Travel Tips - Bluedale

Weather

The climate in KL is quite humid all year-round. Anyone travelling to KL must always be ready for rains at any time of the year. Regardless, the best time to visit KL is from May-July or December-February.

The weather can be pretty hot between March - April. Due to the forest fires from Sumatera which typically happens between June - August, the dust particles may cast a haze over KL thus making it not an ideal time to visit the city.

Resource Link:
https://www.ventusky.com/

Time Zone

Standard Malaysian time is 8 hours ahead of GMT (GMT +8).Standard Malaysian time is 8 hours ahead of GMT (GMT +8).

Resource Link:
https://www.timeanddate.com/

Currency

Malaysia’s currency unit is divided into two. The term Ringgit Malaysia (RM) is used to refer to paper money. The denominations are RM1, RM5, RM10, RM 20, RM 50 and RM100. Whereas the coins are referred to as sen (cents). The denominations are 5 sen, 10 sen, 20 sen and 50 sen.

Samples of Ringgit Malaysia Notes:
1. Current Version of Notes and Coins
https://www.bnm.gov.my/ (Sample of Notes)
https://www.bnm.gov.my/ (Sample of Coins)
2. Old Version of Notes and Coins
https://www.bnm.gov.my/

Resource Link of Currency Rate:
https://www.xe.com/
https://www.bnm.gov.my/

Exchanging Money

Exchanging money in Malaysia is relatively easy as you can find money changers easily. If you want to withdraw money, make sure your home bank ATM card is supported by banks in Malaysia. Also, bear in mind that your home bank can charge an overseas withdrawal fee. You may also realise that the Malaysian ATM adds its own fee. Ask your home bank before you leave what charges will be added-and check the ATM notices to understand any extra charges. Most places in Kuala Lumpur accept debit/credit cards, just be sure to notify your home bank about your trip to avoid your transactions to be barred and your card getting blocked.

Resource Link:
https://mtradeasia.com/

List of exchange money shops and companies that provided by Bank Negara Malaysia:
https://www.bnm.gov.my/ (Last update on 23.June.2021)

Visa and Passport

Passports must be valid for at least 6 months at the time of entry. Visa requirements vary from time to time, so it is best to check with the Malaysian embassy or consulate or the Immigration Department website.

Resource Link:
https://www.imi.gov.my/

Hotel

Be sure to have your hotel bookings printed. Booking a hotel in Kuala Lumpur is easy, but if you are travelling during peak periods, you may want to book in advance to avoid disappointments. When booking a stay, be sure to check how far it is from the places you want to visit. Check if your hotel provides free Wi-Fi. Most hotels provide free Wi-Fi for their guests. But in case they don’t, you will need to purchase a prepaid phone line with a data plan. There’s a myriad of budget to 5-star hotels to choose from in Kuala Lumpur.

Internet

If you do not plan to switch on your roaming while you are travelling to Kuala Lumpur, fret not as most hotels give you access to their Wi-Fi. Whilst most cafés in Kuala Lumpur provide free Wi-Fi with the purchase of a drink or food. There are also many free Wi-Fi hotspot areas in Kuala Lumpur so make sure to check out the area for free Wi-Fi. It is also advisable to buy a prepaid SIM card with a data plan to make things easier when you are on the go.

Clothing

The heat and humidity in Kuala Lumpur can be intense. Therefore, be sure to pack light and breathable clothes that will help you stay cool and avoid heatstroke. Cotton is a good choice, as it is designed to absorb moisture. If your hotel comes with a swimming pool or you are planning to head to the beach, don’t forget to pack your swimsuit.

Comfortable Footwear

Since you will be doing a LOT of walking so you should consider wearing sensible shoes that are very comfortable. We recommend packing a pair of sneakers as well as flats and sandals.

Sunscreen

Make sure to pack in your sunscreen, especially if you don’t want to be sunburnt. The sun can be scorching hot at times.

Raingear

Since the rain can be pretty unpredictable in Kuala Lumpur, don’t forget to pack your raincoat or a travel-sized umbrella. You don’t want to be soaked to your skin if it rains suddenly.

Medicine

DO NOT forget to pack your prescription tablets and any other medicines that you think you might need in case you fall sick.

Prepaid Sim Card

Malaysia mobile phones use the GSM network, if your phone has a roaming facility, it will automatically hook-up to a local network. Otherwise, prepaid sim cards can be purchased starting at RM20 for registration and talk time. The three main phone providers in Malaysia are Maxis, Celcom and DiGi. Buying prepaid sim cards is easy since you can find kiosks selling prepaid sim cards almost everywhere.

Three Main Phone Providers:
1. Maxis / Hotlink
2. Celcom
3. Digi

Other Phone Providers:
1. U Mobile
2. Tune Talk
3. Unifi
4. Yes
5. redONE
6. MCalls
7. Yoodo
8. XOX

Dialing Prefixes

Each city has its unique area code for landlines. 03 is Kuala Lumpur’s area code followed by the eight-digit number when you call from your mobile phone. Example: 03-12345678 Whereas, every call to a mobile phone requires a three-digit prefix (Maxis = 012, Celcom = 019, DiGi = 016), followed by the seven-digit or eight-digit subscriber number. Example: 012-123 4567

Resource Link:
https://dialcode.org/

Emergency Number

Police/Ambulance: 999 (112 from a mobile phone)
Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba): 994 (112 from a mobile phone)
Civil Defence Tel: 991
Tourist Police Hotline Tel: 03-2149 6590

Resource Link:
https://www.mm2h.com/