Brunei Travel Guide

A heavily-forested kingdom state in Southeast Asia, the tiny kingdom of Brunei has one of the highest standards of living in the world thanks to its rich natural gas and petroleum resources.

What’s Cool

Lavish seven-star hotels, amazing mosques, the royal palace of Istana Nurul Iman, water sports, low crime rate, excellent medical services, idyllic beaches.

What’s Not

Hot and humid weather year round, alcohol is illegal, lack of budget hotels, severe punishment for offences, risk of tropical diseases.

When to Go

Best: March-April
high season: June to November
low season: December to March

Visas

US/Can: on-arrival (90 / 14 days)
EU/UK: on-arrival (14 / 30 days)
Aus/NZ: on-arrival (14 / 30 days)

Essential Info

Time: GMT+8
Electricity: 220-240V 50Hz
3-square Pin Plug
Money: Brunei Dollar
1US$ = 1.46 B$
Phone: ICC (+673) Outgoing: 00

Once a British colony, Brunei is today a unique tourist destination where you can rub shoulders with ex-pat oil workers and orangutans. Located on the island of Borneo and bordering the Malaysian state of Sarawak, this city-sized country boasts a long-recorded history and unique culture.

A number of parks, lakes and countless architectural wonders including the gleaming gold dome of Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque all add an interesting tourist spin to Brunei. The capital, Bandar Seri Begawan, has more than just beautiful mosques, however. It features a lively amusement park on its western outskirts and acts as a gateway to the port town of Muara and the oil towns of Seria and Kuala Belait.

It is not the cities and towns that visitors come here for but the Temburong eco-tours and longhouse stays. Rainforest covers Belalong National Park, and here visitors can walk among the trees on the canopy walk before learning more about the huge insects and other wildlife that call the forest home at the research center.

If you've never been to Brunei then a good introduction is our Brunei Tourism page which gives an introduction to the country and an overview of all the essential travel, visa, health, safety and itinerary information needed by first-time travelers.

Travel to Brunei - Getting There

Brunei’s sole airport, Brunei International Airport is located in the capital city of Bandar Seri Begawan and handles all international air travel to the country. Royal Brunei Airlines is the main carrier, with flights arriving from numerous destinations in the region.

With traveling to Brunei needing multiple connections from Europe and North America, flight times can be long. Flying in from Los Angeles typically takes 18 hours, from New York up to 24 hours and from Europe approximately 15 hours.

The most commonly used border crossings into Brunei are at Puni/Limbang and Labu/Lawas. There are also crossings into Malaysia at Sungai Tujoh/Miri Sarawak and Kuala Lurah/Limbang.

Bandar Seri Begawan: Located in the vibrant Brunei-Muara district, this bustling capital city is home to the world-famous Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque, one of the most magnificent mosques in Asia, the Royal Regalia Building and the Brunei Museum.
Kampong Ayer: Just outside of the capital, this renowned water village, described as the Venice of the East, is a must-visit place, accessible by boat. Walk around this uber-equipped village featuring historic houses, clinics, schools and mosques.
Tutong: A peaceful town that has several natural spots such as beautiful parks, the country's largest lake, Tasek Merimbun, a small island and a beach. The big tamu (an open market) offers a variety of local foods and handicrafts.
Ulu Temburong National Park: One of the most important attractions in Temburong district, this large, unspoiled park offers canopy trails on wooden walkways and rich, fascinating wildlife.
Beaches: Muara, Serasa, Kuala Belait and Lumut Beach near Tutongboast golden sand and crystal clear waters with plenty of water sports, perfect for a family day out.

A visit to Jerudong Park Playground: Now one of the top destinations in Brunei, this gigantic theme park offers heart-stopping rides and extensive children's play facilities.
Hiking and trekking: Many natural spots make Brunei an ideal place for enthusiastic hikers. Ulu Temburong National Park offers excellent natural trails, wooden walkways, tree houses and hanging bridges.
Picnicking: As Brunei boasts a great number of parks, picnicking is one of the most popular activities among locals and tourists alike. Remarkable parks include Tasek Recreational Park in Brunei Muara district, Sungai Basong Recreation Park in Tutong district, and Sungai Liang Forest Recreational Park in Belait district.
Water sports: Most beaches in Brunei offer a wide range of water sports. There's also a newly built sports complex at Serasa Beach, providing various activities such as regatta, sailing, powered boat racing, water-skiing and fishing.
Dining: Similar to Malay cuisine, Brunei dishes also focus on rice and spicy fresh fish. Local specialities feature Daging Masak Lada Hitam, spicy beef with potato beans, and Udang Sambal Serai Bersantan, prawns with chilli and coconut milk.
Shopping: Those looking for unique souvenirs will find a selection of goods at the Bandar Seri Begawan Night Market including handmade silverware, brassware and bronzeware as well as gold and silver threaded material known as Jona Sarat.

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