Malaysia is a beautiful Southeast Asian country that boasts a variety of tourist destinations for travelers. Here you can find several nature parks that quench your thirst for both adventure and wildlife. If you want to drive to those destinations without getting stopped, bring your international driver’s permit along with your native driver’s licence.

Come and welcome yourself to the Malaysian culture, where the bustling Kuala Lumpur and UNESCO World Heritage sites and historical relics from British colonial times are located.

Petronas Towers

For most people, the Petronas Tower is the first thing that comes to mind when they hear the country. It is one of the tallest twin towers, standing at 452 m high with 88 floors. The tower is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 9 AM to 9 PM, and ticket sales start at 8:30 AM on a first-come-first-serve basis. Their guided tour leads you to the Observation Deck, the Skybridge, and the gift shop.

Taking the bus or other public transport to these locations can be quite an exhaustive wait. So, renting a car would be more ideal. Before traveling, get a driver's licence here for foreigners. This is better done in advance for a more liberated exploration of the country.

George Town

The most famous tourist spot in George Town is the Kek Lok Si Temple. Built back in 1890, it is the largest Buddhist temple in this country, located at the bottom of Air Itam mountain. It is a seven-story pagoda that houses 10,000 Buddha statues and the 36-meter tall statue of Kwan Yin, the goddess of mercy. The best time to visit the temple is during the Chinese New Year when the temple is decorated with thousands of beautiful lanterns.

Tourists come to George Town to visit the Kek Lok Si Temple but stay for the place’s street scene. You can find street art anywhere in the town and food stalls to satisfy your street food craving. Street festivals are one of the reasons why tourists love the place. If you want a one-of-a-kind street scene experience, visit the town during the Arts and Cultural George Town Festival in August.

Penang Hill

One of the best unwinding spots in this country that offers the best skyline views is in the state of Penang. Aside from George Town, Penang Hill is one of the top destinations tourists should check out in Penang. Drive here and ride a funicular for a 2,007-meter-high climb to reach the top of Penang Hill in about five to ten minutes. If you’re planning a driving trip in Malaysia, include Penang Hill on your list.

Enjoy a 360-degree view of the islands in the Skyway. You may also take a nature walk in a 1.6-kilometer trail, which leads to the rainforest and tropical gardens. You can also try the heart-thumping ziplines or trudge along the canopy walk that’s about 40 meters up in the sky. January and February are the best months to visit the Penang Hills, while September and October are the wettest months in Penang.

Perhentian Islands

Perhentian Islands are a group of small islands, which was once a stopping point for traders traveling around Southeast Asia. The place is famous for its pristine waters, white-sand beaches, and jungle. You can tour each island by taking a water taxi or trek the island’s walking trails. Trekking is highly recommended since you get to trek jungle paths and enjoy the waters’ stunning view.

You can engage in fun water activities such as snorkeling, scuba diving, and kayaking. You can also join turtle conservation programs on the island and see the area where turtles lay their eggs. You might even get a chance to see them in action. It’s best to visit the island in summer to experience the beach activities and trek the trails. It’s challenging to get to the islands between November and March because of the rough sea conditions.

Mount Kinabalu

Standing at 4000 meters high, Mount Kinabalu is one of the safest peaks to climb in the world. You can find Mountain Kinabalu in Kinabalu Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Besides being a famous destination for climbers, Mount Kinabalu is the home of different plants and animals. There are buses at the transport center in the park that would take you to the mountain.

Only 180 permits are issued every day, so you need to make reservations and hire a guide to trek the mountain. The climb can take two days and one night, so bring enough supplies with you. It’s best to visit the place during the driest months since it’s challenging to trek the mountain in muddy trail paths. Also, plan an overnight stay in Kinabalu Park, so you have enough time to explore the oldest park in this country.

Sipadan Islands

Sipadan Islands is the only oceanic island and one of the best diving destinations in the world. As a part of the world’s richest marine habitat, you can swim with hammerhead sharks, hawksbill turtles, parrotfishes and enjoy the fantastic view of coral gardens. You can also take a stroll on the white-sand beaches. If you’re not into diving, snorkeling is an alternative activity for you.

You must make reservations ahead of time since the island only allows 120 permits a day. Tourists usually take a day trip to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. However, all visitors must leave the island at 3 PM. Nonetheless, it’s still a destination you should keep on top of your list. The best time to go to the islands is during the dry season from March to October.

