Borneo on a budget: Where to go and what to see

Borneo is in the tropics so you can expect it to be hot and humid year round. In fact, the average humidity is a steady 80%, so be prepared to get your sweat on. In some areas though, Borneo is quite mountainous and the higher altitudes provide some cool relief.

Down at sea level, you can expect the temperatures to range between 80F – 90F (27 and 32°C) all year long. Rainfall varies throughout the different months and can be sporadic. It generally rains the most between November and March, but even during these months it can be unpredictable – you can visit Borneo during this time and still have a string of bright and sunny days.

Many people come to Borneo to experience the unique wildlife and some of the best times for this are between June and August. This is when it’s the fruiting season, meaning many of the primates, namely orangutans, come down for the tops of the trees to feast on the fruit.

Borneo is located in the rugged north of Malaysia and you could really spend a good month travelling around Borneo. However, if you are a bit short on time then I’ve outlined the best parts and must see places to go to.

Kuching

Kuching is one of the main cities in Borneo and a good starting point for your trip. It is a modern city and there’s a lively nightlife with a beautiful riverside walk that is spectacular at sunset.

The museums in the town and activities nearby, such as the Sarawak Cultural Village and the orangutan center, should keep you occupied for a few days at least. Bako National Park is also a brilliant place to spot wildlife and is only about an hour from Kuching.

Sandakan

Located in the north-east of Borneo, in the state of Sabah, Sandakan is a historical place that holds a lot of significance for World War II.

Learn about the region’s brutal history by visiting the site of Japanese prisoner of war camps, housed in a beautiful forest. The Sandakan Memorial Park is the site of ‘death marches’ in which more than 2,000 prisoners died walking from Sandakan to Ranau. Just six Australians survived their horrific imprisonment in the area: and only because they escaped.

Another historical place to visit is the Japanese cemetery where many prostitutes from the war are buried. A prominent madam founded by the cemetery, which also hosts a monument dedicated to fallen Japanese soldiers.

Sandakan is a good jumping off point for exploring the rest of the Sabah region. From here, you can travel about four hours to reach the Kinabatangan River. This is a great place to see amazing amounts of wildlife in Borneo.

Kota Kinabalu

If it’s beach time you’re after, Kota Kinabalu is a great place to visit. From the city, it’s a short 20-minute drive to four islands, where you can spend a day or two island hopping and getting some sunshine.

Kota Kinabalu is also a couple of hours from Mt Kinabalu, which is a beautiful place to hike. Even if you’re not up for climbing the mountain itself, the National Park (which is UNESCO listed) features dozens of hiking trails that make for great day hikes.

Borneo is relatively inexpensive to travel around in. Whether hiring a car, catching a bus, or getting on the plane, you can normally find reasonably priced fares.

Public transport

Most of the National Parks in Borneo – even the ones located a couple of hours from the city – are frequented by public buses. Though these are the cheapest options for getting around, be prepared to be patient, as they don’t all run on a schedule. In fact, some of the buses only leave once they are full, meaning you could be waiting for an hour or more.

Most of the time, these buses will be the most frequent at the beginning of the mornings and then towards the end of the afternoons, as this is when most people travel to and from their destinations. If you’re flexible, public transport is certainly the way to go, as a two-hour trip can cost you as little as US$5.

Hiring a car

Car hire is very affordable in Borneo and you can expect to pay as little as US$30 a day for a basic model, including insurance. Most companies will ask for a deposit, which is normally done as a hold on your credit card, but this usually won’t be more than US$200.

The roads in Borneo are well looked after and easy to drive. There also isn’t much congestion, especially away from the larger cities. In rural areas, the rain can sometimes wreak havoc a little, causing flooding and landslides, but if you’re not travelling during a rainy period you shouldn’t have to worry.

It is generally easier to rent a car from the cities you are visiting, and then fly in between the cities. You sometimes need to prove you own the car if you cross in between the states of Borneo, and this can cause a headache. It will also cost you quite a bit more if you pick up the car from one city and drop it off in another.

It can be handy to have an international driver’s license, however we just showed our own country’s license for one rental, and for another rental they didn’t request to see a driver’s license at all!

Flights within Borneo

Most major flights in to Borneo come through the Kuala Lumpur hub of Malaysia. Because Air Asia is a Malaysian airline, it services a lot of the Borneo region and you can get really great deals if you book in advance. In fact, some tickets sell for as little as US$30 a flight, making it the cheapest and easiest option for travelling long distance.

The accommodation in Borneo is varied and you’re bound to find something to suit your budget. If you have the time to do your research, you can find very nice digs for as little as US$20 a night. Unlike its neighbor Brunei, there are budget options in Borneo.

Longhouses

A longhouse is the name used for traditional Borneo housing. Built from wood, the houses are joined to one another with wooden planks in a structure raised off the ground. This is to keep the housing dry from the heavy rains the region receives.

Go out to the countryside and indeed deep into the jungles of Borneo, and you will find many locals still living in this traditional housing.

