The Ultimate Malaysia Travel Guide

It can be hard to decide where you want to go when planning a vacation. There are so many options! One of the most beautiful countries in Southeast Asia is Malaysia. This country has numerous beaches, jungles, and mountains for any adventurer out there. This is the travel to Malaysia guide where we have compiled all the information you need about this amazing country, including what to visit in Malaysia, best season to travel to Malaysia, travel insurance for Malaysia, whether you need a visa to Malaysia, etc.

Malaysia is located in Southeast Asia, specifically bordering Thailand and Singapore. The most popularly visited place in Kuala Lumpur (KL), which is the capital of Malaysia.

Malaysia is a country full of history and culture so you wont have to worry about what to visit in Malaysia. Visitors can learn about the many different eras and people who have shaped Malaysia’s history. There are also numerous other activities available such as enjoying exciting outdoor adventures or taking it easy at one of the local beaches!

Travel to Malaysia guide

Malaysia is an excellent place for any traveler. The country has many different kinds of attractions that everyone will be able to enjoy. Some of the most popular activities available are white water rafting in Pahang, Phuket, and Cameron Highlands. Other places include shopping at KLCC and exploring the Petronas Towers, which hold the title for the tallest twin towers in the world. With a travel to Malaysia guide you will be able to visit these places without much trouble.

Before leaving for Malaysia, due to Covid-19, you should know the entry requirements, and we advise you to consult the official sources, like IATA.

Obtaining a Visa to Malaysia as a Tourist

In order to obtain a visa for entry into Malaysia, you need to apply in person at the Malaysian Embassy/Consulate/High Commission in your country of residence. According to the rules in force in each embassy, there is a category of visas that can be issued only by applying directly in person. This is a “tourist visa” or “tourist visa for Malaysia.” It is, therefore, necessary to contact the competent authority in your country to get more information on how to apply.

Do I Need Travel Insurance to Travel To Malaysia?

When traveling to Malaysia, it is strongly recommended to take out travel insurance for any eventuality. It can compensate you in case of death or injury, cancelations, or lost luggage. Heymondo travel insurance covers your medical expenses, included in the event of infection by coronavirus and:

• Up to 5 million euros of medical expenses while traveling.
• 24 hour medical assistance, 365 days a year, including in case of COVID-19 infection and medically prescribed PCR tests during your trip.
• Extra lodging expenses due to medical quarantine are covered when testing positive and prescribed by a doctor.
• Cancellation coverage when testing positive for COVID-19 prior to the start of the trip, or illness or death of a family member due to COVID-19.
• Heymondo’s Assistance App: 24 hour medical chat, free emergency assistance calls and incident management in the palm of your hand.

As well as all of this, you will also receive the COVID-19 certificate attached when purchasing the travel insurance with Heymondo. This document explains the COVID-19 medical assistance covered and it is needed to access several countries.

Malaysia Travel Insurance

What Is The Best Season to Travel to Malaysia?

Malaysia is a tropical country, where the weather varies with altitude. The best period to travel to Malaysia is between March and October during the northeast monsoon when there are less rainfalls and a pleasant temperature.

What is the Weather Like in Malaysia?

Malaysia has a tropical climate and experiences very high temperatures, humidity, and rainfall. The highest temperature is usually recorded between March and May, with an average of 37 ° C.

Traveling to Malaysia in the summer months of July and August is not recommended as the heat can be extreme, especially in Langkawi, Kota Bharu, and Kuala Terengganu.

If you are planning to see the temples of Penang or go on an adventure trip, then the summer months may be a benefit to you for they are convenient since there are many festivals held during this time.

The winter season in Malaysia is between November and February, the cheapest time to book flights from the United Kingdom to Malaysia. Temperatures range from 20 to 30 degrees Celsius on average, with some rainfall here and there.

If you are on a budget trip or just relaxing in your resort, then the winter months may be great for you because airfares are low due to less demand on flights.

What is the Currency Used in Malaysia?

The Malaysian currency is called the Malaysian ringgit. The exchange rate of the euro with respect to the ringgit changes continuously due to financial market movements, so it is necessary to consult a dedicated website before departure if possible.

Payments Accepted in Malaysia?

Malaysia has a wide network of ATMs and online banking. So, most probably, you won’t need cash in Malaysia, but if your card fails (or you want to pay with the card), there are systems such as PayPal or Alipay.

Credit and debit cards are widely accepted for payment in Malaysia. It is, therefore, necessary to have a credit card or a bank card. However, if you do not have one of these types of cards, ATMs equipped with the following brands are available throughout the country: Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad, Maybank, Hong Leong Bank Berhad, Public Bank Berhad, RHB Bank Berhad, AmBank Group (AmBank). 

