Things To Know About Malaysia

Things to know about Malaysia: What you need to know

Malaysia is a country in Southeast Asia that travelers often forget about, even though it has so much to offer. Malaysia is a beautiful and diverse country with busy towns, jungles, and buildings.

Malaysia is a great place to visit if you are interested in culture and nature or want to try some of the best food in the world. We have yet to talk about the people. Do you really need more reasons to book a flight to Malaysia? Still, you should know a few things before you go to Malaysia to enjoy your trip without worrying.

So, to help you get ready for your trip to Malaysia, here are 19 things you need to know. Malaysia is Southeast Asia's unheralded tropical hero. It's hot, full of different cultures, and way underrated. Tradition, nature, and technology all come together in this country, which has space-age cityscapes, Islamic minarets, and Chinese shrines with gold leaves.

A world where South Indian temples face a million years old jungles. This mix-up can be hard to understand for newcomers.Before you go to Malaysia, these are the most important things to know, from what to pack to how to get around the country's confusing mix of ethnic and religious groups. Being in Malaysia can often feel like being in several countries at once.

Malaysia Travel Guide

Are you planning your trip to Malaysia? Malaysia has a lot of different things to offer.Be ready for a lot of different kinds of culture shock. Peninsular Malaysia has a lot of different types of people, but most of them are Muslims. Most Malay Muslims (69.8%) live there, along with ethnic Chinese, Tamil Indians, and a dozen orang asli (original peoples) groups.

This means that there are Chinese temples with red lanterns right next to Hindu gopurams (temple gates) and modern mosques with onion-shaped domes. Three main languages, Bahasa Malaysia, Mandarin, and Tamil, and three main faiths, Islam, Chinese Taoism, and Hinduism, send prayers up to the sky.

The East Malaysian states of Sarawak and Sabah in Borneo feel like they are in a different world, even though they are only a short flight across the South China Sea. In the first, there are about 26 different ethnic groups, most of which are Christian or Protestant. In Sabah, there are 33 different ethnic groups, and they speak more than 50 languages and 80 accents between them.

Malaysia Must Know

Things to know about Malaysia 1. Malaysia's average temperature stays around 27 degrees Celsius for most of the year, though some places may be colder or warmer. And while this might not sound like very warm weather, it can feel a lot warmer because of the high humidity.

With these temperatures come some of the most beautiful plants and animals, but there is also a high chance of rain, the kind that pours down in the tropics. So, bring a rain jacket and a waterproof bag to protect your gear and belongings if it starts to rain unexpectedly. On top of that, you should remember that Malaysia is split into two parts, and each has its own rainy season, which changes the weather.

Things to know about Malaysia 2. There are two rainy seasons in Malaysia. The monsoon on the east coast lasts from March to September, and the monsoon on the west coast lasts from October to April. During monsoon seasons, it usually only rains in the afternoons and not all day.

Things to know about Malaysia 3. Malaysia has two parts: Peninsular Malaysia and Malaysian Borneo. Land doesn't join the two parts, and they are very different. Peninsular Malaysia is where most of the major towns are, while Malaysian Borneo is where most of the natural attractions are.

Peninsular Malaysia is where you can see the fantastic Petronas Towers in Malaysia's capital, see some of the country's most beautiful buildings, and try some of the country's best foods. Or go to Malaysian Borneo to scuba dive at Sipadan, see orangutans, or climb Mount Kinabalu. Borneo is a real adventurer's dream.

The truth is, though, that you don't have to choose. You can visit both parts of the country during your trip. Flying is the fastest way to get from one region to the other, and luckily, flights are cheap and happen often. If you want to find the best deals, check out Skyscanner to find the cheapest tickets.

Things to know about Malaysia 4. Kuala Lumpur is the main city. It has its own area of the federal government. But in recent years, the real offices and processes of the government have moved to Putrajaya. It has great hotels with outdoor pools.

Things to know about Malaysia 5. Bahasa Malaysia is the language that everyone speaks in Malaysia. But a lot of people also speak English, especially in KL and other big towns. Mandarin and Tamil are also widely spoken languages. This is because there are a lot of Chinese and Indian newcomers.

Things to know about Malaysia 6. Some countries need visas to come to the United States. Check here to see what your country needs. People from other countries, such as the US, UK, Canada, and Australia, can stay for up to 90 days without a visa.

Things to know about Malaysia 7. If there is one thing you don't have to worry about, it must be how to connect to the Internet. You will find that there is a lot of access to the Internet and wifi. Free WiFi is almost always available in hostels, hotels, bars, shopping malls, and airports.

You can also get a prepaid sim card if you want to avoid being dependent on wifi networks to connect to the Internet. Both Internet and wifi are cheap and of good quality. We only had trouble with the Internet once, when a storm knocked out the power. For less than USD 10 per month, you can get a sim card with unlimited Internet.

Data on a cell phone works great! Before going to Malaysia, you should know that it has a good cell phone and internet service. In cities, most people use credit cards and cash apps like Grab Pay.

