2023 Best Places For Holiday In Malaysia – Tourist Travel Guide
A holiday in Malaysia is one of the most spectacular nations to travel to in South East Asia.
Malaysia has well-developed infrastructures blessed with beaches and wild tropical rainforests.
Discover Malaysia, a country divided by the South China Sea into two geographical regions where the Orang Asli (indigenous people) still live in the rainforest according to their different languages and customs.
Malaysia’s striking contrasts of diverse cultures and festivities let you experience a melting pot of culture, food, and architecture at the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Your vacation will cover an adventure of traversing jungles and exotic wildlife with a well-balanced mix of pure island relaxation, city sightseeing, shopping, and spectacular street food.
Put Holiday in Malaysia on your travel bucket list to visit.
Malaysia boasts green scenery of wild tropical rainforests, cascading tea plantations, crystal-clear waters, and pristine white sandy beaches.
Malaysians have a fascinating heritage and a cultural mix of Orang Asli, Malay, Chinese, Indian, Eurasians, and the Peranakan, weaving a rich and diverse cultural tapestry.
The vibrant customs and traditions are translated into the crafts and mouthwatering cuisine infused with coconut, chilies, and spices.
The Titiwangsa Range, also known as “Banjaran Besar” (Main Range) by the locals, forms Peninsular Malaysia’s spine and divides it naturally into the east and west coastal regions.
Orang Asli is the indigenous people and the oldest aboriginal tribe of Peninsular Malaysia. Photo courtesy of Tourism Malaysia
Where would you like to go for a holiday in Malaysia?
Malaysia is a jewel with a diverse landscape of tropical rainforest, wildlife, and sea life abundance.
The fun activities to experience can range from renting a bicycle to moving around to zip lines, mountaineering, dragon boat, or an ultra-marathon around the island of Langkawi.
Oldest Rainforest
Taman Negara (National Park) is the oldest primary rainforest in the world.
At 130 million years (the same age as the Amazon), Taman Negara is one forest in the world that has stood throughout human history; it was around when the dinosaurs roamed the Earth.
The national park has lasted through millions of years of climate change and has never been influenced by ice ages.
The Amazon River Basin is home to the largest rainforest on Earth, but it is impenetrable due to its vastness.
When you visit West Malaysia, pay a visit to this National Park for the best jungle experience if you don’t have the option of visiting Borneo’s jungles.
The biggest National Park in Malaysia covers three states and legislations; Pahang, Terengganu, and Kelantan.
Is it always the right time to find the Best Places to go for a holiday in Malaysia?
Malaysia is on the equator, and the country’s climate is best described as hot and humid throughout the year.
There are two seasons, the dry and wet season with warm rains!
Malaysia’s beaches and islands are among the world’s best.
There are several paradise islands with crystal clear waters where you can swim with tropical fish and other aquatic life.
Plan your trip with the seasons in mind if you want to visit Malaysia’s stunning islands.
Some ferries and speed boats might not be running during the monsoon season.
If you plan on scuba diving, the visibility in the water may be reduced.
The great thing is that no matter the rainfall, the tea plantations thrive well in the highlands, and the jungles will always be dense and lush.
Ensure you bring a good waterproof jacket and Anti-Leech Socks for your hikes.
Bharat Tea Plantations in Cameron Highlands, Pahang. Photo courtesy of Tourism Malaysia
A Holiday in Malaysia caters to kinds of travelers
If you’re planning a solo trip, visiting ex-pat family working and living in Malaysia, on a honeymoon, or even backpacking on a budget, with a just market for everyone.
Students on a gap year and a tight budget check out hostels offering shared dorms for around USD 6 – 12 and private rooms for USD 15.
Mid-range options with guesthouses offer sizeable comfortable en suite rooms for around USD 18 – air conditioning and breakfast.
In the larger cities, Kuala Lumpur and George Town, the hotel rates are at the higher end of the scale.
There are stunning beachside bungalows, villas in the sea, and upmarket resorts on the islands. Here you can expect room rates to start from USD 25 upwards.
Accommodations in the National Parks, the jungles, or dive sites are minimal, with shared open-plan dorms and basic shared toilets.
