Asia > Malaysia

The climate is equatorial in type, lightly tempered by the sea breeze. The temperature is high throughout the year with an almost permanently high humidity. The sea water temperature is generally higher than 25°C.

The winter monsoon period is dominant between November and February with heavy rain, especially in the areas to the east. The summer monsoon period is from August to November and brings rain to the west accompanied by strong winds.

Take these differences into account when planning your visit by avoiding the east of the country between the months of October to February. With regards to the rest of the country, any time is a good time to visit apart from the month of Ramadan when everything goes slower than usual.

Split between two pieces of land, Malaysia will first surprise you with its unusual geography. The capital Kuala Lumpur, on its peninsula is an effervescent city undergoing full economic development that has animated streets and a great Chinese market, a huge mosque and a Hindu temple - all worth a visit. Visit Malacca too with its houses built in a Dutch architectural style and Kota Bahru with its central glass covered market letting light in to play with the shadows on the stalls. Do try the delicious local specialties sold on the market and street stalls. From there, take a boat trip to visit the Perhentian islands with their incredible beaches lapped by gentle turquoise waves.

Opposite, on the island of Borneo, Sarawak is well known for its National Parks, sheltering a jungle with an incredible number of spectacular and diverse forms of wildlife and plant life together with its tribes who will welcome you in an unforgettable manner. The other state, Sabah, is very poor despite its rich natural resources; you can visit the Orang-utan rehabilitation park at Sepilok where you can approach them while they are eating. You can also see the 4,000 metre high Mount Kinabalu.

Malaysia could be said to be a contrasting and contradictory mosaic of impressions where legends and exoticism are to be found at every turn next to an incredibly fearsome modernism.

You can easily get there by plane landing at Kuala Lumpur.

Most nationalities do not require a visa to enter the country; they are issued a permit stamp on their passport upon arrival.

The currency in circulation is the Malay Ringgit.

You can eat well for a fairly modest price, around €5. There is a wide choice of food here due to the many cultural influences; Chinese, Thai, Indian, Indonesian and, of course, Malay that has its own delicious specialties.

For lodging, you will find a double room in a guesthouse or reasonable hotel for less than €20.

If you wish to travel inland in Malaysia there are internal flights but also buses that run frequently, cost little and are very efficient. Boats provide a transport service between the peninsula, Sarawak and Sabah. In towns, taxis and buses are popular and there is a modern metro system in Kuala Lumpur.

From a health point of view, protect yourself against mosquitoes, carriers of dengue fever.

For souvenirs you may wish to consider traditional objects such as batik, sarongs, brass objects, kites, willow baskets, and the famous Malay Kris that you can find on the markets, that of Kota Bharu amongst others.