Things to know about Malaysia 9. Nowhere in the country do ATMs charge fees. Except for the fees your bank might charge. But real ATMs in Malaysia don't charge extra fees to use them. It's one of the strange things we like best about going there.

The Ringgit is the money in Malaysia. Most of the time, the exchange rate is about 4.30 RM to 1 USD. But it can be anywhere between 3.75 RM and 4.50 RM per USD 1.The exchange rate is one of the most important things to know before going to Malaysia. The Ringgit is the name of Malaysia's currency, which is something you should know before going there.

The number to call in case of an emergency is 999. You can call it from any Malaysian phone number. This emergency line generally does the same thing as 911 in the US.It will send fire, police, or medical help to you if you need it. Before you go to Malaysia, you should know that the government emergency number is 999.

Things to know about Malaysia 11. You might need shots to go there. What you need to do depends on where you are from. For example, if you're from the United States, you won't need any shots.But if you are coming from Africa or South America, you might need a yellow fever shot.

Check here to see what your country needs. Malaysia is pretty safe. It was between the UK and Italy in 2022. I have never felt unsafe in Malaysia when I was there.Even when I was out by myself, with a friend, or with Little Man when I was by myself, everything felt normal.

Fun Facts About Malaysia

How to Get Around in Malaysia: What You Need to Know

1. In Malaysia, you must drive on the left side of the road. In British-style cars, the driver sits on the right side of the vehicle.They aren't made like cars in the US, where the driver's side is on the left. There are a lot of good ways to get around towns and between them.

In KL, you can take a bus or a train. The trains run on a set plan and use electricity. The stops are usually clean and easy to get to. When we lived in KL, I used them often, both with and without my child.One thing you should know before going to Malaysia is that KL's public transportation system works well.

2. There are also buses between cities that are air-conditioned, have WiFi, and don't cost much. They have set times and are completely safe. They are also the only way to get from KL to Penang for less than $10 USD per person.

You can also get food or groceries delivered by using the app

1. Most roads are in good shape. There are often places to stop and eat and refuel on highways. In the rest stops, there are also a lot of toilets. These places only take cash, so if you plan to drive outside a city, bring some money.

2. In Malaysia, there are no tuk-tuks. This is different from most of Southeast Asia. The only thing that comes close is the rickshaws in Melaka.

3. Thanks to AirAsia, it's easy to get to and around Malaysia. This low-cost airline from Malaysia has its main office in KL. You can fly cheaply between towns in Malaysia or even as far as Japan or Australia.Domestic flights can cost as little as $10 to $15 USD per person, not including bags or other items. To go to Malaysia, you don't need a guide or a trip.

Things to Know About Food in Malaysia Before You Go

1. Don't drink tap water in Malaysia. Before you can drink it, you need to boil it or filter it. You can still take a shower and brush your teeth without any problems. When we lived there, we did it every day without any trouble.

Malaysia's food is fantastic because its people are so different. You can find real Chinese and Indian food and Thai, Vietnamese, and other Western favorites. Malaysia has restaurants for almost any kind of food you can think of.

2. Alcohol costs a lot. Even locally-made beer has a lot of taxes on it. Malaysia has a lot of taxes on bad extravagances, in part because of the effect of Islam.

3. It's cheap to eat! Especially food from Malaysia. But fast food like McDonald's as well. It may not be as cheap as other countries in Southeast Asia, like Myanmar, but the food there is much cheaper than anywhere we went in Mexico or Central America!

4. Most restaurants don't let you bring drinking drinks inside. Instead, tea and coffee are the main drinks they serve. There are also usually soft drinks, iced tea, and lemonade.

It was so good that even Little Man liked it and sometimes asked for it at restaurants. You can drink it hot or cold. The food in Malaysia is great! Try Nasi Lemak.

This Malaysian shopping store company usually has most of the foreign foods you'll want. But only buy goods here if they are affordable. Food shops are the best place to try street food from the area.

They almost always only accept cash. You'll find some of the best nasi lemak when you come here. You can go right if you ask a local where the best food place is. Even when there are only two or three people in a group, service charges are common at high-end and middle-range places.

3. Sometimes, places also include SST taxes. Only sometimes, though. Just ask the waitress about any charges you don't understand before you pay. They are happy to make things clear.

4. Tipping is not usual or expected like it is in the US and Mexico. Most of Asia only does it sometimes. If you leave money on the table, your service may follow you to get it. Malay and Malaysian are different.

5. Malaysia is a very diverse country with many different cultures. Around 60% of the people in the country are Malays. Chinese Malaysians make up about 25% of the population, and Indian Malaysians make up about 7%. The other 7-8% is made up of smaller groups of native tribes and a pretty large number of people who moved there from somewhere else.

One of the most important things to know before going to Malaysia is that the people there are amiable and warm. They love kids and care a lot about their family. We made friends quickly, and everywhere we went, we felt welcome.

