Welcome to Malaysia

Packed with vibrant cities, great food, gorgeous beaches and those adorable orangutans, Malaysia is a mosaic of Asian cultures and landscapes. You’ll mingle with Muslim Malays, Chinese, Hindu, Muslim Indians, Orang Asli aboriginals, indigenous Dayak tribes.

Learn about their lush land and its ancient rain forests through ranger-led tours of the jungle, the lowlands and the rivers. Meet the stars of the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre and Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary. Sail down the Kinabatangan River in search of pygmy elephants and wild cats. Switch to the urban side of things in high-tech Kuala Lumpur, where instead of trees, you’ll find shiny 21st-century skyscrapers sidled up to colonial-era shops.

Get to know the distinct culture of George Town (Penang), famous for its street art. Tour tea plantations in the Cameron Highlands and lounge on the tropical beaches of Langkawi. With culture and natural beauty to spare, Malaysia boasts the best of modern and traditional Asia.

Unique Facts

• Located in Gunung Mulu National Park on Borneo, the Sarawak Cave Chamber is the largest known cave chamber in the world.
• There are four UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Malaysia: Gunung Mulu National Park, Kinabalu Park, the historic cities of Melaka and George Town and the Lenggong Valley.
• Malaysia is divided into Peninsular Malaysia (West Malaysia), where Kuala Lumpur is, and Borneo (which is actually shared with Indonesia and Brunei).
• At one time the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur were the world’s tallest building at 1,483 feet high. They’ve since been eclipsed by the Burj Khalifa skyscraper in Dubai.
• The Malayan Tiger is found in Malaysia, but is endangered. Only 350 of these big cats now exist in the entire world.

Language

Malaysia’s official language is Malay.

When To Go

The best time to go to Malaysia is during the dry season, between December and February on the west side, or May through September on the east side.

Airports

Kuala Lumpur International Airport

Passport Validity

Passport must be valid at time of entry for six months beyond arrival date.

Visa Required By US Citizen?

None for stays of 90 days or less.

Vaccinations

The CDC recommends the following vaccines for most travelers when visiting Malaysia: Hepatitis A and Typhoid. Depending on where you are traveling, you may also need Hepatitis B, Cholera, Malaria, Japanese Encephalitis, Rabies and Yellow Fever vaccines.

Electrical Outlets

Power plugs and sockets: type G. Standard voltage: 240V. Frequency: 50Hz.

Currency

Official local currency: Ringgit (Malaysian Dollar)

Getting Around

Traffic is thick in major cities, where multi-land highways merge to narrow two-land roads. Be aware that monsoonal rains can quickly flood roads in the lowlands.

Bus service is available, although there have been serious accidents on these long-distance buses. Choose a reputable company and avoid overnight routes.

Use caution when hailing a taxi in Kuala Lumpur. Book taxis in downtown shopping areas by phone or online instead of hailing a taxi on the street. Use a car-share service is often a better choice for fare transparency.

Driver’s License

Valid US driver’s license is required.

US Embassy Info

U.S. Embassy Kuala Lumpur
376 Jalan Tun Razak
50400, Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia
Telephone: +(60) (3) 2168-5000
Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(60) (3) 2168-5000 (press 1 at the recording)
Fax: +(60) (3) 2148-5801
klacs@state.gov

Local Visitor Info

Malaysia Tourism Centre
109 Jalan Ampang
Kuala Lumpur 50450
Malaysia
Tel: +60 3-9235 4800

Local Emergency Phone Numbers

Ambulance: 999/112
Police: 999/112
Fire: 994/112

Safety and Security

Crime is a growing concern in Kuala Lumpur, including petty theft and violent crime. The most common crimes are purse snatching and pickpocketing.

If driving on your own, keep valuables out of sight. Some criminals target drivers stuck in traffic or at a stoplight with “smash and grab” theft.