Malaysia

Split across two land masses, Malaysia consists of Peninsular Malaysia, the strip of country lodged in between Thailand and Singapore, and the northern part of the island of Borneo, called Malaysian Borneo. The country is rich not only in economic terms but in cultural diversity and a varied landscape. The capital, Kuala Lumpur, is located in peninsular Malaysia.

EAT! – Roti Canai: The Malaysian alternative for a midnight kebab on the way home, this flatbread comes with a variety of mouth-watering dips and is designed for eating by hand. Pick yourself up one from a roadside stall for as little as RM0.90.

DRINK! – Teh Tarik: This hot sweet tea is named after the ‘pulling’ motion (tarik) used to pour it. Often served with a dose of condensed milk, it’s the perfect afternoon pick-me-up.

WEAR! – Cover up: Over 60% of the population are practising Muslims in Malaysia, it’s respectful to cover up here.

BEWARE! – The Price of Alcohol: As an Islamic country, beer is sold only at licensed stores for the country’s visitors. As a result, a beer here will set you back a whopping RM7.50!

Check out our travel guides to the best places to visit in Malaysia below! Scroll further down and you’ll find some important travel info as well as an overview of each region! (These links open in a new tab)

Destination Guides

Often the first thing to be noticed by tight backpackers who travel to Malaysia are the higher prices here, compared to nearby Thailand and Cambodia. Hopefully, this won’t deter you, as the country offers a wonderful change from Buddhist Southeast Asia and it’s worth a visit even just for the food options! Aim to be in this multicultural society for Chinese New Year (read more about the Festival) and you’re in for a real treat, with extensive celebrations and colourful parades.

Visas to Malaysia

Upon entry to Malaysia, most nationalities get a 90-day visa-free entry, which is a lot more than the neighbouring countries offer! It’s known as the “Social Visit Pass”.  Read more about visas here.

Staying Connected in Malaysia: 

SIM cards provide good connection in Peninsular Malaysia, however, travellers to Borneo may struggle to stay online as internet speeds are poor and connection is patchy. Our recommended SIM for travellers in Malaysia is the DiGi Traveller SIM, although there are other options available. Check out this post for more information regarding SIM cards in Malaysia.

Is Malaysia Safe?

Malaysia is arguably one of the safest countries in Asia. It is evolving at a rapid pace, attracting investment from all over the globe. Serious crime is generally very low although you should be wary of pickpockets in popular tourist areas and cities. Drug-related crime is punished harshly in Malaysia so make sure to avoid drugs while you are there.

In the past, parts of Borneo have been affected by terrorism and piracy, leading many to ask whether Borneo is safe – and the answer is yes. Borneo is safer to visit now than it’s ever been!

Tap water in Malaysia is considered unsafe to drink, so you should stick to bottled or filtered water to help prevent traveller’s tummy kicking in!

FYI! Getting a mosquito repellent with DEET is nearly impossible in Malaysia. Although natural repellents are easy to come by, those with DEET are very difficult to find, even in Borneo! Save yourself the hassle and bring your own with you!

Introduction to Peninsular Malaysia (West Malaysia)…

Found between Thailand and Singapore, Peninsular Malaysia (often known as West Malaysia) is home to the majority of the country’s multicultural population. Home to the capital and largest city, Kuala Lumpur, West Malaysia is more developed than Malaysian Borneo at just a 1/3rd of the size. Peninsular Malaysia is cut in half by the Titiswanga, a mountain range running right down the middle. Often overlooked in favour of its most famous celebrity neighbour, Thailand, upon closer inspection Peninsular Malaysia has a lot going for it in terms of diversity, welcoming locals and a fantastic transport network to get around.

There’s ancient rainforest, charming colonial towns, a UNESCO World Heritage site, stunning islands and beaches, even tea plantations! Almost on the border with Thailand, the tax-free Langkawi Islands are a haven for divers, snorkelers, sunbathers and those in search of cheap booze! With recent heavy marketing, the islands have become very touristy of late and many backpackers prefer the more chilled out, Perhentian Islands which you can reach from the strictly Muslim city of Kota Bharu. Raved over as beautiful island gems, in particular, Pulau Perhentian Kecil with its white sandy beaches, jungle backdrop and chilled out beach bars, the Perhentians are a must stop for beach-lovin’ backpackers.

