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Langkawi, Malaysia 🇲🇾
#1860 ,

Nomad Score: 66%

Essentials

🏙️ City Langkawi is an archipelago of 99 islands in Malaysia, renowned for its natural beauty, beaches, and duty-free shopping.
👥 Population Approximately 100,000 residents.
💻 Internet Speed Average internet speed is around 30 Mbps, with some areas offering fiber connections.
💸 Currency & Banking 1 MYR ≈ 0.22 USD; Major banks include Maybank and CIMB with ATMs widely available.
🚰 Tap Water Not drinkable; bottled water is recommended.
🔌 Power 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type G sockets.
📶 SIM Card Providers include Maxis, Digi, and U Mobile, with good coverage.
💳 Banking for Expats Most international payment types accepted; services like TransferWise are popular.
🛌 Accommodation Options range from luxury resorts to budget hostels and Airbnb rentals.
💳 Cashless Friendly Yes, contactless payments are becoming increasingly accepted.
🏠 Short Term Rentals Airbnb options are plentiful, with prices ranging from MYR 100 to MYR 500 per night.
🛏️ Budget Accommodation Budget options like The Cottage, starting from MYR 50 per night.
🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists Pantai Cenang is recommended for its beach and nightlife.
🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads Kuah Town offers affordable long-term accommodation and better connectivity.

Working and Networking

🏢 Best Coworking Space The Hub Langkawi, located in Kuah, offers a friendly environment for remote work.
Best Cafe for Work Artisans Pizza & Cafe, known for its reliable Wi-Fi and working ambiance.
💼 Networking Events Regular Meetup groups and digital nomad events can be found on Facebook and local forums.
🥂 Social Events for Expats Langkawi Expats Facebook group hosts regular meet-ups and activities.

Transportation

🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App Grab is the most popular and reliable ride-hailing service.
🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental Many local shops rent scooters, typically around MYR 40-60 per day.
🏖️ Best Beach Nearby Pantai Cenang, a stunning beach known for its activities and nightlife.
✈️ Top Regional Airline Malindo Air serves nearby destinations from Langkawi International Airport.
✈️ Top International Airline AirAsia and Malaysia Airlines offer numerous flights to and from Langkawi.
🛣️ Highway Access The island is accessible via a main road that connects key areas together.
🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub Langkawi does not have a train station; car rentals and taxis are main modes of transport.
🚍 Public Transport Passes Public buses exist but are limited; taxis and ride-sharing are preferred.
✈️ Regional Travel Ferries connect Langkawi to the mainland, as well as to neighboring islands.

Health and Wellness

🏥 Best Hospital Langkawi Medical Centre offers basic healthcare services.
🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers Yoga Generally holds sessions at Pantai Cenang and Tanjung Rhu.
🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers The Villa Langkawi has a small gym while many resorts offer fitness facilities.
🧺 Laundry Services Bubur Lambuk Laundry offers affordable laundry services around Kuah.

Food and Drink

📱 Best Food Delivery App DeliverEat operates in Langkawi, offering delivery from various local restaurants.
🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try Nasi lemak, a fragrant rice dish served with coconut milk and spicy sambal.
🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options The Ganga Cafe in Pantai Cenang offers great vegetarian and vegan dishes.
🍫 Best Dessert Spots The French Bakery is known for its delectable pastries and desserts.
🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots Langkawi Night Market offers local food stalls with affordable prices.
🛒 E-commerce/Online Store Lazada and Shopee operate in Malaysia for online shopping.
🛒 Grocery Delivery Services like HappyFresh can deliver groceries to your doorstep.
🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area Cenang Street is popular for bars and nightlife, with many options along the beach.
🍻 Local Brewery Langkawi is home to a few microbreweries, including Langkawi Brewery.
🍷 Wine Bars The Cliff Langkawi offers a spectacular view with a good selection of wines.
🍲 Street Food Stalls Visit Tanjung Rhu for some local street food options.
🍕 Popular International Cuisine The Bon Ton Resort serves excellent international dishes.

Culture and Attractions

🎟️ Must-See Landmarks Langkawi Sky Bridge and Langkawi Cable Car are top attractions.
🏛️ Museums & Art Venues The Rice Museum is a unique spot to learn about local agriculture.
🏰 Historical Sites Eagle Square is a significant symbol of Langkawi.
🕍 Religious Sites The Mahsuri's Tomb is a local historical site worth visiting.
🎉 Annual Events The Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition occurs biennially.
🎨 Cultural Districts Kuah Town is the cultural hub with various local shops and eateries.
🎭 Theater Venues The Langkawi Art Museum occasionally hosts cultural performances.
🛍️ Local Markets Langkawi Night Market offers local crafts and foods.
🎼 Music Scene Local bars occasionally host live music performances.
🎨 Street Art Local artists contribute to street art in several areas in Kuah.
🧑‍🍳 Cooking Classes Langkawi Cooking Class offers a chance to learn to prepare local meals.
👩‍🎨 Art Galleries Langkawi Arts and Cultural Center showcases local artists' work.
🕰️ Historic Buildings Several colonial buildings are located in Kuah Town.
🏴 Local Heritage The legend of Mahsuri, which influences local culture, is celebrated.

Nature and Outdoor Activities

🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes Kilim Geoforest Park is ideal for kayaking and exploring mangroves.
🏞️ National Parks Nearby Gunung Mulu National Park is accessible from Langkawi for hiking.
🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths There are good paths along beaches for walking and biking, especially in Cenang.
🌄 Scenic Viewpoints The scenery from the Langkawi Sky Bridge is breathtaking.
🦉 Birdwatching Locations Kilim Karst Geoforest Park offers opportunities to see native bird species.
🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots Many beaches, especially in Cenang, allow bonfire setups.

Other Services and Amenities

📦 Parcel Delivery Service DHL and Pos Malaysia provide efficient delivery services.
🛠️ Tech Repair Services Local tech shops in Kuah offer device repair services.
🏓 Table Tennis Spots Some hotels and community centers have table tennis facilities.
🧑‍🏫 Language Classes Various local institutes offer Malay language courses.
📚 Libraries & Study Spots Langkawi outside of major tourist spots has limited library facilities.
🏘️ Community Centers The Langkawi International Tourism College serves as a community hub.
🕹️ Gaming Lounges The White Monkey Cafe occasionally hosts gaming sessions.
🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls Langkawi has no casinos, but gaming is available in select hotels.

Business

🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) Approx. MYR 4,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = MYR 160,000)
🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) Approx. MYR 3,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = MYR 120,000)
🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) Approx. MYR 3,500 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = MYR 210,000)
🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) Approx. MYR 2,800 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = MYR 168,000)
🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) Approx. MYR 3,200 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = MYR 256,000)
🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) Approx. MYR 2,500 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = MYR 200,000)
💼 Corporate Tax 24% for Malaysian companies.
💵 Dividend Withholding Tax No withholding tax on dividends for Malaysian-resident companies.
🏦 Tax System Territorial tax system for residents based on income earned within Malaysia.
📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket 30% for income exceeding MYR 2 million.
🧾 VAT Standard Goods and Service Tax (GST) is 6%.
🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules Yes, applicable primarily to passive income from foreign subsidiaries.
🏠 Property Tax Annual property tax based on the property value.
🏠 Property Transaction Tax Between 1% to 4% depending on property price.
💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads No income tax on foreign income for expats if they stay less than 183 days.

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