Over the years, longhouses have become more popular with tourists, as they opt to find somewhere authentic to stay.

Longhouse accommodation can range vastly from air-conditioned rooms with regular queen sized beds, to long rooms with mats on the floor and people sleeping side-by-side. Of course, the price will be reflected accordingly.

In general, the longhouses closer to the cities are more modern, featuring TVs and electricity, and the experience may be less authentic, if more comfortable. The more authentic experiences can give you a unique insight into the traditional way of life and you could even have the opportunity to learn hunting techniques, like shooting a blow gun, and get a class in traditional dancing.

Longhouse stays are best arranged in advance, through agencies like the Sarawak Tourism Board, as normally the stays are organized through a registered guide.

Luxury hotels for less

When we were in Borneo, this is the accommodation we opted for. Significantly cheaper than hotel stays in the west, you can stay in comfortable, four-star accommodation for as little as US$60 a night. For US$80 a night we had a huge apartment with two bedrooms, a lounge area and kitchen, in a good part of Kota Kinabalu town.

We stayed at Citadines Uplands Kuching in Kuching and Borneo Vista Suites Hotel in Kota Kinabalu. Services like booking.com are a great way to find these kinds of deals.

Hostels

In the larger cities, such as Kota Kinabalu and Kuching, there is certainly hostel accommodation to be found, although not in the quantities you’ll get in other South-East Asian countries. Still, budget accommodation is certainly available.

In Kota Kinabalu, some of the highly recommended hostel include Masada Backpackers and H2 Backpackers.

In Kuching, check out Lodge 121 and DIY Dorm.

You can expect to pay about US$7 a night for a dorm room, and US$18 a night for a private room with air conditioning.

Bed and breakfasts, homestays and guesthouses

A bit more expensive than hostels but coming with more privacy, homestays are another good option if you’re on a budget. In some places, homestay owners will come to bus stations to meet tourists off the bus, encouraging them to come and stay at their homestay. If this happens to you, use the opportunity as a chance to bargain. However, if the thought of this frightens you, it is easy enough to book a homestay online in advance.

Most of the homestays are small operations run by families, including breakfast in the price or for a small fee. It’s another way to get an insight into local life, although a more modern local life compared to those living in longhouses.

Guesthouse prices vary widely, from US$7 a person to US$50 a night.

Food in Borneo is distinctly Malaysian although it is easy to find budget eats from many different regions in Asia.

Our favorite places to eat were inside the hawker’s markets and food courts. It’s very simple to find delicious budget food in these locations.

One of our absolute favorite cheap places to dine was Top Spot in Kuching, which is a seafood hall housed on the top of a multi-story parking lot. Here you can eat like kings, feasting on all different types of seafood – from fresh crayfish to prawns – for a smidgen of the price you would pay at home. Simply pick out what seafood you’d like and then they will weigh it, quote you a price and then cook it up for you fresh.

In Kota Kinabalu, the Filipino night market has some seriously cheap eats, ranging from more seafood, to rice and noodle dishes, to chicken skewers. There are also a range of traditional desserts and cakes to be found. You can feel full after paying just US$5 per person here and eating a range of foods. Don’t be afraid to bargain on the seafood if the prices aren’t clearly marked.

In all the major shopping centers (and there are plenty around the cities of Borneo) you can find food courts. These food courts are really worth visiting, as you can often sample an array of Malaysian and Asian food in the one space. Borneo food tends to be a mix of Malay, Chinese and Indian, and you can find a great combination of these flavors inside these food courts.

Because of the influences on the cuisine, you shouldn’t have to look far to find a delicious curry or tasty dim sum in Borneo.

If you’re after adventure and cultural activities, then Borneo really is a must visit South-East Asian destination. Although a relatively small region, its beautiful beaches, high mountains and lush jungle make for a diverse eco landscape that begs to be explored.

The native people also have a fascinating culture and many of them still live in villages, practicing their traditional customs and traditions just like they were decades ago.

Cultural activities

Sarawak Cultural Village

The Sarawak Cultural Village is located about an hour’s drive from Kuching, and there is a shuttle bus leaving to and from the Grand Margherita Hotel in the center of the city to take you there. The bus costs about US$3 one-way.

You can easily spend a half-day exploring the centre, which shows the different tribal people living in the Sarawak area. Each longhouse represents a different tribe, and those working there are happy to show off their traditions, such as dancing, music playing and handicrafts, as you walk around.

Make sure you catch one of the two shows, which are on at 11.30am and 4pm daily. The 45-minute performance features blow gun practice, dancing and a variety of music from the different regions.

Entrance to the village costs about US$17, which is certainly on the pricier end as far as cultural experiences go, but we felt it was worth it.

Mari Mari Cultural Village

The Mari Mari Cultural Village is the Kota Kinabalu equivalent cultural experience, and is also located about an hour outside of the city.

The difference between this cultural center and the Sarawak one is that you get a guided tour around the village, meaning you can learn more about the cultures.

During the two-hour tour, you will learn about the housing, history, traditional dancing and hunting of the tribes.

