Now that we’re in RMCO and the government has allowed inter-state travel, many of us have rushed to take short holidays as we can finally leave our homes for reasons other than going to the supermarket.

Of course, with overseas travel still restricted, our holidays will have to be local for now. Luckily for us Malaysians, there are many places to cuti-cuti Malaysia, from the bright city lights of Kuala Lumpur to beaches all around the coast to some of the oldest rainforests in the world.

So, you want…sun, sand and sea?
There are so, so many options to get your dose of vitamin sea, from the popular islands of Langkawi, Penang, Pangkor and Redang to more remote beaches. Have you heard of Pom Pom Island in Sabah? Or Tusan Beach in Sarawak?
If you prefer a more active beach holiday, but don’t know how to dive (or don’t have the budget yet!), try snorkelling instead. We’re spoilt for choice for seaside getaways here in Malaysia, you just have to take time to find a beach that has the activities you’re looking for.

Big city, bright lights
If you think ‘boring la holiday kat bandar je’, ask yourself when was the last time you actually checked out things to do in our cities and small towns? Whether you take a trip to Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Perak, Johor, Melaka or Sarawak, or any other Malaysian state really, we’re blessed with plenty of affordable and interesting things to do and most importantly, good food!
Cities can be cheap places to explore, too. Stay at a backpackers’, enjoy a large variety of stall food and simply walk around and explore the streets. Our museums are also generally discounted for Malaysians – did you know the entrance fee at Museum Negara is only RM2? You can also check out some of our smaller towns like Taiping or Tanah Rata if you want the feel of city life but at a slower pace.

Get in touch with nature
Being a tropical country gives us plenty of options to get close to greenery. The Gunung Mulu National Park in Miri, Sarawak, is actually a UNESCO World Heritage Site where you can enjoy caving, mountainous areas and the rainforest all at once] You could also try white water rafting in Kuala Kubu Bharu in Hulu Selangor if you’re feeling adventurous or take a hike in one of the world’s oldest tropical rainforests at Taman Negara in Pahang.

So…how to afford this holiday?
Planning is important to make sure your trip isn’t just fun, but also easy on your wallet. Here are Multiply’s tips to plan for cuti-cuti Malaysia:

Set your holiday budget – include an extra 10% just in case. Use our budget template or savings goal calculator to help you!
Don’t ever take a loan to pay for your holiday! Choose a holiday that fits your budget and not the other way around.
Identify a few places you want to go and figure out the cost of getting there, accommodation and food (don’t forget the details, like souvenirs!).
Choose the option that makes you most happy and that’s within your budget!

If you’ve budgeted properly you won’t feel stressed when expenses pop up, and you’ll be ready to just enjoy yourself rather than worrying about whether you can afford to enjoy yourself. Go on and have fun!