Remove shoes when entering homes and places of worship. Dress neatly in modest attire which covers arms and legs, especially when visiting places of worship. Handle food with your right hand. Don’t offer your left hand. Don’t point with your foot.

The unit of currency is the Malaysian Ringgit indicated as (RM) Notes: RM1, RM2, RM5, RM10, RM20, RM50, RM100, RM 500 and RM1000. Coins: 1 sen, 5 sen, 10 sen, 20 sen, 50 sen and RM1.00. 1RM is equivalent to 100 sen.

Foreign currency and traveller’s cheques can be exchanged into Malaysian Ringgit at banks or authorised moneychangers throughout the country. 

Banks offer good exchange rates. Banking hours are Monday to Friday 10:00am to 3:00pm and Saturday 9:30am to 11:30am. 

The best exchange rates are given at ATM’s with Cirrus or Plus links because they are based on wholesale rates offered only by major banks. 

You won't do as well at exchange booths in airports or rail and bus stations, in hotels, in restaurants, or in stores, although you may find their hours more convenient. 

To avoid lines at airport exchange booths, get a bit of local currency before you leave home.

A non-resident is permitted to carry into and out of Malaysia Ringgit notes not exceeding RM 1000. 

Duty free allowance on cameras, watches, pens, lighters, cosmetics, perfume, portable radio cassette players, cigarettes (up to 200), and liquor (1 litre) being brought into Malaysia.

Certain goods, such as video equipment, require payment of a deposit (up to 50% of the item's value) for temporary importation, which is refundable when you leave. If you have to pay a tax or deposit, be sure to get an official receipt. Restrictions exist on the export of antiquities. If in doubt about any purchase, check with the director of the Museum Negara in KL. 

Drug-trafficking carries a mandatory death penalty.

220-Volt / 50-Hz system

As with all countries close to the equator, sunburn and dehydration can occur more easily than it would in cooler climates. Be sure to drink plenty of water and wear sunscreen if you plan to be in the sun for any length of time.

Tap water is safe for drinking in Malaysia. Hotels usually provide bottled water for guests in their rooms.

There are no required vaccines for entering Malaysia, unless arriving from a Yellow Fever infected area. Ask your physician and check with your state or local department of health for news on any current outbreaks of infectious diseases.

The telephone directory lists several government clinics (look under the heading "Kementerian Kesihatan") that treat walk-in patients for a cash fee; these are open during normal business hours. Alternatively, ask your hotel to make a recommendation.

For any serious conditions, it is best to fly to Singapore.

Bahasa Malay is the national language. However, English is widely spoken and taught in all schools. Other languages spoken are Chinese, Hindi, Arabic, and other regional dialects.

Islam is the national religion.

Don't flash your money around. Carry traveller’s cheques, keep large amounts of cash in a hidden money pouch, and use a credit card when possible. Crime against travellers mainly occurs in large cities and tourist areas, where small-time thieves prey on unseasoned vacationers, so a little caution in how you act can go a long way. Pickpockets haunt crowded transport hubs and scam artists love to draw in naive travellers, so keep your valuables hidden or back in the hotel safe and check out what you buy before you lay down the money. Fake jewels, fake name-brand items (handbags, shoes, perfume), bait-and-switch gifts "pre-wrapped" for Customs, and bogus shipping promises are the typical tricks of this region.

Country Code: 60
KL City Code: 3
When dialling from outside Malaysia, dial 60 + 3 + number when calling to Kuala Lumpur.
When dialling within Malaysia, dial 0 before the city code. Example: when making calls to KL, dial 03 + the number.

Police & Ambulance: 999
Fire: 994 / 999
Civil Defense (emergency rescue): 991
Local Directory: 103
Operator assisted local calls: 102

GMT/UTC +8 (Peninsular Malaysia)

In Malaysia, a 5% tax is added to bills of hotel and restaurants classified as tourist class, along with a 10% service charge in a system locals call "plus plus." You'll see the "++" symbols where this applies.

In non-tourist class restaurants and local coffee shops, tipping is not expected.

The staff at the KL Visitors Centre supplies city maps, directions, and assistance in finding hotels.  Located at 3 Jalan Hishamuddin. Tel: 03-230-1369.

The Malaysian Tourist Information Centre (MATIC) is in a restored colonial mansion. You can pick up information on KL and the rest of Malaysia, and the staff is very helpful. In addition, you can make arrangements to visit the National Park (Taman Negara) at a private agency here. City and country tours depart from MATIC. There are also information counters at the airport and the railway station. MATIC headquarters is located at 109 Jalan Ampang. Tel: 03-216-43929.

All visitors must be in possession of a passport valid for a minimum of 6 months from the date of arrival on peninsular Malaysia. Many visitors do not require a visa to enter Malaysia if the period is less than 90 days and the purpose of the visit is social or business. For detailed information, visit the Immigration Dept of Malaysia site.