The Malayan countryside is rather like a rich feast, with a little too much of everything good.
George Woodcock, Asia, Gods and Cities
Malaysia holiday experts at WEXAS will tailor-make all aspects of your itinerary to create a Malaysia holiday, personal to you.
Malaysia is separated into two regions, separated by the South China Sea. Peninsular Malaysia borders Thailand and is home to the majority of the population, while East Malaysia on the island of Borneo is actually the larger area. Culturally Malaysia is a mix of customs and religions, and as both Buddhist and Hindu minorities intermingle peacefully with the Muslim majority, there is a great wealth of temples and festivals to explore. The capital, Kuala Lumpur, is a major global city, with its own temples worshipping at the altar of capitalism – the world’s tallest twinned buildings, the Petronas Twin Towers.
The dense jungle of Sarawak and Sabah on Borneo remains untamed and teeming with wildlife, including orang utans and countless new species of flora and fauna being discovered all the time. Beaches throughout Malaysia are some of the world’s most pristine; those on Sabah are some of the best, others have fantastic coral reef diving, and many sit on the edge of lush rainforest – meaning a strenuous jungle trek can end with a refreshing dip in the clear blue sea. But be sure to arrive outside of monsoon season, as many beaches remain off-limits at these times.
Contact a Malaysia expert to prepare a personal itinerary and a no-obligation quote.
Malaysia facts
Capital: Kuala Lumpur
Language: Bahasa Malaysia.
People: Malay, Chinese, Indigenous tribes, Indian.
Religion: Muslim (60.4%), Buddhist (19.2%), Chinese faiths, Christian, Hindu and Chinese religions including Confucianism and Taoism.
Size (sq km): 329,750.
Population: 25,274,133.
Population density/sq km: 76.6.
Etiquette
Malaysia's population is a mixture of diverse cultures and characters. Islam is the predominant religion, some regions may enforce a stricter Muslim code than others. Dress should be modest. The Malay style of handshake is relaxed and gentle in touch, sometimes simply a brushing of fingertips against each other. Never eat food with the left hand and take shoes off before entering a house or temple.
Shopping
Pewterware, silverware, brassware, batiks, jewellery, pottery, cameras, pens, watches, perfume
Food & drink
Every type of South-East Asian cooking. Many dishes are based on a blend of spices, ginger, coconut milk and peanuts. Sambals (ground chilli, onion and tamarind based pastes) are often used as side dishes. Laksa is a popular spicy coconut milk-based noodle soup. Roti Chenai is a favourite for breakfast or a snack – fried flat bread usually dipped in a spicy peanut sauce. Alcohol is allowed in most areas.
International Airports
Kuala Lumpur (KUL) 50 km from the city, Penang (PEN) 16 km from Georgetown, Kota Kinabalu (BKI) 7 km from the city, Kuching (KCH) 11 km from the city, Johor Bahru – Senai (JHB), 30 km from the city.
Internal travel
Air Asia and Malaysian Airlines have flights linking the country. Good bus network throughout peninsular Malaysia and on main roads in East Malaysia. Excellent bus and rail network: to Singapore via Kota Bharu and Thailand via Kuala Lumpur. Car hire easily available. Ferries between most islands.
Red tape
Visas
None.
Vaccinations
BCG, Cholera, Diphtheria, Hep. A, Hep B, JE, Malaria, Rabies, Typhoid, Y. Fever2
Driving requirements
An International Driving Permit. UK citizens may use a national licence, which must be endorsed by the Registrar of Motor Vehicles in Malaysia.
Reps in UK/US
UK: 45-46 Belgrave Square, London SW1X 8QT, tel (020) 7235 8033, fax (020) 7235 5161. US: 3516 International Court, NW, Washington, DC 20008, tel (202) 572 9700, fax (202) 572 9882, email malwashdc@kln.gov.my.
UK/US reps in Malaysia
UK: 185 Jalan Ampang, 50450 Kuala Lumpur, tel (3) 2170 2200, fax (3) 2170 2360, email consular2.kualalumpur@fco.gov.uk. US: 376 Jalan Tun Razak, 50400 Kuala Lumpur, tel (3) 2168 5000, email klconsular@state.gov.
Currency
Ringgit (RM) = 100 sen.
Finance
Credit cards and traveller's cheques generally accepted.
Business hours
0830-1600/1730 Monday-Friday, 0800-1200 Saturday.
Safety & life expectancy
Safety information
Generally safe. Islands and coastal areas of Eastern Sabah are dangerous due to terrorist groups.
