Malaysia has a very high development index and ranks among the most popular tourist destinations on earth receiving over 25 millions tourists yearly making it the third most popular spot in Asia. A capital city of Malaysia also as the hub to discover Asia in general, Rain-forest and garden city, thunderstorm city, a city with great food, and generally low cost of living among world capital.

Traveling info

All visitors traveling to Malaysia must have a valid passport. Some nationals are exempt from the requirement of obtaining a visa in order to enter the country and depending on their nationality may stay in Malaysia without a visa for a period of 30, 60 or 90 days. (List in sources). All other nationals are required to have valid visas. Those who choose to drive in Malaysia are required to have their national driving permit and an International driving permit. Beware that an IDP does not substitute for the original driving permit and is only a translation. Both must be present whilst driving. The IDP must also be renewed after a year since its issue.

Traveling hazards

Driving in Malaysia might be quite a challenge. Whilst traffic moves on the left, not all vehicles are right-hand side drive making it extra difficult for inexperienced drivers. Although highways are well maintained, many city roads and secondary roads may be narrow and winding. There have been several reports of long-distance buses involved in fatal crashes. Beware that many taxi drivers despite having meters refuse and charge their own prices.

Environmental hazards

Malaysia spans over most part of the Malay peninsula and north coast of the island of Java. This, in turn, makes Malaysia one of the mega-biodiverse countries of which there are only 17. There are 35 species of venomous snakes. Although not all are lethal there are 4 which are particularly dangerous. These are the king cobra, many-banded kraits, temple head viper and many coral snakes. It is generally advised to be very cautious around any snake in Malaysia due to the number of venomous snakes in the country. An inexperienced eye can’t tell one snake from another, obviously not mentioning very distinctive features. There are elephants and rhinoceros inhabiting Malaysia and although few in numbers, these large animals may pose a significant threat to people when agitated and even flip over a car with ease. Large feline animals include leopards and Malayan tigers which can pose a significant threat to unaware hikers. Although leopards generally do not take interest in humans as prey, tigers might and are responsible for quite a few fatal attacks on people on a yearly basis. Most dangerous of all predators which are also responsible for many attacks in Malaysia and many other Asian and Oceanian countries is the saltwater crocodile. This giant reptile reaches lengths of 7 meters and may weigh well over a ton. Saltwater crocodiles are excellent swimmers and are often spotted far out in the sea. These animals generally inhabit coastal beaches salt marshes and particularly river deltas. There are several dangerous marine creatures such as the lionfish or stonefish which are considered very venomous and are capable of causing a paralysis upon stinging which is particularly dangerous when their victim is in deep water. These animals generally do not attack by themselves and only sting when either stepped on or bothered. Sea snakes are present throughout the entire coast and usually, are very venomous and are responsible for several deaths yearly. There have been only 4 shark attacks recorded in Malaysia however it is presumed there were more unreported incidents. Like most countries in the region, Malaysia is vulnerable particularly to tsunamis, floods, and cyclones. Earthquakes also happen however these are less severe than on the ring of fire border.

Health hazards

Parts of Malaysia particularly Serian, Sri Aman, and Kuching have a high risk of becoming infected with rabies, therefore, the rabies vaccine is strongly recommended. There are several other vaccines which are strongly recommended but not required. These are the routine vaccines known as MMR vaccines, typhoid, hepatitis A and B and Japanese encephalitis vaccine. There is no risk of yellow fever in Malaysia however visitors traveling from countries with a risk of yellow fever must present a yellow fever vaccination proof in order to enter the country. Malaysian healthcare varies in quality depending on the region. Public healthcare service is free to the citizens of Malaysia however expats must pay for their services. Private clinics and facilities in Kuala Lumpur and popular tourist areas generally deliver a much better quality of service than anywhere else in the country however these services come at a price. It is recommended to purchase medical insurance in order to receive cost-free medical services.
In case of an emergency dial 112.

Crime

Malaysia experiences elevated levels of crime in densely-populated urban centers around-the-clock. Petty crime is the main driver; violent and more serious crimes are considerably less common. The most common crimes committed against foreigners are petty theft, particularly purse snatching, pickpocketing, smash-and-grab thefts from vehicles, and residential burglaries. Other types of non-violent criminal activity include credit card fraud, ATM-skimming, and cybercrime. Malaysia treats drug offenses very seriously. For example, anyone found with 15 grams of heroin will receive a death sentence.

Summary

As one of the most popular destinations in Asia and the world, Malaysia offers a variety of attractions, incredible leisure opportunities, and breathtaking scenery. Remember that planning your trip with Travset.com will give you the quickest information about nearest emergency services and will also help you purchase indispensable travel insurance for the trip of your lifetime. Please feel free to comment and share the experiences of your travels with Travset.com.

Sources

(Visa)
http://www.imi.gov.my/index.php/en/entry-requirements-into-malaysia.html
(Vaccinations)
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/malaysia