Brunei sits on the island of Borneo and is known for being one of the richest nations in the world. Thanks to a natural abundance of oil, Brunei is now covered with vast palaces and gold domed mosques, and despite its affluence is often missed off the traveler list of those taking a tour of Southeast Asia. This is a great shame as Brunei has much to offer travelers who make the effort to visit, and you will find national parks, long swathes of sandy beaches, gorgeous architecture and engaging museums. The capital city is Bandar Seri Begawan and this is where you will find attractions like the stunning Sultan’s Palace. Venture a little further afield however and you will be amazed at the huge sections of virgin rainforest in areas like Tutong and Kuala Belait.
Bukit Shahbandar is a nature reserve set in the hills of Jerudong and offers you the chance to go trekking regardless of your fitness levels and ability. The longest trails only take about 2 hours to ascend although they are steep so make sure to plan accordingly. If you want something a little more relaxing then there is a park and jogging trail here that is not so hilly.
Travel time:
20 minutes by road
Clothing: Hiking boots or sensible shoes are a must if you plan on hiking.
Distance from Bandar Seri Begawan: 24.3 km
Diving at Blue Water Wreck:
Many people won’t realize that Brunei has some of the best diving in the world, but unfortunately few people get to experience it firsthand. There are several dive companies here such as Oceanic Quest based in the coastal area of Muara who will take you out to sites like Blue Water Wreck, an intact trawler set amongst pristine waters. Other popular dive sites include Cement Wreck which is the location of a Japanese freighter and Rig Reef which is an old oil rig.
Travel time:
29 minutes by road
Clothing: Swim wear is a must.
Distance from Bandar Seri Begawan: 58.9 km
Ulu Temburong National Park:
Ulu Temburong National park is part of the wider Batu Apoi Forest Reserve and you can only get here by using a traditional long boat which only adds to the experience. One of the signature attractions in the park is the Canopy Walkway which rises to 50 meters above the forest canopy and lets you get an aerial view of the rainforest.
Travel time:
1 hour by road
Clothing: You can expect there to be many insects in the park and long sleeved clothing is recommended as well as plenty of insect repellent.
Distance from city center: 7.6 km
Brunei Museum:
Brunei Museum is small but it’s a great place to learn all about this amazing country. You will find collections of beautiful Islamic art here such as ornate versions of the Koran and glittering jewelry. There are also ceremonial cannons that show the might of the Brunei military and a gallery dedicated to the life of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah.
Best mode of transport: Taxi
Duration of travel: 14 minutes
Bring a camera to take photographs
Distance from city center: 29 km
Kampong Ayer:
Kampong Ayer means Water Village and you will find wooden houses on stilts that are the homes of hundreds of Brunei residents. As well as homes, you will be able to see mosques, schools, and shops all perched above the water and you can go for a tour of the village by hiring a traditional wooden water taxi and cruising around.
Best mode of transport: Taxi and water taxi.
Duration of travel: 33 minutes
Bring a camera to take photographs
Distance from city center: 2.9 km
Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque:
Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque is one of the most elaborate and beautiful in the world and as such it is a must-see attraction if you are visiting Brunei. The building is designed with Muslim aesthetics in mind and is covered in Islamic imagery and decorations. Non-Muslims can visit as long as they dress modestly.
Best mode of transport: Taxi
Duration of travel: 10 minutes
Dress in long sleeved attire.
Berakas Beach:
Berakas Beach is one of the more developed beaches in Brunei but this means that it is also one of the most user friendly. You will find shower areas here as well as barbecue pits and there is also a kind of beach walk along the coastline that is a great place to check out some of the ocean views.
Meragang Beach:
Meragang Beach is more commonly known as Crocodile Beach although don’t let the name scare you off. The reason for this is thanks to some rocks here that look like submerged crocs, not because you are likely to see any real ones in person. This is one of the less developed beaches in Brunei and it is great place to enjoy the tropical sand and sea and go for a swim.
