19 Things To Know Before Visiting Borneo In 2026
Malaysian Borneo is one of the most wildlife-rich places we’ve visited in Southeast Asia. Over the course of a month travelling through Sabah and Sarawak, we saw orangutans, proboscis monkeys, crocodiles, and some incredible rainforest landscapes.
However, Borneo is very different from many other places in Southeast Asia. Distances are huge, travel works a little differently, and there are a few things that can catch you off guard if you don’t know them beforehand.
So if you’re planning a trip, here are the most important things to know before visiting Borneo so you don’t make the same mistakes we did.
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-Purchase Travel Insurance Here: SafetyWing
Disclaimer: Entry requirements, visa rules and health guidance can change without notice. Please check official government sources before booking or travelling. Any health information shared here is based on our own experience and research and should not replace professional medical advice.
Before You Leave
1. Check Your Visa Before Travelling
One of the easiest parts of visiting Malaysia is the visa situation. If you’re from the UK, the US, Australia, or most countries in the EU, you can currently enter Malaysia visa-free for up to 90 days.
It’s one of the most generous visa policies in Southeast Asia and makes planning a trip incredibly easy.
You do need to fill out a digital arrival card three days before landing in Malaysia, whether you’re landing in Kuala Lumpur, or heading straight to Borneo.
You will also need to have booked your flight out of Borneo and Malaysia, and have proof of onward travel. This is normally needed to check into your flights at the airport.
Visa rules can change at any time, so always double-check before you travel.
If you’re from the UK, you can click here to check.
If you’re from the US, you can click here to check.
2. You Need Separate Passport Stamps
This is one of the biggest things to know before visiting Borneo and it catches a lot of travellers out.
Even though Sabah and Sarawak are part of Malaysia, they have their own immigration controls. That means if you’re travelling between Peninsular Malaysia, Sarawak, and Sabah, you need separate passport stamps when entering and leaving each region.
You’ll be stamped in and out of Malaysia, then stamped again when entering Sabah or Sarawak.
It sounds minor, but it’s important. Without the correct stamps, you could face delays or problems when leaving the country. If you’re flying between destinations like Kuching and Kota Kinabalu, just make sure you factor in extra time for immigration.
We left Malaysia into Singapore by land border, before flying to Kuching a few days later. At the border, we were asked to use the eGates. However, we know of travellers this has caused issues for, so we went to the immigration desk to ask for a stamp. They completely understood when we told them we were travelling to Sarawak and had no problem with physically stamping our passport.
Always make sure you get the physical stamp.
3. Understanding The Currency
Malaysia uses the Malaysian Ringgit, with £1 equivalent to 5.22 MYR, and $1 equivalent to 3.94 MYR as of the time of writing. Having those rough conversions in your head makes things much easier when you’re paying for things, especially when everything still feels unfamiliar.
If you want an easier option, download a currency conversion app like XE to make budgeting even easier. It’s so easy to blow your budget when you have no idea how much things actually cost, so have a rough idea in your head before travelling.
iPhone Hack – On your iPhone, swipe down on the home screen to open the search bar. Type the amount followed by MYR and your phone will instantly show the conversion in your home currency. The best part is it works even without WiFi or mobile data.
4. Cash Is Still King In Malaysian Borneo
Although many hotels and larger restaurants accept cards, cash is still extremely important in Borneo. Many smaller restaurants, local shops, and market stalls only accept cash.
This is especially true outside of major cities.
We always recommend carrying some Malaysian Ringgit with you so you don’t get caught out when somewhere doesn’t accept cards. It’s surprisingly common.
Getting Around Borneo
5. Distances Are Much Larger Than You Expect
One of the biggest surprises in Borneo is how far apart everything is. When you look at the map, destinations don’t appear that far apart. But once you start travelling between them, you realise how big the island really is.
Journeys between major cities can take a long time, especially if you opt to travel by road through rainforest landscapes. It’s something that can easily throw off your itinerary if you haven’t planned for it.
6. Flights Are Often The Best Way To Travel
Thankfully, flights across Borneo are very affordable. In fact, flying is often the quickest and easiest way to travel between destinations, and is exactly what we recommend doing.
Flights between cities like Kuching, Kota Kinabalu, and Sandakan are frequent and surprisingly cheap, with AirAsia being the main operator. It feels like you’re landing again almost as soon as you take off.