When renting a car in the country, a driver's licence and IDP are required in the rental companies. Your document already provides the translation of the essential details in your licence, such as your driver's licence number and name, so there’s no need for a Malaysian driver's license.

Gunung Mulu National Park

Get fascinated with impressive caves and spectacular karst limestone formations in Gulung Mulu National Park. This UNESCO World Heritage site is known as the largest passage site and the largest underground chamber in the world. With ceilings over 122 meters tall, Deer Cave is the most visited cave in the Gulung Mulu National Park. Tourists visit the cave because of the stunning view of cascading waterfalls on the rocks and a one-kilometer wide sinkhole.

If you love adventure, you can join the three-day Pinnacles Summit trek, which involves climbing ropes and ladders and an arduous walk in the jungle. If cave-hopping is more appealing to you, wear comfortable shoes. The best time to go is between June to September. You can only get to Gunung Mulu National Park by plane or 12-hour long boat ride between jungles because of its remote location.

Pulau Langkawi

On the country's west coast in the Andaman seas lies an archipelago consisted of 99 islands surrounded by crystal clear waters. Pulau Langkawi is famous for the Langkawi SkyCab. The glass-bottom gondola lifts let you view the pristine waters above while on the 2.2-kilometer trip to the top of Gunung Machinchang mountain. It takes 15 minutes to finish the journey from the base station.

The trip includes a stop in the middle station to get a better overlooking view on a viewing platform. You can also take a nature hike through a trail from the middle station that leads to the jungle. You can also find a pedestrian sky bridge and strike a conversation with the locals. The best months to visit Langkawi is between December to February, when the weather is best.

Cameron Highlands

Aside from being the home of the Rafflesia, the largest individual flower in the world, Cameron Highlands is the largest tea-producing region in the country. You can find several tea estates sitting atop the hills where you can enjoy the overlooking view with a warm cup of tea. The tea estates are one of the remnants of the British colonial times. Aside from the tea shops, people visit Cameron Highlands because of the colder climate.

If you’re not a tea-loving guest, you can head over to the orchards, lavender farms, or the tea plantations for a stroll. Cameron Highlands is only 20 kilometers east of Ipoh and 150 kilometers north of Kuala Lumpur. Cameron Highlands is one of the top road trip destinations for a driving holiday here that you shouldn’t miss.

Taman Negara

As one of the country's most famous ecotourism, Taman Negara National Park is the home of the world’s oldest rainforest, where you’ll find different species of plants and animals. The park encompasses three states: Pahang, Kelantan, and Terengganu. The park served as the land intended to be a protected area covering the three states after Theodore Hubback lobbied the idea to the states’ sultans.

Hike the trails in the 130-million-year-old rainforest and find elephants busking on the muddy banks of winding rivers. Taman Negara offers several wildlife adventures including, camping, trekking, hiking, wildlife viewing, fishing, and rock climbing. The park is crowded between July and September because of the holidays, so it’s best to visit the place around February to October.

If you’re from one of the ASEAN countries, you have the option not to get an IDP as long as your local driver's licence is valid.

Johor Bahru

Johor Bahru is a charming town where both historical and modern infrastructures collide. Once a sleepy fish village, Johor Bahru developed as the second-largest urban area in here. If you’re up for a historical tour, you can visit the majestic Sultan Abu Bakar State Mosque and the Old Chinese Temple standing in the middle of the downtown. Tourists usually stop by Johor Bahru to experience fun rides and arcades in Legoland Malaysia.

Johor Bahru has a wide selection of malls such as City Square, KSL, Angsana, and Komtar that shopaholics would surely enjoy. Food lovers will love the top-rated restaurants and cafes along Jalan Dhoby. The best time to go to Johor Bahru is between June and August when days are less humid.

Malacca/Melaka

Known as a trading powerhouse, Malacca is one of the country's smallest states, located about 145 km from Kuala Lumpur and 240 km Singapore. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage site that boasts several charming historical tourist spots such as Christ Church, the Stadthuys, St. Paul’s Hill, Dutch Fort, Portuguese Settlement, and more. The historical tourist spots are remnants of the Portuguese, Dutch, and British colonization.

Besides a historical tour, you can also visit the immersive Submarine Museum and the kid-friendly Melaka Thousand Tales of Adventures. You can also check out goods and other items at the night market down the Jonker Walk. The best time to go to Malacca is during the dry season from April to October. Malacca is a perfect destination for your driving holiday here.