wiki travel kota kinabalu

Kota Kinabalu

• 1.1 Visitor information
• 3.1.1 Airport to city center
• 3.3.1 North and East
• 3.3.2 South
• 3.3.3 From south-west interior
• 3.4 By ferry
• 3.5 By train
• 4.1 By foot
• 4.2 By taxi
• 4.3 By bus and minibus
• 4.5 By boat
• 5.1 Central part
• 5.2.1 Sembulan & Karamunsing areas
• 5.2.2 Tanjung Aru
• 5.4 Further afield
• 6.1.1 Dive destinations
• 6.1.2 Dive operators
• 6.2 Deep sea fishing
• 6.3 White water rafting
• 6.4 Wetland river cruise
• 6.5 Sailing and yachting
• 6.7 Festival and events
• 8.2 Mid-range
• 8.3 Splurge
• 8.4 Seafood
• 10.1 Budget
• 10.2 Mid-range
• 10.3 Splurge
• 11 Stay safe
• 12.1 Consulates

The capital of Sabah on the island of Borneo , this Malaysian city is a growing resort destination due to its proximity to tropical islands, sandy beaches, lush rainforest and Mount Kinabalu . Constantly referred to as KK , it is on the west coast of Sabah within the West Coast Division. KK is one of the smallest districts in Sabah but has the largest population and is the largest city in the state.

KK lies by the coast overlooking the South China Sea on a narrow flatland and occasional hills bordered by the Crocker Range which hosts Mount Kinabalu. Hence the urban sprawl is concentrated along the coast towards the north and south of the city.

Kota Kinabalu is a growing city of around 500,000 inhabitants. Economic growth has resulted in urbanisation of the city reaching adjacent districts of Penampang and Putatan with a total population of almost 800,000. Its growth and importance is due to being the administrative capital, a major transportation hub, growing port, manufacturing hub, growing tourism and because it is the major gateway into Sabah and East Malaysia. Kota Kinabalu was granted city status in 2000, becoming the sixth city. It is the sixth largest urban/metropolitan area in Malaysia.

Kota Kinabalu was known as Jesselton while under British colonial rule from the late 1800s until 1963 when the British left and after Sabah became part of Malaysia . Most of the town was destroyed due to bombings during World War II hence there are not many pre-war historical sites around the city. Before the British arrived, the area was also known by a number of other names such as Deasoka (below the coconut tree), Singgah Mata (pleasing to the eye), Api-Api (fire!) and Gaya Bay .

The people of Kota Kinabalu are Chinese, Kadazandusun, Bajau, Brunei Malays, and there is significant migrant population from Indonesia and Philippines , many of whom are naturalised citizens. There are also many migrant/expat population from India and a growing number from Korea .

Central Kota Kinabalu is often referred to as Kota Kinabalu City Centre or the Central Business district (CBD) or simply Downtown KK and is on the narrow coast overlooking Gaya Island. This is where most hotels, travel agents, transportation bases and most of the action are found. Most of the city centre lies on reclaimed land due to a shortage of land in the area, as it is blocked in by Bukit Bendera (Signal Hill).

District areas which lie within the city centre include Sadong Jaya, Api-Api, Asia City, Bandaran Berjaya, Sinsuran, Kampung Air, Segama, Pantai Street, Gaya Street, Jesselton Point. Just outside the City centre are the Districts towards the South and East are Karamunsing, Sembulan, Tanjung Aru and Sutera Harbour, Kepayan, Penampang, Putatan, Donggongon.

Due to lack of land in the city centre, other important commercial areas have sprouted outside CBD. Some of these areas have been long in existence as small townships (pekan) such as Luyang, Inanam and Menggatal and in adjacent districts of Penampang (Donggongon) and Putatan, and residential-commercial areas such as Alam Mesra, Kingfisher and 1Borneo near Menggatal; Lintas, Penampang Baru and Bundusan.

The climate in KK is characterised by uniform year-round temperature of 32°C (avg. high) and 22°C (avg. low). Rain falls quite often with occasional dry periods. Low rainfall begins in January till April, increasing in May till August, intensifying in September till November and slows down in December. The weather in KK and the immediate area can vary throughout the day/night bringing rainfall for short periods to heavy evening rain. The position of KK is protected by the shape of the coast and harbour and from behind by the Crocker Range of nearby hills. Occasionally the weather rolls in directly from the sea over the city, but mostly the heavy weather blows around and past KK providing some beautiful skies and cloud formations making for stunning sunsets. Away from the on shore breeze travelling further in land by as little as 16 km it can be extremely humid, and rain at this point is very welcome. The weather is a major factor in road/driving accidents and care should be taken, with mobile devices and the internet you can now get weather updates to the spot you are visiting hour by hour.

Visitor information

• 5.985383 116.078167 1 Tourist Information ( Sabah Tourism Board ), Jalan Gaya . Housed in the former Post Office, one of only two structures (with Atkinson Tower) to have survived the devastation of World War II. ( updated Feb 2019 )

Like most other Malaysian cities, Kota Kinabalu is a melting pot of various cultures. Malay is the lingua franca , albeit with a distinctive Sabahan dialect, and better-educated locals are usually able to speak English as well. The ethnic Chinese, who form about half of the city's population, mainly speak Hakka , though many are also able to speak Cantonese and Mandarin .

Some residents also speak the languages of native Sabahan ethnic groups, the most common ones being Kadazan and Bajau. These languages are not commonly used in daily conversation outside of rural communities.

There has been since the 1970s a large influx of Filipinos. Most of these people speak their own languages and Malay, but little English so you may have to resort to sign language to buy what you want.

The other language spoken often is "Bazzar Melayu" due to the mixture of cultures and tribal/village background and the introduction of English. When buying something in the market the language can easily be five words all from a different language.

There are direct international flights from these destinations to Kota Kinabalu: Bandar Seri Begawan , Brunei ( Royal Brunei Airlines ), Hong Kong ( Air Asia ), Manila , Philippines ( Cebu Pacific & Philippines AirAsia), Seoul Incheon & Busan South Korea (Air Busan, Air Seoul, Jeju Air & Jin Air), Singapore ( AirAsia , Malaysia Airlines & Scoot), Taipei , Taiwan (Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia),

Domestic fights from the following cities: Johor Bahru , Kota Bharu , Kuala Lumpur , Kuching , Kudat , Labuan , Lahad Datu , Lawas , Limbang , Miri , Mulu , Penang, Sandakan , Sibu , Tawau . Operated by MASWings , Malaysia Airlines and AirAsia .

Airport to city center

• Coach Bus . Leaves approximately every hour and has 4 stops within KK including the city park stop. Departs from the airport from 8AM - 7PM. Buy tickets inside the arrival area. No longer operates as of 2024. RM5 . ( updated Nov 2017 )
• Minibus/City bus . The city buses in KK are minibuses that operate similarly to route taxis or jeepneys. They are available along the main road away from the airport. RM1-3 . ( updated Jul 2018 )
• Taxi . These are hired by buying a ticket from the window on the Arrivals level , then presenting the ticket to the driver (they are waiting outside on the right). RM30 . ( updated Dec 2018 )
• Grab . The South-East Asian version of Uber (which merged with Grab in Malaysia). Expect to pay RM10-15. Pay in cash / GrabPay (e-wallet)
• On foot . Walking into town from the airport is possible if you like walking, have 1-2 hr to spare and can cope with the humidity and heat. Pick up a city map in the airport terminal, and you won't have any problem finding your way. ( updated Jun 2018 )

All main roads in Sabah radiate out from Kota Kinabalu; they have to for geographical reasons.

The main road to the Sarawak border at Sindumin heads south from the city through the districts of Kepayan, Tanjung Aru, Papar, Kimanis, Beaufort and Sipitang. From Sindumin (border crossing into Sarawak), the road continues to Lawas and on to Brunei and it is possible to travel from Kota Kinabalu to Brunei by land . The journey is a minimum five hours to Brunei. Passports/ID have to be shown at each crossing prolonging the travel time. Brunei is a country made up of two enclaves and surrounded by Sarawak this involves five border crossings/checks, each way.

In Sabah a main road north via Tuaran, Kota Belud, Matunggong then on to Kudat known as the tip of Borneo, this is a 3-3½ hr journey each way with heavy traffic and rain storms it can be longer,the road is a metalled/tarmac road all the way.

From Kudat it is possible to drive all the way to Sandakan on the Trans Borneo Highway. Leaving Kudat, Matunggong, turn left towards Kota Maruda, then up towards Pitas the road heads South and East around the far side of the Gunung Kinabalu (Mt. Kinabalu) and joins up at Pamol turn left and continue towards Sandakan. Before reaching Sandakan you can turn south and east towards Kinabantangan, Sukau reserves and on towards Lahad Datu. The road continues to Kunak, Semporna, Tawau Hills reserve and Tawau. Fom Tawau it connects to Keningau to complete the loop back into KK via Tambunan over the Crocker Range into Penampang and KK city. It is expected to reduce the 10-hour drive by three hours. Completion date not set.

The main road to the East Coast ( Sandakan and Lahad Datu ) branches off from this road at Tamparuli, then via Kundasang, Ranau, Telupid, Pamol, Sepilok and into Sandakan.

Another main road heading southeast leaves the suburbs of Penampang and Donggongon towards Tambunan, Keningau and Tenom . Travel by private car to KK is quite popular with visitors from around Sabah including Sandakan and Tawau, Labuan, Miri and Brunei.

There are two long-distance bus terminals.

• 5.9724 116.0675 2 South Bus Terminal ( Wawasan Bus Terminal ), Jalan K.K. Bypass ( across the road from Wisma Wawasan ). Serves destinations south of Kota Kinabalu: Beaufort , Sipitang and Lawas . It's also the main depot for buses and minibuses from the city center to the suburbs such as Putatan, Tanjung Aru, Kepayan, Luyang, Penampang, Likas, Inanam and Menggatal. All buses coming in from the suburbs can only stop in this depot to avoid congestion in the city center, bus fare is around RM0.50 to RM2 depending on the distance. Wawasan Bus terminal also serves as a depot for long-distance buses towards south of Kota Kinabalu. A new southbound long-distance bus terminal has been planned for construction near Terminal 1, KKIA in Kepayan. For travel to Labuan it is quicker to take the Express Coaches than the Labuan ferry. ( updated May 2017 )
• 5.994176 116.128844 3 North Bus Terminal ( Inanam Bus Station Terminal ), Inanam town ( 10 km to the northeast of the city centre ). This terminal serves buses going north and east of Kota Kinabalu, including Mount Kinabalu , Sandakan , Semporna and Tawau . Shuttle from Kota Kinabalu city to Inanam is RM1.50, 20 min, departs from bus station on Jalan Padang. ( updated Sep 2016 )

North and East

• Sandakan — 5-6 hr, RM43.50. Several express bus companies operate buses between the Kota Kinabalu North Bus Terminal and Sandakan.
• Semporna — 9-10 hr. Dyana Bus leaves twice daily from Inanam station around 7:30AM and 7:30PM.
• Tawau — 9 hr, RM55. Several express bus companies operate between North Bus Terminal and Tawau. Tung Ma Express ☏ +60 198827334 , Andisba Express ☏ +60 881 3879 7779 , Alitopan Express ☏ +60 881 3886 2348 , +60 881 9863 4797 , +60 888 976 7858 . Buses depart Kota Kinabalu at 7AM, 8AM, 10AM, noon, 2PM.
• Mount Kinabalu and Ranau — 1½-2 hr, RM25-35. All the above buses pass by the entrance of the Mount Kinabalu National Park, Kundasang and Ranau (for Poring Hot Spring ). You can get off or board at these locations. You can also catch buses/minibuses doing the shorter run to Ranau.
• Kudat — 3 hr, RM50. Minibuses leave once full from Terminal Bas Bandaran Berjaya (Updated August 2022).
• Brunei — 6-8 hrs, 45 Brunei dollars (2019). There is one bus per day from Bandar Seri Begawan to Kota Kinabalu. It leaves from the waterfront in BSB at 8AM, but get there a half hour early to buy the ticket. See also Kota Kinabalu to Brunei by land .
• Lawas — 4 hrs, RM20. Sipitang Express Bus Sdn Bhd ☏ +60 88213722 , +60 168149332 runs one bus at 7AM daily from the City Centre bus terminal to Lawas in Sarawak . From Lawas, buses depart at 12:30PM. Lawas Bus Company also operates an express bus daily to Lawas, departing Lawas at about 8AM and returning from Kota Kinabalu City Centre terminal at 1PM. Both buses go through Beaufort and Sipitang. You can also make the journey by minivans but you may have to change at Beaufort or even at Papar and Sipitang. Catch them from the minivan station opposite Wawasan Plaza.
• Beaufort and Sipitang — Sipitang Express Bus departs the City Centre Terminal for Beaufort (1 hr 45 min, RM9) and Sipitang (2 hr 45 min, RM14) at 8:30AM, noon and 2:30PM. The 7:30AM bus to Lawas also goes through Beaufort and Sipitang. From Sipitang, buses depart at 8AM, noon, 1:30PM (bus comes through from Lawas) and 4:30PM and 1 hr later from Beaufort. Lawas Bus Company's express bus between Kota Kinabalu and Lawas. Again, you can do this do this by minivans throughout the day, although they are more frequent in the morning. You may also have to change at Papar if you cannot get a direct minivan.
• Menumbok — RM18. Multiple bus companies operate express buses between KK and Menumbok where there are ferries to Labuan . They depart frequently in the morning since 6AM from KK City Centre terminal next to the City town hall. From Menumbok, buses depart at 10:15AM and 3:15PM. Minivans also do the journey although you may have to change at Papar and Beaufort.
• Papar — Regular minivans run to this coastal town 38 km south of Kota Kinabalu.

From south-west interior

• Tambunan , Keningau and Tenom . Most public transport to this part of Sabah is by minibuses and vans which leave from the minibus station opposite Wawasan Plaza. Again, it's best to get started early 7AM. You should be able to catch a direct minibus from Kota Kinabalu to Keningau, change there for Tenom . Tenom can also be reached by train read that section below, it may be an idea to consider using train, and bus to meet your needs otherwise it may involve staying in Tenom. From Keningau to Tawau possible takes nearly 8 hours. This Sabah route is known as the Trans Borneo Highway.

The only regular access to Kota Kinabalu by sea is from Labuan . The ferry service takes about 3½ hours and costs about RM40 (2019). There are two services from Labuan to KK every day: 8:30AM and 1PM. From KK to Labuan, the ferries depart at 08:00 and 13:30. From Labuan, you can continue on to Bandar Seri Begawan in one day if you get an early start. See the Kota Kinabalu to Brunei by land page for details. Ferries from Labuan dock at 5.9901 116.079 4 Jesselton Point Ferry Terminal on the northern edge of the city centre. There's a currency exchange outside the ferry terminal, but beware that the posted exchange rates are only for large bills; smaller bills have a worse exchange rate.

Kota Kinabalu is a port of call for many cruise ships passing through east Asia such as Queen Victoria, Queen Mary 2, Diamond Princess, MV Arcadia and SuperStar Virgo via cruise lines such as Cunard , Princess Cruises and P&O Cruises . Cruise ships will usually dock at Kota Kinabalu Port north of Jesselton Point Ferry Terminal.

• Sabah State Railway [dead link] uses air-conditioned trains on a single 134-km route from Tanjung Aru south of the city centre to Tenom in the interior via Beaufort . Four trains operate M-Sa, while on Sunday there are two trains, running between Tanjung Aru station and Beaufort, where you change trains if you want to continue your journey to Tenom. Journey time between Kota Kinabalu and Beaufort is about 2 hr, making it more attractive for travellers to take the bus for part of the journey. The train stops the following places: Kota Kinabalu (Tanjung Aru), Putatan, Kinarut, Kawang, Papar, Kimanis, Bongawan, Membakut, Beaufort, Saliwangan, Halogilat, Rayoh, Pangi and Tenom.
• The route between Halogilat to Tenom is to be upgraded works were due to start in 2018.
• Trains for Tenom run from Beaufort once a day at 7:45AM so to take the train to Tenom, you will have to stay over night in Beaufort. Full details on the refurbished train schedule are available online
• A leisure train service known as North Borneo Railway caters to tourists and uses an old steam train and designed to resemble trains in the colonial era. This is a joint venture project between Sabah State Railway and Sutera Harbour Resort. Trains only travel up to Papar. Tickets cost RM270 and RM170 for children and includes breakfast and lunch. There is road access to the Station entrance, the steam train and the diesel services operate here from the new platforms. There is an escalator to the upper levels which includes a café and a cinema.

The city centre is quite small, and you can walk from one end to the other in less than 30 min. The city is set out along a grid system with the long main roads running parallel to the nearby waterfront with intersecting roads forming the local districts within the city. As KK has grown there are dual carriageways that weave around the city on the land available and the new buildings/malls, hospitals, etc. Further from the old city centre the roads do not conform to the original grid planners used.

Safely crossing the street can be an issue, but most streets are at least equipped with sidewalks and there are pedestrian crossings on the main roads. The sidewalks in places can be uneven and the storm gutters are easy to trip or fall into. You can also walk to and from the airport (1-2 hr each way). Even the highways outside of town usually have a walking path or a wide grassy shoulder to walk on.

Short fares are around RM10, longer trips around RM20. A whole day shouldn't cost more than RM300. Haggling is absolutely vital in order to get a fair price. Many taxi drivers in Malaysia are infamous for raising their fares, even after a price has already been negotiatied. They frequently attempt to manipulate and deceive unknowing tourists by feigning ignorance and delivering tourists to the wrong hotels, which sometimes provide kickbacks to the drivers. Mentioning a call to the authorities may resolve the situation quickly.

Grab Car operate, with rides costing RM4 for the first 3 km and RM1.2 for each sequential km. Uber merged with Grab in 2018, and they have similar functionality. Typical prices are half those of taxis and there is no need to haggle; the price is confirmed before a ride arrives and you pay cash at the end or via GrabPay (e-wallet).

By bus and minibus

To travel within the city centre, the City Bus is used. The green and yellow City Bus departs from Wawasan Bus Terminal and circles the city center using 4 routes: Route 1A, 1B, 2A and 2B. City Bus fare cost RM0.50 and are quite frequent. However the conductor and driver often encourages more people to get on the bus until totally crowded before it leaves.

• Route 1A : travels along Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens until Jesselton Point and returns along Jalan Tun Razak and Jalan Coastal.
• Route 1B : travels along Jalan Coastal and Jalan Tun Razak and returns along Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens.
• Route 2A : travels along Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman via Karamunsing and Jalan KK Bypass all the way to Sabah Trade Centre in Likas and returns the same way.
• Route 2B : travels along Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman until the roundabout near Australia Place and returns the same way.

For the full list of routes, check the Kota Kinabalu City Bus page on Facebook.

Cars can easily be hired on the spot from the hire car counters in the arrivals hall in the airport. Rates can be negotiated so compare the offers. Rental companies do not offer hand-controls for the disabled. Child seats, booster seats are not provided, there is no requirement to wear rear seat belts, you will see children unbelted in the front and rear seats of vehicles. There are also many car rental companies in the city:

• JoyDrive KK - Car Rental Kota Kinabalu , Lintas Plaza, Kota Kinabalu , ☏ +60 138810882 . Budget car rental. Online booking available.  
• Kinabalu Rent A Car , Wisma Sabah, Jln. Tun Razak , ☏ +60178185559 . 08:30-17:00 daily . ( updated Nov 2022 )
• Kings Car Rental Services , Jln Murni, Tanjung Aru , ☏ +60 88-878282 .  

Road signs are prevalent throughout KK and Sabah. So driving within KK and towards other parts of Sabah is not difficult. There are however some signages which are only in Malay. Most signs are coloured the same to make your route planning easier. Watch out for local low down cardboard drawn signs if you are looking for flowering Rafflesia or local produce like Durian sometimes there are road side stalls but not always. Signboards in brown colour indicate recreation/places of interest. The KK city has had too build dual carriageway roads, flyovers etc. These are very busy and congested at peak times of the day. However highways leading towards other towns are for a short way dual carriageway roads then into single carriageways which might put your overtaking skills to the test especially in hilly areas. Because many roads are steep when traversing mountainous areas the roads have sudden bends along with the mist/rain and the wet roads fast driving and overtaking at the wrong point results in a lot of accidents. Be very careful when overtaking and no overtaking over double lines. You may be on holiday in a small car, but all of Sabah's roads carry traffic for the cities and communities of Sabah from trucks and coaches to mopeds so be careful. and the Malay phrasebook .

Highways are sometimes marked according to their numbers. The following are some of the major highways from Kota Kinabalu:

• Highway 1 (formerly A2): Highway heading south of KK towards Putatan, Kinarut, Papar, Kimanis, Beaufort, Kuala Penyu, Sipitang, Lawas, Brunei and Sarawak.
• Highway 1 (formerly A1): Highway heading north of KK towards Telipok, Tuaran, Kota Belud, Kota Marudu, Pitas and Kudat.
• Highway 22 (formerly A4): Highway heading east (from Berungis Roundabout, Tuaran) towards Tamparuli, Kundasang, Ranau, Telupid, Beluran, Sandakan, Lahad Datu, Tawau and Semporna.
• Highway 500 (formerly SA3): Highway heading east of KK towards Penampang, Tambunan, Keningau and Tenom

There are speedboat services from Kota Kinabalu to the islands in Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park just off the coast of Kota Kinabalu from Jesselton Point Jetty with regular departures to Pulau Manukan, Pulau Mamutik, Pulau Sapi, Pulau Gaya and Pulau Sulug. There are also public departures from the Sabah Parks Jetty behind Wisma Merdeka. Two resorts, Tanjung Aru and Sutera Harbour resort have their own marine excursion shops and also run a service to the islands but it is for paying guests staying at the respective resorts. There are also speedboats for charter where travellers can have the flexibility of time and destination, There are tour operator shops in Kota Kinabalu centre or you can book via the internet. You can also visit Pulau Tiga which is south of KK and not within the marine park, the TV series Survivor was made here. There are other islands further along the coast and out to sea but the above are the easiest to visit as a tourist.

Central part

• 5.985801 116.079724 2 Signal Hill Observatory ( 15 min walk up hill from the Atkinson Clock Tower ). Offers a good view of the city centre. There is a small drinks shop, it can be very busy as can the public road as it approaches sunset (around 6PM depending on the time of year).  

• 5.981511 116.074647 3 City Park . A small park and the only park in the city center opposite the court complex. It contains the British North Borneo Memorial which commemorates the soldiers who fought and died defending the British Empire during World War I. The memorial was built in 1923.  

Southern districts

• Stilt villages , are houses found along the coast of ethnic Bajau, Suluk, Iranun, Malays, and Ubian people. Some villages are made up of people who have been here since 15th-18th century from Sulu Archipelago (now southern Philippines) who are considered natives under Sabah law. However massive influx if new migrants from this same region beginning 1970s have occupied these same villages mostly due to similar heritage and ethnicity as these local inhabitants. Some new migrants are illegal with no proper documentation. Illegal migrants would normally occupy deeper parts of these stilt villages in slums . These slums are significantly dirtier and dangerous since the people and their homes are illegal. Stilt villages can be found in Kampung Tanjung Aru, Kampung Sembulan, Kampung Kasuapan (Pulau Gaya) and Kampung Pondo (Pulau Gaya) . Since there is no real boundary between a traditional stilt village and the slum, visiting these places is generally considered dangerous and very dirty and not recommended even for locals unless accompanied by tour guides. There may be stilt villages further out of the city such as in Mengkabong which are safer and cleaner. If you are interested in slums, perhaps some speedboat drivers in Jesselton Point Jetty who live in Pulau Gaya would be pleased to show you around their stilt village for a little fee.

Sembulan & Karamunsing areas

Areas adjacent to the central part but slightly south of it.

• 5.968663 116.070941 5 Sembulan Riverfront ( around the confluence of Sembulan and Karamunsing Rivers behind Sadong Jaya ). Tiny pedestrian strip running along the river. Partly abandoned and thus doubtfully a high destination. ( updated Oct 2016 )
• 5.962233 116.061776 6 Double Six Monument , Grace Point, Sembulan . A memorial site on the location of the 1976 plane crash which killed the state chief minister Tun Fuad Stephens and other state cabinet members. There is a nice new food court on site called Grace Point Food Court offering local Sabah, Malaysian, Indian, Chinese, Korean, Thai and other cuisine.  

• 5.963235 116.073959 8 Islamic Civilization Museum , Jalan Menteri ( behind Sacred Heart Cathedral and nearby the State Museum ), ☏ +60 88-253 199 . Has a history of Islamic civilization in Sabah.   Entry on the same ticket as for Sabah State Museum.

• 5.964654 116.072318 9 Sacred Heart Cathedral , Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman . Roman Catholic church. It is the seat of the Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu and the cathedral is one of the largest in Sabah. ( updated Sep 2016 )
• 5.959859 116.067202 10 Sabah State Mosque , Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman, Sembulan , ☏ +60 13-869 3148 . The second largest mosque in Sabah, able to hold up to 5,000 worshippers. Designed an Italian architect, its dome and minaret is decorated with real gold. ( updated Sep 2016 )
• 5.956589 116.065397 11 Gurdwara Sahib Sikh Temple , Jalan Mat Salleh near Sembulan . The only Sikh Gurdwara in Kota Kinabalu. To enter you’ll need to cover your head, either with a hat, or a headscarf from one of the friendly volunteers at the temple. ( updated Sep 2016 )

Tanjung Aru

Tanjung Aru is "the headland", land that projects out into the sea. Tanjung Aru is a Southern District of Kota Kinabalu city. It is 8 km from the centre of KK, a 15-20 minute taxi ride (RM30 in Oct 2017) between Tanjung Aru and the KK centre. The hotel resort is completely separate. The only eating area available now is the food court near the Kota Kinabalu golf club, in the coconut grove.

• 5.949546 116.04854 12 Perdana Park , Jalan Mat Salleh . An 18 acres (7.3 hectares) park in Tanjung Aru featuring a light and musical water fountain, greenery, children's playground and jogging tracks. The park was built on the land formerly known as Hone Place where British government quarters stood. Fountain show starts at 7PM. Running and walking track some small food and drink outlets, free entry and water and light fountain display each evening. The car park is small and there is also a small fee to park here. Within the coconut grove between the road and the beach is a small toilet block and a very small drinks shop next to it.  
• 5.947264 116.045917 13 Tanjung Aru Beach ( Pertama Pantai, which means "First Beach" in Malay ). A 20-minute drive from the city centre is the most popular public beach in the city. Usually quiet during the daytime on weekdays, at the weekend it is frequented by locals for picnics, BBQ's meetings watching the sunset and to play sports, tug of war, hand ball, kite flying and bathing. The Tanjung Aru public beach starts just behind the Tanjung Aru resort hotel and extends in a long shallow curve to the Terminal 2 of the KKIA. The curve of the beach means this part fills quickly when the tide returns and that means you will be cut off. The waters are shallow but can be 5 ft (1.5 m) deep. Just behind the beach is a grass area with palms and BBQ stations, further along is Prince Philip park, which is just a grass area with a few pop up food and drinks stalls at the entrance. The shops and bars near the main car park just off Jalan Mat Salleh were knocked down in 2016: all that remains is a food court and a toilet block. Beyond that is the KK sailing club.  
• 5.921189 116.054632 14 Petagas War Memorial , No.1, Jalan Bandaran ( about 15 minutes outside the city center off Jalan Kepayan a taxi there and back with a 30 minutes wait is RM80, less with Uber/Grab taxi ), ☏ +60 88-521 800 . Dedicated to the 176 members of the Kinabalu Guerrillas who attacked the Japanese occupying forces during World War II, in what was known as the "Double Tenth Revolt" (10/10/1943), who were subsequently detained and executed in Petagas. It is a small memorial and is easily viewed with 30 minutes.  

