Malaysia is not heavily populated with backpackers and tourists like Thailand and Bali, but it's still a really nice and interesting country that has a lot to offer. Although its capital city Kuala Lumpur is always the main attraction among visitors, Malaysia has beautiful beaches, rainforests and a very mixed cultural influence. So, no matter where you are heading in Malaysia, here are some great tips to ease your travels.
Visa Requirement
With a US passport, you do not need a visa. You can enter Malaysia for 90 Days. For your countries requirements and more info on Malaysia's Customs & Immigrations policies visit here.
Language
The official language in Malaysia is Malay but English is widely spoken. However, in Kuala Lumpur you will hear a lot of Hindi and Chinese because there are many Indians and Chinese living there.
Power Outlets/ Plugs/ Power Sockets
If you are traveling from US to Malaysia, you need a power plug adopter. In Malaysia the power outlets are of type G. US power outlets are type A and B which is not compatible with Malaysia's outlets.
The above picture provides the power sockets type for most countries. Use it as a guide to see if you need to buy a power plug before arriving in Malaysia. You can also buy it at your hostel or hotel. The price is usually 10 MYR.
Transportation - Get GRAB!
If you are not familiar with Grab, it's an app similar to Uber that will save you time, money and energy in Malaysia. Especially in the Kuala Lumpur (KL) area. The cost is guaranteed cheaper than a taxi especially when you are heading to the airport. So, if you want to avoid getting overcharged and save some cash, make sure to download grab. We used grab in Kulala Lumpur even when visiting Batu Caves and it was literally four dollars.
For Backpackers or solo travelers: You can use Grab to get to the tourist attractions if you want to avoid long hours on the bus and MRT. There isn't a big different in price, but it does give you more time to explore.
For families traveling with children: If you want a hustle free, stress free travel, your best bet it to order a grab everywhere.
Use promo code 'grabcare' and get 6 MYR off on your first ride!
Accommodation
Malaysia has many accommodation options with Hostels being the cheapest. If you are visiting Kuala Lumpur hotels will be expensive, so Hostels or Guest Houses are your best options. It's always best to stay in the center of a city in Malaysia to avoid spending too much money on transportation.
Currency & Credit Cards
Malaysian Ringgit (MYR)
Foreign credit cards are widely accepted. Usually more in hotels, mall, restaurants, or for Grab. However, I wouldn’t rely on cards too much. You are better off carrying cash.
Food
Nasi Lemak is the national food and it's basically rice soaked and steamed in coconut milk served with hard-boiled eggs, curry chicken, fried anchovies, cucumbers, and roasted peanuts. It’s a simple dish that’s got the perfect combination of spicy and sweet. You want to get this from a local place not from the mall or westernized area because they will have modify it.
Batu Caves
The Batu cave is one of the biggest attraction in Malaysia and the biggest attraction in Kuala Lumpur. It's a Hindu cave temple which consists of three huge limestone caves. There are 272 steps to get up to the temple and along the way you will encounter many monkeys. Be careful of your belongings because they will snatch it.
Cost
Although Malaysia is pricier compared to other southeast Asian countries, it's still pretty affordable if you don't mind staying in a hostel and use Grab for transportation. Food is also very cheap! So, if you can budget out the transportation and accommodation part, you will save cash and everything will be way more affordable.