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Malaysia Tours in 2024 & 2025

From jungle safaris to shimmering skyscrapers, Malaysia is an exciting combo of outdoor and urban delights. Have a close encounter with orangutans and soak up the gorgeous coastlines of magical Borneo. Cool off in the Cameron Highlands. Feast on delicious laksa at a Kuala Lumpur night market. Trek up wildlife rich Mt Kinabalu, Malaysia's highest mountain. And, of course, sample the diverse culinary offerings of Malaysia’s rich cultural mix, including Malay, Chinese and Indian.

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Frequently Asked Questions about our Malaysia tours

Visa requirements may change, so for the most up to date information we recommend using our Entry Requirements tool. Alternatively, check the Malaysian embassy website in your country of departure.

Vaccinations to consider include hepatitis a, hepatitis b, tetanus, rabies if you’re in rural areas, Japanese encephalitis, typhoid and polio. However, as advice can often change, you can check out our Entry Requirements tool for the most up-to-date details on vaccination requirements.

Malaysia has a tropical climate with distinct wet and dry seasons. Temperatures tend to range from 24°C (75°F) in the cooler months (December to February) to 30°C (86°F) in the warmer months (June to August). The rainy season runs from November to March, with the heaviest rains typically falling in January and February. The dry season is from April to October, and there’s barely any rain during this time period.

Though there’s no bad time to visit Malaysia per se, the best time would be during the dry seasons, which run from March to June and December to February. The temperature is less humid at this time of year, and the weather is at its most pleasant. As with Thailand, Malaysia experiences different coastal climates — for the west (Penang and Langkawi), the best time to visit is from December to February. For the Perhentian Islands and the east coast, you’re best travelling from May to September.

It’s customary in Asia to tip service providers such as waiters, at approximately 10%, depending on the service. Tipping is expected — though not compulsory — and shows an expression of satisfaction with the people who have assisted you on your tour.

There are several times during the trip where there is opportunity to tip the local guides or drivers we use. You may do this individually, or your CEO will offer to collect the money and tip as a group. Recommendations for tipping drivers and local guides would range from USD $1.50-3.50 per person, per day depending on the quality and length of the service; ask your CEO for specific recommendations based on the circumstances and culture. Also at the end of each trip if you felt your G Adventures CEO did an outstanding job, tipping is appreciated. The amount is entirely a personal preference, however as a guideline USD $20-25 per person, per week can be used.

Internet access in Malaysia is generally fairly good, and it’s certainly been improving in recent years. You’ll find it excellent in cities and urban areas like Kuala Lumpur, but in rural regions, it may be less reliable.

Yes, you’ll find plenty of ATMs in Malaysia. You'll find them in major cities like Kuala Lumpur, Penang, and Johor Bahru, as well as in shopping malls, airports, and transport hubs like bus stations too. Most ATMs here accept Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, and American Express cards, though you might be charged withdrawal fees. Check with your bank before you travel. Make sure you’ve got enough cash on you when you’re in rural areas too.

No — Malaysia isn’t particularly LGBTQ+-friendly, and homosexuality is punishable here by caning and imprisonment. People tend to be fairly conservative, so it pays to be discreet.

As part of their commitment, all CEOs receive LGBTQ+ inclusion training so every traveller feels respected and welcomed on all of our tours. We commit to making our tours a safe and inclusive place for people to express their authentic selves without judgement, free from any discriminatory language or harassment.

While travelling with G Adventures, all travellers must treat each other with dignity and respect to create an environment that is positive, safe, and where everyone feels welcome. You can find out more via our LGBTQ+ travel page.

Malay (Bahasa Malaysia) is the predominant language spoken in Malaysia — other languages spoken here include English, Chinese, Tamil and indigenous languages like Iban and Kadazan.

In general, no, the tap water here is not safe to drink. Bottled water is cheap and readily available however.

Please note however that all drinks provided on our tours are safe to drink (including drinks with ice), as well as the water in most hotels and restaurants visited on tour. If in doubt, please ask your CEO for further info.

Malaysia is generally considered a safe destination for travellers, but it's important to take some precautions as you would in any other country in the world. Petty crime does exist in larger cities, so keep your valuables close by. Dengue Fever does exist here too, so it pays to be prepared with insect repellent.

G Adventures takes all reasonable measures to ensure your safety and enjoyment while travelling with us. All of the included activities are properly vetted and regularly checked by us, and we take great care in choosing the right transportation, stays throughout your trip, and guides to lead your tour. However, there are always inherent risks when travelling — you can find out more via our travel safety page.