Likas — a historic village, now a huge sub-section of the modern city slightly north of central Kota Kinabalu. Partly occupied by mangrove wetlands

• 5.992993 116.101007 15 Likas Bay promenade ( along Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens ). A huge several kilometres promenade, used mostly by joggers and cyclists, that run along almost all the Likas bay. It starts about 1 km north from Jesselton point and runs up to the huge building of Malaysia Sabah University on the northern end of the bay. There are plenty of food courts and several beaches on the way. One of the beaches is Likas Bay beach which is smaller and maybe a bit less pretty beach than Tanjung Aru's one. An interesting sight where the beach is surrounded by the city with a view of anchored ships off Sepanggar Port. The jogging/cycling path along the bay has been extended back into KK as far as the Imago Mall, although in parts of the city waterfront areas, it's not obvious where the path is. The path continues past the Imago Mall, as far as Jalan Mat Salleh (Dec 2017). Once out beyond Jesselton Point the path is easy to use. The areas behind the shallow waters and beach are grassed areas with palms, fitness stations and BBQ stations. In May the beach and the bay is used to hold the annual "Dragon Boat" races, it can be busy especially at the weekend more so if the weather is good. It is a good area for photography with the sweeping bay, the Floating Masjid and sunset views. ( updated Oct 2017 )
• 5.987296 116.089134 16 Kota Kinabalu Wetland Centre ( formerly known as Kota Kinabalu Bird Sanctuary ), ☏ +60 88-246955 . A 24-hectare mangrove conservation area used for recreation, education and research. It is located in Likas along Jalan Bukit Bendera Upper just 5 minutes drive from city centre (15 minutes walk from Signal Hill Observatory). The area is managed by the Sabah Wetlands Conservation Society.  
• 5.995495 116.107608 17 Kota Kinabalu City Mosque , Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens . This 'floating' mosque overlooking Likas Bay is the largest mosque in the city with interesting contemporary Islamic architecture. As of June 2018, the mosque's chairman is not allowing public transport to bring tourists to the mosque compound . Getting there: by public bus, take the 8C or 8D from Platform Wisma Bandaraya (opposite of the Shell Gas Station, there are many mini-buses parked there) or pay RM8 by Grab taxi. RM 5 . ( updated Jun 2018 )
• 5.971708 116.082851 18 Che Sui Khor Chinese Temple , Jalan Tuaran at Mile 2 . Contains an interesting 12-tier pagoda and is part of the Moral Uplifting Society. ( updated Sep 2016 )
• 5.991967 116.116523 19 Puh Toh Tze Chinese Temple , Jalan Tuaran near Kolombong . ( updated Sep 2016 )

Much further to the east of Likas are the following sights:

• 5.976111 116.115691 20 Sri Pasupathinath Alayam Hindu Temple , No. 4, Jalan Khidmat, Off Jalan Kolam, Bukit Padang ( about 20 minutes drive from the city ). One of two Hindu temple in the city. ( updated Sep 2016 )
• 5.949369 116.107567 21 Tun Fuad Park ( on the eastern edge of the city, 15 minutes drive from city center ). Where the city meets the hilly jungles of Crocker Range. The park has 2 restaurants, hawker centers, the Water World theme park, a lake and jogging track.  
• 5.941873 116.117212 22 Tzer Ying Buddhist Temple , Kampung Minintod Off Jalan Kolam-Minintod, 88200, Penampang, , ☏ +60 88-724 725 . A pure Buddhist temple with adjacent Tzer Ying Buddhism Research Society. ( updated Sep 2016 )

Further afield

• 6.005394 116.049325 23 Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park . A collection of 5 islands (Gaya, Manukan, Sapi, Sulug and Mamutik) just off the coast of KK city. Travel by speedboat takes about 15-20 minutes depending on the island and departs from the Sabah Parks jetty behind Wisma Merdeka or from Jesselton Point Waterfront jetty. Pulau Gaya is the largest of the islands with two resorts on the far side, the eastern end has a Kampong Laut with 6000 villagers. Pulau Sapi is the closest island to Gaya and has a zip wire ride called the Coral Flyer from Gaya over to Sapi. Pulau Manukan is the second largest, 10-minute ride away from Sapi. It has a smaller overnight accommodation and has the parks office to collect fees. Pulau Mamutik is smaller and offers the same facilities as the others. Pulau Sulug is the smallest of the five. Special permission from the park authorities is required to stay overnight on Palau Tiga, made famous from the TV series Survivor and has a mud pool, it is not within the Marine park and not visited on a regular basis, so the conditions are very sparse. ( updated Oct 2017 )
• 5.973381 116.20053 24 Mari Mari Cultural Village , near the jungles in Kianson, Inanam about 25 minutes northwest of the city center , ☏ +60 13-881 4921 . Sessions start at 10AM and 2PM. From January 2018 they only run the 6PM sessions if more than 30 people are booked. Sessions comprise a guided tour for 1.5 hours (split into groups up to ten people), and a cultural dance performance 30 mins, followed by a buffet lunch or dinner . Showcases the historic culture, lifestyle, and homes of some of the 32 indigenous groups of Sabah. The village features five different ethnic tribes: the Kadazandusun rice farmers, the longhouse resident Rungus tribe, the Bajau hunters and fisherman, the Kayan tribe, and the famously feared headhunting Murut tribe. After visiting the five tribal areas there is a song and dance cultural performance, followed by standard buffet meal included, with soft drinks extra, Getting there: taxi costs around RM 50 one way, Uber/Grab cost RM 20 (however, it's not possible to order one in the opposite direction from the park as all the drivers are based in KK). It’s easier to book online or through your hotel a package of entry and transport for around RM180. RM 90 entrance, expect to pay double once transport is factored in . ( updated Apr 2019 )
• 5.988294 116.212914 25 Kokol Hills , Menggatal . Offers a very nice view of Kota Kinabalu, the coasts and the sea from about 30 km away. The hills are pretty undeveloped but the road is good and new. As of January 2012, there is only one resort and restaurant called Kasih Sayang Resort. Kokol is also fast becoming a hotspot for paragliding. Info on paragliding in Sabah .  
• 5.907405 116.109706 26 St. Michael's Church , Donggongon, Penampang . It was completed after 1945-1948 the large granite block were dragged to the site by buffalo and then dressed on site. It retains its old-style architecture. This church has stained glass window that commemorate the lives lost during World War II. ( updated Oct 2017 )

• 5.88884 116.0796 27 Monsopiad Cultural Village , Kampung Kuai Kandazon, Peti Surat 740 Malaysia, Penampang , ☏ +60 11-1419 6488 . 9AM–5PM . It's about a 30-miunite drive from KK city in the district of Panampang, near Lok Kawi Zoo. This small park shows the traditional way of life of the Kadazan ethnic groups and tells the story of Monsopiad, a Murut warrior who lived some 300 years ago, who killed 42 men who attacked his village. The 42 skulls can be viewed in the Hall of Skulls. Getting there: hire a taxi from Kota Kinabalu and arrange to be picked up. The rate varies, ask and agree a price before travelling. Entrance fee is RM50 for non-Malaysian adults, RM10 for non-Malaysian children . ( updated Oct 2017 )
• 5.851215 116.070218 28 Lok Kawi Wildlife Park , near the small town of Lok Kawi ( about 30 minutes south of Kota Kinabalu ), ☏ +60 88-765 793 . 9:30AM-5:30PM . It features five female orangutans, Proboscis Monkeys, one female Gibbons, a Sumatran Rhinoceros, two tigers, local deer, various birds in a large aviary the Hornbills are impressive up close and in flight, eight elephants, and two sun bears. A reptile section will be opened soon. An alternative to visiting the nature reserves around Sabah for those on a tight schedule, as well as giving you the chance to see the animals much more up close than you would in the jungle. The overall appearance of the zoo is very poor and nowhere near the standards of the Singapore zoo, this is due to funding, visitor numbers and the weather. The shop/café has closed, so there are pop up stalls in the main car park. Feeding time is at 2PM so try to arrive early to see that, you will not need more than two hours to walk around the zoo. Getting there: it is a little difficult to get to as there is no public transportation that goes right to the park, and it is about 10 min drive outside of Lok Kawi (and about half an hour outside of Kota Kinabalu). Take a 17B or 17C bus to Lok Kawi town at RM3 a head, then a local taxi for around RM12-15 to the park. It is advisable to get the phone number of the taxi driver or arrange pickup from the park at a set time to go back to Lok Kawi as there are no taxis or buses at the park. Alternatively pay some RM100-120 to have a taxi take you there from Kota Kinabalu and back. Entrance fee: RM30 for adults, RM10 for children, half-price for Malaysians . ( updated Oct 2017 )
• 5.398384 116.100426 29 Crocker Range National Park , ☏ +60 87-330 924 . 8AM-5PM . The park is 75 km long and 15 km wide, with elevation ranging between 100 m and 2050 m at the peak of Mt. Alab. Most of the park is covered with forest. Getting there: take a bus to Keningau from the long distance bus station near Merdeka Field, depart 7AM, 8AM, 10AM, noon, 1PM, 2PM and 5PM, fare is RM16. Taxi to Keningau costs RM120. After reaching Keningau take another taxi to the Crocker Range station, it costs about RM40. Admission fee: RM10, Malaysian RM3 . ( updated Sep 2016 )
• The northern coast of Kota Kinabalu is contains undisturbed scenic geographical features including 6.122559 116.116245 30 Karambunai and Dalit Beach and behind these beaches is a lagoon-type estuary containing Mengkabong and Salut rivers. 6.13378 116.136545 31 The Lagoon Park in Karambunai could be a good place to start in order to explore this area as there are boat rides or jet-skis for rent. 6.136256 116.212188 32 The Mengkabong water village is also an interesting sight to explore. Salut contains two popular seafood reastaurants by the lagoon/lake in Salut called Salut Seafood and Gayang Seafood. Nearby 6.13438 116.26706 33 Tamparuli Suspension Bridge is something different, and 6.166537 116.159164 34 Borneo Kellybays offers various watersports and camping activities around mangrove forest, river and beach.
• 6.191543 116.191144 35 Tambalang Racecourse , ☏ +60 88-25 2705 . Ahorse-racing track operated by Royal Sabah Turf Club in Tuaran.  

Scuba diving & snorkelling

Try dives, leisure diving, technical diving and snorkelling are all available from Kota Kinabalu.

Several interesting dive sites can be enjoyed as day trips from Kota Kinabalu with nearby World War II wrecks accessible for scuba diving. Some are in the 24-45 m depth range whilst other wrecks are only suitable for technical diving. Advanced and basic diver training courses are run from Kota Kinabalu by several dive centre operators.

Dive destinations

• Usukan Bay near Pulau Mantanani, suitable for recreational diving. Located near the fishing port of Kota Belud 30 nautical miles north of Kota Kinabal these dive sites are ideal day trips from Kota Kinabalu. Boat trips north from Kota Kinabalu normally depart from Sutera Harbour Marina or Jesselton Point and take approximately 2 hr. These dives are only suitable for divers that already have PADI Advanced Open Water Diver or similar certification and some previous wreck diving experience is advised. There are three popular wrecks spread over a distance of about one kilometre lying 7 n.m. offshore.
• Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park offers many snorkelling and scuba diving opportunities between 20 and 30 min from Kota Kinabalu by boat. Dive operators depart from the Jesselton Point Jetty and Sutera Harbour Marina. Islands and beaches are beautiful, even though the water color is very green and not transparent. Underwater visibility can be an issue around the entire park: It sometimes drops below 3 m due to dirty river water from Mt. Kinabalu by everyday-pouring rain. If you are used to snorkelling or diving in good visibility, you may be disappointed.
• The Gaya wreck lies in 50 m of water within the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park and is a 30-min boat ride from Kota Kinabalu. The wreck is thought to be that of the Japanese ship Nittetsu Maru .
• Mayne Rock has large white boulders rising 7 m-15 m from the ocean floor and is surrounded by a coral reef.
• Palau Tiga offers coral reef dives.

Dive operators

• Scuba Junkie KK , G23a, Ground Floor, Wisma Sabah , ☏ +60 88 255816 , +60 145618947 , fax : +60 88 255816 , [email protected] . 8AM-6PM daily . 5 Star Gold Palm IDC PADI Licensed Dive Operator. Arranges daily dive and snorkel trips to over 15 islands in the Kota Kinabalu (KK) area including the world famous KK Marine Park (Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park) which features 5 amazing islands including Gaya Island and Sapi Island. Whale Shark Dives in the blue and wreck diving also available. PADI dive courses from Discover Scuba Diver up to Instructor.  
• Borneo Dream , F-G-1 Plaza Tanjung Aru, Jl. Mat Salleh , ☏ +60 17 811 8149 , fax : +60 88 244 931 , [email protected] . A boat transfer service is available to Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park for snorkelling or diving trips. Over 20 sites for diving and protected areas for snorkelling. Suitable for day trips. Goes to four of the main wreck dive sites on a regular basis. PADI Dive Boat, 10mx4m catamaran and a 9mx3m RIB, SDI resort dive centre, BSAC diver training centre, TDI resort dive centre and IANTD facility. Also offer SCR courses and training certified via the PADI with both a semi closed rebreather diver speciality course and closed circuit rebreather (CCR) training courses.  
• Downbelow Marine & Wildlife Adventures , Lot B-3-12, Kota Kinabalu Times Square, Jl. Coastal , ☏ +60 12 866 1935 , fax : +60 88 485 300 , [email protected] . PADI 5 Star IDC Dive Centre is based on Gaya Island in the Tunku Abdul Rahman Park. The dive centre offers learn to dive courses, advanced courses from PADI Advanced Open Water Diver up to PADI Master Instructor & PADI Course Director, snorkelling, sea kayaking and jungle trekking. 1 on multi-day diving in the TAR Park and diving Pulau Tiga. Island facilities caters to individuals, groups and corporate events. High staff-to-diver ratios with professional, highly trained & experienced staff and quality, regularly serviced gear and equipment.  
• Sabah Divers , G27, Ground Floor, Wisma Sabah , ☏ +60 88 256483 , +6 12 8339901 , fax : +60 88 255482 , [email protected] . 8:30AM-5:30PM daily . Provide SDI courses in English, Mandarin and Cantonese. Diving tours to popular dive destinations all over Borneo, such as Sipadan and Layang Layang. Tunku Abdul Rahman fun dive packages available departing Jesselton Point Jetty including equipment, boat transfers and 2-3 dives. No shower facility. Guests will be left alone to walk back to the office after TAR fun diving. Beware - they ask credit card numbers including CVC for advanced booking. Notorious for arrogant office staff.  
• Sensi Borneo Diving Resort & Tours ( Diving Live-Aboard ‘Orient Explorer’ ), ☏ +60 88 788 111 , +60 17 402063 , [email protected] . Provide scuba diving trips and PADI courses. Also operate the 796 ton, 56.6-m motor yacht Orient Explorer as a live aboard and floating hotel off shore from Kota Kinabalu. It was launched in 1943 and has a dive deck, passenger cabins including family cabins, luxury and economy cabins, a restaurant, bar, lounge and a sick bay. The dive services offer a full range of PADI scuba diving courses from open water, divemaster, technical diving and rebreather courses. Trips to the Usukan Bay wreck dives and many other dive sites are available.  

Deep sea fishing

Kota Kinabalu is also one of the best and cheapest places in Malaysia for exciting deep sea fishing trips. Boats depart from the makeshift jetty next to the Kota Kinabalu Central Market, the boats are to be found behind the small night market/parking lot.

Trips of all kinds can be arranged with the charter operators. Popular options include day trips that go for prices that start from around RM 2,000/boat and 2-day, 1-night or 3-day, 2-night trips (you sleep on the boat) that go from RM 3,000/boat. Most boats take around 10 persons per trip. Locals usually head to the Mengalum and Mantanani islands or near some oil rigs that are all a few hours away from Kota Kinabalu. Beginners can also opt for shorter trips to fish in a shipwreck off Gaya Island. For the very adventurous and advanced anglers, there are also several fishing competition held annually. The most popular one is the Labuan IGFA Competition which is usually held around the Layang Layang island ( Swallow Reef ) area. The trips for this competition last for almost 1 week and cost at least RM 15,000/boat.

The boats are mostly pretty rudimentary medium-sized wooden fishing vessels, don't expect any luxury or too much comfort for those prices. Basic toilets are available on board, but you won't be able to shower for the duration of the trip. Basic meals are also usually available and included in the hire price. Rental of fishing equipment can also be arranged by most of the boat charter providers. Do ensure that life vests are provided for all occupants well before setting out.

If you want to check out the boats before you head out, just drop by the open air parking lot near the Central Market and Hyatt Hotel, most of the for hire fishing boats are parked there. You can also see some of the catch for yourself when the boats return from their trips at around 2PM. You will probably see more boats coming and going on Sunday or Monday.

• Borneo Crystal Sdn. Bhd. ( Borneo Crystal ), ☏ +60 17 860 32 05 , [email protected] . Offering private charters, diving trips, island and sunset cruises as well as deep-sea fishing tours on a 60-ft American Sport Fishing Yacht. The boat is berthed in one of the most beautiful marinas in South-East Asia - Sutera Harbour Marina.  
• 7 star fishing . A more expensive option but the website has some nice pictures and videos to give you a glimpse of what you can expect from a fishing trip in Kota Kinabalu  
• Mr. K.K. Law , ☏ +60 16 826 4588 , [email protected] . A budget-friendly option popular with the locals. The boat owner himself will be happy to come on the trip himself or help you arrange for more people to fill up the boat if your group doesn't have enough people. From RM2,000 .  

White water rafting

The nearest place for rafting would be on Kiulu River , Tamparuli, about 1 hour away from KK in the district of Tuaran. The white water is classified Grade 1-2 which is suitable for beginners and children. A more adventurous rafting experience is Padas River near Tenom which is about 2-3 hours south from Kota Kinabalu. Padas is classified as Grade 3-4. There are many tour companies offering day packages for rafting in Kiulu and Padas and would normally include return transfer and meals.

Wetland river cruise

Klias River is in the Klias Wetland Mangrove Forest Reserve which is located on the Kuala Penyu district headland made up of riverine mangrove about 2-2½ hours away from KK. The cruise offers visitors a chance to see various wildlife including the proboscis monkeys, crocodile, monitor lizards, Kingfishers and fireflies once it is dark.

The New Sabah Times (Sabah's newspaper) reported in May 2017 that the Klias river tours were in steep decline from a lack of tourists and were requesting assistance from local government for continued support. Although this decline is affecting tourist numbers the local guides also benefit less. This maybe the ideal time to visit and enjoy the wetlands while it is quiet. There are also other river safaris nearby Klias in Garama and Weston which are also interesting in their own right albeit slightly further away from KK.

Sailing and yachting

The main starting point for sailing or boating is in Sutera Harbour Marina which has 104 berths. Yacht charter is offered by North Borneo Yachting. Tel: +60 88-318888 Kinabalu Yacht Club in Tanjung Aru offer various boating activities, tel: +60 88 240070.

Likas Sports Complex is the main sporting venue in Kota Kinabalu and Sabah. The complex includes a soccer stadium and fields, hockey fields, badminton courts, tennis courts, squash courts, swimming pool, gymnasium, and many more. The complex also play host many local, regional and international sports event.

There are also many golf courses in Kota Kinabalu including the Sabah Golf and Country Club (18-hole) in Bukit Padang, Kinabalu Golf Club (11-hole) in Tanjung Aru, Sutera Harbour Golf Club (27-hole), Karambunai Golf and Country Club (18-hole) and Shangri-La Rasa Ria resort Dalit Bay Golf and Country Club (18-hole). Driving range available in Lintas and Likas.

• Golf Academy Borneo , 1st Floor, Likas Golf Driving Range, Jl. Istiadad , ☏ +60 14 334 3565 , [email protected] . Private golf lessons with British PGA-accredited professional golf tutors, short game clinics, kids golf clinics and a Junior Programmes.  
• Sabah Extreme Sport Association ( bike, blade, and board ). Skateboarding, Inline Skating and BMX stunts with extreme sports community group in Kota Kinabalu.  
• Trinity Self-Defence , Lot 12 1st Floor Likas Plaza, Phase 1, Mile 4 1/2 Jl. Tuaran 8. Learn some self-defence skills at a Kota Kinabalu Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). Gym classes include Brazilian jiu-jitsu, CMB, Judo and Shootfighting. Experienced trainers. ( [email protected] ).
• 5.94806 116.04941 1 Ultimate ( Frisbee ), Tu & Th: Pertama Pantai (1st Beach) Tanjung Aru district. Tanjung Aru Rugby Field ( on the beach and field near KKIA Terminal 2 in Tanjung Aru ), ☏ +60 12 829 7881 , [email protected] . Tu Th 6:30PM-8PM, Su 4PM- 6PM . Frisbee for all ages and abilities. Show up with enthausiasm and a basic knowledge of Ultimate rules and enjoy a game with the Ultimate players of Sabah. Free .  

Festival and events

• Harvest Festival , a festival celebrating the harvesting of the rice paddy fields by the Kadazandusun people, called in Bahasa Kadazandusan (Language of Kadazan & Dusun people, accepted as Kadazandusan by KDCA in Malaysia) and accepted in the Malay/Kadazandusun press as Pesta Kemataan. Typically Pesta Kemataan is held during the end of May into early June every year. It is the only harvest festival/pesta kemataan held in Malaysia. One of the most popular venues to witness the celebration is in KK city at the KDCA centre,(KadazanDusun Cultural Association)in Penampang district of KK city.The festival is held to celebrate the sacrifice of their goddess Saviour Hurninodun who by her actions saved them from famine. They also thank their creator Deities Kinoingan and Sumundo for giving them their sacred rice crop.Events include "Unduk Ngadau" beauty pageant, cultural dances, food, and drinking tapai a (traditional rice alcoholic) drink made from rice. The event is widely covered within the press and radio programmes, local malls have "Display teams " performing traditional dance, also they are seen performing within the larger hotels and resorts. The girls and young women wear various traditional clothes from their local districts within Sabah with coloured beaded and metal adornments to denote their status single; married men wear a similar dress code for each separate Sabahan tribe or culture they are from.
• City Run , annual marathon held around March or April.
• Likas Bay , Taman Awam Teluk Likas ( Dragon Boat Racing/Meeting in May. ) ( Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens ). ( updated Nov 2017 )

Popular souvenirs include coffee and all sorts of foods made from durian.

• 5.98125 116.071733 1 Filipino Market , Jalan Tun Fuad Stephen ( Next to the waterfront ). Synonymous with pearls, local handicrafts, home decorations and lately crystals. Don't forget to bargain for good prices. You can also find souvenirs such as keychains, t-shirts with Sabah themes, carved wooden statues, batiks and sarongs, rattan handicraft and floor mats, Islamic calligraphy and broaches. Some of the items are imported from Australia and others from neighboring Asian countries such as the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand and Korea, and there is little actual Sabah handicraft available; however, it is a very colorful place that will stay in your memory as a 'souvenir' from Sabah. ( updated Oct 2016 )
• 5.984817 116.077602 2 Sunday market , Jalan Gaya from Jalan Tun Fuad Stephen to Jalan Bandaran . With everything from Malaysian delicacies, ground coffee, t-shirts, handicrafts, hardware to anything in between at bargain prices. A particular focus on clothing and jewelry. Held every Sunday morning, 6AM-1PM, along Jl. Gaya right in the heart of town. ( updated Oct 2016 )
• 5.978537 116.07206 3 Borneo Art Gallery , ☏ +60 88-280707 . Located in Asia City Complex, contain art works by local and regional artists. Art works are for sale.  
• 5.98054 116.07121 4 Night Food Market , ☏ +60 12-899 7870 . 17ː30-23ː00 daily . Maybe think twice before going overboard on ordering some of the food items here due to the hygiene and smell, but this is an interesting wet market with a wide variety of fruit and seafood and other food selections. A very high energy place. Prepare to be approached by touts. ( updated Sep 2020 )
• 5.986798 116.075054 6 Suria Sabah , 1, Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens , ☏ +60 88-485 468 . 10AM–10PM . One of the cleanest and modern malls in Sabah, it is between Wisma Merdeka and Jesselton Point. The food court has indoor and outdoor seating, cheap and tasty meals, and views of the sea and Pulau Gaya. Shops consist of mainly branded goods compared to other malls in KK. On the 7th floor is the "Glass" restaurant with a large outdoor seating/drinking deck overlooking the city. It can be extremely hot on the deck during the day, and very busy in the early evening. But food and service are very good and the prices reasonable. They also have a cinema on level eight. ( updated Nov 2017 )
• 5.970713 116.065855 7 IMAGO Shopping Mall , Off Coastal Highway , ☏ +60 88-275 888 . 10AM–10PM . Huge shopping mall with 54 food outlets, most on the ground level. The "Heritage" food court is on the 4th or 5th level and not very clean compared to the rest of the stunning mall. There is a large car park with overhead red/green lighting showing if spaces are vacant, for access to the Mall and the Gleneagles hospital. There are hotels, shops, apartments and a police station all attached to the main KK Times complex with the Imago mall in the centre. On the ground floor, be privy to displays and seasonal events including a winter wonderland and dance routines related to the Pesta Kemataan festival in May. There is a cinema on the upper level. ( updated Nov 2017 )
• 5.9856 116.07578 8 Wisma Merdeka , Jalan Tun Razak . One of the oldest and smallest malls but still very popular. Ideal shopping centre for cheaper goods over five floors, at a fraction of the price of Suria Sabah shops. Travel shops and a good cultural shop on the ground floor. ( updated Oct 2017 )
• 5.97064 116.07529 9 Kompleks Karamunsing , Jalan Karamunsing . An older but large mall that specializes in computers and electronics. ( updated Oct 2016 )
• 5.97824 116.07184 10 Centre Point Sabah , 1, Jalan Centre Point . A large mall adjacent to Asia City, Api-Api, Warisan Square and Sinsuran. Easy parking within the centre with access to all floors. Two money exchange kiosks and a western food court and a large choice of shops selling all you would need but very little for tourists. ( updated Oct 2017 )
• Oceanus Mall , Jln. Tun Fuad Stephens Kota Kinabalu Sabah ( Waterfront Kota Kinabalu ). A modern clean mall opened in 2016. It has a foyer for festival displays. Most shops are low end. Several food outlets on the lower levels. A Hard Rock Café on the 1st floor with an outdoor seating area provides an eating outlet and live music entertainment in the evenings. At the rear of the mall is a large decking area that links the mall to the waterfront food outlets. ( updated Oct 2017 )

Kota Kinabalu is a cultural melting pot. Here Chinese meet Malays and Bruneis, Javanese, Filipinos and even a couple of Europeans, all of whom have brought along their own cuisine. Try out the many specialties offered at the various kedai kopi (often in buffet form making it easy to order) and shun fast food chains.