For a memorable experience, you might find some bucket showers and fall asleep under mosquito nets under a canopy of stars.
A family holiday in Malaysia. Photo: Farhan Anas
The best Street Food For Your Holiday in Malaysia
If you love carbs, you will enjoy all the lovely spices and hot red curries that go so deliciously with white rice, bread, and Naans.
Its multicultural heritage inspires Malaysian cuisine.
You’ll find 24-hour Mamak restaurants, Chinese rice dishes, Indian curries, Malay kueh, and noodle dishes that are tempting and mouthwatering.
For seafood lovers, try fresh crabs, shellfish, prawns, and fish for straightforward steaming or grilling.
All this to wash down with clean coconut water or a local alcoholic beverage called Tuak.
A Malaysian breakfast can be a USD1.20 Malaysian ‘signature’ Nasi Lemak washed down with a Teh Tarik, a “pulled” hot black tea beverage blended with condensed milk sold at roadside stalls or “Warungs.”
You could eat a popular Char Koay Teow (fried flat rice noodle dish). Even if you eat on the run, you could grab a local Ramly Burger or a charcoal-grilled satay (meat skewers).
Malaysian street food is not only delicious, filling – not to mention ridiculously cheap.
So, where are the Best Places for a Holiday in Malaysia?
The top three not-to-miss destinations in Malaysia take in the country’s incredible landscape of beach and paradise islands, wildlife and the rainforest, and shopping in the cosmopolitan cities.
Best Places For A Holiday in Malaysia – A Tropical Island
Catch the next flight to Langkawi (Kedah), an archipelago of 99 islands in the Andaman Sea, to enjoy a postcard-perfect paradise of stunning white beaches and turquoise seas, and paddy fields.
Head to Pulau Perhentian (Perhentian Islands) on the East Coast, where you might see turtles hatching on Turtle Beach!
Lionfish are not only poisonous, but we also find their venom in the fish’s needle-sharp dorsal, pelvic, and anal fins! Photo: Open Source
Scuba Diving in Malaysia
According to Scuba Travel, the number one dive site is Barracuda Point, Sipadan Island, off Borneo’s east coast.
With stunning reefs and corals as the backdrop, the underwater world is not to miss.
With 40 Marine Park islands in Malaysia and its conservation effort to protect the home to exotic fish, sharks, turtles, and rays.
The highlight of this dive is encountering a coral wall where sharks come cruising by, and very bold and curious Barracuda surround you.
Book ahead for limited dive passes sold daily to reduce the environmental impact.
Some Best Place Holiday in Malaysia is in Malaysian Borneo
Take a short flight from KL to Kuching or Kota Kinabalu to explore Malaysian Borneo.
Home to fantastic wildlife from endangered orangutans, Sumatran rhinos, elephants, monitor lizards, pythons, and tarantulas!
One of the best things to do is a multi-day jungle tour with a guide to explore the incredible wildlife and nature for yourself.
Explore the perfect half-day trip experience watching endangered Orangutans feeding at Semmengoh Wildlife Center in Kuching, Sarawak.
If you have the time, take in a full-day Kinabalu Park and Poring Hot Springs Day Trip for a complete immersion in Sabah’s nature trails.
You can enjoy the suspension rope bridges in Taman Negara Canopy Walkway, Pahang. Photo: Open Source
Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia’s capital Kuala Lumpur (Selangor), is excellent for exploring as you track the British colonial traces throughout the city.
You take in the vibrant, beautiful Mosques. Stand awed by the incredible city’s skyline with the Petronas Twin Towers illuminating the night sky.
Catch the city’s diversity and incredible views from the sky bar at dusk and chill out until night.
Hiking and Mountaineering
Malaysia is home to breathtaking mountains, lush national parks, and scenic hiking trails that excite many adventurous people.
Locals enjoy a weekend morning or evening hike.
Newbies can try easy short trails for the experienced hiker and more challenging and rougher terrains to climb for a nation with an active hiking population.
It all depends on your fitness level—a rough indication of what to expect and the reward. Stand akimbo on the highest peak, Mount Kinabalu (Sabah), at 4095.2m (13,435ft).