Muara Beach:
If you travel to Muara Beach you can expect a vast expanse of sand with very little else which makes for a relaxing and enjoyable beach experience. The water here is warm and inviting and you will find clean sands that are the perfect spot to watch the sunset.
Kompleks Bangunan Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah may have a long name but it is also one of the best places to go shopping in Brunei. This is a huge mall that has a mix of small boutiques selling local products mixed with large international branded stores. The complex sprawls over four hectares and you will also find eateries and cafes all over the building.
Pasar Gadong is located close to Gadong Mall and is an essential shopping experience in Brunei. This country is famous for its night markets that set up after dark and you can get a range of street food here like barbecued chicken wings as well as local products and handicrafts.
The Mall at Gadong is one of the biggest malls in Brunei and has over 150 shops in it including local and international brands. You will also find restaurants and fast food outlets here such as McDonald’s. It is not the cheapest place to shop in all of Brunei but if you are looking for a comprehensive range of shops under one roof then this is a good pick.
Ambuyat:
Ambuyat is a traditional dish from Brunei that is a kind of porridge similar to congee that is made from sago. On its own it is not very flavorsome and so it is usually mixed with a dipping sauce which can be either sweet or savory depending on your tastes. It is a common side dish and can be eaten at any time of day.
Nasi Katok:
Nasi Katok is the Brunei version of Nasi Campur or mixed rice which is common in neighboring Malaysia and Indonesia. It consists of rice served with an accompaniment of meats, curries, and vegetable dishes. This is one of the cornerstones of the local diet and is a great way to try traditional food cheaply.
Roti:
Roti is commonly eaten all across Brunei although it is actually an Indian creation. Roti is a bread that is thrown in the air repeatedly to aerate the dough and it comes with a curry dipping sauce on the side. It is more of a snack than a main meal.
Noralizah and Iskandar House of Curry is a local restaurant that serves authentic Brunei bites. Some of these include porridge called bubur as well as nasi lemak which is a rice dish cooked in coconut milk and served with dried anchovies and nuts. You can also get delicious roti here as well as a range of toothsome curries.
List of nationalities who have permission for Visa free entries:
ASome foreign passport holders can enter Brunei visa free but will need to have a passport that is valid for at least 6 months.
For up to 90 days:
All European Union states,
Iceland,
Liechtenstein,
Norway,
Switzerland and
the United States.
For up to 30 days:
Malaysia,
New Zealand,
Oman,
Singapore,
South Korea,
Ukraine and
the United Arab Emirates.
For up to 14 days:
Cambodia,
Canada,
Indonesia,
Japan,
Laos,
Macau,
Maldives,
Myanmar,
Peru,
Philippines,
Thailand,
Hong Kong, and
Vietnam.
List of nationalities who can have Visa on arrival:
Nationals of Australia,
Bahrain,
Kuwait,
China,
Qatar,
Taiwan,
and Saudi Arabia.
Any nationalities who are not eligible to travel to that country or can travel under certain conditions:
Israeli passport holders may not enter Brunei.
Drugs use is illegal in Brunei and the penalties for possession, use, or trafficking can include the death penalty.
Prostitution is illegal in Brunei.
Alcohol is prohibited in Brunei although non-Muslims can import alcohol across the border provided they apply for an alcohol license.
Brunei is an extremely safe country to visit and violent crime, particularly against foreigners is very rare.
Homosexuality is illegal in Brunei and the penalties can be severe.
There are no specific vaccinations recommended for Brunei.
Brunei is known as the Nation of Brunei, Abode of Peace, and has a long history as a sovereign nation in Southeast Asia. Brunei is headed by the Royal Family who has ruled for over 600 years and has a Sultan who presides over the country. It is spread over two main areas and is almost bisected at one point by neighboring Malaysia. The language of Brunei is Malay although as this used to be a former British colony you will
find that many people also speak English. Almost 70% of the population are Muslim and this is one of the most conservative countries in the region as a result.