Plus, they’re some of the most scenic flights we’ve been on. I couldn’t help but stare out of the window the entirety of our flights, watching the rivers snake across the jungle landscapes. I’ve never seen a landscape quite like it from a plane.
Where To Visit
7. Kuching Is The Best City In Malaysian Borneo
If you only visit one city in Borneo, make sure it’s Kuching. Kuching is charming, brimming with culture, and has a very relaxed kind of vibe.
The riverside area is beautiful, and the city has so much to do. I remember walking along the riverside when two locals stopped us and were really confused as to why we would want to visit Kuching. I couldn’t help thinking “why would we not want to visit Kuching”?!
It’s a wonderful city, proud of its culture and heritage, with incredible food, a great coffee scene, and friendly locals.
In our opinion, other cities in Borneo don’t quite have the same charm.
8. Visit The Islands Off Kota Kinabalu
Just off the coast of Kota Kinabalu are several beautiful islands that are perfect for a day trip.
The water is crystal clear, sparkling a stunning shade of turquoise, and the snorkelling is really good.
The best part is how easy they are to reach. Boats run regularly from the city, making it a simple and affordable way to spend a day enjoying the ocean.
If you’re spending time in Kota Kinabalu, this is something you shouldn’t miss.
9. You Can’t Swim At Most Beaches
This is something many travellers don’t realise before arriving in Borneo.
Swimming isn’t recommended at many beaches and rivers due to the presence of saltwater crocodiles and dangerous jellyfish. These animals can be extremely difficult to spot.
Before entering the water, always check with locals or your accommodation to make sure it’s safe, and take warning signs seriously. When at Bako National Park, we saw multiple people splashing around in the shallows, despite the warning signs. Please don’t risk it, no matter how beautiful the beaches are.
Safety & Travel Advice
10. Always Check Travel Advisories
Travel advisories can change depending on the region you plan to visit.
Currently, the UK and US governments advise against all but essential travel to the east coast of Sabah, including the popular islands around Semporna.
Semporna is a very popular place for diving, and whilst we have heard of a lot of people visiting with zero issues, as long as your government advises against visiting, your travel insurance will be void.
This means if you have an accident, get ill, or your travel plans are affected by adverse events, your travel insurance won’t be there to help, and you will have to pay out of pocket.
Before travelling, always check the latest official travel advice.
11. Get Your Travel Vaccines & Bring Mosquito Repellant
Before travelling to Borneo, if you haven’t already, you may need to get some travel vaccinations. This is to protect you from any harmful diseases that may be present in the area. Exactly what vaccines you need will vary, so book into a travel clinic or go to your GP to discuss it with a professional.
We would also recommend bringing plenty of strong mosquito repellant from home. You will definitely need it. Mosquito repellant containing DEET can be difficult to find in Malaysian Borneo. If you arrive without any, or run out, we recommend using the OFF! Brand mosquito repellant from Guardian. It’s the best we found whilst travelling in Borneo.
The mosquitoes in Malaysia can carry illnesses such as Dengue, and prevention really is key. The best way to protect yourself from disease is to prevent yourself from being bitten in the first place.
Want to understand the risks properly? You can read official guidance about dengue fever here.
Culture In Borneo
12. Borneo Has A Rich Tribal Culture
One of the most fascinating aspects of Borneo is its indigenous culture. Local communities are incredibly proud of their tribal heritage and traditional customs.
One of the best ways to learn about this culture is by visiting cultural villages, such as Sarawak Cultural Village, where you can see traditional longhouses and learn about the history and traditions of the region.
You can also head to the Borneo Cultures Museum in Kuching, the second largest museum in Southeast Asia. They have lots of interactive exhibits and it’s a really great museum.
Wildlife & Nature
13. The Best Wildlife Is Around The Kinabatangan River
If you want to see wildlife in Borneo, the Kinabatangan River is one of the best places on the island.
This area is famous for its incredible biodiversity and is one of the only places in the world where you can see wild orangutans and pygmy elephants in their natural habitat.
You’ll also find countless other animals living along the river, including proboscis monkeys, rhinoceros hornbill, crocodiles, macaques, and other rare wildlife. We were lucky to spot not just one, but four of the very elusive Bornean Firebird. It was incredible.
We booked our tour through Seek Sophie and it was one of the best experiences we’ve ever had.
14. Night Walks Are Incredible
One of the best wildlife experiences in Borneo happens after dark. Night walks and night river cruises allow you to see animals that simply aren’t active during the day.
