atlas•

Malasia: qué saber antes del viaje

Lo esencial

  • Submit the free Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) within 3 days before arrival; only use imigresen-online.imi.gov.my.
  • Sabah and Sarawak (Borneo) run their own immigration checks: you get a new stamp/permit even when flying from Kuala Lumpur.
  • Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty; possession brings long prison terms.
  • Vape sales are banned in several states and a nationwide ban is being phased in; don't vape in no-smoking zones (restaurants, malls, public places).
  • Russian, Belarusian and Uzbek passports get 30 days visa-free; UK/US/most EU get 90 days.

Entrada y visados

Most Western passports enter visa-free for 90 days; Russia, Belarus, Uzbekistan and others get 30 days. Chinese and Indian citizens are visa-exempt for 30 days (India until 31 Dec 2026; China under a mutual exemption agreement). Almost all foreign visitors must submit the MDAC before arrival. Sabah and Sarawak apply separate immigration control.

Formularios y permisos en línea

Validez del pasaporte: At least 6 months from arrival.

En la frontera pueden pedir

  • Many nationalities can use autogates after MDAC; others queue at counters with fingerprinting.
  • Keep a return/onward ticket handy.
  • Arriving in Sabah or Sarawak (even from Peninsular Malaysia) means another passport check.

Aduana

  • Declare cash over USD 10,000 (or equivalent).
  • Duty-free alcohol: 1 litre; there is no duty-free cigarette allowance (tobacco is taxed).
  • Pornography, drugs and weapons are prohibited.

Revisado el 29 de octubre de 2026 · Fuentes: imi.gov.my ↗, kln.gov.my ↗, imigresen-online.imi.gov.my ↗, airasia.com ↗, monitor.kun.uz ↗, kln.gov.my ↗

Dinero

Se usan tanto efectivo como tarjetas. Las tarjetas se aceptan casi en todas partes.

Redes de pago: Visa, Mastercard, Amex, UnionPay, JCB

Apple Pay — funciona · Google Pay — funciona

Dónde cambiar dinero

  • Licensed money changers in malls (e.g. Mid Valley, Pavilion, Sungei Wang in KL; Masjid India area)
  • Bring USD, SGD or EUR notes; rates are close to mid-market at busy mall changers

Dónde no cambiar

  • Airport counters for large amounts
  • Hotels
  • Unlicensed changers

Cajeros: Bank ATMs (Maybank, CIMB, Public Bank) are everywhere; most don't charge foreign cards a local fee, but your bank may. Always decline dynamic currency conversion.

Propinas: Not customary. Restaurants often add a 10% service charge plus 6–8% SST; rounding up for drivers or porters is appreciated.

  • Contactless cards and Apple Pay/Google Pay work in most shops, restaurants and transport in cities.
  • Night markets and small eateries are often cash or DuitNow QR only.
  • Russian-issued Visa/Mastercard cards do not work abroad; bring cash or a card issued elsewhere.

Revisado el 29 de octubre de 2026 · Fuentes: support.apple.com ↗, bnm.gov.my ↗, usa.visa.com ↗, mastercard.com ↗

Normas y prohibiciones

Prohibido

  • Drugs: possible death penalty for trafficking; harsh prison for possession, including cannabis.
  • Vapes: sale banned in several states (e.g. Johor, Kelantan, Terengganu, Perlis, Kedah, Pahang, Perak); smoking/vaping banned in eateries, malls and public places.
  • Drones require CAAM authorisation.
  • Insulting Islam, the monarchy (Sultans/King) or race relations is a crime, including online.
  • Same-sex sexual acts are criminalised.
  • Pornography is prohibited.

Leyes que los viajeros incumplen sin saberlo

  • Muslim-only Sharia rules can apply to Muslims (including foreign Muslims), e.g. on alcohol during Ramadan.
  • Kelantan and Terengganu are conservative: limited alcohol, modest dress expected.
  • Carry your passport or a copy; police may check.
  • Seat belts compulsory for all passengers; helmets on motorbikes.

Revisado el 29 de octubre de 2026 · Fuentes: gov.uk ↗, theedgemalaysia.com ↗, says.com ↗, gov.uk ↗

Cultura y ropa

Religión: Islam about 64% (state religion); Buddhism about 19%; Christianity about 9%; Hinduism about 6%.

Ropa: Mosques: long trousers/skirts and long sleeves; women cover hair (robes often provided). Remove shoes at mosques, temples and homes. Modest clothing outside beaches, especially on the east coast.

Etiqueta

  • Use the right hand to eat, give and receive.
  • Point with the thumb, not the index finger.
  • Avoid public displays of affection.
  • During Ramadan avoid eating or drinking in public in Muslim-majority areas during daylight.
  • Pork and alcohol are not served in halal restaurants; don't bring them in.

Revisado el 29 de octubre de 2026 · Fuentes: gov.uk ↗, malaysia.travel ↗

Clima

Hot and humid year-round. The northeast monsoon normally runs November–March, bringing heavy rain to the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia, western Sarawak and northeastern Sabah. West-coast and inland rainfall patterns differ.

Mes a mes
  • enero: West coast drier; east coast monsoon
  • febrero: West coast relatively drier; east coast northeast monsoon
  • marzo: Northeast monsoon can continue; confirm east-island resort openings
  • abril: Humid; west coast showers
  • mayo: Hot; east coast islands at their best
  • junio: Hot, drier; good for islands and Borneo
  • julio: Dry-ish; haze from fires possible
  • agosto: Good for east coast and Borneo
  • septiembre: Good; haze possible
  • octubre: West coast rainy; storms
  • noviembre: Wet west; east coast monsoon begins
  • diciembre: East coast monsoon; Borneo wet

Mejor temporada: West coast Dec–Feb; east coast islands Mar–Oct; Borneo Mar–Oct.

Revisado el 29 de octubre de 2026 · Fuentes: met.gov.my ↗, en.wikipedia.org ↗, met.gov.my ↗, met.gov.my ↗

Qué llevar

  • Plug adapter (type G, UK-style; 240V)
  • Light, breathable clothes plus a cover-up for mosques
  • Umbrella or rain jacket
  • Insect repellent (dengue)
  • Light jacket for heavily air-conditioned malls, buses and Cameron Highlands
  • Sunscreen and hat

Qué no llevar / prohibido importar

  • Any drugs, including CBD
  • Pornographic material
  • Large quantities of cigarettes (no duty-free allowance)
  • Drones without CAAM approval

Práctico

Enchufes: Type G; 240V 50Hz

Agua: Tap water is treated but pipes vary; most visitors drink bottled or filtered water.

Circulación: por la izquierda

Móvil y eSIM: Maxis/Hotlink, CelcomDigi, U Mobile prepaid SIMs at KLIA; eSIMs widely available. 5G in cities.

Apps: Grab, AirAsia MOVE, Touch 'n Go eWallet, WhatsApp, Waze

Salud: Dengue risk countrywide. Consider hepatitis A and typhoid vaccines; malaria in deep rural Borneo. Seasonal haze from Indonesian fires can affect breathing.

Seguro: Not required for entry; recommended.

Emergencias: Police/Ambulance/Fire 999 (112 from mobile)

Revisado el 29 de octubre de 2026 · Fuentes: gov.uk ↗, wwwnc.cdc.gov ↗

Las normas de entrada cambian. Antes del viaje, consulta la web de la embajada o del servicio de inmigración del país.