6. Malaysians enjoy vacations a lot. They enjoy Muslim holidays like Eid, Hari Raya, Diwali, Christmas, and the Chinese New Year. It's an Islamic country that mostly follows Islamic law, even though it's officially a secular state. The effect can be seen in the dates of government holidays, the school year, fashion trends, and even on the plates of many restaurants that don't serve pork.

7. Most Malaysians dress in a pretty conservative way. Many women wear hijabs. Bikinis and tank tops are rare at waterparks. It would be best if you covered your knees and shoulders when you go to a sacred place.

8. Respect the powers of nature. Malaysians have a lot of faith in magic. Before Islam came to the Malay Peninsula, people there had strong beliefs in the supernatural because of their animist views.

Also, homosexuality is officially still against the law, so visiting couples of the same gender should never show love in public. Interesting Examples: Before urinating in the jungle, it's usual to "ask for approval." You shouldn't bring anything home from the bush, either, because you might bring a curse with you. There's also a day in October when most Malays won't travel or go far from home because they're afraid something bad will happen because the ghosts are out and about.

44. Although English is used almost everywhere, you should know a few simple Malay words before going to Malaysia.It helps every time! If you only learn one thing from this list, make it "thank you." That easy word will always make people smile.

Basic Malay Phrases

Good/ Morning – Selamat Pagi (s'la-mat pag-ee)

Good /Afternoon – Selamat Tengah hari (s'la-mat teen-gah har-ee)

Good/ Afternoon/Evening – Selemat Petang (s'la-mat puh-tong)

Good /Night – Selemat Malam (s'la-mat mah-lahm)

Goodbye – Selamat jalan (s'la-mat zha-lan)

Thank you – Terima kasih (te-ree-mah ka-seh)

Tolong (toh-long)

Yes / No – Ya (yah) / Tidak (tee-dak)

You're welcome – Sama-sama (saa-ma saa-ma)

I don't understand – Saya Tak Faham (saa-yah tak faa-haam)

How do I get to the bathroom? – Di mana tandas (dee ma-na tan-das)

How much? – Berapa (be-raa-paa)

Expensive – Mahal (maa-hal)

1 – Satu (saa-too)

2 – Dua (doo-aa)

3 – Tiga (tee-gaa)

Beautiful – Cantik (chan-tek)

Tips for Tourism Travel Before Going to Malaysia

1. Some of the best beaches in Southeast Asia are in Malaysia. It has a lot to offer, from Penang and Langkawi in the west to Tioman Island and the Perhentian Islands in the east. It's a great place to visit on a budget. You can do a lot in Malaysia on a fair budget, from staying in hotels for less than USD 100 per night to feeding a family of four for less than $20.

2. Renting a place for a vacation is a great way to save money. We found some nice ones in KL and near Legoland that cost less than USD 30 per night. Malaysia also has hostels, but as a family traveling together, that's not our thing. Plan on shopping—a lot.

In Malaysia, there are shops everywhere. The shopping mall business is one of the top five businesses in the country. Reason enough. There is a movie theater and food shops at the mall.

3. It's fantastic to go scuba diving. Like most of Southeast Asia, there are a lot of different and exciting places to scuba dive. The best ones are off the coast of Borneo, but the peninsula's east coast is also great. The country has many different things to do (city, beach, jungle, mountains, culture, etc.).

4. Malaysia is not a party hub. There are no full moon parties or many clubs. This doesn't mean Malaysians dislike hanging out with other people.It could be more exciting. There are many clubs where you can have a drink and many karaoke bars where you can sing in Korean.

One of the smallest national parks in the world is Penang National Park. It's also very, very pretty. You should spend a few days in Penang while you're in Malaysia. It also has one of the best food scenes in the country.

5. Watch out for jellyfish at the beach. Most of the time, they have a "season" and signs. But sometimes not.Also, don't swim in Johor Bahru, right next to Singapore. The Singapore Strait is full of saltwater crocodiles.

6. Malaysia has five UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These are Georgetown (Penang), Melaka, Lenggong Valley, Gunung Mulu National Park, and Kinabalu Park. There are no taxes in some parts of Malaysia.This means that there are no taxes on anything, including smoking and booze. There are no taxes on goods in certain parts of Langkawi, Labuan, Pangkor, and Tioman.

7. Plan ahead for the holidays when schools are closed. Malaysians love to travel when all the public schools in the country are on break at the same time, and their kids are out of school.The schedules of international schools are different. Also, since it's on the edge of Johor Bahru and right across the bridge from Singapore, there's a lot to do in the area. In Malaysia, it's one of our favorite things to do.

Here are some tips to make your stay more enjoyable.

1. What You Need to Pack. Bring sunscreen, hats, bug spray, and clothes that are right for the beach or jungle. Get pants or capris instead of shorts and T-shirts instead of tank tops for day-to-day adventures.

2. Even though the shops are hot during the day, they are cold. Almost as hard as the outside air. Bring a sweater or light jacket, especially for the kids, to keep in your day bag. Every time we went to the mall, ours would freeze.

3. And remember to bring your camera. Malaysia has so much to see and do that you'll want to make sure you get it all on camera.