Would love ideas on things to see, how to get around, any food/accommodation recs, in any of these places. I'm mostly a beach and nature person

🇸🇨 Seychelles

Mahé Island [23 Mar - 4 Apr]

🇲🇾 Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur [5-10 Apr]

Melacca [10-26 Apr]

Johor Bahru [26 Apr - 24 May]

(Easy day trips to 🇸🇬 Singapore)

Langkawi [24 May - 4 Jun]

Penang [4 Jun - 20 Aug]

🇧🇳 Brunei

Bandar Seri Begawan [20-24 Aug]

🇲🇾 Malaysia

Kota Kinabalu [24 Aug - 21 Sep]

The Transcaribe busses are practically falling apart. They say new ones have arrived but where are they? It's taking them months to get them all here from China, while Brazil is manufacturing thousands of their own electric busses. Salvador, Bahia alone will have around 700 new busses on its streets just this year. While Cartagena having a delivery of what, 17 busses, is considered a huge milestone by the company. Some lines are currently giving us one bus every 60 to 90 minutes. Why is public transport here so bad?

I'm already looking at vaguely planning my itinerary for a 6 month period from late March til late September, 2027.

My priorities:

• Lush nature & easy beach access.

• Cheap street food, preferably dairy & meat free (fish is fine).

• Affordable short-term apartment rentals.

• Easy to just exist as an outsider.

• Seamless public transport.

• Geologically stable.

I'm basically deciding between:

• Keeping Cartagena 🇨🇴 as my base for most of the period with a short trip to Panamá City 🇵🇦 around June

OR

• Basing myself between Malaysian cities, top 3 candidates being Johor Bahru, Penang (George Town), Kota Kinabalu 🇲🇾 with day trips to Singapore 🇸🇬 when based in Johor.

I'm aware one of the only affordable beach day trips from Panamá City is Veracruz. How easy and reliable is transport to and from there? I've already been to Panamá but didn't manage this trip, only Taboga.

I'm familiar with Cartagena already, I love the culture and how accessible the beaches are, but pushy street sellers and frankly terrible public transport are things that bother me.

As someone who enjoys lush greenery but not consistent, intense rainfall (I want to enjoy beach days and I enjoy swimming), what is the best period for each of the three Malaysian cities? What are people's experiences with public transport and easy access to parks/hiking trails/beaches in each?

In Singapore, are beaches on Sentosa or East Coast Park generally considered safe for swimming?

I've read that Airbnb isn't too common in Penang. What are other seamless ways to book short-term (1-3 months) accommodation there as a foreigner?

I'll be leaving from Brasil in March and going back to Brasil in September. Any tips on most reliable airlines to fly with if I choose Malaysia? Flying through Addis Ababa from São Paulo to Singapore seems to be the best option to avoid potential conflict in SW Asia.

I don't need any comments concerning heat because I am well adapted to heat and humidity, it's actually my preference.

I'm open to improving my Spanish and also to learning Malay, but it would be nice to still be able to use either Portuguese (I know practically impossible in Malaysia) or English when possible as those are the two languages I'm most comfortable in.

Thanks!

I arrived in Panamá City 5 days ago and I've been drinking the tap water because I read that it's safe to drink here. I'm staying in Cerro Viento. Today I've started to feel a sickness coming over me and I very rarely get sick, so I'm wondering if it's from the water, or something else. Is it definitely safe or should I switch to bottled??

I'm looking for a new shoulder bag in Panamá City but I want to support a smaller business if possible rather than just picking a generic one up from a fast fashion store. I want something roomy with multiple compartments but that's still easy to wear crossbody or as a shoulder bag. Preferably good enough quality to last 2+ years, easily hand washable, wouldn't look out of place at the beach, in a restaurant or travelling. Anyone know where I should look?

Specifically from a Panamá City base. I've heard there are trains, how much do they cost, how frequent are they, and how do you book them?

I'd be interested in historical sites, restaurants with local cuisine, and any beaches or parks that are easy to reach without much time.

I'll be staying in Panamá City for 11 days this month and wondering whether or not to check out Colón. Any info about the area would be appreciated.