For meals, head to the outdoor food stalls fronting the sea or coffee shops along the streets. The less adventurous could make a beeline for fast food outlets in the Centrepoint shopping centre while those with deeper pockets could try the pier-side restaurants just after the open air fish market. The promenade restaurants between the Filipino Craft Market and the fish market are poor value and only frequented by tourists. Try SEDCO Square in the evening for top value.

• Fook Yuen , a nice, clean, modern-looking kopitiam with self-service concept offering various types of food such as dim sum, pick-yourself dishes, nasi lemak, and roti kahwin (bread, butter and kaya). They have branches in Gaya Street, Karamunsing Capital and Damai (original branch). All branches serve halal food except Damai branch.
• Kah Hiong , specialises in "ngau chap" noodles (beef soup noodles). Offers a variety of beef parts such as beef brisket, stomach, stew, omasum, tongue, etc. The main branch is in Kolam Center (Hilltop) in Lintas.
• Kak Nong , serves Malay/Malaysian food located in Harbour City opposite Sutera Harbour. The restaurant won the Sabah Tourism Award 2007 for the category Best Kopi Tiam.
• Man Tai Restaurant - in Likas, Dah Yeh Villa. Beaufort-style fried noodles. They serve Chinese style a-la carte dishes as well.
• Peppermint , a fast-food concept restaurant serving Vietnamese food. Try the spicy chicken rice and beef stew. They have 3 branches: Gaya Street, Asia City and Karamunsing Capital.
• Pete's Corner , in Asia City in the heart of Kota Kinabalu. A breakfast place which specialises in steaks and other western dishes for RM10-18.
• Indo Food , on 2nd floor, Wisma Merdeka (near food court), is a nice small restaurant serving spicy Indonesian food. Popular dishes include nasi penyet, ikan asam pedas and soto bakso. A little bit expensive, but not exactly mid-range.
• Salim Lintas Square (approximately 20-min drive from the city). Supper spot specialising in many local "mamak" foods and delicacies including the Malaysian roti styled bread, cooked over an open flat iron skillet which is bathed in oil. The meal along with a cup of Teh Tarik Madras would range at around RM5-8.
• Restoran Taufik , located in Kampung Air (opposite Shell), serves cheap Javanese/Malay food such as soto (beef soup), bakso and rojak. More branches in Inanam and Putatan.
• Yu Kee's Bak Kut Teh , along the famous Gaya Street, its a Chinese operated restaurant that serves pork dishes for dinner time only (usually opens after 4PM until night time). A small single dish costs about RM4, soup top up is free. All types of pork meat and organs served with special Chinese herb soup.
• Wah Juan , is popular for their "chu chap" noodles (noodles served with pork and pork innards). It's in Pekan Tanjung Aru facing the main road (Jalan Mat Salleh). Served only in the morning and finishes by 11AM. The small restaurant is always crowded and patrons may need to wait for an empty table.
• Yuit Cheong Coffee Shop . 昌悅, 50, Jl. Pantai. Satay and cosy environment.  
• Badben , Gaya Street . 7AM till late . A small clean café that serves a mix of Asian and some Western food, cold drinks and beer at 10AM with breakfast. Friendly, helpful staff. ( updated Oct 2017 )
• 5.982029 116.076179 1 Night Market ( Satay Legend Lok Kawi 1 ), Jalan Gaya , ☏ +60 10-954 3651 . Friday and Saturday 6PM–2AM . An outdoor street market with street food and music. ( updated Feb 2019 )
• Anjappar , ☏ +60 88 227969 . 10:30AM-3:30PM and 5:30PM-10PM . Asia City Complex (facing Api Api centre, diagonally across the street from CentrePoint). Chettinad (North and South Indian) cuisine. Serves authentic Indian food such as banana leaf meals, biriyani, naan and roti, tandoori dishes, and dosai. Prices range from RM3.50-RM10.00. Anjappar is an Indian franchise with branches in Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sri Lanka and Canada.  
• Choice , serving mainly Indian Muslim food as well as other Malaysian food. Their briyani rice is quite popular. Branches in Taman Millenium, Kepayan and in the city center opposite Wisma Merdeka.
• 5.98456 116.07636 2 El Centro , 32 Jalan Haji Saman ( Opposite Wisma Merdeka ). noon-midnight . Popular cafe restaurant with tourists and expats. Has regular themed nights such as Mexican Monday, Tequilla/Taco Tuesday and Wednesday’s Pub Quiz. ( updated Nov 2015 )
• Grazie Ristorante , ☏ +60 19 821 6936 . Wawasan Plaza Complex, ( Next to Tang Dynasty Hotel ). An Italian restaurant. Serves no pork.  
• Jeff De Corner , Grd Flr, Luyang Ph 6, Shophouse ( approximately 15 min from the city ), ☏ +60 19 8818427 (reservation) . Dishes include lamb and beef steak, oxtail soup, lamb shank, BBQ lamb and the exclusive Wagyu beef steak.  
• Hi Seoul , pretty good Korean restaurant in Likas Square near Sabah Trade Center.
• Jothy's Fish Head Curry and Banana Leaf Restaurant , Api Api Centre. An eat with your hands restaurant. A chicken dish RM8, a mango lassie RM4. Fish head curry, fish cutlets, fried fish pieces, chicken nasi biryani, assam soup and dried bitter gourd. They'll bring you a spoon and fork if you wish. Ask for a banana leaf (for additional 50 cents) and eat with your hands. English menu.
• Little Italy ( opposite Wisma Merdeka ), ☏ +60 88 232231 . The most popular Italian restaurant in Kota Kinabalu. Usually crowded during lunch and dinner by locals and foreigners. Operated by an Italian man.  
• Kohinoor , ☏ +60 88 235160 . North Indian food by the waterfront. Claims to have invented the "Chicken Cheese Tandoori Tikka". Indoor and alfresco seating.  
• Nok Thai , ☏ +60 88-538055 . Located in Damai Plaza in Luyang, is perhaps the best Thai restaurant in Kota Kinabalu.  
• Old Town White Coffee a modern kopitiam franchise from Ipoh with branches in Menara Jubili on Gaya Street, Karamunsing Capital and others. Popular for their 'hor fun' noodle soup, nasi lemak and, of course, their white coffee. The biggest kopitiam chain in Malaysia.
• The Stonebridge Galley Provides all day English Breakfast.
• Charles Cafe Halal food and drink.
• Sushi Tei , a Singaporean-based sushi franchise with branches throughout Asia Pacific. Reasonably good food and price. Located in Ground Floor, Suria Sabah.
• Tambayan at Kainang Filipino , ☏ +60 16-8182008 . A Filipino restaurant offering typical Filipino dishes such as lechon kawali, sisig, crispy pata, etc. Located in Block 3, Api-Api Centre.  
• 5.9708 116.0666 3 Tavern Kitchen & Bar , Lot G-93, Imago Shopping Mall, KK Times Square Phase 2, Jalan Coastal ( Opposite Soho Bar, same row as Starbucks on ground floor of Imago Mall ), ☏ +60 12 586 0093 , [email protected] . Su-Th 10AM-midnight, F Sa Holiday Eve 10AM-2AM . Fusion restaurant utilising Sabahan ingredients such as tuhau, buah tarap, bambangan, Sabah seaweed and salted fish as a twist to classic Western and local cuisine. No pork served. Daily shows include live band featuring celebrity singer Esther Applunius, belly dancing, traditional Sumazau and Magunatip bamboo dance, blowpipe performance, Argentine Tango and fire juggling flair bartenders. Recommended to make a reservation as it is often fully booked. RM20 and above for main course . ( updated Jul 2016 )
• Souled Out , KK Times Square Imago Mall rear ground floor. . If you are driving in to the Imago KK Times Square there is a one way system that takes you around the whole complex, just as your exiting , going down the OUT ramp the "Souled Out" restaurant is on your left. It is best to drive in park up and then walk through the mall on the ground floor to the restaurant. It can get very busy early evening so you may have too wait for a table, prices are reasonable, menu is Sabahan, Chinese, and fish-based so do not expect Western food the menu is a picture menu so if you are not sure ask. The service is polite and very good, Malay/English and Chinese spoken by staff. A pleasant lively location, just run in doors when it rains ( updated Oct 2017 )
• 5.987087 116.078838 4 Gaya Vegetarian , Lot 53, Ground Floor, Jalan Gaya . Vegetarian Chinese restaurant with large portions, especially the soups. ( updated Feb 2019 )
• Bella Italia , ☏ +60 88313366 . 69 Jl. Gaya. ( Under the Jesselton Hotel in Kota Kinabalu's business area ). Italian restaurant serving pizzas and pastas and if you get there early there are discounts.  
• Ferdinand`s Italian restaurant ( At the Magellan Sutera Harbour Hotel ), ☏ +60 88 303900 . Italian restaurant an Sutera Harbour hotel, next to the international airport.  
• Nagisa , a Japanese restaurant in Hyatt Regency.

Seafood in Kota Kinabalu is very popular, so getting a dose of it is a must. Here are some places to try:

• Kampung Nelayan Floating Seafood Market Restaurant , ☏ +60 88 8823 1003 . 10 min drive away from Kota Kinabalu city, this seafood restaurant is built within a botanical park/lake using Malay architecture. There is a nightly cultural performance with a fire show performed during the weekends.  
• New Gaya Seafood Restaurant ( next to Gaya Sports Recreation Centre ), ☏ +60 88 8838 5020 . One of the most visited seafood restaurant by locals. Prices are fixed and maybe 20%-30% cheaper than some city seafood restaurants. Deep fried crabs with egg yolk & butter prawn. Highly recommended for visitors who have spare time.  
• Ocean Seafood Restaurant , next to the Promenade Hotel and Parkson Grand. The restaurant faces the coastline. You can take a pick on your seafood orders by the fishtanks, or if you prefer, you can let the waiters recommend at your table.
• Portview Seafood Restaurant , There are 2 branches of this in Kota Kinabalu. One of them is opposite Centrepoint Shopping Centre, called The Waterfront. This one is quite new, a very popular place for tourists and orders can be taken either way similar to Ocean Restaurant. This restaurant is nestled amongst other popular nightlife hangouts, mostly bars and clubs, but also cafes like CoffeeBean. The other older one is in front of a pier.
• Salut Seafood Restaurant , It takes about 20 min car journey from the city centre to Salut where the restaurant is located near the Sepanggar Bay and Telipok. It is a famous place for cheaper seafood dishes as the prawns are bred by the restaurant owner.
• Sutera Rimba . 7PM-midnight .  
• Welcome Seafood , ☏ +60 88 447 866 . A popular seafood restaurant with 2 branches in Asia City Complex and in the deep suburbs in Bundusan. Usually packed due to cheap price and decent food. (Asia City)  

The main entertainment areas in Kota Kinabalu can be found in KK Waterfront (opposite Warisan Square) and Times Square . Other areas include Pantai Street, Jalan Datuk Salleh Sulong. There are also smaller bars concentrated in the areas of Inanam, Likas, Donggongon and Penampang Baru, these areas are out of the KK city and are not within walking distance of KK city centre they are more local district centres. Types of drinking places popular in Kota Kinabalu are café/coffee shops for breakfast, open air bars, karaoke joints and a few nightclubs. Nightclubs and bars have live bands performing almost everyday except Mondays. Some karaoke joints have private rooms for big groups who prefer some privacy. Some nightclubs and karaoke bars have hostesses especially for male customers in exchange for buying them 'ladies drink'. Intuition would be needed if you need to look for or avoid these establishments as they are not explicit.

• Cock & Bull Bistro . Winner of Best Entertainment Outlet awards for Night Spot Experience 3 times (2005, 2007, 2009). Located on the waterfront facing the South China sea with cool sea breezes and a beautiful view of the sunset. Featuring a live band, 2 projector screens and a pool table.  
• Sky Blu Bar . Good and relatively inexpensive (happy hour 5-8pm) roof top bar from which to watch the sunset, with great views over the islands of the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park. Entry though Hotel Grandis and take lift to R (13th floor) ( updated Oct 2022 )
• Shenanigan Fun Pub ( Ground floor of the Kinabalu Hyatt Regency. ). ( updated Oct 2022 )
• 5.978681 116.06977 1 Shamrock Irish Bar , The Waterfront Lot 6 . Range of beers and very good food. The usual warm welcome from the staff, varied English/Western menu including typical Sunday lunch menu. Outdoor seating area under the shade is small, the unshaded deck area is larger but can be extremely hot, A/con in doors. Pleasant polite attentive staff, food and drinks arrive promptly, clean toilets, a good atmosphere, taxi rank across the street, staff wave and taxis come to the bar door to collect you.  

• 5.9567 116.04018 2 Sunset Bar ( At Shangri-La's Tanjung Aru Resort (STAR) ). 17:00-20:00 . One of the best places to drink and catch the sunset. An expensive RM30 per small 300ml beer. The Sunset bar gets very busy around 6PM to view the sunset. Generally a pleasant experience with the flying fish and the occasional dolphin passing the bar area, overall a good atmosphere. Non residents are allowed in but have to report to the front desk to sign in. ( updated Oct 2022 )
• Chocolate Factory . A funky club in Times Square with live band. Popular with younger crowds. ( updated Oct 2022 )
• Cocoon Restaurant & Bar . One of Kota Kinabalu's most notable nightspots. It is a relaxed bar in the day and a lively bar/club by night, with the action carrying on into the small hours. ( updated Oct 2022 )
• Bee Kim KTV ( Sadong Jaya around Karamunsing area. ). ( updated Oct 2022 )
• Strawberry KTV ( Segama and Central market. ). ( updated Oct 2022 )
• Razz-Ma-Tazz . Just outside the central business district along Jl. Tuaran, it is one of the largest and most popular nightclubs in the city. Features two rooms, the larger one, Z'Razz, features a live band rotated with DJ spinning mainly hip-hop tracks. The smaller room, Zuave, plays mainly house, trance, and other dance tracks. ( updated Oct 2022 )
• Bed ( On the Promenade near the night markets. ). One room with a cover band, pool table and DJ. ( updated Oct 2022 )
• BB Cafe ( At Jalan Pantai (Beach Street) ). Has an interesting setting under a huge canopy with occasional events. ( updated Oct 2022 )
• Firefly Bar & Grill . Live band in Kota Kinabalu Times Square. Hot place to hang out, dance and chill. ( updated Oct 2022 )
• 5.984269 116.07537 3 Upperstar . A popular local dining and drinking joint with branches near Hyatt (see map), Suria Sabah, Damai and Likas. ( updated Nov 2017 )
• White Room ( Times Square ). Perhaps the hippest and glamorous club in KK where people go to be seen. Prices are slightly expensive. ( updated Oct 2022 )
• 5.98365 116.0782 4 October coffee house . Nice espresso coffees, smoothies and cakes in pleasant air-con environment. ( updated Nov 2015 )
• Santan , Waterfront Kota Kinabalu ( Next to Oceanus Mall, jalan Tun Fuad Stephens ). The Irish/Shamrock bar and the Santan have the same owners. The Santan has super quick service and the food is hot and tasty. Tuaran noodles is beautiful, a cold beer and the view make for a perfect visit The waterfront has a policy among the outlets. You can sit where you like, order food from any of the food outlets. But you order and pay for your beer from one outlet or pay up and move next door. ( updated Oct 2017 )
• Hard Rock Cafe ( Oceanus Mall ), Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens . Inside the Oceanus Mall on the first floor. The ground floor brings you in to the rock shop. Go up the stairs to the restaurant sit indoors or keluar dodok and enjoy the food , drinks, atmosphere and the view, oh yeah the music! It is A/C cool indoors, they have an external balcony with views across the harbour and sunset views at about 6PM. Really good food, service, drinks, views. Oh yeah the toilets are very clean. They have live bands. ( updated Oct 2017 )

Kota Kinabalu has accommodation from expensive to cheap. This is such a changing price market the best way to check prices is the internet pages such as Sabahbah.com, MySabah.com Sabah tourism.com, or Trip Advisor searches until you find the price you want.

• 5.982097 116.076298 1 Akinabalu Youth Hostel , Lot 133, Jalan Gaya , ☏ +60 88-272188 , [email protected] . Rundown budget hostel. Two computers with free internet access, TV and DVD, and free breakfast. A/C costs extra and is only from 5PM to 10AM. Dorm RM20-30, double RM70-80 . ( updated Feb 2019 )
• 5.98325 116.076713 2 Asia Adventure Lodge , 112, Jalan Gaya , ☏ +60 88255422 , [email protected] . Smaller hostel with a friendly family feel located right in the heart of town next to Internet cafe, banks, travel agents, supermarkets and nightlife, plus the colourful and deliciously diversified Sunday Market. Free Wi-Fi. Fan dorm RM17, A/C RM22, single RM40, double RM58 .  
• Borneo Adventure Center and Lodge , ☏ +60 88 241515 , [email protected] . Double, triple as well as backpackers dormitory beds. All rooms have fan, A/C at night and either a common or an ensuite shower room with hot water shower. Self service kitchen equipped with refrigerator, microwave oven, stove, toaster, coffee making facilities, CCTV security, electronic card access system, in-house laundry service, cable TV at the lobby, Wi-Fi. Rates inclusive of simple breakfast (toast with coffee/tea). Dorm RM21, twin or dbl room RM55 .  
• 5.983443 116.077617 3 Borneo Backpackers , 24 Lorong Dewan ( In central Kota Kinabalu, not far from Gaya street ), ☏ +60 88234009 , [email protected] . Clean bathroom, toilets, pantry area, internet, laundry, cosy lounge area, roof garden deck, 24-hr security, and a tour information counter. Friendly, helpful and knowledgeable local staff. A/C or fan rooms. Large dormitory with 10 beds, medium dormitory 4-6 beds and private rooms. Each room has small storage compartment for personal items. Dorm RM35, single RM60, double RM80 .  
• 5.948602 116.047898 4 Borneo BeacHouse Backpackers , 122 Lorong Ikan Lais, Jalan Mat Salleh, Tanjung Aru ( Now that all flights go to Terminal 1 you will be forced to go to the bus station and from there you can take buses 16A-B-C (ask to be drop near Tanjung Aru beach and then you walk). ), ☏ +60 88 218331 , [email protected] . Fairly good backpackers hostel. Located far outside the city next to Tanjung Aru Beach(good for sunset). Staff are friendly. Good wifi, hot water. Located near some hawker stalls where you can get cheap Malay food for RM5-6. During the day the beach is empty and you can enjoy free. Fan dorm RM29, A/C dorm RM39 (after tax) . ( updated Mar 2016 )

• 5.98463 116.077457 5 Borneo Gaya Lodge , 78 Jalan Gaya ( Nearby to Sunday street-market in central of Kota Kinabalu. ), ☏ +60 88 242477 , [email protected] . First opened 2008. Bed sheet and towel, free hot & cold drinking water, complimentary breakfast. Spacious carpeted living area with LCD TV (AstroChannel) but without window, free WiFi, books and a small kitchen with refrigerator. No curfew and 24 hr security with CCTV and computerised door lock. Friendly staff. Tour information available. A/C dorm RM25, double room RM69 .  
• 5.966039 116.071451 6 Borneo Global Backpackers , Lorong Karamunsing C , ☏ +60 88270976 , [email protected] . Fan dorm with outside hot-water bathrooms. Free breakfast and slow internet. The bus from the KK Airport goes right past the hostel. Has to be the most low cost dorm bed in KK but is far from the city center. There are a few restaurants around. Dorm RM15, double room RM60 .  
• Century Hotel Inanam , ☏ +60 88 380222 . Located next to the Inanam Bus Terminal (North) Inanam. Spacious rooms, with TV and hot shower provided. 15 min drive from the city centre. Varieties of food and beverage nearby the hotel.  
• Globetrotters Lodge ( Formerly New Horizon ), ☏ +60 88272796 , [email protected] . Small, opposite British Council, just off Gaya St, street market every Sun morning, lots of cheap restaurants, banks nearby.  
• Hamin Lodge , ☏ +60 88 272008 , [email protected] . Boutique budget hotel in the heart of Kota Kinabalu City. Borneo tour packages, traditional massage, spa, restaurant and bar. Full A/C. Budget hostel rooms suitable for backpackers to deluxe rooms with ensuite.  
• Hotel Holiday ( City centre ), ☏ +60 88 213116 . 1Mb WiFi, laundry, friendly staff. Room with A/C and private bathroom. Standard RM95, deluxe RM105, family room RM130.  
• Hotel Sadong 88 , Lot 4, 5&6, 1st-3rd Floor, Block A, Sadong Jaya,Karamunsing , ☏ +60 88 268699 . Single RM55, twin RM77, family room RM98 .  
• 5.984295 116.078183 7 Kinabalu Backpackers , 2 Lorong Dewan , ☏ +60 88 253385 , [email protected] . Centrally located in Australian Place. All rooms have A/C. Free breakfast, free coffee or tea all day and free Wi-Fi, airport pickup service. A/C dorm RM20, double room RM65 .  
• Lavender Lodge ( In the CBD ), ☏ +60 88 217119 , fax : +60 88 218077 . Clean and comfortable rooms, friendly staff  
• 5.983213 116.077833 8 Lucy's Homestay ( Lucy Backpackers ), Lot No.25, Lorong Dewan, Australia Place , ☏ +60 88 261495 . Look behind a stamp-makers shop for this nice little house with two dorm rooms available at a competitive rate. B&B. Friendly owner, friendly cat. Free, secure Wi-Fi. Nice and central. Safe lockers available. Dorm RM30, single RM48/double: RM58 .  
• Megah D’Aru Hotel , No. 2, Jl. Kinabalu, Tanjung Aru township ( In the heart of Tanjung Aru Township ), ☏ +60 88 239666 , [email protected] . Check-in: 2PM , check-out: noon . Less than 5 min drive south of Kota Kinabalu city centre, and north of the Kota Kinabalu International airport. 72 rooms. RM128-RM188 .  
• Stay In Lodge , ☏ +60 88 272986 . Gaya St., where the famous street market is held every Sun. Clean and comfortable.  
• Step-in Lodge , ☏ +60 88 233519 . Painted in a zany combination of purple and bright green, this is a cosy little hostel in the middle of the city, with very friendly staff. Toilets and shower stalls are immaculate. From RM25 per person for a dorm, A/C double RM80, including a simple continental breakfast .  
• Summer Lodge . Convenient central location with a nice lobby, free Wi-Fi, free breakfast, and very helpful staff. Clean, decent bathrooms, however dorm rooms leave a bit to be desired (cramped, bed frames falling apart). All rooms have A/C. RM22/night mixed dorm; RM28/night male or female only, plus private rooms .  
• Tune Hotel - 1Borneo, Kota Kinabalu . No-frills hotel located within 1 Borneo, East Malaysia's largest shopping complex. Far from city but free shuttle bus is available daily. Online booking only. Rate might as cheap as RM1++, but understand that all requirements provided are likely to be charged as extra costs.  
• X-plorer Backpackers , 1st Floor, 106/108, Jl. Gaya , ☏ +60 88 538780 , fax : +60 88 538781 , [email protected] . Check-in: 2PM , check-out: 1PM . Near Gaya Sunday morning street market. Reservations can be made by phone, online or by SMS text message to mobile phone ☏ +60 128399328 . Complimentary breakfast, free Wi-Fi, all rooms are A/C. Dormitories, private rooms, family rooms available. There are some en suite rooms with attached bathrooms. From RM25 .  
• Hotel Kotajaya and Back Packers , ☏ +60 88 222715 . ( Sinsuran Complex ), Short distance to Centre Point, Api-Api Centre, Kompleks Asia City and waterfront bars. Budget rooms with private bathroom are available. Friendly host.  
• Impiana Mutiara Hotel , No.12, Jl. Perpaduan, Kampung Air , ☏ +60 88 231991 , [email protected] . Budget hotel with 27 rooms. Every room comes with an attached bathroom with hot and cold shower, individual A/C and TV with cable channels. Reservations can be made online. Promotional rates from RM65 .  
• King Park Hotel , Jl. Masjid Lama, Bandaran Berjaya , ☏ +60 88 270500 , [email protected] . Check-in: 2PM , check-out: noon . Clean, 14-storey, 3-star hotel. Panoramic views of the city and Tunku Abdul Rahman Park from the upper floors. Online reservations available. RM128-RM198 .  
• Celyn City Hotel , Lot 30, Block A, Ground Floor Warisan Square ( Hotel reception is on the 1st floor of Warisan Square shopping paradise ), ☏ +60 88-448 787 , [email protected] . 5-storey boutique hotel with 72 rooms. Online reservations. Waterside location. LCD TV, AstroTV, IDD phone, free WiFi, tea and coffee making facilities, room safe. RM150-480 .  
• Promenade Hotel , ☏ +60 88 265555 , fax : +60 88 246666 . Sdn Bhd. 451 rooms, swimming pool, gym, beauty salon and health spa. 2 restaurants specialising in local and Asian cuisine, 2 cafes, lobby lounge, promenade floor lounge and a karaoke bar.  
• Grand Borneo Hotel ( Formerly Mercure Kota Kinabalu ), ☏ +60 88 526888 , [email protected] . Grand Borneo Hotel. 325 rooms. Part of a mall 20-30 minutes out of KK centre, 1 Borneo mall; an entertainment complex with over 400 stores of leisure, entertainment and culinary delights.  
• The Klagan Regency , ☏ +60 88 529888 , [email protected] . 1Borneo Hypermall, Jl. UMS. Part of 1 Borneo Hypermall, the largest mall in Sabah. 263 rooms, an outdoor pool and jacuzzi on the 7th floor and a business centre.  
• The Palace Hotel ( formerly Berjaya Palace Hotel ), 1 Jl. Tangki Karamunsing , ☏ +60 88 211911 . Blends old architecture with modern facilities. Hilltop location, 15 min drive from the airport.  
• Jesselton Hotel , 69, Gaya Street , ☏ +60 88 223333 , fax : +60 88 240401 , [email protected] . Jesselton was the name for Kota Kinabalu during the British colony. Boutique hotel built in the early 1920s. Hotel has its own limousine, an imported British cab.  
• Kasih Sayang Health Resort , Kokol Hill, Menggatal , ☏ +60 88 246 404 . 45 minutes east of the city center at 2,400ft above sea level offering nice view of the city and Mount Kinabalu. There is a spa and conference facility but nothing much in the vicinity but jungle and some houses. Nearest town is Menggatal 15 minutes drive downhill. RM130-250 .  
• Hyatt Regency Kinabalu , Jl. Datuk Salleh Sulong ( in the city centre ), ☏ +60 88221234 , [email protected] . 5-star resort hotel. Good for business people who just want to eat, sleep and work. This hotel has an impressive choice of restaurants and a coffee shop serving Malaysian food, a Chinese restaurant with 'dim sum' or 'yum cha', a Japanese restaurant with teppanyaki and a fresh bakery. Close to shopping centres, fast food outlets and cafes. From around US$100 .  
• Bunga Raya Resort , ☏ +60 88 380390 . In Pulau Gaya facing away from the city. It is one of the few luxury resorts in Malaysia. RM1,700-8,000 per night .  
• Le Méridien Kota Kinabalu , Jl. Tun Fuad Stephens , ☏ +60 88 322222 . 306 rooms. Gym, seaview pool. Next to Centrepoint shopping complex.  
• Shangri-La Rasa Ria Resort . 5-star hotel on a 3-km Dalit beach. 18-hole golf course, excellent kid's club and has an small wildlife exhibit. There were some orangutans, which were removed to Sepilok in April 2016. A resort suitable for families, pools with small but good water slide equipment, watersports activities. Coast restaurant is beachside. RM120 taxi ride of about one hour from the airport. There is a shuttle bus between the two Shangri-La hotel resorts stopping at One Borneo Mall, KK city centre and Imago Mall. ( updated Sep 2020 )
• 5.95562 116.0421 9 Shangri-La Tanjung Aru Resort , ☏ +60 88 225800 . An older, grand and comfortable 5 star hotel. It has its own jetty and marine sports shop, also provides excursions out to the marine park. There is a small row of shops in the resort, one of which takes bookings for excursions all across Sabah. The rooms in the Tanjung Aru wing are confined inside the building and look out to the pitch-and-putt golf course. A small flora area, with a shallow pool, is in between the corridors of the quadrangle with wings leading towards the rooms of the Tanjung Aru wing it has large suites on each level. Tanjung Aru wing was renovated in 2017. Tanjung Aru has a 100-m man-made good sandy beach, with a sunset bar, ideal to view the sunsets over the South China Sea. The resort has a good water park and slides area and shallow pools, for parents and children, and a larger, deeper pool for adults only. The 2017 completion of the renovations included extending the breakfast dining area known as Café Tatu now with access from outside pool and garden areas. It has a large open aspect, very smart with sky lights letting more light in. The side walls are made from transparent rolling screens for flexibility with the weather during the daytime into evening. The Kinabalu wing overlooks the sea with views of the marine park. The rear of the Kinabalu wing on the upper floors have a mountain view of Gunung Kinabalu and the nearer slopes of the Crocker range. The lower floor has the view blocked by trees and a carpark. A taxi ride from the KKIA Terminal 1 to Tanjung Aru, or from the resort into Kota Kinabalu city centre, is RM30. Transfers from the airport to the hotel are available upon request. ( updated Oct 2017 )
• Sutera Harbour Resort , Sutera Harbour Blvd ( A RM10 taxi ride to town, or a 20-min walk (if you're in good shape) ), ☏ +60 88 318888 , fax : +60 88 317777 . Includes the 5-star Pacific Sutera hotel and the 5-star Magellan Sutera resort hotel (formerly Pan Pacific). 27-hole golf course, fully equipped marina, 2 spas, squash, badminton and tennis courts and various other sport and leisure activities. The rooms are of a high quality with either a sea view, a golf course or a Mount Kinabalu view at the Pacific Sutera. The Magellan Sutera has views of the garden or a sea-view. You can easily book trips to the islands, starting at RM35. The Magellan has an awesome buffet style breakfast included in the room rate. Enjoy freshly made roti and omlettes. The resort has a free shuttle bus going to town every hour until 9PM. If you stay in one hotel, you have access to the entire resort. An internal shuttle takes guests between the properties, the marina and the golf club. From RM 400 .  

