Terengganu Travel Tips

Banks: 09:30 to 15:30, Saturday to Thursday
Post Offices: 08:00 to 17:00, Monday to Saturday
Government Offices: 08:00 to 12:45 and 14:00 to 16:15, Monday to Thursday; 08:00 to 12:15 and 14:45 to 16:15, Fridays
Business Centres: 10:00 to 21:00, Saturday to Thursday; some open on Fridays
Shops: 09:00 to 18:00, Saturday to Thursday; some open on Fridays

On the whole, Malaysia is a very safe place for travellers. As tourism is a vital industry for this country, government agencies go to great lengths to protect international visitors from any danger or discomfort. There are fewer instances of theft or tourist scams here than in Indonesia or Thailand.

With this in mind, pick-pocketing can still be a nuisance from time to time. Tourists are advised to carefully guard their valuables when travelling in crowded places like the night market or bus station in Kuala Terengganu. Keep cash in a money belt if possible, and don’t carry or flash large amounts of money in public.

Malaysia is notoriously unforgiving when it comes to drug possession and trafficking. There’s a mandatory death penalty attached to all instances of drug possession and to date international visitors have proven no exception.

If you’re visiting Terengganu from other parts of the country, keep in mind that this state is more homogenously Islamic than other parts of Malaysia and that conservative values run deep here. Gambling isn’t tolerated, and tourists occasionally fall victim to sting operations. Alcohol, while it isn’t illegal, is often unavailable. You will, however, find bars and restaurants selling alcoholic beverages in touristy areas.

Upscale accommodation in Terengganu is reputable and it’s usually safe to deposit valuables in a hotel safe. Practice a little extra caution when spending the night in budget accommodation. Make sure you see the room and inspect the locks before you commit to staying.

Recently, credit card fraud has become a problem in some parts of Malaysia. Upscale restaurants and reputable hotels are usually trustworthy, but whenever possible it’s wise to keep your credit card in sight. If you can, try to use cash for small transactions or when you’re not sure you trust the establishment.

Electricity: 230 volts, 50 hertz

Malaysia's international visitors are advised to seek medical attention at one of the numerous private clinics in bigger cities like Kuala Terengganu. If the medical problem is serious enough, consider transferring to Kuala Lumpur or Bangkok, Thailand, where medical facilities are state-of-the-art.

The quality of medical care provided in Malaysia's government run hospitals is typically low by western standards, though it's usually sufficient for minor problems. Pharmacies are readily available in most towns and villages, and English is widely understood.

It is a good idea to make sure that standard vaccinations are up to date before you travel to Terengganu. The World Health Organisation recommends inoculations against the following: hepatitis A and B, MMR, polio, typhoid, varicella and tetanus. Malaria is present in Terengganu's backcountry and a regiment of anti-malarial pills will protect you. Dengue fever is also a risk in urban areas, making mosquito repellent an important line of defence.

Malaysia's sanitation standards are modern and thorough. Tap water is reputedly safe to drink, though it’s recommended that travellers stick to drinking bottled water. Beware of shaved, cubed or chipped ice, which may be frozen tap water. Instead, insist on factory processed ice (cylindrical with a hollow shaft).

The official language of Malaysia is Bahasa Melayu (Malay). There is a considerable amount of regional variation in Malay, so much so that native speakers from Malaysia's far west may have difficulty understanding someone from Terengganu. Arabic is understood among the region's prevalent Muslim community. However, visitors will find that English is widely spoken and understood across the country.

Malaysia's official currency is the ringgit (RM). This is the sole form of currency accepted, except in close proximity to the Singapore border where the Singapore dollar is sometimes accepted at an unfavourable exchange rate. Coins are issued in increments of 1, 5, 10, 20 and 50 sen, while banknotes come in RM1, 5, 10, 50 and 100 increments. The Malaysian RM2 banknote is currently being phased out.

Malaysia's banking infrastructure is modern. The best selection of banks and ATMs in the state is in Kuala Terengganu on Jalan Sultan Ismail. Keep in mind that this part of the country follows a different weekly schedule, with banks and many shops closed on Fridays.

Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted throughout Malaysia, though you'll have a difficult time finding shops that take American Express. Outside of the capital, most towns and villages around Terengganu have a bank along with an ATM. Some vendors in Chinatown run privately-owned currency exchange counters which offer more favourable rates than the banks.

Import and export is restricted for the following items: counterfeit money; drugs; firearms and other weapons (including realistic fakes); and any materials deemed to be prejudiced or obscene. Those concerned that an item they're carrying may fall into one of these categories are advised to contact a Malaysian embassy before travelling.

Everyone arriving in Malaysia is required to fill out a customs declaration form, which must be presented again before exiting the country. Duty free allowances (per person) are as follows: gifts not exceeding a total value of RM200; 1 litre of alcohol or spirits; 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars (a total of 225 grams of tobacco).

Anytime you're visiting one of Terengganu's many mosques or other religious sites, you will be expected to remove your shoes and otherwise cover as much skin as possible. Long pants and long sleeves are expected of both genders, and women are expected to cover their heads with a headscarf as well. The latter can usually be borrowed at the mosque entrance.

It's worth mentioning that conservative Muslim values run strong here, and women can significantly reduce any negative attention in more rural areas by keeping their head covered when out in public.

When visiting public beaches, it's wise to look around to see how others are dressed. Local Malaysians usually swim fully clothed. While it’s expected that tourists will wear less, it's still a good idea to lean heavily toward modest swimming suits. The atmosphere at upscale resorts is markedly more Western, but the underlying conservative values remain. Public displays of affection are taboo, and khalwat (or close proximity) is something that unmarried Muslim couples should strictly avoid.

Dining Etiquette
Much of the local cuisine involves mixtures of regular and glutinous rice that have been prepared in coconut milk. Terengganu's version of laksa (soup with shrimp and tamarind) is delicious. Almost any restaurant can produce a fork and knife upon request should you be untrained in using your hands or chopsticks.

While devout Muslims do not drink alcohol, many of the restaurants that cater for tourists serve beer—particularly in Kuala Terengganu. Make sure to indulge in the delicious food available at the hawker stations near the night markets. Food here is inexpensive and covers a broad base of influences, which means you'll likely return more than once for the specialties.

Tipping is not typically expected in Malaysian restaurants. However, constant exposure to Western practices in touristy areas has led employees to expect a little gratuity. Many upscale restaurants and resorts include a 10 per cent service charge in the bill.

For citizens of most countries, visas into Malaysia are issued upon arrival. Usually, a 60-day visa is automatically given to passengers arriving via airport customs, whereas overland arrivals are typically given a 30-day visa. Visitors can apply for extensions lasting up to a total stay of three months.

Customs officials in Malaysia require visitors to carry a passport that is valid for six months from the date of entry. From time to time, travellers who enter by train from Singapore find that their passports don’t get stamped. As long as you retain any documentation related to your journey, including your ticket stub, you shouldn’t have any problems when exiting the country.

The tourism information office in Kuala Terengganu is located on Jalan Sultan Mahmud, east of the stadium. The staff here are knowledgeable and there are a number of free pamphlets available to help you plan your itinerary. Phone: +60 9 617 3553; website: www.tourism.terengganu.gov.my

There’s also a Tourism Malaysia office located a little farther south along Jalan Sultan Omar, though information here isn’t as forthcoming.