Malaysia Family Holidays

Don’t worry: Malaysia is a foodie nation, with something to suit every palate. Alongside a wealth of diverse national dishes, including the famous nyonya home-cooking (a mix of Chinese and Malaysian influences), there’s food from all over the globe available at every turn. Malaysia is a hub for multi-cultural fusion food, especially in KL where you’re pretty much guaranteed to be able to find anything you fancy, from Indian samosas to Italian pizza.

Malaysian, also called Malay or bahasa Malaysia, is a comparatively intuitive language for beginners, and it’s relatively straightforward for kids (and adults) to pick up and use a few key phrases. Although everyone you meet will generally respond to a friendly ‘hello’, a ‘selamat pagi’ good morning can help generate a deeper connection, and gives kids a crucial key to understanding more about Malay culture.

The weather in Malaysia is hot and humid all year round, interspersed with tropical rain showers. Beach holidays can be enjoyed all year round in Malaysia, as the east and west coasts experience their wettest months at alternate times of the year. The west coast has its sunny, dry weather between November & February, which is wet season on the east coast. Conversely, the east coast is at its best between April to October, which are the wetter months on the west coast. Kuala Lumpur and Malacca are both hot and humid throughout the year, with daily tropical showers. The North-East Monsoon strikes between November and February, which is when the smaller islands are generally best avoided as many of the beach resorts are closed.

Having an experienced, knowledgeable and welcoming local guide on hand during your trip is absolutely invaluable. They’ll meet you upon arrival, act as translator, transfer you between locations, and generally make everything go as smoothly as possible. They’ll leave you to your own devices as much or as little as you wish, but we think a good guide is essential for a successful family holiday. We pride ourselves on using only the best guides in a given region. All our guides are trained to the highest level, and fully certified and licensed. Malaysia is unusual in that you will be with the same driver guide throughout your entire trip. This gives continuity to your family during their holiday, and builds a warm relationship that makes your visit feel even more special.

Malaysia is a fantastic destination for family travel. Every aspect is made as stress-free as possible, from smooth transport links to plenty of family-friendly accommodation, and it’s somewhere that families tend to return to often. The feedback we get is that it’s a safe, reassuring and supportive destination, the people you meet are friendly and helpful, and the infrastructure is easy to navigate. As with many unfamiliar places, some things may differ from what you’re used to, but most places feel totally secure and safe. If you need anything, or have any queries once you’re there, our guides are always on hand to help.

When planning a trip to Asia, it’s always important to consider the possible requirements for vaccinations and immunisations. Most importantly, we stress that you should contact your doctor or medical practitioner well before you depart to get their advice on any vaccinations you may need for your trip. If you’ve travelled recently and believe that you are already up-to-date, it’s still worth checking as vaccinations have a varying life span. The NHS Travel Vaccinations site has lots of up-to-date information on vaccinations and other travel health issues.

Citizens of the UK, most EU countries, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United States do not require a visa to visit Malaysia or Malay Borneo for a stay of up to three months. Notable exceptions are citizens from Greece & Portugal who can stay visa-free for up to one month only. All other nationalities should check with the Malaysian Embassy in their country of residence for the most up-to-date information.

Though you can pick up quite a lot of stuff you might need in the major hubs, we’d recommend taking supplies of any essentials, such as favourite nappies, formula etc., as well as your preferred brand of sunscreen and insect repellent. Light, long sleeved shirts, a light scarf or two, and long trousers or skirts will mean that you’re prepared for any eventuality, including modest dress codes at sites of religious significance. They’ll also help provide valuable protection against strong sunlight and mosquitoes. If you’re travelling with tinies, consider taking a really good baby carrier, as push-chairs might be a pain to get around with.

Though often only visited briefly between flights, Singapore is a fast moving, cosmopolitan destination with plenty to offer families in its own right. It tends to be pricier than, for example, Kuala Lumpur, so adding a day or two in Singapore onto a Malaysia family holiday is the perfect way to get the best of both without going over budget. Wander beneath the multi-coloured supertrees at the Gardens by the Bay, watch wildlife after dark at the Night Safari zoo, or imagine yourself in pole position at the Marina Bay F1 circuit. Splash about together at a waterpark, watch the nightly spectacle of the Marina Bay light show, and take a wander through the rainbow-hued streets of Chinatown. Whilst wandering, don’t forget to try a few examples of Singapore’s famously delicious chilli crab and grab some Michelin-starred streetfood too.

There is no need to obtain Ringgit in advance of your arrival, although it is possible to do so. ATM machines are widely available throughout Malaysia (as well as at most airports). ATM machines usually offer as good, if not better, rates of exchange than any currency exchange bureau or hotel. The symbol used for Ringgit in many shops and restaurants is $. In most shops and restaurants only Ringgit cash and credit card payments are accepted.