Malaysia Travel Guide 

Important Things To Know

Currency

Malaysia makes use of the Malaysian Ringgit (MYR).

National Languages

The recognized national language of Malaysia is Malay, which within itself has 10 dialects. Many of these dialects are the indigenous languages of some of the tribes that are traditionally from Malaysia.

Malaysia also recognizes Mandarin and Tami as popular languages amongst its residents.

View of Kinabalu National Park, with Mount Kinabalu soaring overhead in Malaysia. (photo via yusnizam / iStock / Getty Images Plus) (Photo Credit: (photo via yusnizam / iStock / Getty Images Plus))

Climate And Weather

Malaysia observes two monsoon seasons (Southwest Monsoon and Northeast Monsoon). However, there’s only a degree of difference between these seasons. All in all, Malaysian weather and climate stay quite standard all year round, reaching an average temperature of 77.7 °F (25.4°C). 

Unlike most tropical destinations, Malaysia experiences constant rainfall. In the low season, you can expect 250 mm of rainfall, and 300mm in the high season. 

When To Visit Malaysia

Due to its relatively stable temperatures and humid weather, Malaysia is lovely to visit all year round. However, the best time to visit depends entirely on which side you are planning to visit. 

For the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia, we recommend December to February to avoid the monsoon season on the east coast. However, this is peak tourist season so you can expect some crowds. 

If you are planning a trip to the east coast, make sure to book your trip between June and September as these are the driest months for this region. This is also the best time for diving as the waters are clearest this time of year.

March to May is the shoulder season with similar weather conditions across the country.

Best Places To Stay In Malaysia

• Kotta Kinabula: Away from most of the tourist destinations, Kotta Kinabul is absolutely buzzing with life. The city, surrounded by tropical islands and natural rainforests is undoubtedly our ‘cool’ pick of the year.
• Miri: If you are looking for something a bit different than traditional Malaysia, Miri is your place. Malaysia’s first resort town, Miri captures the balance between jaw-dropping natural beauty and a pumping nightlife. We recommend this stay for those who are looking to party after some fun day activities. 
• Penang: If you are a foodie, do not skip a stop at Penang. Penang puts the best of Malaysian and even Singapore cuisine on the table for you to enjoy. 
• Kuala Lumpur: If you are looking for a one-stop shop, we would highly suggest Kuala Lumpur. It is the capital of Malaysia, and there are plenty of fun things to do around the hustle and bustle of this city.