Tourist Guide

Tourists in Cameron Highlands can expect a peaceful community with a laid back outlook of life. There are plenty of amenities such as banks, cyber cafes and a bus station in Tanah Rata Town. As Cameron Highlands is a popular tourist spot, most of the infrastructure is modern, so you can find all the conveniences you need. Learn in this section about the best time to visit the Cameron Highlands as well as getting around to places.

The weather of Cameron Highlands can best be described as ‘cooling wet'. Being high up the mountains means it's constantly cold and humid, with lots of mist in the early mornings and late evenings. Wearing wind-breakers, jackets and other approriate clothing is encouraged. Rainfall is prominent throughout the year in the Cameron Highlands , but there is usually a short spell of low rainfall that can fall anywhere between May till July. If you like sunny weather, this is the best time to go. From September onwards, the rain begins to pick up; expect bright mornings that will drastically become overcast in the afternoon, slowly progressing to a strong shower of rain in the late evenings. The rains sometimes continue into the night, along with heavy mist.

However, the year-end period spiralling into the next year is filled with heavy rain and thunder storms. Landslides can occur frequently but the Cameron Highlands still attract massive amounts of visitors. The heavy rain during this period is also when the natural fauna and flora are out in all its glory due to the increased moisture and cool. This is the best time to visit the Cameron Highlands if you want to explore the wildlife and nature opportunities, and don't mind getting wet. The climate of Cameron Highland ranges between 20°C - 25°C during the day on average but does get a little hotter during periods of low rainfall.

Actually, one can visit the Cameron Highlands anytime of the year; it's a simple matter of whether you enjoy more rainfall or less. At night, it usually falls between 15°C - 18°C but dips even lower after heavy rain. The lowest ever recorded temperature in Cameron Highlands was 7.8°C. During the rainy periods from May all the way till December, remember to drive carefully on the road while going up and around the Cameron Highlands as road conditions can be slippery. Also be prepared with an umbrella for the frequent evening showers or thunderstorms. Heavy clothing is not really necessary unless you're weak to cold. A jacket will suffice in most instances.

Most visitors who come up to the Cameron Highlands have their own car. If you happen to be a backpacker or lack wheels, there is a public bus that runs daily through the various townships, all the way from Ringlet to Kampung Raja. The bus runs on an hourly basis from morning till evening, but it is never punctual or regular. However, it is the cheapest method of getting around next to walking. If you're staying in Brinchang or Tanah Rata, consider walking to the various attractions and places of interest if you like to have some exercise. The cooling weather and fresh air (unless you pass by freshly manured farms) make it conducive for long walks in the highlands. Finally, there are also taxis that you can hail from most places. These taxis are mostly old Mercedes cars and do not use the meter, charging by the hour or a fixed rate depending on the destination.