Kota Kinabalu is a safe city by Malaysian standards. The crime rate is lower than in the Western states of Kuala Lumpur or Johor Bahru , or any city of similar size in Peninsular Malaysia . Violent crime is especially rare, and it's generally safe to roam the streets at night, though of course it's still best to remain alert as you would in any other city.

There is moped/scooter ride-by crime in KK.

The telephone country code for Malaysia is +60 and the area code for fixed-line telephones in Kota Kinabalu and for most districts in the west coast of Sabah (including Papar, Kota Belud, Ranau and Kudat) is 088 . Mobile phone numbers normally begins with 01x throughout the country. If a telephone number is not displayed in international format, such as "088-222222" or "012-222222", simply add "+6" before the number, e.g.: "+60 88-222222" and "+60 12-222222". The zero need not be repeated.

Free wifi is available at various points in the city. There are some restrictions: you can use the wifi for free in public areas, i.e. streets. It is deliberately not powerful enough to penetrate shopping malls etc.

WiFi is available in most hotels and hostels across KK. There are also internet cafes in some parts of the city.

• Sabah State Library , ☏ +60 88 214828 . Manages and operates most public libraries in Sabah. In Kota Kinabalu, SSL has a library between City Hall and the court (KK Regional Library), Suria Sabah (Library@Suria; Level 4) and the State Library along Jalan Penampang near Luyang (biggest; SSL HQ; 10 minutes drive from city center).  

The following countries have set up consulates in Kota Kinabalu. For other countries, you may need to contact the respective embassy in Kuala Lumpur or nearer consulates in Sarawak. There are British and Chinese Consulate offices in Kuching and British and Dutch Consulates in Miri .

• Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park – a collection of islands with beaches, jungle, snorkeling, and scuba diving, easy to visit as a day trip
• Labuan — duty-free paradise, fairly decent karaoke nightlife and offshore banking.
• Mount Kinabalu — is 80 km east of Kota Kinabalu, where it's possible to do a 9-km hike to the mountain summit.
• Kundasang — a cool place with various markets, plantations, farms, resorts nearby Mount Kinabalu. Popular with locals from all around Sabah during weekends and public holidays.
• Sandakan , Tawau , Lahad Datu and Semporna cities on the Eastern Coast with rich wildlife and a world-class diving.
• Layang Layang Island in the disputed Spratly Islands is famous for diving.
• Kuala Penyu — district, about 2 hours southwest along the coast, contains Klias River, Pulau Tiga (site of the first series of TV show "Survivor") and Menumbok jetty (to get to Labuan by car or boat).
• Kinarut — a small town 40 minutes south of KK contains quiet beaches, Pulau Dinawan, the 'sininggazanak' statues and still existing wooden shophouses, built around 1930s to 1960s.
• Maliau Basin — Sabah's "Lost World", located in the middle of Sabah somewhere between Kota Kinabalu and Tawau . Said to be one of the oldest undisturbed rainforest in the world.
• Experience rural lifestyle around Kudat , Tambunan , Tenom , Kota Belud , all along the west coast of Sabah and within 2-4 hours drive from Kota Kinabalu.
• Gunung Mulu National Park — a World Heritage Site in Mulu , Sarawak , is 20 minutes away by plane.

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Kota Kinabalu

In busy Kota Kinabalu (KK) you’ll soon notice the breathtaking fiery sunsets, blossoming arts-and-music scene and a rich culinary spectrum spanning street food to high-end dining. Alongside swanky new malls and expensive condos, old KK happily endures, through markets brimming with sea creatures and fresh produce, and busy fishers shuttling about the waterfront. This may be a city on the move with the 21st century, but its old-world charm and history are very much alive.

Attractions

Must-see attractions.

Mari Mari Cultural Village

With its three-hour tours, Mari Mari showcases various traditional homes of Sabahan ethnic communities – the Bajau, Lundayeh, Murut, Rungus and Dusun –…

City Mosque

Built in classical style, this mosque is far more attractive than the State Mosque in both setting and design. Completed in 2000 it can hold up to 12,000…

Kota Kinabalu Wetland Centre

This centre features 1.4km of wooden walkways passing through a 24-hectare mangrove swamp, where you can expect to see scuttling fiddler and mangrove…

Signal Hill Observatory Platform

Up on Signal Hill, among the art deco mansions at the city-centre's eastern edge, there's an unmissable UFO-like observation pavilion. Come here to make…

Night Market

KK's Night Market is an unmissable immersion into local culture. It's authentic, bustling, aromatic and noisy. At the southwest end you will find stalls…

Sunday Market

On Sundays a lively Chinese street fair takes over a section of Jln Gaya. It's vividly chaotic, with stalls cheek by jowl hawking batik sarongs, puppies…

Sabah Art Gallery

The first 'green' building in Sabah has outdoor sculpture displays and hosts contemporary art exhibitions by the likes of Francis Cheong and Awang Fadilah…

Sabah Museum

About 2km south of the city centre, this museum provides an introduction to Sabah's indigenous cultures, with displays focusing on the traditional attire,…

Latest stories from Kota Kinabalu

Apr 17, 2015 • 6 min read

Often just a transit stop for travellers headed to the wild jungles and pristine coral reefs of eastern Sabah, Kota Kinabalu offers much to those who…

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20 Best Things to Do in KOTA KINABALU, Sabah

My heart was heavy when I told my friends that I couldn’t come with them. It was our long-awaited barkada trip to Kota Kinabalu, but I needed some adulting to take care. That was 2016. Fast forward to 2022: my heart skipped a beat when I realized my Sabah adventure was finally going to happen. As the saying goes, “There’s a time for everything.” Time I promised myself I would make the most of.

And how Kota Kinabalu surprised me! In a good way, of course. KK, as it is fondly called, offers a variety of sustainable tours — natour, cultour, adventour! Conquer its national parks — both terrestrial and marine. Immerse in the Sabahan culture while you roam around the cultural villages and museums. Get swept away (not literally) by the rapids of its wild rivers. Dive into the colorful underwater world.

Kota Kinabalu might not be on your bucket list, but give it a chance to take your breath away. If you’re wondering what’s in store for you in this part of Borneo, here’s a list of the things to do and places to visit in and near Kota Kinabalu.

WHAT'S COVERED IN THIS GUIDE?

Mt. Kinabalu

Sticking out imposingly from the forested grounds at an elevation of 4,095 meters (or 13,435 feet), Mt. Kinabalu is the tallest peak in Borneo and one of the tallest in Southeast Asia. The most famous tourist attraction in Sabah, it magnets local and international hikers to its lush surroundings and jagged mountainscape. As for me, and many others like me who missed the chance of climbing it the first visit, it’s one of the main reasons to come back.

Cradled within the dense expanse of Kinabalu Park, a protected UNESCO World Heritage Site in Ranau District, it nurtures hundreds of species of flora and fauna spread across different zones. Low’s Peak (the highest point) and the textured rocky area leading to it are a geological wonder.

Is reaching Mt. Kinabalu’s Low’s Peak one of your bucket list items? You need to take note of the following:

• Mount Kinabalu is managed by Sabah Parks , under the Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Environment. Yes, they have just one unified body overseeing all the projects regarding environment, culture, and tourism
• Sabah Parks climb permits must be secured in advance through licensed and accredited climb operators. Here’s the list provided by the Sabah Tourism Board: Accredited Tour Operators
• Only 150 hikers are allowed per day, so you need to secure a slot in advance.
• All hikers must book accommodations at Panalaban Base Camp in advance (2D1N), too. Here are the current accommodation options: Laban Rata Resthouse, Pendant Hut, Lemaing Hut, Mokodou and Kinotoki. Heated dormitories and rooms are offered by Laban Rata Resthouse.
• Note that One-Day Mount Kinabalu Climb permits are currently NOT available.
• Climbers must be fully vaccinated and must present proof of vaccination via MySejahtera App (Digital Covid-19 Vaccination Certificate)
• Hikers must be accompanied by accredited mountain guides. The number of guides will depend on the size of the group and the age of the climbers. Children below 12 years old must be accompanied by fully vaccinated parents/guardians.
• The jump-off point for all hikers is the Timpohon Gate at Kinabalu National Park.
• Currently, there are two open summit trails, both starting from Panalaban: the Ranau Summit Trail and the Kota Belud Summit Trail.
• Choose your package type: Non-Ferrata or Via Ferrata. Via Ferrata (Iron Road) is recommended only for seasoned mountaineers and rock climbers.
• All hikers must follow the Covid-19 safety protocols and guidelines. Check if you still need to submit a negative result (self-test RTK Antigen) a day before your arrival.

For more info about booking Mount Kinabalu hike to the summit, visit the this website .

Location: Kinabalu National Park, Ranau, West Coast Division, Sabah Kinabalu Park Conservation Fee: RM 15 (Adult); RM 10 (Child) Climb Permit: RM 200 (Adult); RM 80 (Child) Mountain Guide Fee: RM 230 (16 y/o and above, 1 per 5 pax); RM 230 (below 16 y/o, 1 per 2 pax) Porter Rate: RM 65 – RM 80 (10kg, one-way, depending on the route). Routes: Timpohon – Panalaban / Panalaban – Timpohon / Timpohon – Sayat-Sayat / Sayat-Sayat – Timpohon / Timpohon – Summit / Summit – Timpohon Sabah Parks Contact Details: +60 88 523 500 / [email protected] / [email protected]

Kinabalu Park

Covering a total land area of 75,370 hectares, the sprawling Kinabalu Park is a hotspot for terrestrial biodiversity, sheltering over 100 species of mammals, more than 350 species of birds, about 100 species of reptiles, around 80 species of amphibians, more or less 1,000 species of insects (others are yet to be specified), and more.

All these fauna thriving in various green habitats encompassing 5,000-6,000 species of vascular plants in different climactic zones — lowland forest, lower mountain forest, upper mountain forest, ultrabasic rock forest, granitic boulder vegetation, and sub alpine forest.

The most prominent feature is the magnificent Mount Kinabalu, a major tourist and hiking destination in Southeast Asia. Officially declared a national park in January 1964, Kinabalu Park is the first in Sabah. It covers three districts: Ranau, Kota Belud, and Kota Marudu. The national park was established to protect, preserve, and conserve the natural habitat and feature, the water catchment area, and its cultural and historical heritage.

Aside from Mount Kinabalu, other features are the following:

• Mount Tambayukon
• Mount Kinabal Botanical Garden
• Poring Butterfly Farm
• Poring Orchid Conservation Center
• Rafflesia Conservation Center
• Poring Bamboo Garden
• Poring Ethnobotanical Garden
• bird watching activity
• paragliding
• Canopy Walkway
• Natural Hot Sulfur Spring Water

Into forest bathing? Here are eight nature trail options:

• Kiau View Trail
• Bundu Tuhan View Trail
• Liwagu River Trail
• Silau Silau Trail
• Bukit Burung Trail
• Mempening Trail
• Pandamus Trail
• Bukit Ular Trail

Each trail has its own pros and cons, so choose the one that suits your preference and interest. Or take all the trails if you want and you have time to spare.

The park is managed by Sabah Parks , which is under the Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Environment. All details regarding the various species of animals and plants were provided by the Sabah Parks management. It was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in December 2000 and was included in the ASEAN Heritage Parks list in December 2003.

Location: Kinabalu National Park, Ranau, West Coast Division, Sabah Conservation Fee: RM 15 (Adult); RM 10 (Child) Other Fees: Kinabalu Natural History Gallery RM 3; Botanical Garden RM 5 (Adult), RM 2.5 (Child), FREE (6 y/o and below); Guided Walk RM 3 (Adult), RM 1.5 (Child), FREE (6 y/o and below); Audio Visual Display RM 2; Botanical-Guided Walk-Audio Visual RM 8 (Adult), RM 4 (Child) Sabah Parks Contact Details: +60 88 523 500 / [email protected] / [email protected]

Getting There: If you are not climbing Mount Kinabalu and just want to do easy walks along its shorter trails, you can check the shared shuttle services or the private services from Kota Kinabalu city center to Kinabalu Park. The rate ranges from MYR 50 – MYR 90, one-way. But if you are on a budget and you are not in a hurry, you can take the minivan/minibus bound for Ranau at Merdeka Square or a bus bound for Ranau, Sandakan, or Tawau at North Bus Terminal in Inanam. These vehicles will pass by the entrance of Kinabalu Park. The fare is MYR 15-30, one way. The travel time is about two hours.

Tanjung Aru Beach

Located outside the city center, Tanjung Aru is a 2-km beach stretching from Shangri-La Resort & Spa on the northern end and the Kota Kinabalu Meteorological Office on the southern end. Because of its close proximity to the urban core, the beach developed into a popular beach hangout place. Facing the South China Sea, it showcases breathtaking sunsets, painting the sky with splashes of various hues and intensity each day, depending on the weather.

Food stalls offering local fare line the public beach, particularly between Prince Philip Park and the DBKK Carpark (beside Shangri-La Resort), so expect this strip to be crowded on weekends and holidays, especially in the morning and around sunset time.

Popular activities are strolling along the beach, people watching, food tripping, kite flying, having a picnic, and sunset watching, among others.

Aside from Shangri-La Resort, the beach is also home to Kinabalu Yacht Club and Kinabalu Golf Club. While in the area, you might also want to visit Perdana Park along Jalan Mat Salleh (Mat Salleh Street). Your landmark is the Prince Philip Park, located at the end of Jalan Mat Salleh.

Location: Jalan Tanjung Aru, Tanjung Aru, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah Opening Hours: The beach is open 24/7, but the establishments along the beach usually operate from 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM. Entrance Fee: FREE

Mari Mari Cultural Village

Take a peek into old school Borneo at Mari Mari Cultural Village !

Launched in December 2008, this vast open-air museum showcases the roots and soul of Sabahans. It features different traditional houses of the five major ethnic groups in Sabah — the agricultural Dusun and Rungus, the hunters and fisherfolk Lundayeh, the herdsmen and sea gypsies Bajau, and the headhunters and warrior tribe of Murut.

Each traditional house exhibit also presents the costumes, traditional skills, customs, and daily activities in the olden days such as bamboo cooking at Dusun House, fire starting and traditional craft at Rungus House, tree bark craft at Lundayeh House, congkak and kuih jala at Bajau House, and lansaran at Murut House.

Two sessions of guided tour are offered daily — morning and afternoon. Each tour lasts about three hours, with the morning session starting at 10:00 AM and the afternoon session at 2:00 PM. Visitors need to register 15 minutes before the official tour starts. Here’s the flow of the tour:

• Registration and Briefing at the Reception Area
• Start Tour: Crossing the Suspension Bridge
• Visit Five Tribal Houses with Demonstrations/Food Tasting
• Cultural Performance at the Performance Hall
• Lunch (Morning Sesion) or High Tea (Afternoon Session)
• End of Tour

The cultural village’s key landmarks also include the Main Dinner Hall, Souvenir Shop, Dining Hut “Leka-Leki”, and the Performance Hall, where a spectacular indigenous dance show is staged.

Restrooms are located at the reception area, the performance area, and the dining hall area. It is located 20-30 minutes northeast of the city center.

Location: Jalan Kionsom, Inanam, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah Opening Hours: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Daily); 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM (Morning Session Tour); 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM (Afternoon Session Tour). The schedule might change, so check the official website and Facebook page before going. Guided Tour Package Rates: RM 100 (Adult); RM 90 (Child, 5-11 y/o). These rates include entrance fee, in-house guide, visit to 5 ethnic traditional houses, traditional demo & activities, cultural performance, and lunch/high tea. Check the official Facebook page for updates and promos. Booking/Reservation Contact: +60 13-881 4921 / Mari Mari Cultural Village Facebook Page (@marimariculturalvillageborneo)

By the way, it’s best to get connected to the internet to help you navigate the city more conveniently. The most budget-friendly option is purchasing a traveler-friendly local SIM card.

Check out Tune Talk ‘s Traveller SIM . During our trip, we used its Lite Plan covering 15 GB data plan with seven days validity upon activation. This allowed us to chat with our friends and families and update our social media accounts as we explored Sabah!

Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park

Spanning 4,929 hectares, the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park harbors five islands and their surrounding waters and reefs in Gaya Bay. It was declared a protected area in 1974, making it Sabah’s second national park after Kinabalu Park. Originally, the marine park only included Gaya Island and Sapi Island. Later on, Manukan Island, Mamutik island, and Sulug Island were added in 1979.

The park boasts pristine islands, white-sand beaches, snorkeling spots, and diving sites. Popular activities are swimming, island hopping, beach bumming, water sports, boating, diving, snorkeling, and the Coral Flyer zipline (linking Gaya Island and Sapi Island). Accommodations are also available on the islands, particularly in Gaya Island and Manukan Island.

Jesselton Point Jetty Terminal is the jump-off point to the marine park (and its islands), which is about three kilometers off the Kota Kinabalu mainland. You can book your island hopping tour from one of the many tour operators ticketing booths/counters at the Ticketing Hall located at the entrance of the jetty, right after the old wooden welcome arch. The rates depend on the inclusion and add-on activities. If you want to go scuba diving, it’s best to book in advance with accredited dive operator.

Also under the jurisdiction of Sabah Parks, its headquarters can be found on Manukan Island, but each island has its own satellite office. The park aims to protect and maintain the marine ecosystems, including the underwater flora and fauna.

Location: Gaya Bay, Sabah Conservation Fee: RM 20 (Adult); RM 15 (Child, below 18 y/o); RM 15 (Seniors, 60 y/o and above); RM 10 (below 6 y/o); FREE (PWDs) Island Transfer Rates: 1-Island RM 35 (Adult), RM 30 (Child); 2-Island RM 45 (Adult), RM 40 (Child); 3-Island RM 55 (Adult), RM 50 (Child); 4-Island RM 65 (Adult), RM 60 (Child). The rates are inclusive of island terminal fee — RM 7.20 for adults and RM 3.60 for children. The island transfer service for Tunku Abdul Rahman Park covers only four islands — Manukan, Mamutik, Sapi, and Gaya. Other Fees: Camping Fee RM 5 (Adult), RM 2 (Child); Diving Fee RM 50/head Jump-Off Point: Jesselton Point Jetty Terminal Sabah Parks Contact Details: +60 88 523 500 / [email protected] / [email protected]

JSK Borneo Reef – Pontoon

Touted as the largest reef activity pontoon in South East Asia, the JSK Borneo Reef , often simply called “pontoon” measures 12 meters high, 24.5 meters wide, and 37.5 meters long. This two-level fun center can accommodate up to 300 people, who can enjoy a plethora of activities such as snorkeling, kayaking, swimming, and sea walking (aka helmet diving), in which you could walk on the sea floor while wearing an underwater helmet.

Because it is within the protected Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, the management conscientiously implements strict policy that will help maintain and preserve the surrounding marine environment. In an effort to help conserve and restore Sabah’s coral reefs, the company sets up its own coral farm where the sea walking activity takes place.

If sea walking is too adventurous for you (because it isn’t for everyone), you can still catch a glimpse of the underwater world by descending into their underwater tunnel.

If you prefer to stay above the water but still want your share of thrills, take on the inflatable island obstacle course!

The pontoon is stationed over a hundred meters off the southwest coast of Gaya Island, but you can also have a great view of nearby Sapi Island.

From Jessselton Point Ferry Terminal, the speed boat will take visitors to the pontoon in 15-20 minutes. Check the official website and Facebook page for the complete list of package options and promos. You can find the JSK Borneo Reef kiosk at the Ticketing Hall.

Location: Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, Sabah Opening Hours: 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM (Daily); 7:30 AM – 8:30 AM (Registration); 8:45 AM (Boarding); 9:00 AM (Departure). The schedule might change, so check the official website and Facebook page before going. Ocean Escapade Package: Monday to Thursday RM 149 (Adult), RM 99 (Child); Friday to Sunday, Holidays RM 169 (Adult), RM 109 (Child); FREE (0-3 y/o). The package includes meal, boat transfers, all pontoon amenities ECXEPT sea walking (separate fee). Ocean Escapade + Sea Walking Package: Monday to Thursday RM 229 (Adult), RM 179 (Child); Friday to Sunday, Holidays RM 249 (Adult), RM 189 (Child); FREE (0-3 y/o). The package includes meal, boat transfers, all pontoon amenities. Jump-Off Point: Jesselton Point Fery Terminal

Manukan Island

The crescent-shaped Manukan Island is a 1.5-kilometer island paradise blessed with willowy Casuarina Pine trees (Agoho trees), fine white-sand beaches (especially on the southeastern coastline), and turquoise waters perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and scuba diving. It is the second largest and the most developed in the protected area, featuring 20 units of cabins, a few restaurants, shops, a diving center, a museum, a clubhouse, a swimming pool, and sports grounds — football, volleyball, and sepak takraw.

Beach attractions and water-related activities are concentrated on the eastern side. The heavily forested Manukan has hiking trails for those who want to commune with nature and further explore the island.

The cabins are managed and operated by Sutera Sanctuary Lodges . If you are planning to stay here, you need to book in advance.

Location: Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, Sabah Conservation Fee: RM 20 (Adult); RM 15 (Child, below 18 y/o); RM 15 (Seniors, 60 y/o and above); RM 10 (below 6 y/o); FREE (PWDs) Other Fees: Camping Fee RM 5 (Adult), RM 2 (Child); Diving Fee RM 50/head Jump-Off Point: Jesselton Point Jetty Terminal Boat Transfer: Refer to Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park section. Again, the island transfer service for Tunku Abdul Rahman Park covers only four islands — Manukan, Mamutik, Sapi, and Gaya.

Gaya Island

With a total land area of almost 1,500 hectares, Gaya Island is the largest of the five islands. The name came from the Bajau word gayo , meaning “big”. It is also the closest to downtown Kota Kinabalu via Jesselton Point Ferry Terminal.

Its lush hilly landscape reaches an elevation of 300 meters, featuring ridges stretching across the island and a 20-kilometer hiking trail, which also includes a plank-walk through a mangrove forest.

Police Beach is the most popular beach, nestled on the northwestern coast, facing Bulijong Bay and fronting one of the three secluded five-star hotels on the island — the Bunga Raya Island Resort . The clear calm waters kissing the 400-meter sandy stretch of white sand is ideal for swimming. The other two upscale resorts are the Gaya Island Resort and the Gayana Marine Resort.

Gaya Island is bejeweled with colorful coral reefs, making it one of the best snorkeling and diving destinations in Sabah. The local settlement took over the eastern side of the island.

