MALAYSIA TRIP PLANNING

Best Time to Go

Malaysia experiences high heat and humidity all year-round, and there isn’t a lot of distinction between the seasons. The most notable difference is that the monsoon season arrives in November/December and brings on the “rainy season” until the middle time February.

An important distinction, though, is that while the East coast experiences extremely wet weather during this time, the West coast works on a different timeline. The West Coast’s rainy season goes from April to October, and while it lasts for a longer time, the weather is milder and the rain won’t have much effect on your travel plans.

The nice thing about the alternating wet seasons, you can visit Malaysia at any time of the year and have a pretty enjoyable beach holiday. Just be sure to align your travel plans with the right areas of Malaysia, or else you might find your beach vacation rained out!

Rough Budget

Travel in Malaysia is pretty affordable. A little pricier than some other areas in Southeast Asia, but still far less than any western countries. If you’re happy sleeping in a hostel and eating street food, you can easily get by on $30 a day. If you want to splurge on a nicer hotel or a few gourmet meals, you might want to budget up to $40 or $50 (or more if you’re used to a more western lifestyle).

What to Pack for Traveling Malaysia

The biggest thing to remember when packing for Malaysia is that it is going to be hot, humid, and often wet. Bring lightweight, wearing comfortable shoes, breathable clothes, and pack an umbrella!

Dress a little more conservatively if you want to be accepted and welcomed. A cardigan or sweater is always a good idea, especially when the freezing cold air-conditioning in restaurants and shops feels like winter compared to the heat outside.

BEST THINGS TO DO IN MALAYSIA

Admire the Petronas Twin Towers

One of the most recognizable spots in Malaysia, the Petronas Towers are the tallest twin towers in the world. The sky bridge that connects the towers is the world’s tallest two-story bridge. As long as you’re not afraid of heights, you can get tickets to the sky bridge to check out some amazing views of the city, or go even higher to check out the viewing deck from the 86th floor.

Insider Travel Tip: The lines to the Petronas Towers can get busy which is why we recommend booking your tickets online.The tickets get sent straight to your hotel making is super convenient.

Go to the Taman Negara National Park

This natural wonder is one of the world’s oldest rainforests, estimated to be around 130 million years old. Whether you’re looking to set out on a 100km trek, or just take an afternoon stroll, this is the perfect spot to explore. Rock climbing and canoeing are available in this area, too! If you love nature and the outdoors, you can also opt to go trekking in the Cameron Highlands.

If you’re short on time but want to see the best of Malaysia, we recommend this private tour of the Cameron Highlands which includes transfers and a guide.

Visit the Batu Caves

Consisting of three huge limestone caves, this area is actually a cave temple. There are 272 steps to get up to the temple, but most people will agree that the sights are worth it. If you’re in Malaysia for the Thaipusam celebration, you can glimpse thousands of devotees carrying offerings to the temple. They recently painted the steps of the Batu Caves, making it an instant Instagram hotspot.

If you want to get photos of the place, we recommend going really early in the morning so it isn’t too crowded.

If you’re looking for something unique, you can also go on this tour which takes you to the Batu Caves and firefly watching in Kuala Selangor.

Immerse Yourself in the Sarawak Cultural Village

This is a great place to get a peek into the rich cultural history of Malaysia in Sarawak. You can learn about the different cultural groups in Malaysia, see performances, music workshops, artwork, and lots more. It’s a different side of Malaysia from the hubbub of Kuala Lumpur or Penang, but it’s definitely worth a visit.

Relax in Langkawi Island

If you need a little R&R while you’re in Malaysia, head for the beaches. Langkawi Island in the Andaman sea is the perfect spot to relax and soak up some sun. They’ve got everything from hostels to extravagant resorts and everything in between. Take a couple of days and enjoy some of the incredible seaside beauty of this island. If you want something active to do while in Langkawi, this jetski island tour comes highly recommended.

Dive in the Redang Islands

If you’re up for a little more adventure and excitement, check out Redang Island. But if you haven’t already, you’ll definitely want to get your scuba diving certification first. The waters around this island are home to 31 incredible dive sites, including a few impressive shipwrecks you won’t want to miss. The waters along the Perhentian Islands are also world renowned and worth exploring.

Climb Mount Kinabalu

If you’re up for a bit of adventure, why not challenge yourself by climbing up Mount of Kinabalu  in Borneo. You can opt to conquer this trek via the regular route or opt to do Mount Kinabalu via Ferrata as you ascend a series of ropes and iron bars to reach the peak.

See the Street Art in Penang

Another must-do while in Malaysia is to see the famous street art in Penang. Everywhere you go, you will find countless street murals often depicting children in various poses. The art is absolutely gorgeous and unusual, making it a fun city to explore and walk around in.

PLACES TO STAY IN MALAYSIA

From $3 hostels to $100 hotels, Malaysia has a huge variety of accommodation options. Cities like Kuala Lumpur and Penang will have the best variety, but will also be more expensive. In more rural areas you’re most likely to find simpler accommodations like basic guesthouses.If you’re traveling during peak season or holidays, it is best to book your accommodations in advance. We recommend checking sites like Booking.com, Agoda or Hostel World. No matter where you stay, you’re almost certain to experience the wealth of Malaysian hospitality. It’s an amazing place to visit!

TRANSPORT AROUND MALAYSIA

When traveling around Malaysia, we recommend using the Skyscanner App or looking at the Bookaway or 12go website or so you can prebook boats, buses and ferries. In terms of safety, make sure you have travel insurance during your trip.