Further south, the colourful colonial island of Penang is a border-run stop for many expats and long-term travellers in Thailand. Great food, cheap guesthouses aplenty and good transport links to nearby Indonesia and Thailand. Not far away on the mainland, you’ll find Taman Negara, an ancient tropical rainforest filled with thousands of different species of flora and fauna.

Take a trek into the depths of the jungle across bamboo bridges hanging above the canopy. From there, you may like to stop off and refuel in the city of Ipoh or head over to the east coast to make a stop off at the little-visited, authentically Malaysian town of Kuala Terengganu. No visit to Peninsular Malaysia is complete without a stop in Malaysia’s bustling capital city, Kuala Lumpur – a melting pot of cultures with fantastic shopping, dining, street food and partying. 

Only a few hours from the heat of the capital, you can visit the Cameron Highlands with its silky green tea plantations. Once a hilltop retreat for the English colonial gentry, the highlands, which stand at 1,500 metres above sea level, offer fantastic trekking opportunities in a cooler and welcoming microclimate. Famous for being the home of the World’s largest tea plantation, The Cameron Highlands was named after Sir William Cameron, who discovered them in 1885.

Or if you’re looking for an island retreat close to the city, small and natural Pulau Pangkor might just fit the (toucan’s) bill. Heading west from KL, you will come across the UNESCO World Heritage coastal town of Melaka (or Malacca) – once upon a time an ancient strategic port town, with a fascinating colonial history involving the Dutch, Portuguese, Chinese and English. And if it’s true island paradise you’re looking for – further east you will find Pulau Tioman, once voted one of the ‘Top 10 Tropical Islands in the World’ by Time Magazine, Tioman takes some beating for its glorious white sands, turquoise seas and laid-back island life.

Introduction to Malaysian Borneo (East Malaysia)…

800km east of Peninsular Malaysia lies Malaysian Borneo, which itself is divided into two states with their own distinct cultures, Sabah and Sarawak. Covered in thick jungle, this is where travellers and tourists alike flock to all year round in search of wildlife, national parks and indigenous tribes. The hottest time of the year in Borneo is between May and September, although there is very little difference between this time and the rest of the year. Humidity is fairly high year-round. Borneo has only two seasons – rainy and dry. Although rain is a possibility year-round, the rainy season in most of Borneo is from October to February.

Less populated and less developed, East Malaysia is home to the five of the country’s highest mountains including Mount Kinabalu which claims the title of the 10th highest peak in Southeast Asia! Backpackers with a reasonable level of fitness can attempt the climb of Mount Kinabalu, which should be arranged in the nearby city of Kota Kinabalu.

Backpacking in Sarawak…

Backpackers to Malaysian Borneo usually arrive into charming Kuching, often described as one of the most ‘liveable’ cities in Southeast Asia. From here you can venture into nearby national parks, such as Bako National Park, head into the jungle to do a homestay at an original longhouse of the Iban people or head into the wilderness on the Upper Rajang River.

If you have more time, travel to Miri, the gateway to Gunung Mulu National Park and the Kelabit Highlands. Sarawak Chamber in Gunung Mulu National Park in Sarawak is the largest cave in the entire World. It’s big enough to be a parking space for a Boeing 747-200!

Backpacking in Sabah…

Described by David Bellamy (a famous environmentalist) as “one of the world’s greatest natural theme parks.”, Sabah in Malaysian Borneo is home to the Rafflesia, the largest flower in the world. Many travellers head to Sabah to attempt to climb the highest mountain in Malaysia, Mount Kinabalu (4096 metres) on a multi-day trek.

Further south, Sandakan is the city base for those backpackers looking to experience some of Borneo’s famous wildlife. A lot of travellers toy between visiting Sumatra or Borneo but it is true that the latter offers intrepid adventurers so much more than just orangutans.

Head out to Pulau Selingan otherwise known as Turtle Island to watch the babies hatch and find their way into the sea. Or, head to Sepilok to see our red-headed cousins in surprisingly close proximity! Sepilok is also the starting point for journeys on the Kinabatangan River which showcases a range of endemic wildlife, from monkeys to elephants and even crocodiles! If you’ve caught the diving bug, Sipidan Island is Malaysia’s diving hub and has many times been voted ‘The Top Dive Destination in the World’.