It’s a little more expensive to visit – about US$22 per person – although it does include lunch or dinner depending on what time of day you book your tour. If you want to get a lift to and from your hotel, the company will pick you up and drop you back for about US$42 per person. In this scenario it might be cheaper and easier to hire a car and get yourself there.

North Borneo Railway steam train ride

This is certainly not a budget activity, but it does look like a fun experience harking back to Borneo’s colonial times.

The North Borneo Railway ride leaves from the train station in Kota Kinabalu and takes you through the lush countryside, where you can enjoy a Tiffin style breakfast and lunch on board.

At US$78 a ticket though, this activity certainly isn’t cheap.

Adventures with animals

Semenggoh Wildlife Centre

We were very impressed when we visited the Semenggoh Wildlife Centre outside of Kuching, as it’s professionally run and the animals appeared to be treated well. This is not a zoo, so sightings of the orangutans aren’t guaranteed, but because it was fruiting season we were lucky enough to see six. It only costs US$3 to get in, and the feeding times are at 9am and 3pm, so make sure you’re around at least one of those times for your best chance to view the apes.

Proboscis monkey and firefly tour

This can be a rather exhausting tour, as it is a two-hour journey from Kota Kinabalu, one-way. However, the tour does give you a chance to see proboscis monkeys in the wild, from a boat cruising along the river. After this, you go back to land to eat a buffet dinner, before being taken out on the river again to watch the sun set and admire the fireflies that come out. Tour prices vary, so hunt around. However, you should be able to find tour tickets for as little as US$50 for the eight-hour tour.

Tabin Wildlife Reserve

This reserve gives you the opportunity to walk along nature trails, see animals in the wild and do some dedicated bird watching. Located on the eastern side of the Sabah region, the reserve is a little off the beaten track but you can stay there if you want to make the trip worthwhile and un-rushed. Staying the night also enables you to go on night walks, giving you the chance to see nocturnal animals too.

Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary

If we’d had more time, we certainly would have visited the Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary. Located along the Kinabatangan River, there is a variety of accommodation in the area, many of which include tours out on boats to explore the local wildlife. You can see bears, leopards, orangutans, macaques, and many birds. In fact, it is probably one of the best regions in Borneo for wildlife spotting, and we’d recommend spending a few days here.

Adventure activities

Bako National Park

If the thought of a long tour in the hope of spotting a few proboscis monkeys turns you off, head to Bako National Park instead. Here we saw the monkeys up close and also saw other animals like wild boars and macaque monkeys. To get here it’s about a 45-minute drive from Kuching (although you can also get a public bus from the center of town) and then a 15-minute boat ride. It costs about US$10 per person for the return boat ride and then a further US$5 per person to enter the park. Our only regret is that we didn’t stay the night, as there were many trails to explore and we would’ve liked to spend more time hiking.

Island hopping around Kota Kinabalu

There are four islands off the coast of Kota Kinabalu that are easily accessible by a 15-minute boat ride. If you want a budget day out island hopping, simply head to the Jesselton Point Ferry Terminal where you can pay just US$10 to visit two of the islands, excluding a conservation fee of about US$2. You can also hire snorkeling gear for a steal. Many of the islands also have hiking trails, so if you get bored of lying on the beach you can get active too.

Mt Kinabalu National Park

An ultimate Borneo adventure experience is to hike up Mt Kinabalu, the highest mountain in South-East Asia. The journey takes two days and is undertaken with a guide. The great part is that you don’t have to camp along the way, as they have lodging up the side of the mountain which, although rustic, is better than weathering the outdoor conditions. You can expect to pay about US$75 for the two-day tour, and remember to bring warm clothing, as it can get cold up on the mountain.

If the thought of hiking the whole mountain exhausts you, you can also hike the many trails within the national park. We hiked three over the space of the day when we visited, and they weren’t too tough. There is also lodging – although none of it is budget – within the park, if you’d like to stay a couple of days.

The park takes about two hours to get to from Kota Kinabalu, and there is a public bus that services the area from the town.

Danum Valley Conservation Area

Located in Sabah, Danum Valley is an ancient tropical forest and a place worth exploring. Naturalists will love its extensive trail systems and the chance to see animals in the wild, such as pygmy elephants, clouded leopards and sun bears.

Because of the diverse flora and fauna of the area, a lot of research is undertaken on the biodiversity of Danum Valley.

You won’t get bored in Borneo

If you like the outdoors and nature, there’s no way you will get bored exploring Borneo. There are so many adventure and cultural activities on offer that it’s easy to spend two weeks exploring the region and still feel as though you didn’t have time to see everything. True, it is a little more expensive than some other parts of South-East Asia, but we feel it’s a price that’s worth while paying.

Have you been to Borneo? What was your favorite part about the experience?

Carmen is one half of the couple behind Double-Barrelled Travel, a travel blog focused on vlogging. Carmen married Dave three years ago and they quit their journalism careers in mid-2013 for a life on the road.