Malaysia is a diverse Southeast Asian country with one of the most developed economies in the region. The capital city, Kuala Lumpur, has a lot of cool urban sights like the Petronas Twin Towers, while the Malaysian state of Sabah in Borneo is known for rugged jungles and unique wildlife.
Read through this complete Malaysia travel guide for more info on what to expect!
Climate
The climate of Malaysia is tropical, so the weather is hot and humid year round. Malaysia’s rainy season for the west coast runs from April to October, and the most sunny months for the west coast are from November to February. For Kuala Lumpur, the opposite is true, so the most sunny months are May through September. It’s still possible to visit Malaysia in the rainy season, but you might want to give yourself some extra days as a buffer in case of bad weather.
Safety
Malaysia is a pretty safe travel destination, with a low violent crime rate from the UN of 2.1 per 100k inhabitants (66% lower than the global average). I’ve traveled in many parts of Malaysia and didn’t witness any crime. It’s a Muslim country, but terrorism is not an issue here and attitudes toward foreigners seem welcoming. Just practice normal precautions, especially at night. Mosquito spray can be a good idea too, especially during the rainy season.
Budget
Malaysia can be a very budget friendly travel destination, with hostels available from $5 and private hotels from $15. Meals are also cheap, costing about $3 to $6 depending on location. Transportation in Malaysia is generally by motorbike or car, and these can be rented, but hiring a driver is cheap and often preferable. The Grab transportation app is great for getting around cities like Kuala Lumpur.
Quick Tips
- Language: Malay; ‘Thank you’ is ‘terima kasih’
- Currency: Malaysian Ringgit (MYR)
- Capital: Kuala Lumpur
- Visa: Visa free access for 160+ nationalities
- Climate: Tropical; hot and humid year round (rainy season varies depending on area)
- Power Plugs: Type G
- Apps: Grab
Posts
My latest blog posts about Malaysia
13 Best Things To Do In Kuala Lumpur Malaysia
There are lots of amazing things to do in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia’s capital city, and it seems like we’re discovering more every time we visit. Not only is… Read More
Thean Hou Temple: Chinese Temple In Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Thean Hou Temple is a colorful Chinese temple in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, with some awesome architecture. It’s a contemporary building (1987), but it has all of the classic… Read More
Batu Caves Malaysia: Temple In Kuala Lumpur
The Batu Caves are one of the best things to see near Kuala Lumpur city in Malaysia. These are big limestone hills with huge caves to explore via… Read More