From street food to jungle treks, heritage temples to white sand beaches, Malaysia has something to offer every type of traveler. Adventurers love Sabah and Sarawak in Borneo for orangutans, proboscis monkeys, and sun bears—not to mention the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Gunung Mulu and Kinabalu national parks. But some of the best things to do in Malaysia are on the peninsular side: Kuala Selangor firefly cruises, Cameron Highlands tea plantation tours, Kuala Lumpur’s Batu Caves and Petronas Twin Towers, plus the UNESCO-listed port cities of Melaka and Penang.
Sprawled across two separate land masses just north of the equator, Malaysia is always hot and often wet, but different regions have their own very distinct climates. Tourist numbers peak during the European winter (December to February), but your best chance of decent weather across the country is in the spring (March to May). The beginning of the year sees both the Chinese New Year and the spectacular Hindu Thaipusam festival, the exact timing of which depends on the lunar calendar.
Malaysia’s two halves, peninsular Malaysia and east Malaysia (Borneo), can feel almost like separate countries when it comes to transport. The peninsula boasts a network of fast, comfortable intercity buses and two primary railway lines, one of which runs all the way to Bangkok. Buses are your main option for travel on Borneo, although some destinations can only be reached by boat or plane. The only way to travel between the peninsula and Borneo is to fly.
If you think of one dish when you imagine Malaysia, it’s likely to be laksa, a noodle soup with a thick gravy. Assam laksa—a tangy, sour, fish laksa—is a signature of Penang Island. Take Anthony Bourdain’s advice and try it at Penang Air Itam Laksa (Ayer Itam Penang Assam Laksa), a market stall that’s been specializing in it for roughly 70 years. It’s only open on weekends and public holidays.
Local Currency Malaysian Ringgit (MYR) | Time Zone MYT (UTC +7) | Country Code +60 | Language(s) Malay | Attractions 183 | Tours 3,580 | Reviews 21,782 |
Malaysia has two main areas: peninsular Malaysia, south of Thailand on the Asian mainland, and East Malaysia, in Borneo. Malaysian Borneo is known for caves, rivers, rain forest, indigenous cultures, and orangutans; peninsular Malaysia includes the colonial-era cities of George Town (Penang) and Melaka, plus Langkawi, the nation’s favorite resort island.
...MoreOn peninsular Malaysia, George Town and Melaka hold UNESCO World Heritage status; the Taman Negara National Park boasts virgin rain forest; popular islands include Langkawi, Redang, and the Perhentians. In Malaysian Borneo, a river trip and orangutan viewing is a must; divers love Sipadan; the Gunung Mulu and Kinabalu national parks are UNESCO-listed.
...MoreMalaysia is a diverse country which is larger than Italy and includes almost 900 islands. Ideally, allow 14 days to see the highlights of peninsular Malaysia, and an additional 14 days for Sabah in Borneo: Sarawak, the other half of Malaysian Borneo, takes longer to explore in full.
...MoreMulticultural Malaysia is blessed with Chinese, Indian, Malaysian, and hybrid foods, so most visitors spend plenty of time eating. Nature lovers enjoy waterfalls, river trips, mangrove adventures, firefly viewing, rain-forest hikes, and wildlife encounters, including orangutans. Snorkeling and other water sports are popular on many islands, as are walking tours in heritage areas.
...MoreSame-sex activity is illegal in Malaysia and, while travelers are unlikely to face prosecution, LGBTQ visitors should avoid public displays of affection and install a VPN on their phone as many LGBTQ sites are blocked. Importing either drugs or unlicensed firearms may be punished with death, while penalties for drug possession include whipping.
...MoreNo. Although pickpocketing, petty crime, bag-snatching, ATM fraud, and drink spiking are not uncommon, most of Malaysia is safe. The US State Department advises against travel to eastern Sabah due to the risk of kidnapping. If renting a motorcycle, ensure you have both a license and full insurance, and always wear a helmet.
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