Malaysia, Malaysia: What to pack, what to wear, and when to go [2022]
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Traveling to Malaysia, Malaysia? If you're planning to go to Malaysia, this is some important information about when to go, what to wear, and what to pack.
Contents
- When to go to Malaysia
- Important essentials for Malaysia
- Activities for Malaysia
- Malaysia in January: weather and what to pack
- Malaysia in February: weather and what to pack
- Malaysia in March: weather and what to pack
- Malaysia in April: weather and what to pack
- Malaysia in May: weather and what to pack
- Malaysia in June: weather and what to pack
- Malaysia in July: weather and what to pack
- Malaysia in August: weather and what to pack
- Malaysia in September: weather and what to pack
- Malaysia in October: weather and what to pack
- Malaysia in November: weather and what to pack
- Malaysia in December: weather and what to pack

About your travel guide
Hi! I'm Dev. I've traveled all over the world and in my travels, I have made many packing lists. In this series, my team and I have compiled the most useful information, as well as things we couldn't live without, to help you plan your trip.
When to go to Malaysia, Malaysia
Based on the climate and weather in Malaysia, the best time to go is January. See below for details.
Important essentials for Malaysia, Malaysia
Here are some general tips on what to wear in Malaysia, as well as several items to remember to pack when traveling there.
COVID-19 ESSENTIALS FOR 2022
Travel insurance that includes COVID-19 coverage
Cases are climbing again, and areas are returning to lockdown. If you or a companion get COVID-19, you may be stuck with no way home -- but travel insurance can protect you. Learn more about COVID-19 and travel insurance
-
(U.S. Residents) Telehealth COVID-19 test for entry to U.S.
U.S. residents still need a certified COVID-19 test to return home, but it can now be via Zoom. Learn more
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Touchless thermometer
A touchless thermometer is important to have.
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Travel disinfecting wipes
Use these to sanitize plane and hotel surfaces.
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N95 masks
These N95 masks provide the best level of protection you can have.
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Hand sanitizer
This hand sanitizer is an excellent plane-friendly choice.
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A vaccine card protector
Vaccine cards frequently get worn. An unreadable card can cause severe consequences. This vaccine card protector helps stop that.
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Kids' KN95 masks
N95 masks aren't sold for kids. These are a good alternative (and can also be used by adults if N95 masks are not available).
General health necessities
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Emergency water purifier
Some areas may have potentially unsafe tap water, so it's useful to take an emergency water purifier like this one.
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Travel first aid kit
This one is a good value.
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Emergency motion sickness relief
Don't forget these
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Luggage protection
Theft can be a problem, so lock your luggage. We recommend this lock.
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Airplane or car necessities
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Money/passport pouch
Pickpocketing is an issue here, so wear a money pouch.
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Power bank for devices
A portable power bank, like this one
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Plug adapter
A plug adapter that supports outlet types G. This one works in most areas, but you should check with your hotel.
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For families with young children
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Voice and data SIM card
A SIM card that works in Malaysia. A good global SIM card works in most countries, but check the country list before buying. In some more rural areas you may need a satellite phone. We recommend this satellite phone.
What to wear/what to pack for Malaysia, Malaysia by month
Already know when you're traveling?
January
If you visit Malaysia during January, you are likely to notice that it is extremely warm. Temperatures tend to hover around the low 80s F (high 20s C) during the day, while at night they can dip into the low 70s F (low 20s C).
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Insulated water bottle
Our choice:
-
Bug repellent
-
Sunglasses
-
Skirts
-
Waterproof sandals
-
Sunscreen lotion, moderate SPF
-
Cool and dry dresses
These dresses offer UV protection and cool you.
-
Breatheable shirts
A breathing shirt can make you comfortable and guard against the sun:
-
Loose-fit shorts
-
If you're going to the beach
February
If you visit Malaysia during February, you may find that it is extremely warm. Temperatures tend to hover around the low 80s F (high 20s C) during the day, while at night they can dip into the low 70s F (low 20s C).
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Sunglasses
-
Waterproof sandals
-
Breatheable shirts
A good breatheable shirt can keep you comfortable and protect you from the sun:
-
Sunscreen lotion, moderate SPF
-
Insulated water bottle
Our choice:
-
Skirts
-
Loose-fit shorts
-
Cool and dry dresses
These dresses include UV protection and keep you cool.
-
Bug repellent
-
If you're going to the beach
March
If you vacation in Malaysia during March, you may notice that it is extremely warm. Temperatures tend to hover around the 80s F (high 20s C) during the day, while at night they can dip into the low 70s F (low 20s C).
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Waterproof sandals
-
Skirts
-
Bug repellent
-
Sunglasses
-
Sunscreen lotion, moderate SPF
-
Insulated water bottle
Our best choice:
-
Loose-fit shorts
-
Breatheable shirts
A good breatheable shirt can keep you comfortable and guard against the sun:
-
Cool and dry dresses
These dresses to provide UV protection and keep you cool.
