Page 9 - Singapore & Malaysia 2020

TRAVEL TIPS

WHEN TO GO TIME
Singapore’s tropical climate is hot and humid all Singapore and Malaysia are both four hours behind
year round and is affected by two different monsoon New Zealand Standard Time (NZST).
periods. The Northeast Monsoon season takes
place from December to March with frequent rain. ETIQUETTE
The Southwest Monsoon season falls between In respect for local traditions and religious beliefs,
May and September and is marginally dryer. Soak arms and legs should be covered and shoes
up the lively atmosphere during the months of July removed when visiting places of worship. Food
to September when many festivals such as the should be handled with the right hand. Topless
Singapore Food Festival and the Great Singapore sunbathing (by women) is not permitted. Pointing
Sale are in full swing. with the foot is not considered polite.
Malaysia has a tropical climate with high
temperatures and high humidity throughout the year. RAMADAN
Monsoon season for the south-west is from May to Singapore, Bintan Island and Malaysia include a
September and the north-east from November to large Muslim population. Ramadan is observed
March. On the west coast, the green months are by many throughout these countries and we
May to October, while on the east coast, the green recommend you make yourself aware of how that
months are September to December. Enjoy the lush may affect your travel. Daytime is often quieter,
countryside and bountiful waterfalls when visiting business hours are generally shorter with restaurants
after the green season. and cafés screened off or closed out of respect for
those who are fasting. In the evening, cities come
INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Cambodia VISAS & PASSPORTS to life, public places will be busy well into the early
ATTRACTION hours of the morning. In 2020 Ramadan is from
A valid passport is required with at least six months
Vietnam 24 April to 23 May.
validity beyond the intended stay in Singapore,
Bintan Island and Malaysia. New Zealand passport
holders do not require a visa for visits of up to 90 LANGUAGES
days in Singapore and Malaysia and 30 days in Malay, English, Mandarin and Tamil are the official
Bintan Island. Travel advice is available from the languages of Singapore.
New Zealand Government Ministry of Foreign Affairs Bahasa Malaysia (Malay) is the official language of
and Trade at safetravel.govt.nz. Malaysia, however English is widely spoken.
Bahasa Indonesia is the official language of Bintan
CURRENCY
GULF OF THAILAND Island. English is widely spoken particularly in major
Singapore: Singapore Dollar (SGD) towns and resort areas.
Bintan Island: Indonesian Rupiah (IDR)
Malaysia: Malaysian Ringgit (MYR) ELECTRICITY
Thailand
Major credit cards are widely accepted throughout 220-240V 50Hz. An adapter is required.
Singapore, Bintan Island and Malaysia.

TEMPERATURE & RAINFALL
Langkawi • Kota Kinabalu  Singapore J F M A M J J A S O N D
• • Mt Kinabalu Temperature (max ºC) 29 31 31 31 31 31 30 30 30 31 30 29

• Sandakan Average rainfall (mm) 242 154 171 179 162 140 145 143 177 194 252 304
Penang • Kuala Lumpur J F M A M J J A S O N D

Temperature (max ºC) 31 32 33 33 32 32 32 32 31 31 31 31
MALAYSIA Average rainfall (mm) 163 145 218 285 184 127 129 146 192 272 275 230
Langkawi J F M A M J J A S O N D
Brunei
• Cameron Highlands Temperature (max ºC) 31 32 32 31 31 31 31 30 30 30 30 31
Average rainfall (mm) 69 72 146 221 203 178 192 242 356 383 232 114
Kota Kinabalu, Borneo J F M A M J J A S O N D
Temperature (max ºC) 29 30 30 31 31 31 31 31 30 30 30 30
• Kuala Lumpur  Average rainfall (mm) 129 64 61 112 226 291 255 260 285 336 298 230
MALAYSIA

• Kuching 
SINGAPORE 
BORNEO
• Bintan Island
(Indonesia)

Sumatra Kalimantan
(Indonesia) (Indonesia)

JAVA SEA
Melaka Straits Mosque, Malacca 9