Packing list for Malaysia, travel insurance for Malaysia, and taking your belongings

What to bring to Malaysia: highlighted

Highlighted items:

• Documents: passport that is valid for at least 6 months. An online and/or offline copy of your passport, just to be sure.
• Money: cash ringgit (MYR) for your first plate of nasi or your taxi. Debit card for the cities.
• Care: good sunscreen. The sun can burn quite a bit and good sunscreen is not available everywhere.
• Outdoor and handy items: hat or cap and sunglasses. A good raincoat/poncho for the downpours in the rainy season.
• Clothing: tropical clothing and clothing for warm weather are useful, especially if you want to go into the tropical forests. Covering clothes are useful if you go outside the city or want to visit mosques.
• Shoes: sandals/slippers for the beach and good walking shoes for the jungle.
• Medicines and travel pharmacy: a small first aid kit with plasters, painkillers and ORS. Mosquito repellent. Safety: Money belt or fanny pack for your valuables. An impregnated mosquito net if you don't have one.
• Technique and equipment: world plug with type G, otherwise you'll quickly run out of things to talk about with your family.
• Woman: scarf or light shawl. This is often mandatory at religious places.

What else can you take with you:

• Reusable water bottle with filter.
• Leech socks - handy if you don't want your nice socks to turn red.
• Dry bags and a backpack liner for wet days.

What knowledge is useful when you go to Malaysia?

• Knowledge of local norms, values ​​and customs. Don't just walk into a mosque in your summer outfit, for example.
• Knowledge of rules - no public affection!
• The best haggling techniques.

Are there mosquitoes in Malaysia?

• In Malaysia, mosquitoes are eagerly waiting for you, certainly in the jungle, but also in the city.
• Mosquitoes can carry diseases such as dengue and malaria. So it is important to protect yourself well. Wear protective clothing and use DEET or picaridin.

Are there sand flies in Malaysia?

• Sand flies are present in Malaysia, especially on some islands and Borneo. Tioman is one such island that is known for sand flies, although it depends on which beach you are on.
• Visit clean beaches and/or avoid sunrise and sunset.

Can you buy DEET, or other mosquito repellents, in Malaysia?

• DEET is available at some pharmacies, drugstores and online throughout the country, but it can be difficult to find. Picaridin is even harder to find. Local, natural remedies are popular.
• Often the products have a lower DEET content (10-20%), such as the popular “OFF” spray. If you want a stronger spray, it is better to bring your own.

Where can you get your food and drinks in Malaysia?

• Street food is divine. Think: satay, laksa, roti canai, nasi lemak. Hawker stalls and food courts are cheap, tasty and fun.
• Supermarkets: Tesco, Giant, 99 Speedmart – you can find everything from durian to deodorant.
• Everyday restaurants.

Can you buy a beer or wine in Malaysia, or take it to Malaysia?

• Non-Muslims are allowed to buy and drink alcohol in Malaysia, but it is often expensive with one of the highest alcohol taxes in the world, and not available everywhere - especially in strict Islamic areas such as Terengganu and Selangor.
• Drinking in public is illegal and frowned upon.
• If you are Muslim, drinking alcohol, regardless of where you come from, is a risk.
• You are allowed to import 1 litre of alcohol.

Can you buy a joint or weed in Malaysia, or take it to Malaysia?

• Cannabis is completely illegal in Malaysia, so leave that stash at home!