Travel Advisory

Tourist areas like Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Melaka are fine with normal care. Governments advise extra caution and warn against travel to some islands and coastal areas of eastern Sabah due to kidnapping risk. Check your government's current advisory before travelling to that region.

Malaysia has no major earthquakes or typhoons, but the monsoon seasons bring heavy rain, flooding and rough seas. The east coast of Peninsular Malaysia and parts of Borneo see the strongest rains around November–March. Haze from regional fires can affect air quality some years. Check the Met Malaysia forecast.

Health care is good in cities. Tap water is generally best boiled or avoided in favour of bottled water. Dengue is present year-round, so use insect repellent. There is a low malaria risk in some rural and Borneo areas (not main cities). See a travel clinic before you go and consider hepatitis A/typhoid.

The most common problem is bag-snatching by motorbike riders — carry bags on the side away from the road. Watch for pickpockets in crowds, credit card skimming, and online/phone scams. Use hotel safes, keep copies of documents, and avoid unlicensed taxis. Money changer and overcharging scams also occur.

Take comprehensive travel insurance covering medical care and evacuation. Private hospitals in cities are good but expect payment, and treatment on remote islands or Borneo can require costly evacuation. If you plan diving, hiking (e.g. Mount Kinabalu) or riding a scooter, make sure your policy covers these activities.