The weather in Malaysia tends to be hot and humid throughout the year, usually reaching around 30˚C or higher in the daytime. Even at night, the temperature rarely falls below 20˚C.

Although it tends to rain throughout the year, rainfall is particularly heavy during the monsoon season, which lasts from November until February.

Many people find travelling in the hot and humid weather quite tiring, so allow plenty of time to recover after long journeys and carry plenty of water with you.

Generally, the best time to visit Malaysia is from May to September. However, the heaviest rail tends to occur from May to October on the west coast of Malaysia and those intent on soaking up the sun on the beach should avoid arriving during this period. However, the monsoon season is the best time to spot some of Malaysia’s coastal wildlife such as turtles, who pick this time to lay their eggs on the beach.

The best time to see some of Malaysia’s most colourful festivals is during the winter months of November, December and January. Christmas, New Year’s Eve, Chinese New Year and Hari Raya Puasa are all vibrant affairs and celebrated throughout Malaysia.

The capital of Negeri Sembilan, Seremban is located 50 kilometres south of Kuala Lumpur, making this a good place to take a break on the way further south. Seremban is home to the Minangkabau culture, a diverse civilization within Malaysia which takes its name from the Malay word menang kerbau, meaning “winning buffalo”.

This interesting city is full of both natural and man-made beauty such as lakes, temples, gardens and Minangkabau art and handicrafts. This is a good place to pick up an unusual souvenir and explore the city’s unique style.

The Minangkabau people are well known for their unique roof architecture, which curves upwards to resemble buffalo horns. There are many examples of this architectural style in Seremban such as the Seremban Municipal Council Hall, the Wisma Negeri and the State Museum.

A great place to see traditional Minangkabau architecture is the Rumah Minangkabau, which is situated next to the State Museum on Jalan Labu. This ornate wooden building was constructed in 1898 and is engraved with verses from the Holy Koran. Not for the faint of heart, the Rumah Minangkabau is believed by locals to be haunted and definitely has a spooky feel.

One of the great things about Sremban is its diversity and you will find a wide range of temples here. A particularly decorative example is the Sri Bala T. Temple, which is dedicated to Hindu deities. Built in 1970, the State Mosque can be found on a small hill top overlooking the picturesque Lake Gardens, while nearby is the Catholic Church of the Visitation. Large fast food chain McDonalds may not seem like the holist of places, but you will even find a small, colourful Chinese shrine situated here.

Seremban Parade is an interesting place to hang out, and this is a good place to pick up a bargain, find a good meal and shop for local arts and crafts. Another good place to people watch is the Seremban Lake Garden, which are large and beautiful. Here you will see people jogging, families picnicking and amorous couples sneaking looking at each other and perhaps even holding hands.

Malaysia’s currency is the Malaysian ringgit, which is pronounced rin-gay and written as RM. There are 100 sen in one ringgit, which is also often referred to as a dollar. Notes come in RM1, RM2, RM5, RM10, RM20, RM50 and RM100 notes, while the available coins are 1 sen, 5 sen, 10 sen, 20 sen and 50 sen.

Costs

Generally speaking, the cost of living in Malaysia in higher than in many Asian countries, especially Thailand and Laos, although it is cheaper than is Indonesian and significantly less than in western countries. Those on a tight budget should be able to spend just $20 a day, although this will only buy the absolute basics and $35 a day will allow you a few small luxuries. Those who can afford to spend $150 each day will be able to stay in some of the country’s top hotels and dine in style, while for those with a real taste for luxury $275 a day should be more than enough to experience the best of Malaysia.

ATMs

ATM machines are abundant in all Malaysian cities, especially in shopping areas. The most reliable machines are attached to banks and it is probably best to stick to these as ATM machines to occasionally swallow cards.

Travellers’ Cheques and Credit Cards

Most major credit cards are generally accepted in top of the range hotels, shops and restaurants throughout Malaysia. Check for surcharges added to your bill before you pay as these are illegal. Travellers’ cheques in pounds sterling or US Dollars can be cashed in most banks and even some shops.

Changing Your Money

It is illegal to carry more than RM1000 into or out of Malaysia, so most of your money will need to be changed within the country. Although there are a large number of banks located around Malaysia with money changing facilities, the best deals are found at licensed moneychangers’ kiosks. These kiosks pop up all over Malaysia and tend to stay open until about 6pm.

Covering an area twice the size of Luxembourg, everything in this mighty park is enormous, from the 130 million year old jungle and towering trees to the animals and insects that live there.

Visitors to Taman Negara have the opportunity to spot a large variety of animals such as elephants, tigers, leopards and rhinos. There are also a large number of different snake species slithering through the overgrowth as well as monkeys, deer and tapir.

There is plenty to see and do in Taman Negara such as cave exploration, river rafting and rapid-shooting. There are overnight treks available as well as boat trips up one of the park’s many rivers. It is easy to arrange group tours and trekking as part of a group with a guide can be a lot of fun and a good way to learn more about the park.

There are a good number of different treks to choose from. Particularly popular is the half day trek from the Ranger’s Headquarters to Teresek Hill with spectacular views from the top, while the Canopy Walk offers visitors an elevated view of the park. There are also sparkling waterfalls to swim in and plenty of places to picnic.

