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Langkawi
The tropical paradise of Langkawi is often said to be the most popular holiday destination in Indonesia. Palm fringed beaches, mesmerising paddy fields, verdant jungles, irresistible duty free shopping, unforgettable food, great sightseeing, and a glorious weather all play a part in the soaring popularity of this city.
Langkawi is the biggest of an archipelago of some 99 islands. The main island is Pulau Langkawi and this is the only island, which may be called properly inhabited. Langkawi started growing as a tourist destination in leaps and bounds after it was declared a duty-free zone and its popularity has further skyrocketed over the last 10 years. Although, there are ceaseless efforts to commercialise Langkawi from the point of view of tourism, one can still find many areas where a traditional serene Malay way of life still holds sway and remains untouched by the fingers of modernism.
Best Time to Visit Langkawi
Langkawi can be visited throughout the year as temperatures are pretty much consistent. Usually, temperatures stay between 23°C and 34°C and different people have different favourite times for visiting Langkawi. During the monsoon months of April to October there are violent downpours. However, during April, May, and June, colourful festivals like the ‘Water Festival’, the ‘Wilderness Challenge’, and the ‘Sailing Event are celebrated.
Similarly, those who want to have best of coral reef and marine life experience, visit from April to June. The summer months of February to October are perfect for a sun, sand, and surf experience in Langkawi. An overall popular period for visiting is from November to March. However, it is difficult to bag cheap deals during this time and it is advisable not to wait for last minute deals.
Tourist Spots in Langkawi
Langkawi hosts a world of tourist spots offering a delightfully diversified entertainment to its visitors. Beach hopping, going on jungle treks, indulging in kayaking and other adventure sports, helicopter joyrides, and eagle feeding – Langkawi,s tourist spots boast all this and much more. It is best to start a Langkawi sightseeing trip with a visit to Kuah, the destination’s main town and an erstwhile laidback fishing village. Here are just some of the crowd pullers that are absolutely not to be missed.
- Telaga Tujuh Waterfalls aka Seven Wells
- Laman Padi Rice Garden
- Ibrahim Hussein Foundation Museum
- Underwater World
- Legend Garden
- Oriental Village
- Gunung Raya
Shopping Attractions in Langkawi
The duty free island of Langkawi is the region’s shopping hub offering innumerable take home items comprising both local and overseas products. The town of Kuah, which is the main commercial area of Langkawi offers the highest prospects for shopping around. There are numerous malls and stores doling out irresistible duty free bargains spoil one for choice. Langkawi is also a paradise for booze lovers as spirits here are much cheaper than other parts of Malaysia. Here are a few of the shopping hotspots in Langkawi.
- Langkawi Parade Shopping Complex
- The Zon Duty-Free Shopping Complex
- Kompleks Budaya Kraf
- Temoyong Night Market
- Langkah Tuah Enterprise
Eating Out in Langkawi
Almost every hotel and resort has its own restaurant. However, it is a practical and fun-filled idea to try out the maximum possible number of other restaurants. There are plenty of options for eating out, right from extremely cheap and mid range eating places to lavish decked up restaurants. Here is a small list to get you started on your search for great food.
- Tomato Nasi Kandar
- Hole in the Wall Fishfarm & Restaurant
- Beach Garden Resort’s Beer Garden
- La Sal at Casa del Mar
- Telaga Arabic Cafe and Restaurant
Hotels in Langkawi
Being a hot destination for vacations, Langkawi is crammed full of hotels and other accommodation facilities. There is a world of budget, mid range, and high end hotels to take one’s pick from. A good place for hunting out cheap hotels is Pantai Cenang. Here are just five popular hotels from amongst dozens of other options.
- Cenang Beach Motel
- GeoPark Hotel & Dormitory
- Beach Garden Resort
- Meritus Pelangi Beach Resort & Spa
- Berjaya Langkawi Beach & Spa Resort
Airports in Langkawi
The Langkawi International Airport is at Padang Matsirat next to Pentai Cenang. Some of the airlines serving the airport are AirAsia, Air Mauritius, All Nippon Airways, Etihad Airways, KLM-Royal Dutch Airlines, Qatar Airways, Oman Air, Singapore Airlines, Gulf Air, and Malaysia Airlines. The airport has quite a few shops selling various duty free goods including branded clothes and jewels. There are plenty of restaurants, car rental facilities, and local travel companies.
Getting Around in Langkawi
A cheap and comfortable way to travel is by taxi. Visitors, who would be on the road for most of the time, would be better off hiring a car or motorbike as this works out to be cheaper. There are options for hiring drivers as well. A fun way to travel is to take the cable car ride to the top of Gunung Mat Chinchang. Overall, Langkawi does not have much by way of public transport.
Langkawi Travel Tips
- Langkawi, being a tropical destination, can prove to be very hot. It is advisable to drink lots of water as many tourists have complained of getting dehydrated here.
- In mangrove areas and often during rains, mosquitoes prove to be a major nuisance. Use repellents and take adequate precautions.
- For medical care, one can seek treatment at the Langkawi District Hospital. There are helicopter facilities as well for air lifting travellers to the Alor Setar Hospital on the mainland.
- Beaches tend to get overcrowded during local school holidays. Schools break up for periods ranging from one to seven months during the months of March, May, August, November, and December.
- Usually, travel to Langkawi peaks during the months of November and December and visitors looking for cheap hotels should book at least three to four months in advance. Similarly, plane tickets should also be booked as early as possible.
- Before entering homes and places of worship, shoes should be removed.
- It is prudent to dress in a modest manner and avoiding revealing clothes.
- Use the right hand for eating as well as for giving or receiving something.
- For money changing and banking services, some of the most reliable names are Bank Islam, Bank Commerce, Bank Simpanan National, Maybank, Perwira Affin Bank, Public Bank, and RHB Bank.
- Buying package deals that combine the cost of hotels and flights often turns out to be cheaper.
(Note: This destination guide is based on information gathered from reliable resources available on the internet and provides only general information about the destination. Southall Travel holds no responsibility for any misrepresentation of facts and shall not be in any way liable for any kind of eventuality such as damages, loss, additional costs etc arising from the use of information given in this guide).