-
If you're going to the beach
April
If you vacation in Malaysia during April, you may see that it can be sweltering. Temperatures tend to hover around the high 80s F (low 30s C) during the day, while at night they can dip into the low 70s F (low 20s C).
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Waterproof sandals
-
Bug repellent
-
Sunscreen lotion, moderate SPF
-
Sunglasses
-
Cool and dry dresses
These dresses include UV protection and keep you cool.
-
Loose-fit shorts
-
Insulated water bottle
Our pick:
-
Skirts
-
Breatheable shirts
A cooling shirt can keep you comfortable and guard against the sun:
-
If you're going to the beach
May
May is really hot. Temperatures average in the high 80s F (low 30s C) during the day.
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Sunglasses
-
Insulated water bottle
Our fave:
-
Sunscreen lotion, moderate SPF
-
Cool and dry dresses
These dresses can provide UV protection and keep you cool.
-
Skirts
-
Waterproof sandals
-
Loose-fit shorts
-
Bug repellent
-
Breatheable shirts
A breathing shirt can cool you down quickly and protect you from skin damage:
-
If you're going to the beach
June
June here can be sweltering. Temperatures average in the 80s F (low 30s C) during the day.
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Sunscreen lotion, moderate SPF
-
Bug repellent
-
Skirts
-
Breatheable shirts
A good breatheable shirt can make you comfortable and guard against the sun:
-
Loose-fit shorts
-
Sunglasses
-
Insulated water bottle
Our first choice:
-
Waterproof sandals
-
Cool and dry dresses
These dresses can provide UV protection and keep you cool.
-
If you're going to the beach
July
July in Malaysia can be sweltering. Temperatures average in the 80s F (low 30s C) during the day.
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Sunglasses
-
Skirts
-
Bug repellent
-
Sunscreen lotion, moderate SPF
-
Cool and dry dresses
These dresses can provide UV protection and help you stay cool.
-
Loose-fit shorts
-
Insulated water bottle
Our pick:
-
Breatheable shirts
A cooling shirt can cool you down quickly and guard against skin damage:
-
Waterproof sandals
-
If you're going to the beach
August
August in Malaysia can be very hot. Temperatures average in the 80s F (low 30s C) during the day.
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Breatheable shirts
A good breatheable shirt can cool you down quickly and guard against the sun:
-
Loose-fit shorts
-
Waterproof sandals
-
Insulated water bottle
Our first choice:
-
Sunglasses
-
Cool and dry dresses
These dresses can provide UV protection and help you stay cool.
-
Sunscreen lotion, moderate SPF
-
Skirts
-
Bug repellent
-
If you're going to the beach
September
If you vacation in Malaysia during September, you will probably see that it can be sweltering. Temperatures tend to hover around the 80s F (low 30s C) during the day, while at night they can dip into the low 70s F (low 20s C).
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Waterproof sandals
-
Loose-fit shorts
-
Cool and dry dresses
These dresses offer UV protection and help you stay cool.
-
Sunscreen lotion, moderate SPF
-
Sunglasses
-
Skirts
-
Insulated water bottle
Our choice:
-
Bug repellent
-
Breatheable shirts
A breathing shirt can cool you down quickly and guard against the sun:
-
If you're going to the beach
October
If you are traveling to Malaysia in October, you will notice that it can be very hot. Daytime temperatures are in the 80s F (low 30s C).
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Breatheable shirts
A breathing shirt can cool you down quickly and guard against UV rays:
-
Skirts
-
Sunglasses
-
Loose-fit shorts
-
Cool and dry dresses
These dresses can provide UV protection and help you stay cool.
-
Sunscreen lotion, moderate SPF
-
Waterproof sandals
-
Bug repellent
-
Insulated water bottle
Our fave:
-
If you're going to the beach
November
November is pretty consistently hot. Temperatures average in the 80s F (high 20s C) during the day.
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Sunscreen lotion, moderate SPF
-
Cool and dry dresses
These dresses offer UV protection and keep you cool.
-
Loose-fit shorts
-
Skirts
-
Insulated water bottle
Our favorite:
-
Sunglasses
-
Breatheable shirts
A cooling shirt can cool you down quickly and guard against the sun:
-
Waterproof sandals
-
Bug repellent
-
If you're going to the beach
December
If you are traveling to Malaysia in December, you will notice that it is hot. Daytime temperatures are in the low 80s F (high 20s C).
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Bug repellent
-
Insulated water bottle
Our best choice:
-
Waterproof sandals
-
Sunglasses
-
Breatheable shirts
A good breatheable shirt can cool you down quickly and protect you from skin damage:
-
Sunscreen lotion, moderate SPF
-
Skirts
-
Loose-fit shorts
-
Cool and dry dresses
These dresses offer UV protection and help you stay cool.
-
If you're going to the beach
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