Malaysia

Malaysia is one of the most overlooked and underrated countries along the famous Southeast Asian travel trails. Malaysia offers a completely different travel experience than its neighboring countries. It is one of my favorite places in the world to visit. Its food and the culture are unique and incredible in their own special way. Malaysia ranges from the bright metropolitan city of Kuala Lumpur to quaint UNESCO sites such as George Town to gorgeous beaches with world-class diving. This beautiful country has lush rainforests and rare wildlife not be seen elsewhere in the world.

 

Getting There And Around
Most travelers to Malaysia arrive via the hub of Kuala Lumpur. A stay in this country can vary from 30-90 days. A visa may be required for certain nationalities, so check your government’s website before your journey. Travelers possessing an Israeli passport are not permitted to enter Malaysia.
Public transportation in large cities like Kuala Lumpur is fantastic! It is cheap, eco-friendly and efficient. Monorail, buses, and trains run every few minutes, so if you miss one, another will be right along. Taxis are inexpensive as well. Every time I have been to Malaysia, the taxis have been metered. You won’t find any tuk-tuks in Malaysia, so don’t waste your time waiting for one.

Money
The official currency in Malaysia is Malaysian Rinngit. 1-100 MYR are bank notes. Sen are the coins paired with the rinngit and range from 1-50. ATMs and banks are widely available in the metropolitan areas, and foreign currencies can be easily exchanged for fair rates at banks, the airport and train terminals. Credit cards are accepted at hotels, malls and also many restaurants and bars.
Tipping is not customary in Malaysia; however, if you offer one for exceptional service, it will not be refused.

 

Language
The official language spoken in Malaysia is Bahasa Malaysian.
Hello – Hello
Thank You – Terima kasih

 

Housing
Accommodations in Malaysia start at 55 MYR and upwards, depending on the season and the location. Larger Cities, such as Kuala Lumpur, tend to be pricier than those outside of the metropolitan areas. In Sarawak, November – February is the rainy season, and in Sabah, the months of September – October bring heavy rainfall. Due to demand, the time around Chinese New Year festivities brings high housing rates.

 

Food
Malaysia brings flavors from India, Spain, China and elsewhere to its food, which is among the most unique around the region. Food stalls and local restaurants offer tasty food at reasonable prices. In Kuala Lumpur, if you want to splurge, dine at restaurants with menus from celebrity chefs. Malaysia is a Muslim country, but unlike countries in the Middle East, you can readily find pork options.

 

Save Cash
Despite what many think, it is easy to save some extra cash while visiting Malaysia. Book accommodations with breakfast included, eat at street stalls and hawker stands (perfectly safe to do in Malaysia) and the many other food options available. Take public transportation. Enjoy many of the free sights and temples that Malaysia has to offer. Since Malaysia is a Muslim country, drinking is frowned upon and can be expensive, so if you lay off the booze while visiting you can save a bunch. But, if you’re in the mood for some cocktails, hit one (or a few) of the many happy hours available.

 

Stay Fit
Malaysia is often humid, so stay hydrated. Make sure to drink bottled water periodically during the day to maintain your fluids. There are regulations for restaurants, so food poisoning is not often a complaint travelers have while spending time here. Malaysia is a developed country, so there are many clinics (with English–speaking staff) available if you fall ill.

 

In Your Bag
Despite being well developed, there are still squat toilets in some areas and often no toilet paper is available in them. I always kept toilet paper, baby wipes, hand sanitizer, bottled water, cash and a scarf to cover up when visiting holy religious grounds.

 

Stay Connected
Wi-Fi is readily available at hotels and most restaurants and bars throughout Malaysia. Postage is cheap, so send home postcards and gifts purchased at the local markets. Everything that I posted from Malaysia made it safely to their intended destinations.
The three-prong, 240V type-G electrical outlet (similar to that of the United Kingdom) are used in Malaysia.