Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur's skyline, Penang's hawker food, and Borneo's rainforest with orangutans in the trees.
Introducing Malaysia
Malaysia is two countries divided by the South China Sea. The peninsula is George Town's heritage shophouses, the Cameron Highlands tea estates, and the resort-island archipelago of Langkawi. Borneo is rainforest, caves, orangutans and Mount Kinabalu. The food is the most underrated in Asia: Malay, Chinese, Indian and Peranakan cuisines stacked into one country, often within the same hawker centre.
See hotelsYour Travel Notes
Currency
Malaysian Ringgit (MYR). Cards widely accepted in cities and resorts; carry cash for hawker centres, taxis and the islands.
Cuisine
Malaysia is the most underrated food country in Asia. Nasi lemak for breakfast, char kway teow at a Penang hawker stall, rendang at a Malay restaurant, banana leaf rice at an Indian one, dim sum on Sunday. The best meals you'll eat are under USD 5.
Transport
Domestic flights connect KL with Penang, Langkawi, Kota Kinabalu and Kuching in under 90 minutes. AirAsia and Firefly serve most routes. In KL, use Grab (Southeast Asia's Uber); the LRT and MRT cover the city efficiently.
Tipping etiquette
Not customary. A 10% service charge is added at upscale restaurants. Beyond that: RM 5 to 10 per bag for hotel porters, RM 20 to 30 per day for housekeeping, RM 50 to 100 for a private guide.
When to go
March to October for the west coast (Penang, Langkawi); May to September for the east coast (Perhentian, Tioman) and Borneo. November to February brings the monsoon to the east coast and many island resorts close.