The Main Destinations to Visit in Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur

The Malaysian capital is a clean, modern, and dynamic city. It has numerous attractions for visitors, including the impressive Petronas Towers, the National Monument (Tugu Monas), Chinatown, Lake Gardens, Batu Caves, and the Kuala Lumpur Tower.

Kota Kinabalu and Gaya Island

Kota Kinabalu is a city in the Malaysian state of Sabah. Founded in 1876, it is situated on the west coast near the island of Gaya and about 20 km from Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park. In addition to its duty-free shopping district, Kota Kinabalu also has many historical sites such as the Jesselton Point, Pan-Pacific Ocean Park, or Hongkod Koisaan for Chinese devotees. The island of Gaya is a major turtle sanctuary.

Kinabalu National Park

Kinabalu National Park covers an area of 19 560 hectares between Sabah and the Malaysian state of Sarawak. It is one of the oldest parks in Malaysia, established in 1964. It has numerous species of animals but also much endemic flora. We reccomend the park for hiking enthusiasts thanks to its trails throughout the jungle up to 1 800 m.

Taman Negara National Park

The Taman Negara National Park is a large protected area in central peninsular Malaysia, home to abundant wildlife and planted with valuable teakwood trees since ancient times. It was declared as one of the UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003. The park has a large number of small streams, waterfalls, and springs. There are also many limestone hills covered with dense rainforests.

Mulu National Park

Mulu National Park is located in northern Sarawak, Malaysia. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000 and is known for its limestone caves. More than 70% of the park’s area consists of karst formations, including steep limestone cliffs, pinnacles, and numerous caves. The Gunung Mulu National Park has the largest cave chamber globally (Sarawak Chamber).

Tioman Island

The best-known island of Malaysia, Tioman, is located in the state of Pahang and has some lively beaches with good views, especially around the east coast. The activities are primarily centered on boat excursions to see marine life, scuba diving, or snorkeling. Away from the tourism aspect, the island has many traditional Malay fishing villages.

Useful Tips for Traveling to Malaysia

Dress code

People in Malaysia respect religions, therefore visitors should avoid wearing clothes that reveal too much skin, especially for women.

Avoid Eating Pork

Malaysian food includes mainly rice, noodles and soy. Avoid eating pork when dining in a restaurant or at home. Pork is prohibited by the Islamic religion.

Time difference between Malaysia and Europe

When traveling from Europe to Malaysia, visitors should be aware of an average of 16-hour time difference

Driving in Malaysia

Another reason why you need travel to Malaysia guide is driving. Driving is on the left side of the road in Malaysia. The speed limit is 60 km / h in urban areas, 90 km / h on major roads, and 120 km/h on highways. Remember that most highways are toll roads where you have to pay a fee to use them.

Currency

The Malaysian currency is the Ringgit. One Euro will give you approximately 95 Ringgit.

Alcohol Consumption in Malaysia

Although Islam prohibits alcohol consumption, tourists can drink up to one liter of alcoholic beverages per month. Drinking takes place mostly in homes or luxury restaurants that serve alcohol with meals. Do not attempt to buy beer or liquor in grocery stores or supermarkets, as you will be disappointed.

Emergency Number for Malaysia

In case of emergency, the number to dial is 999 from any phone.

Language Spoken in Malaysia

The main languages in Malaysia are Malaysian Malay, English and Chinese.

Have Equipment for Hiking in Forests and Mountains

Malaysia has lush forests and varied flora. The best way to explore it is to go hiking in these places. Ensure you have the proper equipment such as shoes and clothes for this kind of activity.

Avoid Taxi Driver Scams

Avoid bscams by not taking taxis parked outside the airport, hotels, or malls. When you want to get around, there are legitimate taxis that offer fixed prices to various places. Ask around at your hotel reception for their advice on how to proceed with your journey before hiring a taxi service. This is a reason why you need a travel to Malaysia guide.

Travel safe to Malaysia

Before starting a trip to Malaysia, and with this guide to travel to Malaysia we recommend you get travel insurance. Travel insurance for Malaysia help travelers in case of damage, illness, or theft of personal belongings during the trip.

With Heymondo travel insurance, you can travel without worrying because they cover most of all the things that might concern you, like medical expenses if you’re found positive of Covid-19, transportation to your place of residence in case the planned means of transport is restricted.

Malaysia Travel Insurance

Heymondo also has a mobile app, exclusive for customers, where you will have a medical chat 24 hours a day and free emergency calls in case of need that will allow you to manage any incident quickly and easily.