Is Borneo safe to travel 2019?
Robert Guerrero
Updated on March 03, 2026
At the time of writing, the Foreign Office travel advice for Borneo is to avoid all but essential travel to the islands off the coast of eastern Sabah, Malaysian Borneo. We would argue that northern islands such as Lankayan are entirely safe to visit.
Besides, is it safe to travel to Borneo?
SAFETY. Borneo in general is a safe destination with relatively low crime rates.
Secondly, is Borneo expensive to visit? Borneo is one of the more expensive places to visit in South East Asia. But that's not to say a holiday there still can't be done on a budget. You can certainly do most things even by spending just US$40 a day, especially if you map out your adventures before you get there.
Simply so, what is the best month to visit Borneo?
The Best Time to Visit: between the months of March and October is considered the dry season and so the best time to visit Borneo. It will be hot and humid throughout, with temperatures rising towards the end of the season before the rains come.
Is it safe to travel to Sabah?
Despite the incidences that took place in the past few years, rest assured that it is safe to travel to Sabah. ESSCOM has verified the security in the east coast of Sabah are intact and under control with no subsequent cases of kidnapping, but travellers should still be cautious of their surroundings when visiting.
Related Question Answers
Do I need injections for Borneo?
Vaccinations for Borneo. For most short-term travellers the usual recommended vaccinations for Borneo include cover against the childhood diseases (Tetanus and Diphtheria, Measles, Mumps and Rubella), as well as cover against the food and water borne diseases of Typhoid and Hepatitis A.Is Kota Kinabalu expensive?
The cheapest I encountered was in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah's largest city, where the cost for a dorm was $8/night. The most expensive ran more like $20/night at the tip of Borneo. A stay on one of the islands off of Semporna in the south will run more like $25/night for a dorm.What injections do I need for Borneo?
For most short-term travellers the usual recommended vaccinations for Borneo include cover against the childhood diseases (Tetanus and Diphtheria, Measles, Mumps and Rubella), as well as cover against the food and water borne diseases of Typhoid and Hepatitis A.Do I need a visa to go to Borneo?
Visa Requirements British and Australian passport holders do not require a visa for stays of up to three months. Nationals from the U.S.A do not require a visa. All other nationalities please check with your nearest Malaysian/Borneo Embassy or Consulate, or refer to the information provided on Project Visa.Which airlines fly to Borneo?
There are numerous daily flights between Kuala Lumpur and Borneo. The three most popular airlines with regular flights under US $50 are AirAsia, Malaysia Airlines, and Malindo Air. Air Asia operates out of its new hub in Asia, the KLIA2 Terminal.Do you need vaccinations to go to Borneo?
Vaccinations for Borneo. For most short-term travellers the usual recommended vaccinations for Borneo include cover against the childhood diseases (Tetanus and Diphtheria, Measles, Mumps and Rubella), as well as cover against the food and water borne diseases of Typhoid and Hepatitis A.Are there dangerous animals in Borneo?
The vast majority are totally harmless. The island is home to 24 venomous snakes, 19 of which are aquatic. The most venomous is the yellow-lipped sea krait, and they live off eels and small fish. Snakes are usually pretty shy, and will high-tail it out of there if they hear heavy human footsteps approaching.What is the best time of year to visit Borneo?
when to go by season. The Best Time to Visit: between the months of March and October is considered the dry season and so the best time to visit Borneo. It will be hot and humid throughout, with temperatures rising towards the end of the season before the rains come.How many days do you need in Borneo?
My Ultimate Itinerary For Visiting Borneo If you're organising your trip before you go then you can probably fit in the highlights in about 7 to 10 days.How much does it cost to fly to Borneo?
Cheap flights to Borneo| Popular in | June | High demand for flights, 12% potential price rise |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest in | September | Best time to find cheap flights, 4% potential price drop |
| Average price | $952 | Average for round-trip flights in March 2020 |
| Round-trip from | $727 | From New York to Kota Kinabalu |
Are there poisonous snakes in Borneo?
In Borneo there are around 160 different species of snakes, divided into 9 families. Most of our everyday snakes are harmless. Of the 160 different species, only 24 are front-fanged and highly poisonous, of which 17 are Sea Snakes and 2 Coral Snakes from the Hydrophiidae family.Can you fly direct to Borneo?
Travelling by plane to Borneo There are quite a few options when it comes to this and the most direct routes are via Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia Airlines), Singapore (Singapore Airlines) or Hong Kong (Cathay Pacific). If you're starting in Sandakan you can take an Air Asia flight from Kuala Lumpur.Can you wear shorts in Borneo?
Shorts are fine for trekking clothes, and most locals wear shorts but trousers do give you more protection from spiky branches, insects, and leeches. However, you can also wear trekking sandals like Tevas or lightweight trekking shoes with a pair of light socks.What is the currency in Borneo?
Money. The currencies of Borneo are the Indonesian rupiah, the Malaysian ringgit and the Brunei dollar in each of their respective countries. Need to convert your Aussie dollars to rupiah, ringgit or Brunei dollars?What is the climate in Borneo?
The Sabah region of Borneo has an equatorial climate and is generally warm and humid year round. Temperatures rarely rise above 90°F (32°C) except on exceptionally hot days, and along the coastal areas rarely drop below 68°F (20°C) at night.How do you fly to Borneo?
There are a number of major airports in Borneo, including Kota Kinabalu International Airport (Sabah) and Kuching International Airport (Sarawak) in Malaysian Borneo; Brunei International Airport in Brunei; and Sultan Aji Muhammad Sulaiman Airport (Balikpapan) and Syamsudin Noor Airport (Banjarmasin) in IndonesianWhat is the temperature in Borneo today?
Upcoming 5 hours| Now | 3:00 am | 7:00 am |
|---|---|---|
| 81 °F | 76 °F | 76 °F |
Can you use US dollars in Borneo?
The Malaysian Ringgit (RM) is the official currency. It's a good idea to arrive in Borneo with US dollars which you can exchange locally. You can also order Ringgit from your bank before you travel. Note that torn and old US dollar notes are not generally accepted in Borneo.What is the best time to go to Borneo?
when to go by season. The Best Time to Visit: between the months of March and October is considered the dry season and so the best time to visit Borneo. It will be hot and humid throughout, with temperatures rising towards the end of the season before the rains come.How much do things cost in Borneo?
Food & Drink Costs in Borneo We found food and drink very cheap in Sandakan, fairly cheap in Brunei and mid range (for Malaysia) in Kota Kinabalu. I'd say that an average meal with drinks for two people at a regular low to mid range restaurant costs around 60MYT / 10GBP on average.What airport do you fly into for Borneo?
Kota Kinabalu International AirportHow long is the flight to Borneo from UK?
The total flight duration from London, United Kingdom to Borneo is 14 hours, 52 minutes.Where can I see orangutans in Borneo?
Seeing an orangutan in its natural habitat is one of best wildlife experiences you can have in Borneo.In our opinion the five best places to see orangutans in the wild are:
- Kinabatangan River, Sabah.
- Danum Valley, Sabah.
- Deramakot Forest Reserve, Sabah.
- Tabin Wildlife Reserve, Sabah.
- Batang Ai National Park, Sarawak.