Location: Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park, Sabah Conservation Fee: RM 20 (Adult); RM 15 (Child, below 18 y/o); RM 15 (Seniors, 60 y/o and above); RM 10 (below 6 y/o); FREE (PWDs) Jump-Off Point: Jesselton Point Jetty Terminal Boat Transfer: Refer to Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park section. Again, the island transfer service for Tunku Abdul Rahman Park covers only four islands — Manukan, Mamutik, Sapi, and Gaya.

Mamutik Island

Just a kilometer south of Manukan, the triangular Mamutik Island is the smallest of the five islands. Its western side is characterized by a rocky shore, while the rest of the island is fringed with sandy beaches. Not as crowded as the others, it offers an alternative beach experience for those who prefer a more rugged but quieter spot.

Swimming and snorkeling are the popular activities here, so be prepared to meet some of these marine wonders — clown fish, rainbow fish, anemones, surgeon fish, zebra fish, and stingray among others. The surrounding waters are mostly deep, so keep an eye on your kids and companions who are not good swimmers. It’s also best to wear beach footwear to protect your feet from broken shells and corals.

Amenities on the island include changing rooms, toilets, benches, picnic huts, a restaurant, and rental shop for snorkeling, diving, and camping.

Mamutik is only three kilometers off the mainland, so tourists can view the city from the sandy eastern side of the island on a clear day. The main jump-off point is at Jesselton Point, but other terminals, such as Sutera Harbour Marina Jetty and Tanjung Aru Beach, have access to Mamutik Island.

Sapi Island

Sapi Island is like a remora fish swimming beneath its partner shark — the larger Gaya Island. Situated about two meters southwest of Gaya Island and covering an area of over 10 hectares, this densely forested island is definitely dwarfed but not really overshadowed by its bigger sister. Come low tide, the sisters link arms, creating sandbar in between.

The thick vegetation provides shades for visitors. Plenty of picnic huts and tables are scattered around the main beach area. Popular activities are swimming, snorkeling, and diving. The best spot to go diving is on the southeastern tip of the island. Some of the marine life found around the coral garden are stingrays, cuttlefish, zebra fish, clown fish, and moray eels.

Note that it can get crowded on weekends and holidays, particularly the main beach; however, you can explore further and find one of the few hidden beaches when you traverse the five-kilometer nature trail. Be sure to wear comfortable beach footwear when exploring the island. The trail will lead trekkers to the highest point of the island.

Sapi is also home to the wild macaques and two-meter long monitor lizards. Considering the wildlife thriving here, be extra careful. As much as possible, do not feed them, keep your distance, and just let them be. The macaques might grab some of your stuff to look for food. Always look where you are going to avoid stepping on a monitor lizard.

Kadamaian White Water Rafting

Mild or Wild? But it doesn’t really matter because the rapids will decide for you. This will delight thrill-seekers who are always on the lookout for extreme activities that will make their adrenaline pumping.

Enjoy the rough ride as the raging waters from Mount Kinabalu take you on a bumpy rafting experience along the Kadamaian River in Kota Belud, a town tucked about two hours north of Kota Kinabalu city center.

The whole rafting stretch is about 10 kilometers with rapid classification of Grade 1-2, so this is perfect for first timers. Our team had experienced white water rafting in Davao and Cagayan de Oro, both reaching the Grade 4 classification, which is the ceiling for leisure white water rapids.

Speaking from personal experience, both Yosh and I got tossed into the water here at Kadamaian, and I had a blast getting carried away for a moment before I was pulled back up onto the raft immediately. But that’s just me. Yosh got snatched by the rapids for three (long) minutes, and for better or worse, I’m sure it’s now one of his most unforgettable travel experiences.

The whole white water rafting activity lasted almost two hours. Once at the jump-off point, you will have safety briefing first. Depending on the package you book, it usually includes light snack or lunch buffet. Don’t forget to bring the following: extra clothes, dry bag, waterproof camera or GoPro, aqua shoes or sandals with straps, rash guard or comfortable rafting outfit, towel, and sunscreen.

Location: Kadamaian River, Kadamaian, Kota Belud, Sabah Getting There: The most convenient way is to book a package tour with roundtrip transfer between Kota Kinabalu and the jump-off point in Kadamaian.

Seafood Galore

When in Kota Kinabalu, don’t pass up any opportunity to stuff your face with scrumptious seafood!

KK is surrounded by the richest waters on the planet, providing delicious bounty to city’s popular restaurants and food meccas like the Waterfront Seafood Night Market along Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens and Api-Api Night Food Market at Gaya Street. You can enjoy them grilled, deep-fried, steamed, or topping your favorite noodle dish.

Another popular culinary brand is Welcome Seafood Restaurant with three spacious branches: Asia City (KK City Center), Inanam (North KK), and Penampang (South of KK). We dined at Asia City branch and the place was really packed with diners, locals and tourists alike. Outdoor and indoor seating are available.

We had their bestselling kam hiong crab (kam heong crab), a popular Malaysian dish that combines Malay, Chinese and Indian influences. Kam heong literally means “golden fragrance”, referring to the sweet, aromatic scent that steams out from its sauce, which is cooked with chillies, curry, and other spices. Welcome takes pride in their special sauce, which is a great blend of salty and spicy.

We also had their dry butter prawns, deep-fried squid (calamari), and fried fish in sweet-and-sour sauce.

Kota Kinabalu serves as a key gateway to the North Borneo regions, welcoming people from various cultures. This made Sabahan cuisine eclectic, but mostly mixing local with other Southeast Asian and Chinese flavors.

But the most intriguing delicacy is probably sinalau bakas , a native Kadazandusun treat. The name translates to “smoked wild boar”. Many roadside eateries and stalls can give you a taste of this meaty goodness, but most tour operators let guests try it at one of the stalls on the way to or from Kinabalu Park. Unfortunately, we didn’t get to try this ourselves as the stalls were closed when we dropped by.

Bak kut teh is a staple dish, more like a comfort food, that is usually served at dinnertime. But in the past, farmers usually consumed the steaming hot light broth early in the morning before they go to the fields. Literally means pork rib tea, the pork is cooked or added (when meat are already partially cooked) in a cloudy herbal broth. Some restaurants offer chicken, seafood, and beef aside from pork. Innards and dimsum balls can also be added.

Malaysian bak kut teh is served with you char kway (fried dough). Locals usually eat the meat by dipping them in a soy sauce with chili and minced garlic. Chinatown (or Gaya Street area) is dotted with restaurants serving bak kut teh, and one of them is Sin Kee , which we had the pleasure of trying when we visited.

You’ll also find Filipino food spots throughout the city including Tambayan at Kainang Pilipino at Api-Api Center. Owned and run by a Pinay immigrant, this 24-hour-open restaurant has a menu that boasts a number of Pinoy favorites from sizzling plates of sisig to icy desserts like halo-halo.

Gaya Street

Immerse in the Sabahan culture and experience the lifestyle of the locals here!

This bustling strip of commercial establishments, both old and new, dates back to 1902. Originally named “Bond Street” during the British colonial period, the street evolved from an industrial trading railway track — transporting rubber between Tenom and the wharf in Jesselton Harbour, which was then the main gateway to North Borneo before commercial flights were made available — into a busy commercial street where many shops and dining places flourished.

Spanning from Lintasan Deasoka near the Kota Kinabalu City Hall and Mandarin Hotel all the way to the old Jesselton Post Office, Gaya Street is home to old family businesses passed from generation to generation, most of them are coffee shops and restaurants operated by Chinese families; hence, the area is also dubbed as the Chinatown of Sabah. The end of the street near the KK City Hall is marked by a Chinese arch gate erected in 2005.

On Sundays, it transforms into a pedestrian-only street where regular market fair is held, particularly in the morning. Local merchants, as well as foreign traders (Indonesians, Filipinos, etc.), sell various kinds of items and products: agricultural produce, local snacks and street food, arts and craft, flowers, souvenirs, footwear, clothes and textiles, and many others.

Location: Kota Kinabalu Central Business District, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah Street Fair Hours: 6:00 AM – 1:00 PM (Sundays). The schedule might change, so check first with Sabah Tourism Board before going. Contact Detail: +60 88 212 121 (Sabah Tourism Board)

Plaza 333 is a commercial complex housing entertainment and food establishments, from homegrown restaurants to fast-food chains to bar and restaurants.

Although located outside Kota Kinabalu, over six kilometers south of the city center, it still draws people, both young and old, to its various food establishments. It is also one of the favorite hangout spots for nightlife among locals.

Location: Kobusak Commercial Centre, Penampang, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah Opening Hours: The whole complex is open 24/7, but each establishment has its own operating schedule. Check the official Facebook page or website of the establishment you wish to visit. Getting There: It’s quite challenging to go here if you re taking the public transportation, so the best way is to take a Grab service from Kota Kinabalu. The travel time is about 20 minutes.

Handicraft Market

This place is THE souvenir haven! Also known as the Filipino Market , it is composed of shops managed mostly by residents originating from the Philippines.

With stalls flanking a portion of Tun Fuad Stephens Street , this waterfront market is a popular shopping destination for locals and tourists looking for specific items and even interesting pieces that they “suddenly need”. Wink wink. With seemingly endless array of options, it’s impossible to leave empty handed. Practice your bargaining skills and learn helpful phrases in their local language for better chances of getting discounts.

Some of the products sold here are local handicraft, musical instruments, clothes, fabrics, traditional clothes, jewelry, accessories, key chains, and more. Should you get hungry, food stalls and seafood pop here and there.

Location: Jalan Tun Fuad Stephen, Pusat Bandar, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah Opening Hours: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM (Daily). The schedule might change, so check first with Sabah Tourism Board before going. Contact Detail: +60 88 212 121 (Sabah Tourism Board)

Kota Kinabalu City Mosque

“The Floating Mosque”

Ensconced in a diamond-shaped manmade lagoon, Masjid Bandaraya Kota Kinabalu (aka Kota Kinabalu City Mosque) covers an area of about six hectares on Pasir Street along the shores of Likas Bay. The mosque is attached to the southeastern side of the lagoon where the entrance is also located.

Officially opened in February 2000 after Kota Kinabalu acquired its city status, the mosque attracts not only worshipers but also tourists with its blue and gold dome and four minarets. The modern Arabic architectural style was inspired by the second holiest site in the Islam religion, the Nabawi Mosque in Medina. It is also one of the popular photography subjects in Kota Kinabalu.

Non-muslims are welcome to visit the mosque outside prayer times and must wear proper attire — no sleeveless and shorts. Cover up clothing can be rented from the management. All visitors are also required to register at Kota Kinabalu City Mosque Tourism Management. Follow the rules and respect the place.

Note that this is not the city’s main mosque. That title belongs to Sabah State Mosque (Masjid Negeri Sabah) in Sembulan.

Location: Jalan Pasir, Kampung Likas, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah Visiting Hours: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM, 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM, 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM (Saturday – Thursday); CLOSED (Fridays). The schedule might change, so check first with Kota Kinabalu City Mosque Tourism Management before going. Entrance Fee: RM 5/head Cover Up Rental: RM 5 – RM 10 Contact Details: +60 88 435 891 / [email protected]

Sabah Museum

From its humble beginnings at a shophouse along Gaya Street in 1965, the Sabah State Museum now sits on a 17-hectare land at Bukit Istana Lama, where the former palace of the British North Borneo Governor was situated.

From the collection of photographs and diaries of George Cathcart Woolley, the museum’s treasured possessions burgeoned into a massive assemblage of artifacts, installations, and exhibits housed in several galleries by category — history, arts, ceramics, brassware, natural history, archaeology, ethnography, and Islamic civilization among others.

From the devoted hands of Sabah Society, the administration duties of the museum was bequeathed to the State Ministry of Community Services in 1981 before it was handed over to the State Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports. Finally, in April 1984, the museum transferred to its new home where it is presently located. The current museum complex dates back to 1985.

Aside from the museum’s main building, the complex also hosts a zoo, a botanic garden, and a heritage village with a few of Sabah’s indigenous groups’ traditional houses. The museum is located near Sabah State Mosque.

Location: Sabah Museum Complex, Bukit Istana Lama, Jalan Muzium, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah Opening Hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Daily). The schedule might change, so check the official website before going. Entrance Fee: RM 15/head

Signal Hill Observatory

‼️ The Signal Hill Observatory Platform is under renovation until September 2023, but people can still trek to the top and still get good views from different spots around the hilltop.

As the highest point in Kota Kinabalu, Signal Hill is one of the best places to take in panoramic views of the city, Gaya Bay, and some of the islands of TAR Marine Park.

Benches are provided by the sidewalk should you get tired or you just want to spend more time admiring the breathtaking scenery.

Padang Merdeka and Gaya Street are the two entry points to the trailhead. Padang Merdeka mainly caters to visitors who opt to drive, while Gaya Street caters to those who want to go there on foot.

The trailhead from Gaya Street is on the side where the Sabah Tourism Board office is located. It is at the end of the street between the Old Town Coffee shop and Jesselton Hotel. You’ll spot the trail sign from the Kota Kinabalu Community Hall (Dewan Masyarakat DBKK). You’ll reach the top in more or less 10 minutes.

Location: 78, Jalan Asrama, Signal Hill, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah Trail Head Jump-Off Point: Kota Kinabalu Community Hall near Gaya Street Opening Hours: 24/7 (Hilltop Area); CLOSED for Renovation (Observatory).

Monsopiad Heritage Village

Dedicated to Monsopiad , the legendary headhunter warrior of the Kadazandusun people, the largest ethnic group on this side of Borneo.

Privately owned and managed by the direct descendants of Monsopiad, the heritage village was built on the very site where the renowned warrior lived about 300 years ago. Aiming to highlight the life and time of Monsopiad and the rich ancient culture of the Kadazandusun, it was opened to the public in 1979, featuring cultural activities like the Sumazau dance, the Kadazan cuisines, and the traditional bamboo fire lighting.

The most popular attraction is the House of Skulls (Siou Do Mohoing), where 42 skulls hang on display as trophies and proof of Monsopiad’s strength and power as a warrior and defender of his village. Other features are the massive monolith, the suspension bridge, the traditional restaurant, the Grainery (Tangkob), and Monsopiad’s Main House (Kotos di Monsopiad) where some items including padi grinders, ceramic jars, bamboo tools, and costume, are showcased.

The heritage village is located in Penampang , just a few minutes’ drive south from Kota Kinabalu city center.

Location: Kampung Kuai Kandazon, Jalan Putatan Ramayah, Penampang, Sabah Opening Hours: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Monday, Wednesday – Sunday); CLOSED (Tuesdays). The schedule might change, so check the official website or Facebook page before going. Cultural Performance Schedule: 11:00 AM (Morning Session); 2:00 PM (Afternoon Session) Package Tour Rate: RM 55 (Adult); RM 50 (Senior Citizen, 60 y/o and above); RM 35 (Child, 4-12 y/o); RM 30 (PWD). These are international rates inclusive of guided tour, tour guide, cultural activities, cultural show, complimentary drinks, and complimentary gift. Contact Details: For booking and inquiries, contact +6011-14196484 / +6011-14196488 / [email protected]

Mantanani Island Snorkeling + Cruise

Nestled off the northwestern coast of Sabah, this group of three islands is a quick day trip from Kota Kinabalu, providing alternative beach destination option for tourists who want to soak up the sun and swim in an uncrowded tropical paradise. Aside from swimming and beach bumming, the common activities are diving, snorkeling, and birdwatching.

Mantanani Besar , the largest of the three and the most popular, houses a few scuba diving resorts. Nature trails also scribble across the island. The other two islands are Mantanani Kecil , housing a small dive lodge, and Lungisan , the smallest of the three. The waters surrounding the islands are home to coral reefs, dugongs, and other marine creatures.

Getting There: The jump-off point is Kota Belud, which is about an hour’s drive north of Kota Kinabalu. From Kota Belud mainland, particularly Kuala Abai Jetty, the travel time by speedboat to the islands is almost an hour. You can book a tour package inclusive of roundtrip transfers from Kota Kinabalu, boat transfers, lunch, snorkeling gear, jetty and entrance fees. Two options are available — Snorkeling Only or Snorkeling + River Cruise.

How to Get to Kota Kinabalu

As countries continue to ease their COVID-19-related travel restrictions, many airlines are also reopening routes for commercial flights. AirAsia Philippines has recently resumed its Manila-Kota Kinabalu service twice a week. Travel time is over two hours.

Each booking is inclusive of a complimentary 7kg carry-on baggage allowance. For a hassle-free and more comfortable journey, you might want to check its Value Pack , which covers 20kg check-in baggage allowance, standard selection, a meal, and Tune Protect insurance (for baggage delay & 1 hour on-time guarantee protection). Meanwhile, their Premium Flex option allows you to change the date and time of your flight up to two times.

For convenience, seamless booking of flights and hotels, and great deals, you may want to download and check the company’s fully-integrated platform, the airasia Super App , offering flight booking and other supplementary services and products such as online shopping, insurance, and ride-hailing and delivery services (when applicable/available).

Written by Asta Alvarez Photos and additional words by Yosh Dimen

Our recent trip to Kota Kinabalu was made possible by AirAsia Philippines.

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I’ve been to Kota Kinabalu  twice for short visits and maybe I didn’t give it a fair chance. Getting bitten by a bot fly is one of my issues and taking my life in hand just trying to get across the street seemed an issue. After your article maybe I need to try for a third visit?

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Dive Into Malaysia

Kota Kinabalu Travel Guide

Kota Kinabalu, or KK as it’s affectionately known, is the Gateway to Sabah – the ultimate destination for nature lovers. The state capital, Kota Kinabalu, is a surprisingly charming city with seaside views, friendly locals and colourful markets. 

Brimming with culture and history, the city is overlooked by Mount Kinabalu on one side and surrounded by the azure South China Sea coastline on the other. 

Relax at modern shopping malls, hotels, resorts and restaurants, whilst enjoying epic excursions with island hopping adventures, scenic train journeys, bubbling hot springs, rainforest jungle treks, mangrove and swamp cruises and unique wildlife encounters… All possible as day trips from the city.

Animal lovers will love learning about orangutans and other Borneo wildlife at the Lok Kawi Wildlife Park, spotting proboscis monkeys from Kawa Kawa river cruises or spending a day at Kinabalu National Park, Malaysia’s first UNESCO World Heritage site.  Here you’ll find fabulous botanical gardens, a butterfly farm and jungle nature treks.  

A visit to Poring Hot Springs National Park is both relaxing and thrilling, with their sulphur pools and the highest canopy walk in Sabah. 

While for those wanting a little more action, there is a plethora of water sports on offer on the islands around Kota Kinabalu including parasailing, banana boat rides, wakeboarding and waterskiing.  For true adrenaline junkies, dare them to ride the rapids with white water rafting at the scenic Kiulu River.

Of course, for an insight to the local culture, you can’t go past a visit to the Mari Mari Cultural Village where you can explore traditional houses and learn about the tribes, as well as make rice wine and help start fires using bamboo.  

And of course, you can’t visit Kota Kinabalu without a trip to the beach at Tanjung Aru where you can capture awesome selfies for those essential social media updates, ending the day with the magic of a Borneo sunset!

In terms of accommodation, there is accommodation to suit all kinds of travellers from backpacker-hostels to five-star resorts, with older more established hotels undergoing renovations.

Excited?  Good!  Below we have all our best Kota Kinabalu guides so you can plan your own trip to this awesome destination.

Want Your Perfect Itinerary For Borneo?

Download our FREE Borneo Itinerary which is perfect for 3 Days to One Month in Borneo.

It includes Sabah and Sarawak sections and is easy to modify to suit your preferences and plans.

Click here to download it now!

Kota Kinabalu Attractions

Kota Kinabalu has some great places to visit from the beaches to animal attractions to cruising through the swamps and mangroves and more. Read about them below.

Top 14 Best Things To Do In Borneo [2024]

Perfect Kota Kinabalu Itinerary For 2 – 5 Days [2024]

Top 10 Best Kota Kinabalu Tour Options – Fireflies, Night Cruise And More

Kota Kinabalu Island Hopping: Find The Best Island In Kota Kinabalu

Kota kinabalu acommodation.

Kota Kinabalu has some great places to stay. Read about them below.

Exactly Where To Stay In Kota Kinabalu [2024]

Le Méridien Kota Kinabalu Review: Everything You Need To Know About Staying Here

Kota kinabalu travel.

Kota Kinabalu is the gateway to Sabah and so easy to reach by flight from the rest of Malaysia. Below are full guides to getting here from other popular destinations.

EXACTLY How To Get From KL To Kota Kinabalu [2024]

EXACTLY How To Get From Kuching To Kota Kinabalu [2024]

EXACTLY How To Go From Kota Kinabalu to Labuan [2024]

EXACTLY How To Get From Kota Kinabalu To Brunei✅[2024]

You can find more information on other destinations in Malaysia across this site here.

UPDATED Kota Kinabalu Travel Guide 2024: Itinerary, Places to Stay, and More

Guide to visiting kota kinabalu, malaysia.

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The Complete Travel Guide to Kota Kinabalu for 2024

Table of Contents

Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia — Formerly called Jesselton, Kota Kinabalu is the capital and the biggest city in the state of Sabah. Kota Kinabalu is recognized as an island paradise by nature-lovers. Kota Kinabalu houses some of the most inspiring natural ecosystems in the world. People love to visit this place with its picturesque coastal beaches, verdant plants, swarming wildlife, virgin coral reefs, and rainforests.

Kota Kinabalu is an incredible location situated on the tropical island of Borneo. It is easily accessible from the airport by a short ride. The main attractions of this place include championship golf courses, sailing marina, supreme holiday resorts, and good hotels. Kota Kinabalu is also a great destination for scuba diving, deep-sea fishing, water rafting, and snorkeling. There is a lot to explore in and around Kota Kinabalu.

Kota Kinabalu on a Budget Travel Guide Blog

In this Travel Guide to Kota Kinabalu Blog, we listed some tips on how you can do your own DIY Day trip to Kota Kinabalu. We also included Kota Kinabalu Itinerary, Things to do and see, how to get there, and more travel updates.

Best time to visit Kota Kinabalu

January to March are the best months to visit Kota Kinabalu due to a relatively colder climate. This is the perfect time to do island hopping, city tour, and other adventure activities.

April to May are considered the peak of the summer season and the weather is hot and humid making it a bit uncomfortable to do various activities.

How to Get There

Kota Kinabalu is the busiest airport after Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It is the main link to Sabah. Kota Kinabalu International Airport has flights arriving from Kuala Lumpur and international destinations such as Singapore, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Bangkok, Manila, Brunei, and Taipei. To and from domestic flights are also available to other Sabah cities such as Tawau, Lahad Datu, and Sandakan.

There are direct international flights from these cities to Kota Kinabalu:

• Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei on Royal Brunei Airlines
• Fuzhou, China on XiamenAir
• Hangzhou, China on AirAsia
• Hong Kong on AirAsia
• Manila, Philippines on AirAsia Zest and Cebu Pacific airlines
• Perth, Australia on Malaysia Airlines
• Seoul, Korea on Air Seoul, Eastar Jet Eastar Jet, Jeju Air, and Jin Air
• Shanghai, China on Malaysia Airlines and China Eastern Airlines
• Shenzhen, China on AirAsia
• Singapore on AirAsia and Silkair
• Taipei, Taiwan (Taoyuan International Airport) on AirAsia, Malaysia Airlines
• Tokyo, Japan on Malaysia Airlines
• Wuhan, China on AirAsia

Getting out from Kota Kinabalu Airport

The airport is 7 km away from the city.

Shuttle bus –  leaves approximately every hour and drops passengers off at the Wawasan Center south of downtown Kota Kinabalu.

By minibus – Bus 16c stops at terminal 2 (the Low-Cost Carrier Terminal), right outside the north-most entrance into the terminal where all cars drop passengers off (there is no bus sign or anything though). The bus cost RM1.50 and goes to the Kota Kinabalu bus terminal, Terminal Wawasan. The bus only goes once an hour or so and the schedule is highly irregular. The last bus leaves at about 5:30-6 PM.

For terminal 1, Minibus No. 17, Kota Kinabalu-Putatan buses, will bring you to the city. Minibusses are available along the main road away from the airport and the bus stop is next to the footbridge. Cost RM1.50 each way will stop you at the south end of the City Centre, at Terminal Wawasan. It is around 1 km from the center. From Terminal Wawasan, you can take City Bus into the city center for RM0.50.

By Taxi –  These are hired by buying a ticket from the window on the Arrivals level, then presenting the ticket to the driver. The standard rate from the airport to the city is RM30.

Kota Kinabalu is a beautiful treasure-trove of islands and a scenic place one should never miss.

Things to do and see in Kota Kinabalu

Hike mount kinabalu.

The most exclusive thing for adventurers at Kota Kinabalu is to climb Mount Kinabalu. 4,000 meters above the horizon of sea level, the mountain is the center for passionate climbers.

Island Hopping in Kota Kinabalu

The Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park with marvelous tropical islands is only a few minutes away from the city. The Park comprises five islands: Gaya Island, Manukan Island, Sapi Island, Sulug Island and Mamutik Island. These islands present you with crystal clear waters, white sandy beaches, coral gardens, lowland rain forests, and pleasant walking paths.

Visit Tun Mustapha Tower

Tun Mustapha Tower is yet another sight one shouldn’t miss. It is a 30-story and 122-meters high tower. This splendid building with a glass façade has a hanging structure, which is a feature it shares with only three other buildings in the world. It has an exclusive 72-sided polygon, column-free floors, and is the tallest building in Borneo. The Sabah state mosque is a magnum opus with dove-grey walls and sparkling majestic arches with gold enameling. It is capable of accommodating 5000 worshippers at a time.

Visit Kota Kinabalu City Mosque

Kota Kinabalu City Mosque is the second main mosque situated at Likas Bay over the north coastal highway. The City Mosque is erected on a man-made lagoon, which generates a sense that the mosque is floating above the water. This amazing architecture brings to mind the design of the Prophet´s Mosque in Medina, in Saudi Arabia.

Visit Signal Hill Observatory

The Signal Hill Observatory gives an excellent picturesque view of all the islands in Kota Kinabalu, and the South Chinese Sea. The Sabah State Museum is a major museum in Kota Kinabalu, situated at old Palace Hill. It is an exclusive complex constructed in 1985 with a museum, a zoological garden, an ethno-botanic garden, and a heritage village.

The island is blessed with beautiful flora and fauna. Kota Kinabalu also has a lot of Museums to visit. If you love scuba diving, snorkeling, or simply island hopping, there’s definitely a place for you to visit in KK. Check out my post about Things to do in Kota Kinabalu .

Places to stay in Kota Kinabalu

Check out our list of the Best Hotels and Resorts in Kota Kinabalu , Malaysia

Also read: Horizon Hotel Kota Kinabalu Review

Eat and Dine at Kota Kinabalu

There is an extensive range of cuisine varying from Thai to Indian, Filipino to Italian, among Kota Kinabalu restaurants. Kedai kopi and Sedco Square are some of the places to dine at. Kota Kinabalu is famous for its seafood which is a cheap, and tasty dish based on clams, crab, or prawns.

