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How Safe Is It To Travel To Malaysia?
Curious about travel safety in Malaysia? We’ve created an exhaustive guide to help you plan out your trip to this amazing country.
Malaysia is one of the booming countries in Southeastern Asia, with its oil wealth and fundings in modern technology. The cost of living here is more reasonable than its neighboring countries like Singapore. The growth of Malaysia’s tourism is continuously rising as tourists come to visit the country because of the rich culture and history. The country is also known as a safe place to visit, but there are also areas that you should avoid to not get into trouble.
Should Travel Safety in Malaysia Be a Concern?
Malaysia is a safe country for tourists, but it does have some petty crimes that tourists should be aware of. As much as possible, they are advised to be extra careful with their belongings when traveling the country’s tourist spots. While the country also has threats of terrorist attacks, tourists still flock the country to appreciate the raw beauty of Malaysia. No cause for worry as they are only directed to places with minimal danger.
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Is It Safe To Have a Vacation Trip To Kuala Lumpur?
Kuala Lumpur is Malaysia’s capital, and the crime rate here is significantly controlled by local police. There are almost no violent crimes in the city, but there are still small acts of misconduct that target money and other valuables that most tourists bring.
Women are also advised to be aware of their surroundings and always be on the lookout for purse grabbers that ride motorcycles. There are reported incidents where women victims of this type of crime got injured.
Kuala Lumpur is a safe place for tourists, as long as they don’t encourage opportunistic criminals to commit petty crimes.
Is Malaysia Safe for Female Travellers?
Travel safety in Malaysia would often center on proper decorum and outfit. Female travelers should be aware of the primary religious practices in Malaysia. They are advised to wear tops over the shoulder and pants below the knee. When visiting mosques and temples, all-female visitors must cover their heads and limbs with a sarong and headscarf. While at the beach, T-shirts and shorts are the usual swimwear for Malaysian women. You may choose modest swimwear if you are not comfortable following the outfit.
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Things to Know Before Travelling to Malaysia
There are plenty of activities and places that Malaysia has to offer to its visitors. Malaysia has incredible rainforests, beautiful beaches, and gorgeous architecture. If you want to travel to Malaysia, these few pointers will help you with your trip.
Tropical Climate
Malaysia has an average temperature of 27 degrees celsius for the whole year, and some areas have colder temperatures. The country has a high percentage of humidity, which has a possibility of rainfall. You should be ready with your rain gear and make sure that your bags are waterproof to protect all your things.
Malaysia Has Two Regions
Malaysia has the Peninsular Malaysia and Malaysia Borneo. The two regions are separated by sea and are very dissimilar from each other. Most of the country’s natural tourist spots are in Malaysian Borneo, where you can find orangutans or climb Mount Kinabalu and enjoy the view of this paradise. You can also go diving at Sipadan in Malaysian Borneo. Peninsular Malaysia has the country’s main cities and the most attractive temples. Both regions offer the most delicious foods you can find.
Visa Requirements for Malaysia
Malaysia has very loose immigration policies that allowed 63 countries visa-free for 90 days. Ninety-seven nationalities can go to Malaysia for 30 days, visa-free. The other 30 nationalities will be needing a visa to enter the country. The Malaysian consulate or embassy can answer your queries on what policy applies to you.
Internet and WiFi Ready
Malaysia provides internet and wifi everywhere. You can find available connections in hotels, hostels, shopping malls, airports, and cafes with free wifi. There are also available internet connections from prepaid sim cards, which costs around 20-50 MYR. You may choose from a variety of plans depending on your needs.
Update Your Vaccinations
Sometimes, getting ill is unavoidable. But if you want to decrease the risk of getting sick, you have to check on your vaccinations before going to Malaysia. A visit to your doctor or travel clinic six months before your vacation trip will be advisable. Remember that some parts of Malaysia have malaria disease.
Tap Water Not for Drinking
After getting an update on your vaccinations, the next thing that you should do to avoid getting sick is always to bring bottled water, and not drink Malaysia’s tap water. Perhaps one of travel safety concerns in Malaysia is their tap water. Bottled water is available in most streets of Malaysia. Hotels, hostels, and guesthouses are now providing filtered water for their guests. You can use your reusable water container and refill it before going out on your tour.
