Travel tips for Malaysia - what to prepare in advance and what to obey

1. Traveling in a rented car is a safe, convenient, and inexpensive way to get acquainted with the country. World-famous car rental companies are mostly very expensive compared to local rental companies. You will need a license and a credit card to rent a car. You should be careful when driving. Locals drive fast. Road signs and markings are not everywhere. Left-hand traffic is very unusual.

2. Chinatown is the most popular, noisy, and crowded area of Kuala Lumpur. You can rent very cheap housing there. However, it is better not to do this. More prestigious Bukit Bintang is a 10-minute walk away. You can stay there with great comfort if you pay a slightly larger amount.

3. Kuala Lumpur is a large city. But most of the places that you must see are located close to each other in the center. You can see all the sights from the modern shopping centers located almost nearby in Bukit Bintang to the numerous Pasar Seni street markets in just one or two days.

4. Malaysia is located right on the equator in the hottest solar belt on the planet. It is warm and sunny all year round here. If you can't stand the heat, then the period from December to February will be the best time for your trip. The rainy season starts in the west of the country in April-May and October-December. It rains in the east from October to February.

5. It is convenient and profitable to buy original souvenirs, crafts of local craftsmen, and even food at special night markets. The stifling heat subsides in the evening. In addition, prices go down closer to the closing time. Sellers make discounts more readily.

6. Free Wi-Fi is available in many public places in the country. You can purchase a SIM card from one of the local operators to make calls. Mobile Internet is also well developed here. It has a large coverage area.

7. It is most convenient to take US dollars to the trip. They can be exchanged for the national currency - the Malaysian ringgit. The most profitable exchange rate is in small exchange offices. Cards are accepted almost everywhere. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

8. Malaysia is a multicultural country. Its inhabitants respect the religious beliefs of representatives of different faiths. Buddhist, Muslim, and Christian holidays are celebrated at the state level here. You should check the calendar of holidays before you travel, so as not to get into a situation when everything is closed. For example, it will be problematic to have a snack during daylight hours during the Holy month of Ramadan in places where the Muslim population lives.

9. Cycle rickshaw is a unique and inexpensive form of transport that is common in the capital. It is convenient for traveling short distances. Passengers are placed in a wheelchair attached to the side of the bike. There are also cycle rickshaws in Penang. However, they are not in such great demand there. Taxis are very popular here. This type of transport is quite cheap here. It is better to use the services of licensed drivers. They can be identified by the "checkers" and the inscription "taxi" in the car. The payment method is specified in the same place: by the counter ("bermeter") or by the prepayment ("berkupon"). Public transport in large cities and intercity transport links is well developed in Malaysia compared with many other Asian countries. There is no public transport in the Langkawi archipelago.

10. If you are going to visit Melacca, it is better to stay in the immediate vicinity of Jonker Street. It is close to all historical sites. The street is filled with people on weekends and in the evenings. The night market opens at this time. Many souvenirs and crafts, as well as street food, are sold there. It is convenient to explore the city also with the help of a river cruise. It is better to buy tickets and take a boat to Taman Rimba and Muara pier.

11. The quality of street food is at the highest level here. Therefore, you can make a snack at markets and street outlets. Water from the tap is also suitable for drinking.

12. You should observe the rules of decency and dress code on beaches and at places of worship. It is not customary to sunbathe topless on beaches. You cannot enter the mosque in shorts and overly exposed clothing. You should take off your shoes when entering mosques and houses.

13. Malaysia is a fairly safe country for tourists. Of course, you should follow certain rules: do not leave your things unattended and do not carry large amounts of money. But the main thieves in Malaysia are not people but monkeys. They steal cameras and phones in huge numbers from tourists. If you are going to feed or communicate with cute animals you should make sure that your things are hidden.

14. Visa is not required to travel to the country. But it's better to get health insurance. The travel agency will issue it when purchasing a package tour. You can also issue it yourself. It is better to be vaccinated against tetanus, polio, hepatitis A, and typhoid to visit the country.

15. There are many beautiful beaches in the country. The best of them are located on the Islands of Tioman and Langkawi. Jellyfish have spoiled the convenience of Penang's beaches. They flood coastal waters in abundance. You should be careful when entering the sea. Fans of a secluded, relaxing holiday will appreciate the beaches of Teluk Kampi (Penang) and Juara.