Have you been to Kota Kinabalu in Sabah, Malaysia? Help us improve this 2022 Travel Guide to Kota Kinabalu by sharing your personal Kota Kinabalu travel tips and recommendations.

Internet in Kota Kinabalu

WiFi is available in most hotels. There are also internet cafes (aka cyber cafes) in most places.

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Written by Melo Villareal

Melo Villareal is the Online Publisher of Outoftownblog.com. He is an Accountant by profession who left the corporate world at the age of 23 to explore his beautiful country and the rest of the world. Today, Melo works as a part-time Social Media Manager for local and international clients. His full-time work focuses on discovering interesting culture, explore different cuisines and take memorable photos from local and international destinations he's visiting.

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Kota Kinabalu Itinerary: The Ultimate 5 Day Adventure Guide

Last Updated on April 26, 2024 by Kirsten Raccuia

Kota Kinabalu is as exotic as it sounds. If the name conjures up visions of headhunters, indigenous tribes, and people living in the jungles hunting food with blowpipes, you are spot on. That’s how it used to be. And deep in the jungle that still exits.

But that is not the KK of today.

KK is the gateway to incredible wildlife, breathtaking scenery, and its namesake Mount Kinabalu, Malaysia’s highest peak. This Kota Kinabalu itinerary is packed with adventure. There is enough to do there to spend a month or more, but that would be a lot to write about. So, I figured I’d start with a Kota Kinabalu 5d4n itinerary blog instead.

Without further ado, let’s get crackin’.

Table of Contents

Kota kinabalu info, how to get to the islands:, sunsets at the waterfront, am: morning wet market, part 1: reunited and it feels so good, nature’s pyrotechnics, the details:, day 3: scuba or snorkel, another hiking option, the logistics:, over wildlife take in some kota kinabalu culture, where to eat:, how to get to kota kinabalu, getting around kk, where to stay in kota kinabalu, best time to visit kota kinabalu, the wrap up.

KK, as the locals call it, is the capital of the Malaysian state of Sabah, on the island of Borneo.

It’s the third-largest island in the world and is divided amongst three countries; Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei.

Kota Kinabalu city isn’t anything super special, but it’s the perfect place to start your adventures. The coastal town has a population of more than 450,000, with another 175,000 in the outlying areas.

Day 1: Island Hop & Sunset at The Waterfront

Spend your first day island hopping in the Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park (TAR).

There are two ways to go about it. An organized tour or a DIY tour.

On an organized tour, you don’t have to think about a thing. You just show up with your reef-safe sunscreen, bathing suit and towel, and they take care of the rest. No worrying about ferries and snorkeling gear. Obviously, it is more expensive than a DIY tour. But the convenience of it makes it worth the price.

Here are my fave island hopping tours in Kota Kinabalu :

This tour to Mengalum Island goes to two different snorkeling sites for incredible coral, turtles and colorful fish. You can also go glass bottom boating or kayaking, but there may be an additional expense for those, so be sure to ask. You’ll also get lunch on the island, which has the whitest sand and more turquoise waters. There is an option to do a firefly tour (more on that below), but that might be a lot in one day.

Want to learn to Stand Up Paddelboard (SUP)? Then this sunrise or sunset SUP tour is for you.

This Twin Island hopping with snorkeling tour goes to two islands with a dive master, so you can snorkel with ease if you’re a newbie. You can participate in other water sports, too. You can choose to add your lunch, which I suggest because there aren’t a lot of food options on the islands.

Now, on to the DIY island-hopping tour. You can take a quick and cheap ferry ride from Jesselton Point Ferry Terminal (see the details below) and spend the day lounging on white-sand beaches.

The islands rarely get overcrowded, and the beaches are clean. From the minute you step off the boat, schools of fish are visible right off the pier. The water is the kind of translucent blue where you can see your toenail polish. Just standing there, I could see massive schools of little fish darting around my waist.

My Kota Kinabalu island hopping tour has five islands to choose from, each one is a little different, so it is worth checking a few out.

The Islands:

• Sulug Island is the most untouched of the group. It’s also the furthest from KK. Reefs surround the island, so bring a snorkel.
• Sapi Island is the closest and has a few small stands selling food. However, they were pretty much out of everything, including ice, which put a damper on the cocktails we brought. Thankfully, we brought a little picnic to tide us over. At low tide, a sandbank links to Gaya, so you can visit both. You can try sea walking, where you put on an astronaut’s helmet connected to oxygen and walk along the ocean floor.
• Mamutik Island is the smallest of the bunch, just a little bigger than a football field. There are a few basic facilities, but I also heard there are sandflies, which kept me away.
• Manukan Island is the second-largest island in the Abdul Rahman Marine Park. The best beach is on the eastern tip and has good snorkeling. It has a few hotels and chalets as well as restaurants. This island has the most facilities if you don’t feel like bringing more than sunscreen and water. There are water sports available here if that is your thing.
• Gaya Island  is the largest island and is covered with dense tropical forest. The most popular beach is Police Beach. There are marked trails for easy hiking if you are like Mark and get antsy just lazing on a beach.

There is an island for everyone, you could easily spend a full day a day at each, but half the fun is popping over to the next island.

Take a Grab over to the Jesselton ferry port in Kota Kinabalu city, pick a boat operator from the dozen or so selling tickets, and choose how many islands you want to visit. Depending on how much time you have, you can select up to three islands in one day or spend the day lounging on one. The islands are within 3-8 kilometers from Kota Kinabalu, so the longest ride is only about 30 minutes.

If you don’t have snorkel gear, you can rent that from the boat operator for a whopping RM10/$2.35.

It really couldn’t be simpler. If you decide to go to a couple of islands, ask the times when you book the tickets. They are continually shuttling in between the islands, so you’ll never have too long of a wait. Just make sure you get on your boat operator’s boat.

The first ferry starts at 8:30 am. The last boat back to Kota Kinabalu from any island is around 4:30.

Ticket prices:

• One island is RM25/$5.85
• Two is RM35/$8.20
• Three is RM45/$10.54

There is a ferry terminal fee of RM7.63/$1.80, which is sometimes included in the ticket and a conservation fee of RM20/$4.85 for the park.

Head to The Waterfront to have a cocktail and watch the orange globe fade into the sea. It is actually called The Waterfront, so if you take a Grab, just type that in. Make sure you stop for a foot massage right at the entrance. What’s better than relaxing with a cocktail in hand, staring out to the horizon, and getting a foot rub? I’d bet to say, not much.

Not sure why but the sunsets in KK produce some of the most vividly colorful skies I’ve ever seen – make it a priority.

Day 2: Breakfast at the Wet Market & Proboscis Monkeys & Fireflies Tour

The sign on the massive waterfront building says “Pasar Besar” which translates to “large market,” and the name doesn’t mislead. The bottom floor has all the local produce, chicken, pork, beef, eggs, and spices separated into different areas. But the seafood area is around back, in a stand-alone building, right by the water’s edge.

Head there as early as possible, and watch the trawlers unload their nets and carry it over to the market to be sold.

I had just seen parrotfish with their bright blue lipstick swimming around my toes, and now they are at the seafood market – I feared for Nemo. There were blowfish, vast piles of silver tuna with yellow spikes on their backs, small, leathery sharks, large crates of clams sorted by size, and heaps of other fish unknown to me.

But then I spied the sweetest sight ever, the prawn aisle – there were mounds and mounds of them; little white ones, thick gray striped ones, light peachy pink ones, and even golden ones with blue tips. Each variety had a different price, but they started at RM17-29/$4-7 a kilo.

I lamented that I had nowhere to cook those gorgeous beauties, and the fish-man said, “No problem lah, you buy here, go upstairs, they cook for you.” This is the first market I’ve been to in Asia where they cook the food you buy!

We took his advice, and it was the best seafood breakfast I’ve ever had.

On to Monkey Business

Ever since studying primates during my anthropology years, it had been a long dream of mine to see proboscis monkeys in the wild.

Proboscis are endemic to Borneo and endangered, so this was my chance.

The males have big pot bellies and very phallic long noses that hang down and can grow up to 17 centimeters. Sometimes, they have to push their noses out of the way to eat. The longer and bigger it is, the more attractive they are to the females (I guess humans aren’t the only ones). The females have the daintiest little turned-up button nose, which is absolutely adorable.

It had been blue skies for the past two days.

An hour before we were getting picked up, it started to pour, not just a little drizzle, a complete black-out deluge. I couldn’t believe it; I had been waiting years to see these crazy looking monkeys, and here I was, a few hours away, and the chances were slim to none that I’d see anything in this rain.

As we drove two hours through the downpour, the guide told us not to get our hopes up. Seeing my long lost ancestors in the rain was a longshot. As I donned my stiff plastic raincoat and boarded what could only be described as a small barge, I wasn’t hopeful.

As we ambled on board, the guide started rushing us and took off sputtering across the river. There they were, a whole troop of them; the huge floppy nosed males with their turned-up pointy-nosed companions. I couldn’t believe it, not more than 10 seconds on the river and there they were, swinging in the trees!

If it were up to me, I would have stayed for hours. However, it wasn’t. So my mission was complete, and I was elated.

We continued down the river, spying several birds, playful macaques romping in the water’s edge, and languid monitor lizards watching us watch them. But truthfully, I could have cared less about those creatures. I was in long nosed-potbellied glee.

Yes, seeing monkeys in the wild makes me giddy, I realize I’m a total weirdo. And I’m totally cool with it.

Part 2: Dinner and a Light Show

After we stopped off for an incredible buffet filled with delectable Bornean specialties, we hopped back onto the boat in the dark of a moonless night. Our tour was far from over. When we were planning it, I hadn’t paid attention to anything other than the monkey stuff. All I cared about was seeing the proboscis.

Our guide had a flashlight, but it wasn’t to light the way. It was to lure tens of thousands of male fireflies to our boat. They thought the torch was the firefly queen and were about to get their lucky date. As soon as the males saw it, they were hypnotized and started swarming.

Within seconds we were surrounded by the tiniest fireflies; they were in our hair, on our faces.

The lonesome males were just hoping to have some wacka-wacka time with the queen. But as soon as they realized they’d been duped, they flew back to the comfort of the mangroves. It was as if someone decorated the mangroves with millions of fairy lights.

And not being the brightest of insects, they all come flying back as soon as the guide turns the light back on. If I hadn’t seen it with my own two eyes, I wouldn’t have believed it.

I didn’t think the day could have gotten any better, but the cherry on the wildlife cake was the firefly cruise in the mangroves.

Even if you aren’t a monkey weirdo, this should be on your Kota Kinabalu itinerary.

The Klias River day tour was spectacular and only cost RM242/$51 per person. They picked us up from our hotel around 2:00 and drove two hours north to Kota Belud. After a big dinner, we hopped in a van to the Nanamun River for the fireflies. We arrived back at the hotel around 10 pm.

Tip : Bring a zoom lens in case the potbellied wonders are a bit far from your boat.

No Kota Kinabalu travel guide would be complete without a day underwater.

The TAR marine park is an aquatic paradise for divers and snorkelers. The marine park has been protected since 1974, and the underwater world is teeming with colorful fish and coral.

There are 49 dives sites to choose from within a 10-minute boat ride of each other, so you don’t spend the whole day on the ship, just minutes. If you’re not a diver, there are a bunch of snorkeling options.

We chose a 1-day dive using Down Below Adventures. They are a 5 star PADI operator and were top notch. It also includes hotel pick up/drop off, all jetty and national park fees, and lunch.

Mark and I did different dives. It had been a long time since my last dive, and I needed a refresher. Oh, and I’m a freak underwater. I need a divemaster to hold my hand and remind me to stop panicking, which never really works.

Even though it had been raining the few days before our dive, the visibility was still excellent, and we saw loads of curious creatures… bright purple sea slugs 7cm long, colorful coral teeming with tiny fish darting in and out of their crevices, and massive parrot fish with their blue pout.

Turns out, as much as I want to be a mermaid, scuba diving scares the sh!t out of me. I love the idea of it but get me dressed up and ready to go below sea level, and I lose it.

There are a gazillion dive and snorkel packages to choose from in the area, including liveaboards and mermaid classes.

Day 4/5: Climb The Beast

Mount Kinabalu is the highest mountain in Malaysia and the 20th in the world. The locals have a spiritual bond with the mountain and consider it sacred. It is often why people come to KK, to climb the beast. It’s a two-day event where if you are lucky, you’ll get to see the sunrise at the peak.

The climb isn’t for the faint of heart. At 4095 meters, it’s a two-day climb with views that amaze. And before you think I’ve gone and lost my mind, I didn’t go. What? Do you think I’m crazy?

While I like adventure, I’m more of a beach girl, not a two-day, high-altitude, hiking in the dark to see the sunrise kind of adventurer. I left that escapade to my husband, Mark, while I worked on my beach bum abilities on a nearby island.

In case you’re wondering, I have mad beach bumming skills.

Anyway, if you are like Mark and conquering the summit isn’t enough adrenaline for you, take on the world’s highest Via Ferrata. It’s a series of cables, rungs, rails, and suspension bridges built into the rock face for unfettered access to breathtaking views and restricted areas. Think of it as a ropes course while hanging off the side of a mountain.

Mark said it was one of the coolest things he’s ever done. At all times, he was connected to secure lines and felt completely safe. Personally, I love the idea of doing the Via Ferrata but hate the idea of hiking to get to it!

Mt Kota Kinabalu Itinerary

I would recommend planning this at least four months in advance to avoid conflicts, only 135 people are allowed to climb daily. You will need a permit and a guide to climb which is all handled by the tour company you choose. Mark went with Amazing Borneo who have an excellent reputation and are extremely professional.

6-7 am: Hotel pickup 9 am: Paperwork and details 10-11 am: Hike to basecamp, which will take 4-5 hours. Once you arrive, you’ll relax, eat dinner, and settle in for a few hours of sleep. 2 am: Wake for a snack and start hiking to Low’s peak. 7 am: See the sunrise and begin the descent back to base camp for a late breakfast and check out. Trek down the rest of the way to the Kinabalu Park headquarters, where a buffet lunch is waiting for you. 3-5 pm: Transfer back to the hotel. Depending on how fast you trek, you will be home by late afternoon/early evening.

This package starts at RM 1180/$274, but it depends on the time of year you go.

If you want to add on the Via Ferrata course to your Kinabalu tour package, you start that after sunrise at the peak. At RM 2030/$472 it doubles the price, but Mark said it was well worth it, and his favorite part of the entire experience.

If you don’t want to climb the beast, you can hike around Kinabalu National Park instead. The park is at the base of Mount Kinabalu. It has 5000+ plant species, including 1000 orchid species and two rare Rafflesia species. There are over 326 bird species and 850 butterfly species to spot as well.

On the way back, you will head to the therapeutic Poring Hot Springs to reward your tired muscles. After you’ve relaxed, you can go on a Canopy Treetop Walk, which is a 105-meter length walkway suspended 30 meters above the lush jungle.

You can go with an organized tour or use the public buses to get there. However, it will take about two hours to get there from KK, so be sure you know the return bus schedule.

What to do in Kota Kinabalu if You Don’t Hike

So here is the scoop. Climbing the mountain takes up two days of your Kota Kinabalu itinerary. If you want more wildlife, or just want to check out KK city, check out these two alternative Kota Kinabalu Itinerary 4d3n.

Keep the first three days of the above KK itinerary, but instead of hiking, take a day trip.

Go Visit the Orangutans & Sun Bears

The Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre is only a 40-minute flight from KK. This is your chance to get up close to the critically endangered copper-haired apes.

They are free to roam as they please and are usually in the wild until the feeding times at 10 am and 3 pm. They are fed a monotonous diet of bananas and milk to encourage them to forage for their food. But let’s be real, a banana handed out on a platform is easier than the one they must ferret about for, so they still come down for a feed.

There are no cages or walls, but you must respect their space and let them eat their bananas in peace. Even if they get close to you, don’t touch them. They aren’t used to human germs, and it could be very detrimental to their health. The feeding area gets pretty hectic, so avoid going on the weekends if possible. If you are around a noisy group of people, try to find a serene spot until the loudmouths move on.

Stick around for a while after the feeding, sometimes stragglers come a little late to the party, and you might just have the little furry guy all to yourselves. Just sit back quietly and wait, they are more prone to come out when it’s peaceful. There is also a nursery to watch the little ones romp. The grounds are lovely and worth a wander.

I suggest planning your flights to stay for both orangutan feedings, just in case they don’t come out for the first one.

Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre

It’s right next door so you can walk between the two centers.

In between the feedings, you can head next door to the Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre (BSBCC). There are 43 sun bears in sizeable outdoor enclosures. The owner and staff are very passionate about the conservation of these little bears and are happy to share with you.

In the rain, the orangutans tend to hide, but that is when the sun bears come out to play, so use the weather as a guide and go between the two centers.

Sepilok is open for 8-5. The BSBBC is open from 9-3:30.

There are roundtrip flights from KK to Sandakan on Air Asia and Malaysia Air. It is only a 40-minute flight and costs around RM120/$28. They fly as early as 7 am and return as late as 8 pm.

The 17 km Grab ride from the airport should cost around RM50/$12.

The entrance fee to each is RM30/$11. There is a RM10/$3 fee for bringing your camera in, ridiculous but true. But hey, it all goes to good causes, and $3 means nothing to us.

At Sepilok, they make you put all your belongings in a locker before you enter so the apes can’t accidentally get into something they aren’t supposed to.

There are plenty of sights around the city itself:

1. Mari Mari Cultural Village is about 30 minutes outside of KK in the countryside. The village is a living museum to preserve Bornean ethnic culture. There are five different tribes represented, all who are there showing you their traditions from carving knives to using blowpipes, to playing traditional instruments. Each tribe has its own home that you walk through to see how they live.

2. Sabah State Museum and Heritage Village is more than just a museum. It has multiple buildings onsite: Science and Education Centre, Ethno Botanical Garden, Art Gallery, and a Heritage Village. There is a whale skeleton, exhibits on head hunters, and one of the largest collections of ceramic in Southeast Asia. 3. Gaya Street Sunday morning market . If you are there on a Sunday, you won’t want to miss this market. There are antiques, batiks, sarongs, traditional jewelry, food, and more. It’s not a tourist market, it’s where the locals go for their everyday needs. 4. The Sabah State Mosque is uniquely beautiful with its modern silver and gold domes. 5. The Kinabalu City Mosque is visually stunning and perched over the water, so at high tide, it looks like its floating.

The food in Kota Kinabalu is totally different than the food in Penang , and we were pleasantly surprised at the differences.

At The Waterfront , you’ll have plenty of options; Italian, Thai, Malaysian, even an Irish Pub. One of the best Italian restaurants in town, Gusto’s, makes a killer thin crust pizza. It’s helmed by an Italian chef, is very authentic and comes with views to die for.

The Night Market is a block away from The Waterfront and has hordes of food stalls selling local food. Wander about and take in all the options. Find a busy stall and sit down at a nearby table and order up. The vendor will help you if you are unsure of what to order.

Welcome Seafood was recommended by a few locals, so we had to check it out. It wasn’t the quaintest of restaurants, but it’s one of the best. It’s one of those places where you get to walk up to the tanks and pick out your dinner. If that freaks you out, they will do it for you.

It’s a massive chaotic place where you might have to share a table with strangers, who will inevitably tell you what to eat, and you should listen. Malaysians know food, it’s their business.

We got succulent butter prawns and hotter-than-hades chili scallops, a vibrant plate of local greens, and a heaping plate of fried rice for RM124/$29. It was enough for 4 people.

The descent in the airplane was awe-inspiring. Just imagine a handful of lush green islands dotting the shore. And dozens of massive fishing vessels bobbing up and down in the stained-glass blue water.

There are direct flights to Kota Kinabalu Airport from Penang in just under 3 hours, starting around RM280/$67.

From Kuala Lumpur, you can fly directly in just under 3.5 hours, and you can find tickets as low as RM240/$56.

If Kota Kinabalu is your first stop in Malaysia, there are direct flights from 8 other international countries, including Singapore and the Philippines.

The airport is only a few kilometers from town, so taking a Grab will only cost you a few bucks. But if there are a few of you, you can book a private car or van from GetTransfer , and they’ll be waiting for you at the airport.

Grab, which is Southeast Asia’s version of Uber, is everywhere and the cheapest way (other than buses) to get around. You’ll never spend more than a few dollars to go anywhere in the city. It is a walkable city if you don’t mind the heat.

All of the tours I’ve recommended include pick up and drop off from your hotel.

Le Meridien Kota Kinabalu

ibis Styles Kota Kinabalu Inanam Hotel 

The Jesselton Hotel

KK, like the rest of Malaysia, is equatorial, which means it’s always hot and humid. Year-round average temp is 27c/ 80f degrees, with humidity hovering at 75% and higher depending on the month.

You can visit all year long, but I would suggest avoiding the rainier months if you want to climb Mt. Kinabalu.

January to April are the best months because it’s a bit cooler and drier than normal.

Temps rise after April, and October is the rainiest month.

Malaysian Borneo is one of the most beautiful natural islands in the world. So much of it remains untouched, and KK is just the tip of the iceberg. Check out my friend Marco’s Perfect 2 Week Borneo Itinerary – he leaves no stone unturned!

However, this completes my adventurous things to do in Kota Kinabalu itinerary.

If you are the kind of person who wants an entire Kota Kinabalu travel package, you can pick one outfitter to do it all. Some of the tour operators offer a Kota Kinabalu 3 day itinerary or 4 day itinerary.

I hope this has helped you plan your holiday to Kota Kinabalu. If you have more time there, I am happy to help you plan–just shoot me an email.

Don’t forget an Esim, so you can contact all these tour operators easily. We always use Airalo Esims, and they do us right every time. Plus, they start at US$4.50 for a week, so it’s very affordable.

But don’t forget to leave time for at least a few days in Penang as well as the Malaysian islands .

And don’t forget to Pin this post for a later date.

12 thoughts on “Kota Kinabalu Itinerary: The Ultimate 5 Day Adventure Guide”

Hi Kristen, Love your blog! My family of 4 pax are going to Sabah end Jun2024. We are Malaysian from KL. We have 5 days excluding 2 days traveling. My tentative plan is… Day 1 arriving KK noon Day 2 check in to Kundasan (love to stay 1 more night but no rooms) Day 3 back to KK city Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 depending KK What would you recommend for a budget tour ? Note : No hiking coz not fit, love nature, love the sea and love the food. 😊 Thanks

Hi Irene, I just added all the tours to each of these activities. I can’t believe I neer did that. But now they are in. If you want more help, just reach out. Kirsten

Just reading this great article today for the first time… plenty of time in lockdown to catch up. It really will be somewhere unique to go when we can. Not game enough for that high adventure though! We have been fortunate to have been to Sarawak and seen the orangutans but KK is something different again with all the islands. We love exploring the cultural side too.

Hi Heather, I absolutely adore KK. There is so much to offer in terms of wildlife, nature and lifestyle. It’s so different than Penang.

I absolutely love this post and you’ve made me want to go there and visit it properly (not just on a cruise!). Those monkeys look adorable, I’m a bit obsessed with monkeys too! I also freak underwater! I did a dive when I was about 19 in the Great Barrier Reef and loved it…tried it again a couple of years later and had a full on panic attack, the only one of my life! I’ve never had the guts to try it again…although I love the idea of sea walking…maybe one day! You talk about traditional Bornean food at the buffet, what does that consist of? Is it similar to the food we have in Penang?

Hi Wendy! I think sea walking would def be something easier and less scary! Let’s do it!

As for the food, there are a lot of similarities to Penang food but even more seafood. One of my fave foods was called latok, also known as sea grapes. It’s actually kind of seaweed that looks like tiny green grapes on a stalk that pop in your mouth when you eat them. They taste salty and fresh, just like the ocean.

You have to try them someday!

Absolutely loved being a part of this trip with you! Great thoughts, and finds!!

Hi Amyyyyyy!

Best trip EVER!

Miss you like crazy!

I never had a dream to visit Malaysia but every time you write a blog about this beautiful country, I become more interested that this should be on the bucket list

I love that my blogs have added Malaysia to your bucket list. It’s such a unique country! I can totally help you plan whenever you are ready to come visit!

Sounds like an amazing adventure. And this pictures are fabulous. Thank you for sharing.

Thank you for reading Stephanie!! That makes me so happy! It was a great adventure for sure!

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The PERFECT 3-Day Itinerary For Kota Kinabalu (If You’re Not Into Mountain Climbing)

September 12, 2023 by Bino 5 Comments

Kota Kinabalu has become synonymous to its namesake mountain, one of the tallest in Southeast Asia. While Mt. Kinabalu often overshadows the city, this cosmopolitan hub stands as an increasingly popular gateway to the exotic island of Borneo, the world’s 4th largest. It’s quite apparent that this destination offers plenty for those with a knack for outdoor pursuits but few realize that KK works just as well even for those not planning to climb a single step up the well-trodden peak. Every time I tell my friends that I’m going to the state capital of Sabah, they ask me if I’m climbing – leaving them with a perplexed expression when I tell them I’m not.

Believe me, there are a lot of things to see and do in Kota Kinabalu whether or not you choose to spend a few days to scale Mt. Kinabalu. I have been to the city twice and still feel that there’s much more to do. Here is my suggested itinerary for a short trip to Kota Kinabalu in Sabah, East Malaysia.

Day 1 – Explore the City

Kota Kinabalu, previously known as Jesselton, is one of Malaysia’s most pleasant cities. Sitting on a narrow strip of land between the sea and the mountains, the city has in recent years expanded around the coast leaving plenty of majestic sea views to go around. This relatively small-sized city is walkable although the sweltering heat may deter some. In any case, most rides within the city won’t cost more than MYR 5 or less than US$2 so there’s really no excuse to stay in one place. Obtain your bearings at the city center and visit the local handicraft market which is known as the Filipino Market (daily 9AM to 10PM) due to the foreign origin of most sellers there. In this covered bazaar, you’ll find sarongs, woodwork, jewelry as well as plenty of souvenirs to bring back. The most interesting items in my opinion are the tools and instruments being used by the local headhunting tribes such as the Murut or blowpipe. If you are feeling adventurous, take your pick among the seafood stalls next door and have your fresh crabs, prawns and fish cooked just as you like.

signal hill observation deck

Late morning is just the right time to climb up to Signal Hill for a bird’s eye view of the city. Admission here is free and you can spend some time with a cup of coffee – there is a cafe up there – while admiring the view. Make your way back to the city via the stairs adjacent to the observatory tower and you’ll find yourself at Lorong Dewan – Kota Kinabalu’s burgeoning hipster area. Here, you’ll find plenty of cafes, interesting eats and backpackers’ hostels housed in heritage buildings. Visit Nook Cafe (daily 8AM to 7PM; til 9PM on weekends) for their specialty coffee or Biru Biru (daily 12pm to midnight) for their poke bowls. At the end of the street, you’ll see the Atkinson Clock Tower . Built in 1905, it’s the oldest standing structure in the city. It will be around noon by this time so stop by one of the eateries here for lunch.