It honestly feels slightly creepy at first walking through the jungle at night, not quite knowing whats around you. But once you start spotting animals, it quickly becomes one of the most memorable experiences of the trip.
On night walks and hikes, we saw snakes, spiders, scorpions, buffy owls, swiftlets, multiple different types of kingfisher, fireflies, and various other things. And if you don’t like snakes and spiders, don’t let this put you off.
I am terrified of spiders, and Nat is terrified of snakes, but seeing them with a guide was genuinely not that scary. It felt very controlled, almost like seeing them in a zoo. Nat even described the Bornean pit viper as “really cool”, which is strong praise from him when it comes to snakes!
15. Borneo Is Amazing For Hiking
If you enjoy hiking, Borneo has some incredible options. The most famous climb is Mount Kinabalu, which is one of the most iconic hikes in Southeast Asia. It takes two days to complete, and is not for the faint of heart.
If you prefer something a little less intense, Bako National Park has beautiful jungle trails that are perfect for exploring, with various lengths and difficulties to suit almost anyone.
So if you want to get out into nature, there are plenty of options to immerse yourself in the beautiful jungle and mountain landscape.
Climate
16. The Best Time To Visit Borneo Is Outside of Fruiting Season
Wildlife in Borneo is far easier to spot outside of fruiting season. When fruit is abundant in the rainforest, the animals tend to move deeper into the jungle to feed and may be less visible. Even in wildlife sanctuaries such as Semenggoh, the orangutans may not come down to the platforms to feed if food is abundant in the wild.
Therefore, if you’re visiting Borneo for its incredible wildlife, make sure to come outside of fruiting season to increase your chances of sightings.
17. Borneo Has A Tropical Climate
Borneo has a tropical rainforest climate, meaning it’s hot and humid throughout the year. This can make it pretty uncomfortable and sticky. We recommend bringing moisture-wicking clothes, even if you’re not planning on hiking. Trust us when we say you’ll be far more comfortable this way!
Due to the tropical climate, it is highly likely you will experience some rain during your Borneo trip, even if you visit during the dry season. The good news is that, though very heavy, the showers tend not to last long and will often pass within an hour or two.
The showers are also pretty predictable. Normally, you’ll feel the wind pick up and the skies go dark around 30-60 minutes before it actually starts to rain, so you can get to shelter before the heavens open.
18. You Can’t Trust The Weather Apps Or Forecasts
We found out very quickly that weather apps are useless when visiting Borneo. Half the time, it’ll tell you there’s 80% chance of rain every single day, only for it to not actually rain at all. On the flip side, we’ve had weather apps tell us it’s currently sunny, but it’s been pouring down with rain.
Plus, the apps seem to change their minds every few hours. So really, they’re useless.
In Borneo, you have to use the old-fashioned method of looking out your window in the morning and hoping for the best.
Budget
19. Borneo Is More Affordable Than You’d Expect
Borneo sometimes has a reputation for being expensive to travel. However, in our experience, that couldn’t be further from the truth. We were shocked at how affordable everything was in Borneo. Compared to Kuala Lumpur and Penang, food, transport and accommodation were all incredibly affordable.
Our accommodation cost us just £16 per night. A good meal was around £2. Entry fee for Semenggoh Wildlife Centre, where you can see semi-wild orangutans, is less than £2. Flights from Kuching to Kota Kinabalu can be as little as £25.
We were blown away.
The reason Borneo can feel so expensive to some travellers is the tours. If you book a lot of wildlife watching or hiking tours, the prices can quickly add up. Similarly, if you travel Borneo completely by tour, as a lot of people do, it can then be expensive.
Our advice, if you’re on a budget, is to follow our Borneo itinerary, book everything yourself not on an organised tour, and limit the number of day tours to just the bucket list essentials. Our Borneo itinerary only includes the tours we genuinely think are worth it, and that we have done ourselves.
Wrap Up
Borneo is one of the most incredible destinations in Southeast Asia. From dense rainforest and incredible wildlife to vibrant culture and friendly locals, it offers a travel experience that feels completely different from anywhere else.
If you’re planning a trip, these are the things you need to know before visiting Borneo. Understanding these before you leave will help you avoid common mistakes and make the most of your time on the island.
And if you’re anything like us, you might find yourself planning your next trip back before you’ve even left.
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