Weather, climate, vaccinations, banks and money

Weather and Climate
Malaysia has a tropical climate. The weather is always warm (between 27 and 34 degrees) and humid.
There is a shower almost every day. Rain showers cannot be compared with our Dutch showers. They are short but intense. Otherwise, everything would not look so green (jungle) and it would not be so damp.

The rainy months are: October and November on the West Coast and November to January / February on the East Coast. Even in the rainy season you see the sun every day. Rainy season (monsoon) means that it rains more often in one day.
There is more rainfall on the East Coast than on the West Coast.

It is cooler in the mountains. At the Genting Highlands (casino) and the Cameron Highlands (tea plantations) you have a temperature of approximately 20 degrees. When you come from the tropical plain, it seems very cold. Some hotels have an indoor swimming pool there.

Vaccinations
Vaccinations are not mandatory but are recommended against DTP, typhoid fever and infectious jaundice. Malaria tablets are also recommended if you are going to Sabah / Sarawak, or are staying near the Thai border (Belum or Ulu Muda). For Kuala Lumpur, Penang, it is not necessary to take malaria tablets.
It is always wise to consult your doctor and the GG & GD.

Banks & Money
The legal tender in Malaysia is the ringgit (1RM is 100 sen). This is simply called “dollar” in Malaysia.
American dollars and travelers checks can be exchanged almost everywhere at banks, hotels or at moneychangers in the shopping centers. The best travelers checks for Malaysia are “American Traveler Checks or Euro Checks”. Most checks are insured in the event of loss or theft. You will have new ones within 24 hours. Upon arrival at the airport you can exchange money or checks at the offices of two banks before
you take your bags off the belt.
Withdrawing money is possible everywhere. There are enough ATMs
You can pay with your credit card in most stores, but be careful with it! Bad experiences are also reported. I only use my credit card when paying in International hotels.
Bank opening hours: During the week they are open from 9.30 am to 3 pm for customers. Stick to these times! Then you can certainly go. Some banks say that they are open from 9 am to 5 pm, but those are the working hours of the bank staff. They are closed every 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month. They are open from 9 am to 1 pm on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month (information: October 2003)

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