Tip: If you are in Kota Kinabalu on a Sunday, don’t miss out visiting the Gaya Street Sunday Market. This market is a bit more interesting than the typical Malaysian bazaars. This particular market starts early at 5AM and lasts until around 2pm. Here, you’ll find plenty of antiques, local handicrafts, coffee beans and even pets. Remember to bargain.

Stop by the Sabah State Museum (daily 9AM to 5PM) to understand the city and the region better. The 3-storey museum contains exhibits related to science, art and even has a heritage village within. From here, the Sabah State Mosque is just next door. Its bulbous dome which is decked in real gold may immediately catch one’s fancy. Do note that the mosque is generally open from 8AM to 12nn and then from 2PM to 5pm daily except for Fridays when it is only open during the afternoon from 2PM to 5PM.

sunset view from the yacht

After a tiring first day exploring the city, you can spend the late afternoon catching the sunset either at the Tanjung Aru Beach or if you’re feeling luxurious you can also charter a yacht which is a popular activity in Kota Kinabalu. North Borneo Yacht Charter offers different types of itineraries including a sunset cruise in the late afternoon with visits to Manukan and Gaya islands. Alternatively, you can also visit the relatively secluded Dinawan Island which offers clear waters for snorkeling, kayaking and even diving.

d’place kinabalu

Try some local Sabah food for dinner at My Native Sabah (Plaza 333 in Lorong 333, daily except Sunday, 11:30AM to 8:30PM). When I say local, I don’t just mean the usual Malaysian food. They serve some pretty exotic meals that come from the indigenous  Kadazan Dusun tribe. These are served in a set so you can try different dishes without necessarily having to overload yourself. Alternatively, you can join a tour that takes you to an actual Dusun tribal village and you can participate in a cooking class there.

Day 2 – Cultural Village & Island Hopping

kota kinabalu city mosque

Start the day early with a visit to the Kota Kinabalu City Mosque . The place of worship which sits next to a pond is best visited in the early morning or late afternoon when the purplish sky is reflected through the still waters. Highly recommended for architecture buffs.

mari mari cultural village

From here, proceed to Mari Mari Cultural Village (MYR 175 per adult) for a quick run through of Sabah’s indigenous people. The place can feel a bit touristy but it’s undeniably fun. There are also few other places in Malaysia that give visitors the same ease to witness local life. Choose one of the two available daily sessions for your visit – 10AM or 2PM. The tours are highly interactive and allow visitors the opportunity to taste local snacks and sample certain elements of local culture.

Mari Mari Cultural Village can be done as a half-day trip which leaves your afternoon free assuming you do it in the morning. The afternoon can be spent on an excursion to Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park . Comprising 5 islands, the park is popular for snorkeling, diving, para-sailing or simply lounging by the beach. 

As mentioned previously, the park comprises of 5 islands. Namely, these are Gaya, Manukan, Sapi, Mamutik and Sulug. Gaya is the largest one and is situated closest to Kota Kinabalu. Depending on where you dock, you can reach Gaya Island in as little as 10 minutes from Kota Kinabalu. 

manukan island by amrufm

The most popular among the 5 islands is arguably Manukan Island . The eastern part of the island offers some pristine beaches while the coral reefs offshore are ideal for snorkeling. 

Another well-visited island within the marine park is Sapi . It is considered to have some of the nicest beaches among the 5 islands and it also possesses better facilities for daytrippers. 

You can visit Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park by hiring your boat and crew for the day or if you are traveling as a small group/solo, you can sign-up for a join-in tour here .

If you are not climbing Mt. Kinabalu but have a desire to at least see it or breathe the fresh mountain air, head over to the mountain town of  Kundasang and spend the night there in one of the chalets. Alternatively, you can choose to rest in your Kota Kinabalu hotel and do Kundasang as a day trip in Day 3.

Day 3 – Kundasang

Wake up early when the chances of clear weather are at its highest. You’ll see Mt. Kinabalu directly in front of you as you enjoy the cool weather at 2,000 meters above sea level.

There are many ways to get to Kundasang but a car hire is definitely the most convenient. A popular day tour involves a morning departure from Kota Kinabalu where you will be taken to Desa Cattle Farm for a glimpse of the alpine life. After lunch and some other activities such as a canopy walk and a soak in the hot springs, you return to Kota Kinabalu just before dinner time. You can book such tours here .

Afterwards, head back to Kota Kinabalu and spend your last few hours wandering around town before catching your flight back.

Other Tips for Kota Kinabalu

• Travel Insurance: If you reside in Singapore, check out this aggregator here for a list of travel insurance promotions. They have a promotion running until 1st July that comes 4x KrisFlyer miles plus lucky draw of 125,000 miles and free lounge access in the event of flight delay.  
• Weather: The wettest time of the year is usually in the later months like November and December. That being said, you won’t find it raining all day but plans for outdoor activities may be dampened by strong winds, flash floods and other inconveniences.
• Practicalities: Kota Kinabalu is not a particularly dense city with few tall buildings. As such, if you walk outdoors during the day; you’ll most likely be baked under the sun. It’s wise to put sunblock even if you’re just staying within the city.
• Farther afield: Kota Kinabalu serves as a hub for Northern Borneo so if there’s an interest in exploring more, you can fly or take the ferry to Brunei and Labuan . Sandakan and Tawau  are also reachable by air.

Where to Stay in Kota Kinabalu

hyatt centric kota kinabalu (source: the hotel)

Tourism has boomed in recent years in Kota Kinabalu with a plethora of new hotels to cater to every budget. One of the most established hotels in the city is the Hilton Kota Kinabalu which is just next to the Star City Mall. Rooms come well-appointed and are among the most tech-forward in the city. If you prefer a hotel with panoramic sea views, you can’t go wrong with the Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu . Among cheaper options, the Hotel Sixty3 in Gaya Street is situated close to the Sunday market and comes with a family room category.

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Hi, my name is Bino and I started I Wander around 15 years ago with the aim of sharing about some of my personal journeys and experiences, hoping that the information may benefit readers like yourselves. Let me know your thoughts by leaving a comment below. Alternatively, you can also email me at b i n o (at) iwandered.net. You can follow I Wander on Facebook , Telegram , or Instagram . Also, if you liked this article, please feel free to SHARE or RETWEET

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June 11, 2018 at 10:29 am

Sounds like the perfect itinerary!

August 26, 2018 at 1:39 pm

Great posts and beautiful photos you got there! Kota Kinabalu is a great place to visit. We got everything in here. You can go scuba diving after 15 minutes after arrive at the international airport. Then, you can go climb the highest mountain peak in south east asia at Mount Kinabalu.

September 30, 2018 at 8:30 am

Sounds like you had a great time! I really wish I had more time in KK! It feels like I missed out on a lot of stuff to do!

June 11, 2019 at 9:59 pm

I’m going to KK on next month for 3 days. I think I will skip Kundasang and do water activities. Still looking for ideas..

January 18, 2020 at 3:27 pm

There are more explore in Kota Kinabalu beside climbing Mt. Kinabalu, such as going for a rivercruise, water rafting (class 1, 2,3,4,) Island hoping are highly recomended here..

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4 day kota kinabalu itinerary – full guide 2024 .

Table of Contents

Here is the perfect Kota Kinabalu itinerary if you are visiting for a few days in 2024. In this article we will recommend the best activities and things to do. We have designed this itinerary to make sure you don’t miss any of the best activities and also to save you time planning your trip.

In this step-by-step guide we will tell you everything you need to know to travel Kota Kinabalu independently and on a budget. This is a fun action packed and adventurous itinerary.

Kota Kinabalu is a beautiful city located in Sabah, East Malaysia. This beautiful city has a great variety of fascinating and fun attractions. Kota Kinabalu is packed with great food, culture, adventure, beautiful islands and beaches. In this itinerary we also include a few activities in the Kinabalu Valley (day 3 and day 4). The journey from Kota Kinabalu to the Kinabalu valley is likely to take around 4-6 hours by road. 

ONLY HAVE ONE DAY FOR YOUR TRIP? Never Fear – Many of the highlights of our 4 day itinerary can be visited in one day if you book this Fantastic One Day Kinabalu Park & Poring Tour on KLOOK

Join the Backpacking Family in Sabah!

We love this trip so much we also made a video! Join our giggle-filled adventures in Sabah…

Summary – Kota Kinabalu itinerary

Day 1 mari mari cultural village, the sabah state museum and a seafood market, day 2 take an island hopping trip (tunku abdul rahman park).

• Day 3 Visit an adventure park, the Kundasang Dairy farm and a market
• Day 4 Visit the Poring hot springs, butterfly gardens, canopy walkway and Rafflesia

SPENDING LONGER IN SABAH? Don’t miss this FULL 10 day itinerary for Sabah . We take you through all the best bits – step by step, independently and on a budget.

Kota Kinabalu itinerary map

How do you get around in Sabah?

The best way to get around on this Kota Kinabalu itinerary is to use a taxi on day 1 day 2 and then rent a car on Day 3 and Day 4. Due to the high cost of car rental it is not worth renting a car for the first 2 days of this itinerary. Day 1 and day 2 stay close to Kota Kinabalu. Day 3 and day 4 involve traveling a lot further.

Find a great car rental deal on KLOOK

Reserving your car on KLOOK gives you the security of booking through a safe online platform – and you can easily customise your booking. They also have competitive prices starting at around RM100 per day – no need to barter. Don’t miss our full guide on renting a car in Kota Kinabalu

If you choose to rent a car in Kota Kinabalu expect to pay between RM100 and RM300 (which is around £20 – £30 or $25 – $35 per day) plus petrol – which is very cheap in Malaysia at around RM3 per litre. There are two ways of renting a car in Kota Kinabalu. You can contact a car rental company directly and negotiate on the price. Alternatively book on a platform like KLOOK.

The best way to get a taxi in Kota Kinabalu is to use the grab taxi app. A short taxi journey (around 1-2km) is likely to cost around RM5. A longer taxi Journey may cost RM50 to RM100. Don’t miss the full guide – Everything you need to know about using the Grab taxi app in Malaysia .

You can find some buses in Sabah. It is not possible to use buses to get to small attractions in Sabah. Long-distance buses connect the main towns in Sabah including Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan, Semporna and Tawau. Find out more about traveling from Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan .

Long distance buses are very cheap in Malaysia. Expect to pay RM30 – RM60 depending on the length of the journey. Alternatively cheap internal domestic flights connect some of the main cities in Sabah – Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan and Tawau. 

Visit the Mari Mari Cultural Village

This itinerary starts with a real highlight. Take a visit to the Mari Mari Cultural Village . Located around 18 km to the east of Kota Kinabalu, the Mari Mari cultural Village is like stepping into another world. If you are interested in the tribal culture and Heritage of Sabah the Mari Mari cultural Village is an absolute must do. The Mari Mari cultural Village you can see traditional clothing, art and jungle houses. They also do performances of traditional music, games and dance. 

• The Mari Mari cultural village offer sessions at 10am and 2pm
• Adults RM170 (or RM100 on offer)
• Children RM 155 (or RM90 on offer)

The best way to get to the Mari Mari cultural Village from Kota Kinabalu is to take a taxi. You can arrange taxis using the Grab taxi app. A taxi is likely to cost you around RM30 each way. We recommend asking your driver to wait or return to pick you up later.

Visit the Sabah State Museum

When you have finished at the Mari Mari cultural Village, return to Kota Kinabalu and visit the Sabah State Museum. The Sabah State Museum is a great place to learn about the rich heritage, culture and history of Sabah and more. They have a very good range of exhibitions and this is a great activity for families too.

The Sabah State Museum is also pretty cheap as an attraction. It costs RM15 to visit (international) and RM2 (Malaysian).

Try some Sabah Seafood

In the evening visit the Sabah Seafood market along the seafront. This market sells fresh seafood dishes and is a great way to experience some of the Sabah seafood. Food is relatively cheap and good in Malaysia. Sabah has a reputation for great seafood. But it is a bit more expensive. Expect to pay around RM20 – RM50 for a seafood dish in Sabah. 

Where can you stay in Kota Kinabalu?

If you’re on a budget book a bunk bed at Escape Backpackers – super cheap, simple and well located. You can book Escape Backpackers on Agoda . And you can also find Escape backpackers on booking.com .

Alternatively, if you have a little more freedom in your budget consider the Horizon Hotel. Watch out for deals at Horizon on Agoda and discounts at Horizon on booking.com .

If you’re looking to splash out for something really special check out Le Meridien. Le Meridien can be booked on Agoda . Alternatively watch out for deals and discounts for Le Meridien on booking.com .

Take an island hopping day trip from Kota Kinabalu. The island hopping trip is fun and visits some very beautiful islands. 

The best way to book an island hopping trip in Kota Kinabalu is to go to the jetty (Kota Kinabalu Jesselton Point Jetty) between 8:00a.m. and 10:00 a.m. There are ticket counters where you can buy island hopping tickets and rent masks, snorkels and fins. You can choose how many islands to visit in the day. 

MORE CONVENIENT OPTION? – Book Your Kota Kinabalu Island Hopping on KLOOK

We recommend the three Island trip as it allows you to see plenty of beautiful islands at a reasonable pace. Island hopping trips range in price from RM35 (roughly £7 or $10) to RM65 (roughly £13 or $15) depending on the number of islands. 

• 1 island trip costs RM35 AND Child RM30
• 2 island trip costs Adult RM45 AND Child RM40
• 3 islands trip costs Adult RM55 AND Child RM50
• 4 islands trip costs Adult RM65 AND Child RM60

You can rent snorkel and fins for RM10. You also need to pay an island conservation fee (ONE fee per adult of RM20) which is paid when you arrive at the first island. Keep the ticket as this can be presented at each island. 

Bring water and sun protection on the island hopping trip. On some of the islands it is possible to buy some simple food. However, there is not a lot of choice so we recommend bringing your own food. Throughout the day you will be directed where to go and told what time to return for your boat. 

Day 3 Ziplining and the Kundasang Dairy farm and market

Visit zip borneo.

On day 3 of your Kota Kinabalu itinerary, travel to Kundasang. On the way, consider a visit to the Zip Borneo Adventure Center. Zip Borneo is an outdoor activity center with an obstacle course, climbing wall, high rope course and an epic zipline. 

Check into a Kundasang homestay

Travel to Kundasang. This is a beautiful mountain town located near Mount Kinabalu. We recommend checking into a Homestay in the area. The Pogimpaan Homestay is our top pick with breathtaking views of Kinabalu and the surrounding hills. You can get competitive prices for Pogimpaan on Agoda . Check the price of Pogimpaan on booking.com (it’s always worth shopping around).

It is also great value for money. Alternatively check out Zen Garden on Agoda or Zen Garden on booking.com

Visit the Desa Dairy Farm

The journey from Kota Kinabalu to Kundasang takes around 2 or 3 hours. Take a visit to the Desa Dairy farm , situated in the hills around 5km north of Kundasang. The Desa Dairy farm boasts amazing views of the mountains AND don’t miss the amazing Desa Dairy ice cream. For a very reasonable price you can buy a pot of soft serve Desa Dairy ice cream. Here are some things to do at the Desa dairy farm:

• Check out the milking bay
• Visit the food kiosk and cafe
• See the cattle barns
• Learn about milk processing and packaging
• Check out the agro feeding pen activity

The Desa Dairy farm is a very reasonable price. Tickets only cost RM5 for adults, RM4 for children (7-12 years old). It is FREE for children 6 years old and below. The Desa dairy farm is open daily 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. 

Tickets are only available in advance and must be booked through their official ticket website.

After visiting the Desa dairy farm we recommend paying a visit to the local fruit and veg market located in Kundasang. They sell a range of fresh fruits and vegetables, a great way to experience the beautiful rural mountain culture.

Also, check out the BW Bus Restaurant (located between Kundasang and Ranau). The BW Bus Restaurant offers scenic dining in converted buses. They serve a range of decadent drinks and food. Food and drinks are a little more expensive than the average restaurant, however you are paying for the location and novelty.

Day 4 Hot Springs, canopy walkway and Rafflesia

Visit a rafflesia garden.

Travel to Poring (around 20 minutes from Kundasang). On the road that leads to the hot springs there are a couple of Rafflesia gardens. It is worth stopping at one of the Rafflesia Gardens to see if they have any Rafflesia flowers in bloom. If they do have a flower in bloom you can normally see it for around RM20. Rafflesia are genuinely very unique and beautiful and only bloom for around 5 days before dying. They also lay claim to being the largest flowers in the world. 

Visit the Poring Hotsprings

After stopping at a Rafflesia Garden, go to the Poring hot spring . This is a very beautiful and natural area and a great place for relaxing. There is a very good range of pools for bathing, swimming and relaxing. The Poring hot springs are open daily from 8am – 3pm. Once you have paid for entry you can stay for the whole day.

Entrance tickets to the hot springs can be purchased at the ticket office when you arrive

• RM15 for adults 
• RM10 for children (7 – 17 years old)
• Children 6 years and below are FREE

Just above the hot springs is a small butterfly garden. If you have time this is a lovely place for a walk. The butterfly garden is on the path that leads to the Canopy Walkway entrance. 

Visit the Canopy walkway

AND last but not least don’t miss the impressive Poring canopy walkway . This is a terrifying series of rope bridges suspended in the jungle canopy. This walkway affords breathtaking views of the jungle and the surrounding hills. To get to the canopy walkway just walk to the top of the hotsprings and look out for signs. It is only around 1 minute walk from the hot spring. Purchase your ticket. Then trek around 10 minutes up a steep jungle trail. 

Adult entry tickets RM5 and Children RM2.50 (under 18 years old) . Opening hours: 9am – 4pm (closed on mondays). 

Kota Kinabalu itinerary – Where next? 

After visiting Poring you could travel back to Kota Kinabalu. Alternatively from Poring you can travel on to Sandakan to visit the orangutans , sun bears and proboscis monkeys . If you have time, consider taking a Kinabatangan river cruise. If you’re looking for snorkeling, diving and crystal clear waters why not travel on to Semporna and Mabul island ? There really are so many epic things to do in Sabah

Life loving, adventure chasing, Mum of 3 who loves travel. Over 10 years of travel writing experience. Emma now loves to give the best tips to help other travel loving parents plan adventures with their kids. Whether you need to find the best accommodation or just need to know how to pack your bag Emma is that travelling mum who love to help you.

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KOTA KINABALU ITINERARY

by thepinay solobackpacker | Mar 3, 2018 | Itinerary , Kota Kinabalu , Malaysia , Travel Guide | 10 comments

At first sight, it’s hard to imagine Kota Kinabalu (formerly Jesselton) as an eco-tourism destination because you’ll be welcomed by a sprawling, lively city.  But once you get to know KK, as it is affectionately called by most people, you’ll be blown away by the richness of its heritage and the paradisaical islands offshore. I blogged a 4 day 3 night Kota Kinabalu itinerary here with budget. This sample itinerary is kinda jam-packed because I wanted to show you what Kota Kinabalu can offer as a tourist destination. And honestly, if ever I get a chance to return in the future, I will follow this itinerary and do all the activities I listed below.

Here’s a sample Kota Kinabalu Itinerary for 4 days 3 nights.  Feel free to adjust this depending on your budget and schedule.  I’ve also listed below the sample Kota Kinabalu trip budget.

TRAVEL BLOG CONTENTS

KOTA KINABALU ITINERARY FOR 4 D 3N WITH BUDGET/COST

*If you want to see the Orangutan in Sandakan, you can join group tours and it’ll cost around MYR 160/PHP 1,950 (USD 38/EURO 33/SGD 52) from Sandakan. But you have to allot at least 2 days for this tour since you have to travel to Sandakan from Kota Kinabalu, travel time is about 6 hours one way.

KOTA KINABALU TRIP BUDGET

Here’s a sample Kota Kinabalu trip budget (breakdown of expenses) if you follow the Kota Kinabalu itinerary above.  This sample trip budget is supposing you will do all the activities mentioned in the itinerary.  However, if you have limited time and budget, you can just pick the activities that you want to try.

The sample total Kota Kinabalu trip budget for MYR 819/ PHP 9,439/USD 195.16/EURO 170/SGD 265.44 for 4 days 3 nights itinerary may sound expensive, but like I said, you can bring this down if you will not do all the above mentioned tours or activities. Just pick the ones you like.

WHERE TO BOOK KOTA KINABALU TOURS

Kinabalu park & poring hot spring tour.

• Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site Kinabalu Park and see the exotic flora and fauna
• Take a dip into a hot Sulphur bath in Poring Hot Spring and gaze up at giant bamboo trees
• You can also visit the Desa Cattle Dairy Farm, Kundasang Vegetable Market and more.

Tour is Inclusive of: Entrance fees (excluding Butterfly Farm), English speaking guide, canopy walkway

Pick-up and drop-off at hotel, conservation fees.

RESERVE KOTA KINABALU + PORING HOT SPRING TOUR HERE

Sapi and Manukan Islands Tour

• Explore 2 of Malaysia’s most beautiful islands Manukan and Sapi
• Take a dip in the transparent waters of Manukan Island with its sandy beaches and great recreational facilities
• Use your free time well: go kayaking, parasailing, jet skiing, try Sea Walking and more
• Enjoy a delicious barbecue lunch by the beach

RESERVE SAPI AND MANUKAN ISLAND HOPPING TOUR HERE

MARI MARI CULTURAL VILLAGE TOUR

Address: Kampung Kuai Kandazon, Peti Surat 740 Malaysia, Penampang, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

Open Hours: 9:00 AM -5:00 PM

Enjoy a truly authentic experience by observing the lives of 5 indigenous Malaysian tribes by booking a hassle-free tour.

  RESERVE MARI MARI CULTURAL VILLAGE TOUR HERE

Sepilok orangutan centre half day tour.

• Travel to Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre on a 3 hour tour
• See orangutans (only found in Malaysia) in their natural habitat
• See baby orangutans nurtured back to health, watch them play in dipterocarp forest and even participate in feedings

Tour is inclusive of: English speaking guide and driver, round trip transfer from city center hotels in Sandakan and entrance fees.

RESERVE ORANGUTAN CENTRE TOUR HERE

  klias river fireflies safari cruise.

• Explore stunning mangrove forests while on cruise and catch a glimpse of the Proboscis Monkeys (Nasalis larvatus)
• Sample local cuisine on board the river cruise while watching the sun sink into the river
• Watch fireflies dance in the night sky during the fireflies cruise

Tour is inclusive of: English speaking guide, entrance fees, Buffet dinner and return boat and hotel transfers.

RESERVE FIREFLIES + PROBOSCIS MONKEY TOUR HERE

KOTA KINABALU BUDGET HOTELS

Where to stay in Kota Kinabalu? Here’s a list of some budget hotels sprinkled around the city.

Lot No.21, Lorong Dewan, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah Malaysia, Central Business District, Kota Kinabalu

Asiana Hotel

No. 01, Grace Square, Lorong Grace Square, Jalan Pantai Sembulan, Central Business District

De Galleria Hotel

KOTA KINABALU TOP THINGS TO DO

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10 comments.

Any contact details for the tours please?

Can you also suggest for a budget for a family trip? I mean what is the cheapest international travel we can have if i got 3kids but limited money?hope you can help!!!thanks

Hi, may I know what budget hotel did you stay at? Thank you.

May I know please the contact details of the agency who arranged your tours?

Please can I have the contact details of the travel agency or persons who managed your tours? Me with my friend will go to KK Malaysia this coming month and we’re struggling doing our iti. In addition, what the name of the hotel you’ve stayed. Thank you so much!

Can I know the contact details of the agency or persons who managed your tour? Me with my friend will go to malaysia this coming month and we’re struggling doing our iti. Hope you can help us and pls can we also know the hotel you stayed? Thank you so much

Hi Justin, I don’t have it. You can book online instead.

Great post! I really wish I got to spend more time in the Kota Kinabalu region!

hi, May i know which travel agency did you book for this package? our Package Cost: PHP 1,999/MYR 164 (USD 39/EURO 33/SGD 53. I am inquiring with Klook but there’s is more than 2,000pesos. I need your help please. thanks

Rates may change without prior notice. That was their rate before.

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Kota Kinabalu travel blog — The fullest Kota Kinabalu travel guide blog for a great trip for the first-timers

Referring to Malaysia, you will immediately think of Kuala Lumpur, Penang or Malacca, right? But this time we will take you to visit a more special place, which is Kota Kinabalu. Considered a paradise for adventure lovers, it owns vast tropical forests, wonderful islands and sea, and even enchanting mountains. In short, it is the land of golden forest, silver sea, green fields, the beauty is blessed by the Mother of nature, summary in a ‘beautiful’ word! Now, let’s check it out our Kota Kinabalu travel blog (Kota Kinabalu blog) with the fullest Kota Kinabalu travel guide blog for a budget and wonderful trip for the first time visit from how to get to Kota Kinabalu to top things to do and what to do in Kota Kinabalu below.

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Kota Kinabalu blog: When is the best time to visit Kota Kinabalu?

You can travel to Kota Kinabalu at any time of the year, but should avoid traveling during the rainy season, which lasts from October to January next year.

The best time to visit to Kota Kinabalu is from February onwards, at this time the weather is quite cool and not too hot, the average temperature from 22 to 30 Celsius degrees, is very suitable for swimming, traveling and sightseeing.

Kota Kinabalu travel blog: How to get to Kota Kinabalu?

As far as we know, there is still no any direct flight from Vietnam to this city, so you will still have to book tickets to Kuala Lumpur. From Vietnam to Kuala Lumpur (about 2hrs of fly), then fly to Kota Kinabalu – BKI airport (2.5hrs) and then book more tickets to go here. Airlines you can refer to: Vietnam Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Jetstar Asia, Thai Airways … or use Skyscanner, Expedia, Traveloka to find cheap flights of airlines.

From the airport to the city center you can take a public bus. At the exit hall of the airport, the left hand side is the city bus ticket counter, the ticket price is 5 RM ($0.75).

Kota Kinabalu travel guide blog: Getting around Kota Kinabalu

There is no tram or sky train but the main means of transport are still buses and taxis, and if you want, you can rent motorbikes to travel with more actively and economically, just buy 4G SIM card to Google the road map is a good way. However, renting a motorbike will require an international driver’s license or an English-language driver’s license to confirm.

How to move to the islands of Kota Kinabalu

The most common way is to get to Jesselton Point Waterfront that located right in the city center, buy a high-speed boat ticket to the island you want to go. When enough the number of guests are 7-8 people, the boat will depart. The travel time to Sapi island or Manukan is about 10 to 15 minutes and Gaya is a bit further. The equipment for activities at the sea such as diving suits, swimming goggles, masks, life jackets … can be rented at the wharf.