The size and natural beauty of Taman Negara means that this is a good place to spend a few days and really explore. There are a number of places to stay, both inside Taman Negara and in the surrounding area. It is also possible to hire camping, hiking and fishing equipment at the Mutiara Taman Negara resort shop if you prefer to get back to basics and go it alone.

The main entry point into the park is by riverboat from the town of Kuala Tembelin. The journey covers 60 kilometres and takes about three hours. This is aa great way to see the countryside and on the way you will pass a number of fishermen and wildlife such as otters, kingfishers, hornbills and monkeys.

Transport in Malaysia tends to be safe and reliable and there aren’t really any no-go areas of the country. This usually means that getting around Malaysia is pleasant and hassle free.

Plane:

Travelling across Malaysia by aeroplane is generally quite cheap and certainly the easiest way to get around. The main airline is Malaysia Airlines and booking in advance online can save quite a bit of cash. Cheap flights are also provided by AirAsia.

Boat:

There are regular ferries running between the mainland and the numerous islands located just off the east and west coasts of Malaysia. Tickets are usually bought in advance from booths on the mainland.

Train:

Malaysia’s railway network is fast and efficient, consisting of three types of service: express, limited express and local trains. Express trains are reserved for 1^st and 2^nd class passengers, limited express trains usually just 2nd and 3rd coaches, while local trains are usually limited to 3^rd class. There are overnight sleeper births available on Express and limited express trains.

The Jungle Railway runs across Malaysia, stopping at every station between Tumpat and Gemas. This service is 3^rd class only and there is no air-conditioning or reservations, meaning that the trains tend to be rather hot and crowded. However, the stunning jungle views more than make up for the discomfort.

Bus:

Buses are the cheapest way to get around Malaysia and the best place to catch the bus and guarantee a seat is at the town’s bus terminal. There are luxury buses available for long-distance travel and these can be booked a couple of days in advance. The air-conditioned buses can be rather chilly, so take a blanket with you.

Car and motorcycle:

Driving in Malaysia is safe and convenient as the roads are good and there are plenty of new cars available to hire. Road rules are basically the same as in Britain and Australia, with right-hand drive cars that stick to the left side of the road. Petrol is generally cheap and motorbikes can also be hired from guesthouses in tourist towns and cities.

Taxis:

Taxis can be found in all cities and larger towns and usually drive around looking for customers. You will usually need to negotiate the fare in advance and it is a good idea to ask the staff at you guesthouse for an estimate of the going rate.

Trishaws:

These bicycle rickshaws seat too people and can be a romantic way to see the sights.

Welcome to Sungai Petani, a friendly town in the northern state of Kedah. Farming is very much the lifeline of this region and even the name Sungai Petani means ‘Farmer’s River’ in the Malay language.

This interesting town has plenty to entertain tourists and is a great place to take a break before exploring the rest of the country. There are a number of lush green parks to explore as well as interesting buildings, dense jungle and sandy beaches where you can soak up the sun or swim in the cool waters.

To get an idea of the size and beauty of this area, climb to the top of Gunung Jerai, which is the tallest mountain. There is a 15 mile trekking route which winds its way to the top of the mountain and the somewhat challenging climb to the top is rewarded by spectacular views of the Straits of Malacca and the surrounding jungle.

Heading back to the town, pay a visit to the Jalan Ibrahim, which is a large clock tower located on Sungai Petani’s main street. Built in 1936, the clock tower measures a little over 12 meters and was given to George V and Queen Mary to commemorate their Silver Jubilee.

As you wander through the centre of town you will come to Jubli Perak or Silver Jubilee public park, which is a great place to take a break and sit in the shade for a while. Another great recreational area is Bird Park, where you will see a large collection of our feathered friends roaming in a large leafy area.

Pantai Merdeka is a popular beach destination and features a large number of seafood restaurants and closest point to the nearby islands of Pulau Bidan and Pulau Telor.

The city of Miri is a good place to spend a few days. Surrounded by a number of large national parks and beaches, this is a good place to use as a base while you explore the surrounding area, while the city itself offers vibrant nightlife and a whole host of good places to stay, shop and eat.

Miri is a very multicultural city, with Chinese, Malay, Iban, Bidayuh, Melanau, Kelabit, Lun Bawang and a number of other ethnic groups living side by side. Most people speak English and are friendly, making this a great place to spend some time and discover Malaysia’s diversity.

A good way to get a feel for Miri is to hire a bicycle and explore. Canada Hill is situated on a low ridge behind the town centre and this is the sire of Malaysia’s first oil well. This is a popular spot to see the sun set and many people arrive an hour early to visit the Petroleum Museum, which is also positioned on the hill.

Be sure to visit the City Fan, which is a large collection of themed gardens containing Malaysia’s largest open-air amphitheatre, a public swimming pool and an indoor stadium. Also worth visiting is the San Ching Tian Temple, which is the largest Taoist temple in Southeast Asia.

Just a 15 minute bus ride away, the beautiful Hawaii Beach is a great place to soak up the sun. The Taman Selera Beach is located in Miri itself and is a good place to enjoy a meal while the sun sets.

Nature lovers will want to head to the large and lovely Gunung Mulu National Park with its numerous limestone caves. Also nearby is Lambir National Park, which is particularly good for hiking. Both these parks can be explored on a day trip from Miri.

A great time to visit Miri is between from May 21-23, when the proud residents celebrate Miri’s status as a city with vibrant parades, singing and dancing.