Life expectancy
Life expectancy: M 70.32, F 75.94.
Useful websites for travel
http://malaysia.usembassy.gov/, http://travel.tourism.gov.my, www.borneo-online.com.my, http://travelmalaysiaguide.com/, www.kln.gov.my/, www.malaysiatrulyasia.co.uk/.
Local media
English-language papers include Malay Mail, New Straights Times, The Star and Business Times.
Tourist boards
UK: Malaysia House, 57 Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DU, tel (020) 7930 7932, fax (020) 7930 9015, email info@tourism-malaysia.co.uk. US: 120 East 56th Street, Suite 810, New York, NY 10022, tel (212) 754 1114, fax (212) 745 1116, email mtpb@aol.com.
Below is a selection of some ideas for holidays to Malaysia. This is simply a taste of what we can offer. If you're interested in a specific Malaysia itinerary then please call one of our consultants on 0845 643 6561.
Cameron Highlands Resort is a beautiful holiday destination, situated on the largest hill retreat in Malaysia, surrounded by breathtaking scenery in the state of Pahang. Set amid tea plantations and rolling hills, this boutique hideaway is suffused with the sp...
The Eastern & Oriental Hotel is a tranquil haven right in the heart of Penang.The hotel is steeped in old colonial charm with the finest traditions of comfort, having been patronised by colonial administrators since its foundation in the nineteenth century...
The luxurious Mandarin Oriental is located in the heart of Kuala Lumpur. Situated in between the flowering gardens of Kuala Lumpur city centre park and the landmark of the Petronas twin towers, the view from the hotel is spectacular....
Perfectly arranged within 400 acres of tropical gardens on the shores of Pantai Dalit beach, the Shangri la Rasa Ria Resort is far more than your everyday beach resort. Housing an Orang Utan education centre and ecologically friendly championship golf course, ...
Discover all Malaysia has to offer with a fully escorted tour through the country’s top attractions and a night either side at Hotel Istana in Kuala Lumpur. Travel from the hustle and bustle of the high-tech capital through the lofty tea plantations of t...
This tailor-made tour of Malaysia will show you more than the usual highlights of Kuala Lumpur and Langkawi. We can easily arrange private drivers and their home-grown knowledge can open up the country like never before. And who hasn’t dreamed of Borneo ...
The Danna Langkawi luxury resort sits on the idyllic west coast of Langkawi, Malaysia’s most popular resort island....
MV Orion’s Borneo Wildside Cruise aims to showcase some of Borneo’s undiscovered gems with an itinerary of exotic destinations on the southern and western coastlines of Borneo, taking in isolated tropical islands and abundant National Parks....
Venture to some of Malaysia’s less well-known highlights in order to see a side of the country usually missed by visitors focussing solely on the islands of Langkawi and Penang. See Malacca for a sense of the country’s colonial past before discover... Please call 0845 643 6561 for price details.
More information »
Malaysia’s central spine is a lush, pleasant landscape. Ecotourism and wildlife watching are the order of the day in Taman Negara National Park, with the finest wildlife encounters on the peninsula available here. The cooler climes of the Cameron Highlan... Please call 0845 643 6561 for price details.
More information »
Malaysia is blessed with some brilliant beaches. Explore the best of them on this indulgent itinerary. Having discovered the highlights of the capital Kuala Lumpur, relax on the island of Redang off the country’s west coast, taking advantage of fabulous ... Please call 0845 643 6561 for price details.
More information »
Few places in the world are as wild and remote as Borneo. The Malaysian province of Sabah is one of the more accessible parts of the island. Nonetheless, its dense rainforests, craggy mountains and abundant reefs offer a genuine wilderness experience. Take thi... Please call 0845 643 6561 for price details.
More information »
Charles Darwin described Sarawak as ’one great wild, untidy, luxuriant hothouse, made by nature for herself’. Travel from the capital Kuching into the dense, verdant rainforest to discover jungle-dwelling tribes living in longhouses and an astoundi... Please call 0845 643 6561 for price details.
More information »
Exclusive discounts on Malaysia Airlines business class fares to Asia and Australasia... Please call 0845 643 6561 for price details.
More information »
The Datai is an idyllic retreat, set among centuries-old virgin rainforest, enjoying prime beachfront access on the shore of the beautiful Andaman Sea.... Please call 0845 643 6561 for price details.
More information »
The main rainy season in the east and in Sabah and Sarawak is from October to February. September to December is the wettest period on the west coast. Hot and humid year round.
GMT +8.
Ringgit (RM) = 100 sen.
Get foreign currency online
