Langkawi Travel Tips

Banks: 10:00 to 16:00, Monday to Friday
Post Offices: 08:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday
Department Stores and Shops: 08:30 to 17:00, daily
Museums: 10:00 to 17:00, Tuesday to Saturday
Business Offices: 08:00 to 16:30, Monday to Friday

Langkawi is one of the safest destinations in Malaysia, so visitors will have little to worry about during their holiday. Like most islands, the locals are friendly and crime is virtually unheard of. But that doesn’t mean you should leave your purse or backpack unattended on the beach while you go snorkelling.

Petty theft on Langkawi is a crime of opportunity more than a premeditated action, so don’t give anyone an easy chance. Keep your valuables in the hotel safe and carry only as much cash as you’ll need for the day. The best safety net is to buy some travel insurance. Should you fall victim to theft, travel insurance will cover any losses.

Police: 100
Electricity: 220V AC, 50Hz; all plugs are round European two-pin types

The biggest health concern visitors should be aware of is the sun. Being so near the equator, the sun in Langkawi is extremely strong and can give you sunburn in less than an hour if you don’t apply sunscreen protection.

Be sure to drink lots of water to keep hydrated, especially if you do any drinking at night. Although many resorts claim their tap water has been filtered and is safe to drink, it’s best to stick with bottled water. Bottled water is cheap and readily available all over the island.

The standards of hygiene at the restaurants are generally good, but be extra careful if you snack at one of the waterfront food stalls in Kuah. If seafood or meat is undercooked, you may end up with a stomach ache.

For any minor illness like an upset stomach, there are registered pharmacists in Kuah, Padang Matsirat and Pantai Cenang. Many resorts have their own doctors on call to handle any medical emergencies. Otherwise, the government hospital in Kuah is well-equipped to deal with most crises. Travel insurance is a cheap and easy way to insure that any medical visits will be covered.

Ambulance: 999
Langkawi District Hospital: +60 4 966 3333

The official language of Malaysia and Langkawi is Bahasa Melayu, but since Langkawi has an extensive tourism industry nearly everyone on the island can speak English.

The currency in Malaysia is called the ringgit (RM). One ringgit is worth 100 sen. Banknotes come in denominations of RM1, 2, 5, 10, 50 and 100. Coins come in denominations of RM1 and 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1 sen.

There are seven main banks on the island, with branches in the main tourist areas such as at the airport, Kuah and Pantai Cenang. Banks are usually the best place to exchange foreign currency into local ringgit, but official licensed moneychangers offer nearly the same rates and can be found at every duty-free centre and resort area on the island. Hotels are another source of currency exchange, though their rates are often the worst.

ATMs offer another convenient way to obtain cash. Most ATMs are linked with the Cirrus, PLUS and Maestro networks, and can be found at the airport, the Jetty Point Shopping Complex and in Kuah Town.

Credit cards such as Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Diners Club are accepted almost everywhere on Langkawi, thanks to the prominence of shopping. Travellers’ cheques are also widely accepted at hotels, shops and restaurants. Make sure you buy them in US dollars or pounds Sterling if you want to avoid the necessity of changing them at a bank.

With duty-free shopping such a major aspect of tourism on Langkawi, the customs rules are strongly enforced. Each visitor is allowed to take home 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 225 grams of tobacco; 1 litre of alcohol or wine; perfume and cosmetics with a value of RM200; handicrafts with a total value of RM500; and a maximum of three pieces of clothing and one pair of footwear. Visitors are checked thoroughly upon departure, so be prepared to pay duty tax if you buy more than the allowed quantities of goods.

Langkawi is one of the most relaxed parts of Muslim Malaysia, so visitors will find the locals on this island to be more tolerant than in other parts on the mainland. However, knowing some social rules of etiquette is a sign of respect for the local culture and will be greatly appreciated.

It is likely you will be greeted with a traditional Western handshake, but unlike in most Western countries a gentle touch and relaxed wrist is the preferred way to shake hands. It is fine to offer a handshake to both men and women on Langkawi, but do it with your right hand only.

Always keep your feet and hands in mind when interacting with the locals. Never show the soles of your feet or shoes to someone, as this is a major sign of disrespect. When greeting, eating, or touching something, always use your right hand as the left hand is considered dirty. Public displays of affection are considered rude, so reserve kissing, hugging and even hand holding for the privacy of your room.

Conservative dress is another way visitors can show respect for the local culture. Women especially should not wear clothing which reveals too much skin. Care should be taken to cover everything above the knee and above the elbow. Even when you’re on the beach, try and show a certain level of restraint. By no means should you go topless on Langkawi. Should you visit any religious of cultural shrine, it is essential that you cover yourself the same as the locals. Always remove your shoes before entering any temple or home. The best strategy is to check what the locals are wearing and try to follow suit.

Dining Etiquette
There are very few rules when it comes to dining out on Langkawi. The traditional way of eating is to use the right hand to eat food, but if this is too awkward nobody will mind you using utensils. If you are invited to someone’s home, it is customary to bring a small gift of food or the like. Follow the lead of the host; they will indicate where you should sit, when you should eat and so on. The residents of Langkawi are quite tolerant and forgiving, so a little humour will go a long way if you make a social mistake.

Tourist visas are issued upon arrival and are free for citizens of most countries. Visitors are allowed to stay for up to 30 days and can extend their tourist visa at the immigration office in Kuah. Make sure your passport is valid for at least six months after your date of entry into Malaysia.

There are two branches of the national Malaysian Tourism Bureau on Langkawi. One is at the airport and the other is in Kuah Town. Both offer basic information on attractions, accommodation and transportation.

Tourist Information Centre
Jalan Persiaran Putra
Kuah Town
Phone: +60 4 966 7789