malaysia you are not expected to leave a tip, some establishments will add a surcharge which will include the tip.
Final Thoughts
Remember that it is perfectly okay to abstain, especially if you are not happy with the service provided. This is also true for hotel staff, however, if you should encounter a problem with the service within the hotel, we highly recommend speaking with the manager.
When paying for services in cash (which we generally recommend for services other than your hotel) remember to take your receipt. This is important for two reasons; If you leave a tip on a credit card, the person providing the service may not always get it, and if there is a discrepancy it is important to have your receipt to settle it with the manager of the establishment and to prove that you paid for the service.
Top cities in Malaysia
What to expect while traveling