Bring Your Essentials
Packing your things ahead is also important for your travel to Malaysia. Here are some of the essentials:
- Power Bank – We all need our gadgets, especially when going on a vacation trip. You will need a power bank so you won’t have to worry about draining your gadget’s battery during long bus rides or in the middle of a photo op.
- Travel Adaptor – Travel adaptors can be handy in charging your gadgets. Some have two USB ports to accommodate multiple devices.
- Money Storage – A money belt is usually more convenient than always to pull out your wallet when you need cash, which would lessen any opportunities for petty thieves to steal your wallet, which has most of your important details in it.
- Quick Dry Towel – Travelling to Malaysia involves long walks and countless physical activities to do. You can pack quick-dry towels easily, and it is very light to carry anywhere you go. Be sure to wipe your sweat every time you go out during your tour.
- Shop Everywhere – You will surely have an overwhelming experience doing shopping in Malaysia. Kuala Lumpur has large malls that you can find almost a few walks apart from each other. These massive malls are sure to keep you busy for a couple of days during your stay in Malaysia. Consider buying some souvenirs and keeping in mind not to overpack your suitcases to avoid any inconveniences going back home.
Again, while out on shopping, be wary of your surroundings. Make sure that you are keen on your travel safety in Malaysia, as most petty crime violators would often target unsuspecting tourists.
Long List of Itineraries
Malaysia is a serious country about the positive effects of the growth of tourism. This country doesn’t run out of activities for every tourist to enjoy. You can choose from a relaxing day at the beach or go on for a hike in some of the country’s beautiful mountains. Here is al list of recommendations that you may want to consider:
- Nature – You can go diving in Borneo or have a relaxing sunset show on the beaches of the Perhentian Islands. The rainforest of Taman Negara can also be a challenging nature trip.
- City – The city has so much to offer, like the street art in Penang and other beautiful architecture finds all around.
- Culture – The famous Batu Caves is one of the famous tourist spots in Malaysia. It will be a big miss if you do not visit this place during your tour. You can also visit other remarkable mosques of Kuala Lumpur.
Malaysia’s Different Cuisines
Malaysia is made up of different cultures, which also comes with a variety of cuisines. It would be best if you tried some famous Malay dishes like Nasi Lemak, Satay, Roti Canai, Mee Goreng, Teh Tarik, or White Coffee. Malaysia is rich with Indian and Chinese cuisines. Their dishes are indistinguishable with that of Singapore’s and Indonesia’s because of its historical ties. It would also be an adventure to try out local dishes when you are traveling between cities. Street foods of Penang and Kuala Lumpur are also famous for their extraordinary taste.
The Locals Can Speak English
Bahasa Malaysia or Malay is the official language of Malaysia, but Mandarin and English are also widely spoken in the country. You don’t have to be concerned about communicating with people in Malaysia you can find English translations in almost everything. The signs, ticket machines, information stands, and food menus are mostly available in English, but learning Malay would also be ideal.
A Budget Tour
Travelling to Malaysia can be a budget-friendly destination for you. It doesn’t have to be a high-priced trip, and you can have at least $50 a day to spend. You can do more extensive research on creating budget planning in going to Malaysia.
Choose AirBnB
Travellers are now considering AirBnBs instead of staying in expensive hotels. There are available travel apps that you can download to find available AirBnBs for a lower price. The accommodations are great and reasonable with their rates
Go For Public Transportation
Going around Malaysia is easy even if you use public transportation. You can reach your destinations with ease and a cheaper alternative than taking taxis. You can seek help from Google Maps to plan your route or ask your travel agencies for suggestions on how to get to your destinations.
Use Grab if Necessary
As much as possible, do not use Malaysia’s taxis. They are more expensive than using buses or other public transportation. It is better to use Grab instead, which is always available in most parts of the country.
Travel safety in Malaysia should not be a concern. Nevertheless, it is wise to consider your safety first. It would be best not to trust anyone, especially the inordinately friendly strangers. Stay away from dark places and avoid walking alone, especially at night.
