Kuala Perlis

You only go to Perlis to jump a Langkawi boat
By tezza (dabbler - 7 reviews)
Written on 3rd January, 2010 after a visit to Kuala Perlis in December, 2009
Langkawi is a big island very close to the Thai border in north-west peninsula Malaysia. It is Malaysia's most popular holiday beach destination and has a natural advantage over rivals Tioman and the Perhentians in that its dry season (roughly late November into April) coincides with much of their wet season - whereas its wet season is not usually as devastatingly wet, allowing all season visits.

Like Tioman, it is a duty free island - but this industry is much better developed than Tioman's makeshift effort with some spectacular deals on many products. The landscape is not as spectacular as Tioman's but pretty attractive (lots of mountains, nice bays, offshore islands), the beaches on average are as good as both east coast rivals - with the best (Tanjung Rhu) considerably better IMHO. Snorkelling is not as good and the water is not as clear.

Langkawi has a much more accommodation, particularly in the midrange and top-end areas. It has a good but not busy road system - the others have virtually no roads - and no taxes mean that hire cars and motorcycles are amazingly cheap. Competition means shopping and restaurant prices are very good - but accommodation seems considerably dearer than say KL for the same standard, but not appreciably dearer than its east coast rivals.

The taxi system is very inexpensive and runs on set prices - your accommodation can tell you exactly how much it will cost to your destination. A 4 hour tour of the island cost us rm100 - about $us30. There is a set-price taxi counter at the airport.

Naturally there is no shortage of places selling booze, which can be a problem on the Perhentians (although it is possible to find yourself in Muslim-owned Langkawi restaurants and general stores which don't serve/sell alcohol).

Like Tioman, you can fly onto Langkawi, but in big commercial jets, not short-take-off-and-land turboprops. The ferry service is much better than both rivals.
And from Langkawi it is dead easy to island-hop across into Thailand and continue island-hopping all the way north to Phuket.

A major change from my last visit is the huge array of excursions and daytrip activities being offered - and the cable car is a bargain at around $us8 all up.

The main accommodation beach is Cenang in the island's south-west. There is a big range of accommodation of all standards here, plus many restaurants, beach bars and good shopping. Neighbouring Tengah Beach is similar but quieter.
Elsewhere mainly upscale hotels have situated on smaller but very nice beaches.
Also reviewed by tezza: Haad Sai Khao, Ko Lipe, Ko Pha Ngan East Coast, Ko Samet, Ko Samui, Thong Ta Kien Bay,