Malacca – Traveling Tips

Mallaca is the capital of the Malacca state, the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Malacca as a state is considered to be the cradle of Malay civilization, because the most important empire, the Malacca Sultanate, was located exactly there during the 15th century. After that, the Portuguese defeated this empire and made it their colony until the country’s independence in 1957.

If you plan to travel to Malacca, think about some nice hotel with old world charm and modern amenities, like Jonker boutique hotel Malacca. Here are some tips and general information on how to prepare for your Malacca vacation.

• Tipping is not common and expected in Malaysia, although your tips may be accepted if you are staying at some luxury hotel, you don’t have to tip a waiter or a taxi driver.
• Don’t drink tap water. Instead of that, buy readily available and cheap bottled water.
• Don’t forget to bring the sunscreen and the mosquito repellent.
• Electrical outlets are the same as in Britain: 240V/50Hz, therefore bring a converter if you need to power/charge your electronic devices.
• All prices are displayed in RM – ringgit, even though they might use the term “dollar”, before it was the previous official name of the ringgit before 1975. However, nowadays, the prices are displayed in ringgits and not in American nor Australian dollars.
• You should take off your shoes before entering one’s home as a guest.
• If you buy accessories, clothing and electronic devices at gray market places, don’t think that you will purchase licensed and authentic merchandise.
• Dress modestly and don’t drink alcohol conspicuously, especially in rural areas of Eastern Malaysia, because social mores are very conservative here.
• Homosexuality in Malaysia is still a taboo subject, because this is an Islamic country.
• Don’t even think about drug trafficking, because it can be punished by death.