Malaysia on a whole has a good standard of cleanliness and health, however there are always certain things to take note of for when traveling in any tropical country. It is easy to get dehydrated due to the hot, humid weather so always refill your liquid intake with lots of bottled water and fruit juices. Quality of hospitals and clinics in Malaysia are quite high so be rest assured you will be well taken care of if you fall ill.

Still no one wants to have a medical emergency on holiday. Play safe and make sure you have medical insurance before you come.

Get plenty of rest, and take prompt care of any cuts or burns - do not risk infection in this heat and humidity. As well, many people don't realise just how strong the sun is this close the equator and end up with a miserable sunburn or worse, heat stroke shortly after arrival. Cover up when you are outside for prolonged stints.

That said, below are a couple of common sense points that should keep you in good shape and enjoying your visit.

Dehydration is a concern. It's happened to us and it sneaks up on you. It's hot and you'll perspire, or if you eat some spicy food that causes diarrhea you will need to replenish your body fluids. Drink plenty of fluids (water, fruit juice or soup). Tap water is okay in Langkawi but it's better to get in the habit of drinking bottled water especially if you will be visiting more remote areas of Malaysia or other countries in the region.

Malaysian restaurants are reasonably well regulated but still use common sense when choosing a place to eat. Look for established restaurants (hawker stalls and food courts are fine) that are clean and well patronized and avoid spicy and fried foods if you're not used to them.

A word about prescription medication. Most countries in southeast asia take drug trafficking and substance abuse very, very seriously. Travelers who need to carry medicine with them should bring the prescription to confirm that the medicine is used for their physical well-being while traveling. Also it is a good idea to bring an ample supply.

More information on health matters may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Ring CDC's international travelers hotline (USA) at (404) 332-4559 or visit the CDC home page on the Internet at www.cdc.gov.

Please remember information on this page may change without prior notice and that LangkawiResorts.com accepts no responsibility for any information contained herein. Please check with your local authorities prior to departure for the latest up to date information.

Loose and light summer clothing (preferably natural fabrics) is recommended for outdoor activities like sightseeing, walking up challenging hill slopes or forest treks. Whether you join an organised tour or prefer to visit the tourist attractions on your own you will do quite a bit of walking so comfortable flat shoes are recommended. When visiting government office or religious site it is always best to be on the conservative side (long pants, long skirt, shirts and blouses with sleeves and so on).

When in doubt, dress conservatively. Women should not sunbathe topless. As an example most Malay women are very conservative rarely sunbathe and when they do go for a swim will often use a t-shirt and shorts as opposed to a swimsuit.

Langkawi i​s quite safe however there are always petty criminals lurking in any area frequented by tourists. Whilst rare, things do disappear from time to time, so do keep an eye on your belongings. Use common sense and take the same precautions that you would visiting any tourist destination. Don't leave your handbag or camera unattended at the beach, pool, in the car or dining room while going to the buffet and so on.

Langkawi is quite safe however there are always petty criminals lurking in any area frequented by tourists. Whilst rare, things do disappear from time to time, so do keep an eye on your belongings. Use common sense and take the same precautions that you would visiting any tourist destination. Don't leave your handbag or camera unattended at the beach, pool, in the car or dining room while going to the buffet and so on.

As mentioned in several spots throughout the site, illegal substances such as drugs are dealt with severe penalties from lengthy jail sentences to execution. Malaysian law states that all drug offenders are treated equally, in fact a number of foreigners have been convicted and sentenced to death for possession of drugs, regardless of quantity. Remember, you are a long way from home with far fewer rights than you think - best to behave and be a gracious guest.