Malaysia

Malaysia is a Southeast Asian country, rich in diverse ethnic and religious harmony. This rapidly developing country is known for its world class temples, beautiful city skylines, and serene untouched nature.

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Malaysia Travel Info

Language

The main language of Malaysia is Malay, which grew out of a group of Southeast Asian languages. Malay is spoken in Singapore, Indonesia, Brunei, and Malaysia, making it a lingua franca of the region. English is also widely spoken. It is taught as a second language, although it is not an official language. English proficiency in the country is rated very highly, do to the multicultural nature of the demographic makeup. If you travel, you’re likely to encounter many regional language groups, as well as Malay and English being used in casual conversation.

Demographics

Malaysia is a very diverse country. The country is roughly 70% ethnically Malay, and within that group are hundreds of smaller communities. Notably, Malaysia has a very large 22% Chinese population, and a smaller buy respectable 7% Indian population. These large minority groups are due to Malaysia being a crossroads between East and central Asia. The country is majority Islamic, but because of the minority populations, there are sizable Buddhist, Hindu, and Christian groups practicing in Malaysia.

Weather

Malaysia is a country located in the tropics, meaning hot wet months all year. The temperature is very stable, around 90°F all year. The country experiences a significant monsoon season from November to March, where rainfall is increased and long rainy storms can prevail. In dry months, small popup showers can be expected, but don’t last long. Overall, Malaysia is hot, humid, and enjoys sunny weather most of the year.

Public Transit

Public transit varies in Malaysia. The capital of Kuala Lumpur is the only city that enjoys extensive public transportation. The city has a large network of subways and light rail, making travel convenient and fast. The rest of the country is covered by long distance bus, but for many destinations air travel is still the best option. Grab Taxi is an affordable way to hail taxis and rideshares with wide coverage and good pricing.

Malaysia FAQ

Malaysia is a relatively inexpensive country, especially for western travelers. The cost of living is low, and you can expect low cost accommodations, cheap transportation, and moderately priced food. Especially for backpackers, Malaysia is an ideal destination for cost.

Malaysia is a very safe country. Ranking 13th on the global peace index, it is a country with a very low risk of terrorism, murder, or violent crime. In terms of Asian countries, it is on par with Korea and Japan for crime and safety. Solo travelers will find Malaysia safe and easy to navigate on their own without risk. As always, stay aware of your surroundings, make good choices and you will have no problems.

Yes, English proficiency in Malaysia is very high. Especially in large cities, tourist areas, or popular destinations. Most Malay have a decent grasp of the language, but even in remote areas you’re likely to find some English services available.

We recommend visiting Malaysia from March to September. This falls outside of the monsoon seasons and avoids as much rain as possible. Due to the tropical nature of the country, the temperature stays very consistent, so travelling with the least rain is preferrable.

You’ve probably gathered that Malaysia is a majority Muslim country, but it is also extremely diverse. Malaysia has large populations of immigrants, mom several countries and religions. As such, it is possible to find religious sites for most major religions in the city. In our experience, Malay’s are very tolerable and there is no pressure to dress or act a certain way.

Travel Diaries

First Time in MALAYSIA | Kuala Lumpur
THIS IS MALAYSIA | Batu Caves. Thean Hou Temple, Wilayah Persekutuan Mosque
This Is LANGKAWI! | Mangroves, Skybridge, Seven Pools Waterfall