The first boat departs from 7:30am and the last trip from the island returns at 5pm (there is one trip every hour). The round trip ticket for adults is 23 RM ($3.41), children under 11 are 18 RM ($2.67). The entrance fee to the island is 10 RM ($1.48) for foreigners, 3 RM ($0.44) for Malaysians.

Kota Kinabalu travel blog: Where to stay in Kota Kinabalu?

Here are some hotels from cheap, budget to luxury in Kota Kinabalu, you can refer to and choose for yourself the most suitable hotel.

Some budget, cheap with interior, basic services hotels in Kota Kinabalu

• Celyn City Hotel : Lot 21, 1st Floor, Block A, Warisan Square, Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens, Central Business District, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, 88000 / with rental price from $24.54/room/night.
• Hashtag 12 Boutique Hotel : Lot 12, First Floor, Block 3, Api-Api Commercial Centre, Khu trung tâm, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, 88000 / with the lowest rent from $26.84/room/night.
• OYO 597 Winner Hotel : No 9 & 10 Jalan Pasar Baru, Kg Air, Khu trung tâm, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, 88000 / with rental price from only $25.62/room/night.
• Asia Adventure Lodge : 112, 1st Floor, Gaya Road., Central Business District, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, 88000 / with room rate from $12.07/room/night.
• Borneo Global Sipadan Backpackers : Ground, 1st & 2nd Floor, Bangunan SeaFest, Jalan Causeway, Taman Bandar Semporna, Semporna, Malaysia, 91308 / with room rate from $9.98/room/night.
• Century Hotel Inanam : 34, 1st Floor, Block E, Inanam Business Centre, Central Business District, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, 88450 / with rental price from $8.05/room/night.

Mid-range hotels, fully equipped and convenient to travel with good ratings in Kota Kinabalu

• MC Holiday Apartment @ Marina Court Resort Condominium : Lebuhraya Pantai Baru, Central Business District, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, 88000 / with rental price from $68.25/room/night.
• Ming Garden Residence : Lorong Ming Garden, Jalan Coastal, Central Business District, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, 88000 / with room rate from $56.34/room/night.
• C’haya Hotel : Lot 7, Jalan Tanjung Aru (Beside Tanjung Aru Police Station), Tanjung Aru, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, 88100 / with room rate from $48.27/room/night.
• Cititel Express Kota Kinabalu : No. 1 Jalan Singgah Mata 1, Asia City, Central Business District, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, 88000 / with room rate from $31.50/room/night.
• Hotel Eden54 : 54, Gaya Street, Central Business District, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, 88000 / with room rate from $30.65/room/night.

Upscale, luxury hotels, ideal resorts in Kota Kinabalu

• Bunga Raya Island Resort : Polish Bay, Gaya Island, Tunku Abdul Rahman Park , Gaya Island, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia / from $229.85/room/night.
• Gayana Marine Resort : Malohom Bay, Gaya Island, Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, Gaya Island, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia / room rate from $220.32/room/night.
• Gaya Island Resort : Malohom Bay, Pulau Gaya, Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, Gaya Island, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, 88000 / with room rate from $208.32/room/night.
• Shangri-La’s Rasa Ria Resort & Spa : Pantai Dalit Beach P.O. Box 600, Tuaran, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia / with rental price from $236.98/room/night.
• The Pacific Sutera : 1 Sutera Harbour Boulevard, Central Business District, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, 88100 / with room rate from $140.31/room/night.
• The Magellan Sutera : 1 Sutera Harbour Boulevard, Sutera Harbour , Central Business District, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia / with room rate from 195.48/room/night.
• Shangri-La’s Tanjung Aru Resort & Spa : 20 Jalan Aru, Tanjung Aru, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, 88100 / with room rate from 195.48/room/night.

You can find more, check rates, availability & booking for Kota Kinabalu hotels on Agoda.com or Booking.com .

Kota Kinabalu travel blog: Best places to visit and top things to do in Kota Kinabalu

Mount kinabalu.

Dubbed as the “highest mountain in Southeast Asia and is one of the highest peaks in the world, with a height of more than 4.000 meters, Mount Kinabalu is one of the ideal places for adventure lovers. Although it is said to be risky, conquering this mountain is also quite easy with climbing trails have extremely good conditions, not having to hang up and climb dangerous anything. To climb the mountain will take about 2-3 days, so you can prepare for training, health care as well as planning for conquering this mountain. You can also book the 2-day and 1-night mountain tour of travel companies such as Klook or KKday.

If you are not very interested in climbing, you should still come here to enjoy the spectacular and majestic beauty, fresh air, at the foot of the mountain are endless stretches of grass with the cows are gnawing and grazing, the scene is exactly the same as in the old days we write a description about a beautiful scene.

How to get there?

• Minivan: Take the minivan from the bus station (15 RM each way and journey takes 1.5 hours)
• Bus: Take the bus from the bus station in the North of Kota Kinabalu in Inanam, 10km from the northeast of the city center. (10-15 RM – about 1-2 hours). The bus to Ranau, Sandakan or Tawau will pass through the park entrance. In addition, in case you want to see the beautiful mountain view when reaching it, it is best to depart before 8:00 am and sit on the left side of the bus.

Masjid Bandaraya Kota Kinabalu (City Mosque)

This mosque is almost the main symbol of Kota Kinabalu. Built near the sea, on an artificial lake, this mosque is one of the places not to be missed when visiting Kota Kinabalu. This mosque is quite large, can accommodate more than 12.000 people. Not only majestic and magnificent outside, inside the mosque is also an artistic sky for you to explore. Do not be afraid to go inside and explore inside, the mosque is open for free all week (except Friday) for tourists and people to visit.

City Mosque Address: Jalan Pasir, Jalan Teluk Likas, Kampung Likas, 88400 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia Phone: +60 88 212 121 Hours: hours vary Admission: free (except Fridays)

• Bus (No.5A, going towards UMS): 1.5 RM/person/way, you can pick up your car at the front door stop of Hotel Shangri-La. The bus runs from 6.30am to 8.00pm.
• Taxi: 12.00-15RM/way.

Gaya Street Sunday Market

If you visiting Kota Kinabalu on a weekend day, the Gaya Market is really worth a visit, on early Sunday morning. This market sells a lot of cool things that are visited by both locals and tourists. The market is open at 6am, so it’s best to go early to avoid the heat and crowds. Gaya Street is a convenient place to shop for souvenirs; It is full of local shops selling all kinds of interesting jewelry such as handicrafts, clothes and antiques. However, if you buy items here, you remember bargaining to buy good goods at affordable prices.

Sunday Market (Gaya Street) Sabah Address: Jalan Gaya, Pusat Bandar Kota Kinabalu, 88000 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia Hours: Opens 6:30AM–1PM every Sunday. Phone: +60 88-232 121

Visit the islands and diving

One of the most popular activities, attracting many tourists to Kota Kinabalu is the visit to the islands around this city as well as extremely exciting diving activities.

Some of the islands you can visit are: Gaya Island (the largest island of Kota Kinabalu). Gaya Island is a beautiful island in Malaysia dubbed as the Maldives of Malaysia. There is a beautiful 5-star resort floating on the water, there is an oceanographic research area on the island. Sapi Island has a blue beach, white sand and many attractive services. This is a play area for a day so there are no hotels, you can only camp. Mamutik Island is the smallest island in Kota Kinabalu. There are many facilities for bathing and camping.  Manukan (the second largest island), etc. You can go to these islands for sightseeing as well as diving and fishing. Whether you know how to dive or never experience diving, you can still join because this activity will have different levels of diving.

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• Kota Kinabalu
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An independent travel guide to Kota Kinabalu

Amazing seafood

Published/Last edited on 13th November, 2016.

We’re not shy, so we’ll say it straight out: Kota Kinabalu is an ugly town. At least, on the surface it is. However, it doesn’t take more than a tiny scratch to find its charms . Kota Kinabalu is the gateway for most travellers’ Malaysian Borneo adventures, but the warmth and friendliness of its laidback citizens will instil the feeling that you are already well in the heart of Borneo.

Browse hotels in Kota Kinabalu on Agoda

Provided by Travelfish partner Agoda .

KK, as it’s more succinctly known, is built on mostly reclaimed land facing westwards along the South China Sea. The capital of the Malaysian state of Sabah, Kota Kinabalu is a relatively wealthy city. It’s booming, and the seaside condos and shiny new shopping malls may remind you of a mini-Singapore. Most travellers visit Kota Kinabalu for the attractions outside the city, not in it — mighty Gunung Kinabalu, the city’s namesake (well, it actually went the other way around) is the tallest peak in Malaysia, and only 88 kilometres away. The orangutang hotspot of Sepilok is just a short flight or (not so short) bus trip east. But within easy reach, there’s plenty to do around Kota Kinabalu itself to fill up a few days before you hit ... Travelfish members only please log in below to continue reading. The full text is around 1,100 words.)

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More destinations

Kinabalu Park Kota Belud Kudat Lahad Datu Sandakan Semporna and Sipadan Island Tawau

Holiday checklist

If you prefer to have all your ducks in a row before you hit the road, here are some travel services you may wish to consider.

• SafetyWing offers affordable travel insurance , along with coverage for travellers up to the age of 70.
• Buying a SIM card through Klook to pickup at the airport when you arrive can save you time and money. Choose from airports across Southeast Asia.
• GetYourGuide offers a quite comprehensive range of popular organised activities across the region.
• 12Go is a reliable travel agent for selecting and booking your transport in advance.

Kota Kinabalu travel guide

Kota kinabalu tourism | kota kinabalu guide, you're going to love kota kinabalu.

Malaysia's eastern Borneo island location is famous worldwide for its stunning beaches, first class diving, lush jungle scenery and luxury resort accommodation.

Top 5 Reasons to Visit Kota Kinabalu

1. kinbalu park.

This UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of Malaysia's first national parks and has worldwide ecological importance due to its unique flora, fauna and native mammal species.

2. Dalit Beach

There are many unspoiled beaches where you can indulge in water sports and get a bite to eat at one of the many beach restaurants.

This natural hot spring is a popular place among tourists, just 40km outside of the city in Sabah.

4. Kota Kinabalu City Mosque

This mosque is situated around a lagoon and is one of the most photographed sites in the region.

5. Green Connection

This aquarium with hands-on exhibits focuses on environmental protection and education.

What to do in Kota Kinabalu

1. kinabalu park: for both adrenaline junkies and ecology buffs.

Kinbalu Park is one of Malaysia's first national parks and was deemed a UNESCO World Heritage Site in December 2000. The park has worldwide ecological importance thanks to its unique vegetation and native mammal species, including the rare Rothschild slipper orchid. From paragliding to rock climbing, canopy walks to mountain biking -- there isn't a shortage of outdoor sports to indulge in when visiting Kinbalu Park. For the truly adventurous, take the time to hike up Mount Kinbalu, which has a summit sitting at just over 4,000 meters.

2. Kota Kinabalu City Mosque: Don't Forget your Camera

Nestled beside a picturesque lagoon in the heart of downtown, the Kota Kinbalu City Mosque is one of the most photographed sites in all of Sabah. The building's design was modeled after the Nabawi Mosque in Saudi Arabia and can seat between 9,000 and 12,000 worshipers. The Mosque is actually floating just above the lagoon, which makes for a dramatic backdrop at night with the moon and stars reflecting in the water's surface. Today, the Mosque continues to serve the local Muslim population but is open to visitors of all faiths.

3. Muzium Sabah: An Exciting Hub of Activities and Fun

The tropic Borneo Malaysian weather can be intense and unexpected, with sudden showers forcing visitors to duck inside and wait out the passing storms. Luckily, there isn't a shortage of indoor cultural activities to do in Kota Kinbalu! One of the most popular tourist attractions is Muzium Sabah near to the Sacred Heart Cathedral. The museum compound is full of fun activities and educational buildings, including the ethnobotanic garden, a zoo, an art gallery and a heritage village. There are many exhibitions within the museum covering topics such as Islamic civilization, archaeology and history, natural history and ceramics and brass-ware.

4. Taman Negara Tunku Abdul Rahman: Water Activities Galore!

Borneo is world famous for its clear waters and fantastic water sports activities. The best way to take advantage of Kota Kinbalu's watery treasures is by visiting Taman Negara Tunku Abdul Rahman National Park. The area consists of five islands off of the coast and is easily accessible via a 15 to 20-minute speedboat ride. After a quick tour of the island, dive headfirst into the world-famous waters to try your hand at snorkeling, deep sea fishing or scuba diving. There are several eco hotels which you can stay at during your visit to the islands, however several of the islands require booking prior to your intended travel day.

5. Gaya Street Sunday Market: A Unique and Exciting Shopping Experience

Gaya Street, formerly known as Bond Street, has been hosting a weekly Sunday Market in Kota Kinbalu for over a hundred years. The street actually shuts down to allow for a pedestrian free zone while shopping! Though the wooden shops have been INSERT IGNOREd, local artisans and farmers display their wares proudly. Here you can find everything from umbrellas, batik sarongs, flowers, antiques, souvenirs, cakes, herbs and more. The best time to visit is right as the markets open, when local families flock to Gaya Street to do their shopping and catch up with neighbors. You'll have to wake up early though -- the market is only open from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Activities & attractions in Kota Kinabalu

Nature & outdoor activities.

Other activities

Where to Eat in Kota Kinabalu

Suang Tain Seafood Restaurant serves fresh-caught fish and traditional Malaysian food. Meal prices average about MYR25.

When to visit Kota Kinabalu

The best time to visit is May-September after the rainfall season, when the weather becomes more stable and you can view all kinds of turtles and orangutans playing in the wild jungles.

How to Get to Kota Kinabalu

Kota Kinabalu International Airport is located 7km outside of the city. One way tickets from London cost roughly MYR2,200.

Sabah State Railway connects to other destinations on the island. A ticket to Beaufort with connections to Tenom costs MYR3.8 and takes 2 hours.

There are 3 highways operating through Kota Kinabalu. Highway 1 runs north and south with connections to Brunei, with 22 and 500 heading east to Ranau, Tambunan and Tenom.

Currently all long-distance buses operate out of the North Bus Terminal (Inanam) just 10km outside of the city.

Airports near Kota Kinabalu

Airlines serving kota kinabalu, where to stay in kota kinabalu.

Jesselton Hotel offers boutique accommodation in the heart of downtown for MYR220 a night.

Popular Neighborhoods in Kota Kinabalu

Lok Kawi - This small nearby town offers an impressive wildlife park where you can have up-close encounters with tigers, monkeys and pygmy elephants.

Jalan Kampung Air - Visit this neighborhood to experience the traditional Southeast-Asian night markets and sample traditional Malaysian cuisine.

Karambunai - This neighborhood features many popular beaches which are good for snorkeling and diving.

Where to stay in popular areas of Kota Kinabalu

Most booked hotels in kota kinabalu, how to get around kota kinabalu, public transportation.

The Wawasan Bus Terminal is currently under construction, being temporarily replaced by a stretch in front of Waterfront Mall. Single ride tickets cost around MYR2 and can be paid when boarding the bus.

Taxi tariffs start at MYR8, with a typical ride in the center costing around MYR15.

Rental vehicles can be picked up from Kota Kinabalu airport with average daily rates starting at MYR130.

The Cost of Living in Kota Kinabalu

Shopping streets.

Kota Kinabalu Handicraft (Filipino) Market offers souvenirs, including textiles, jewelry and local handcrafts for negotiable prices. 1Borneo Hypermall is the largest modern shopping mall in Borneo.

Groceries and Other

The two main shopping markets are City Grocer Supermarket and Giant Supermarket. A dozen eggs costs 4.5 MYR.

• TRAVEL GUIDES
• DESTINATIONS
• ADVENTURE TRIPS
• HOTELS & RESORTS
• FIND HOTELS WITH DISCOUNTED RATES!

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2024 kota kinabalu travel guide blog with diy itinerary, things to do, tourist spots, budget, tips and more.

Planning a trip to Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia this 2024? Let me help you with this first-timer's budget travel guide to Kota Kinabalu with list of top things to do, tourist spots, sample itinerary, and more!!

2024 budget travel guide to kota kinabalu, sabah malaysia, okay, let's get started..., visa requirements, malaysia travel requirements.

A post shared by Pinoy Adventurista (Mervz) 🇵🇭 (@pinoyadventurista) on May 15, 2018 at 11:37pm PDT

WHAT TO BRING AND TRAVEL ESSENTIALS

• Light and Breathable Clothes - the weather in Kota Kinabalu is most of the time hot and humid. It is suggested that you wear light and breathable clothes. Also bring a light jacket or raincoat for the occasional rains.
• Swimwear - island hopping is one of the most popular things to do when traveling to Kota Kinabalu. Be sure to bring your swimwear to fully enjoy the islands and the beaches of KK.
• Clothes for visiting mosques - another popular activity in Kota Kinabalu is visiting the mosques. When packing your bags, be sure to have clothes appropriate in entering a mosque. For men, it is important to wear long trousers or pants, short-sleeved shirts are okay. Women should cover their hair and arms, ankle-length skirts or pants are required.
• Universal Adapter Plug - for electricity, most establishments use 3-pin square plugs and sockets at 220–240 V. Don't forget to bring a universal adapter.
• Comfortable Footwear - Kota Kinabalu is a very walkable city. If you chose to explore the city by foot, you will walk a lot. It is best to wear comfortable footwear.

HOW TO GET TO KOTA KINABALU?

Cheap flights to kota kinabalu.

Brunei to Kota Kinabalu

HOW TO GET TO KOTA KINABALU CITY CENTER FROM THE AIRPORT?

Traveling to/from kota kinabalu international airport take the hassle out of your journey by booking from a wide selection of cars, taxis, and other airport transfer options., where to exchange currency.

HOW TO STAY CONNECTED IN KOTA KINABALU?

• Upload/Download Speed: 50Mbps/150Mbps
• Max. No. of Connected Devices: 5 devices
• Battery Life: 16 hours
• Coverage area: Multiple Countries
• Traffic Flow Limit: 4G unlimited data, 1GB, 500MB, or 350MB per day

HOW TO GET AROUND KOTA KINABALU?

Where to stay in kota kinabalu.

FAT RHINO HOSTEL

• Mixed Dormitory Fan - ₱229.82 per person
• Female Dormitory with Air Conditioning - ₱268.12 per person
• Male Dormitory with Air Conditioning - ₱268.12 per person
• Queen Bed with Aircon (common toilet and bath) - ₱766.06 for 2 persons
• Ensuite Queen (with toilet and bath)- ₱919.27 for 2 persons
• Awesome location along Gaya Street in Kota Kinabalu City Center.
• It's near to all we need - restaurants, money changers, souvenir shops, convenience stores.
• Near Jesselton Wharf - less than 1 kilometer away.
• Value for money. Cheap and affordable room rates.
• There is an open-air bar with live band downstairs and it's very noisy until 12 midnight.

TUNE HOTEL - 1BORNEO

• Double Room With Window - ₱1,306.12 for 2 persons
• Double Room Without Window - ₱1,335.14 for 2 persons
• Twin Room - ₱1,402.86 for 2 persons
• Family Room, 2 Queen Beds - ₱2,418.73
• It is located within a shopping mall - 1 Borneo
• Its location is within the Kota Kinabalu City Center
• It's near convenience stores, groceries, and restaurants
• Impressive online reviews from guests.

• It is located very near Gaya Stree.
• Its super location location is within the Kota Kinabalu City Center
• Booking comes with complimentary breakfast.

OTHER HOTELS & RESORTS IN KOTA KINABALU

• Kinabalu Daya Hotel - See room rates & availability
• Horizon Hotel Kota Kinabalu - See room rates & availability
• Mercure Kota Kinabalu - See room rates & availability
• Shangri-La Tanjung Aru Kota Kinabalu - See room rates & availability
• The Jesselton Hotel - See room rates & availability
• Mandarin Hotel - See room rates & availability
• Hotel 7 Suria - See room rates & availability
• Promenade Hotel - See room rates & availability
• Hotel Dreamtel - See room rates & availability
• The Pacific Sutera Hotel - See room rates & availability

A post shared by Pinoy Adventurista (Mervz) 🇵🇭 (@pinoyadventurista) on Jun 23, 2018 at 3:08am PDT

USEFUL MALAY PHRASES TO LEARN

• Good morning - Selamat pagi
• Good afternoon - Selamat petang
• Good evening - Selamat petang
• Thank you - Terima kasih
• Welcome - Selamat datang
• I understand - Saya faham
• I don't understand - Saya tidak faham
• How much? - Berapa harga?
• That’s too expensive - Mahal sangat
• Where is the toilet? - Di mana tandas?
• Help! - Tolong!
• Excuse me - Tumpang lalu
• What's your name? - Siapa nama anda?
• Have a nice day - Semoga hari anda baik sahaja

THINGS TO DO, TOURIST SPOTS AND ATTRACTIONS IN KOTA KINABALU

Enjoy the Beach of Sapi Island

Hop to Manukan Island

√ for a hassle-free experience, you may also consider these tours:.

• Shared Boat Transfers for Sapi, Manukan, and Mamutik Island
• Sapi and Manukan Islands Tour with Water Sport Activities
• Snorkeling and Water Sports Experience in Manukan and Mamutik Island
• Sapi Island and Kokol Hill Elf Day Tour
• Tunku Abdul Rahman Island Visit & Boat Snorkeling Experience

Visit Kota Kinabalu City Mosque

Visit Sabah State Mosque

Enjoy the View of the City from Signal Observatory Hill

Climb Atkinson Clock Tower

Learn about Kota Kinabalu at Sabah State Museum

• Malaysian Guests - 2.00 MYR
• Non-Malaysian Guests - 15.00 MYR
• Students in uniform, disabled (PWD) guests, senior citizens and taxi drivers are free admission.

Visit Locomotive Gallery at Sabah State Museum

Science and Technology Centre at Sabah State Museum

Visit Islamic Civilization Museum at Sabah State Museum

See the Heritage Village at Sabah State Museum

Jesselton Point Ferry Terminal

A post shared by Pinoy Adventurista (Mervz) 🇵🇭 (@pinoyadventurista) on Jun 21, 2018 at 10:37pm PDT

Enjoy the Sunset at Kota Kinabalu Waterfront

Enjoy the Seafoods at Todak Waterfront Hawker Center

√ for hassle-free culinary tour in kota kinabalu, you may join a kota kinabalu city night tour with seafood dinner ..

Food Trip along Gaya Street

Souvenir Shopping at Handicraft Market

OTHER POPULAR ACTIVITIES AND ATTRACTIONS IN KOTA KINABALU

Kinabalu Park & Poring Hot Spring

• Explore Malaysian nature at one of its most beautiful parks, Kinabalu Park
• See the exotic flora and fauna in Malaysia's first UNESCO World Heritage Site
• Dip into a hot sulphur bath in Poring Hot Spring and relax as you gaze up at giant bamboo trees
• As an optional extra, visit the Desa Cattle Dairy Farm, Kundasang Vegetable Market and more

Mantanani Snorkeling & Kawa Kawa River Cruise

• Visit the magical Mantanani Island for some of the best snorkeling in the world
• You may get a chance to spot the island's cutest attraction – dugongs or "sea cows"
• Choose between two packages: Snorkeling Only and Snorkeling + Kawa Kawa River Cruise
• Discover coral reefs, enjoy a buffet onboard the cruise, watch fireflies and so much more!

Mari Mari Cultural Village

• Mari Mari Cultural Village is located in a remote forest setting in Kionsom - the perfect escape from the urban bustle
• Enjoy a truly authentic experience by observing the lives of 5 indigenous Malaysian tribes
• Sample different cuisines and watch traditional performances: blow-pipe making, fire starting and more
• Choose one of two tour times that best suits your schedule

Kawa Kawa Fireflies Sunset Cruise

• See a stunning sunset as you cruise along Kawa Kawa Village and its beautiful countryside
• Don't miss a chance to see Malaysia's cutest inhabitants: the elusive Proboscis Monkeys
• Relax over dinner onboard and get ready for a night show of dancing fireflies

Kokol Elf Admission with Instagrammable Photo Taking Experience

• Access Kokol Elf, the famous instagrammable place at Kokol Hills known for its gorgeous sceneries
• Experience Malaysia's first "Bali Swing" and get the chance to capture your beautiful moments on your mega swing ride!
• Enjoy the amazing view from Kokol Hills at the top of Kota Kinabalu city and coast amidst the lush rainforest
• Capture your wonderful experience in Kokol Elf with amazing photo taking places and post them on your social media

Sunset and City Dinner Cruise

• Enjoy some time away from the city by going on a two-hour cruise across the west coast of Sabah
• Take in the stunning views of the South China Sea as the sky paints itself with the colors of the sunset
• Feel the cool breeze and marvel at the sight of the starry night sky during the nighttime cruise
• Feast on an international buffet spread while you are entertained by the live musicians onboard
• Can't be bothered to drive to the marina? Pay extra for a transfer service and enjoy hassle-free transportation!

Kayaking and Snorkeling Experience at Tanjung Aru Beach

• Enjoy the nice scenery of Kota Kinabalu Sabah Beach by kayaking through the ocean
• Get your kayak boat with paddle and life jacket at the base camp
• You will be having Go Pro Hero 10 footage when you book this experience
• You will be given a briefing session before departing for the kayaking experience
• Snorkeling equipment will be given as well so that you also can enjoy snorkeling

SAMPLE KOTA KINABALU DIY ITINERARY

Sample 3 days / 2 nights kota kinabalu diy itinerary.

DAY 1 - ARRIVAL, CHECK-IN AND CITY TOUR

Day 2 - island hopping, day 3 - departure, [ click here to see the list of top-rated hotels in kota kinabalu ].

Sample Kota Kinabalu Budget for 3 days and 2 nights for less than 5,000 pesos budget

• You will be staying for 2 nights in a private room that is good for 2 persons at Fat Rhino Hostel for PHP 919.00 per night with breakfast.
• You are a group of two.
• Your maximum expense for food is 15 MYR per meal per person.
• You'll be using Grab for transportation in going around the city.

PRE-TRAVEL EXPENSES

• Fat Rhino Hoste for 2 night = 1,838 / 2 = 919 per person
• Sapi and Manukan Islands Adventure - 2,195 per person

TOTAL - 3,114 per person

Day 1 expenses.

• Hostel (1st night) - pre-booked
• Tourism Tax (1st night) - 10 MYR
• SIM card - 25 MYR
• Grab Car (Airport to Hostel) - 12 MYR / 2 = 6 MYR per person
• Lunch - 15 MYR
• Grab Car to Kota Kinabalu City Mosque - 5 MYR / 2 = 2.5 MYR per person
• Grab Car to Sabah State Mosque - 7 MYR / 2 = 3.5 MYR per person
• Grab Car to Sabah State Museum - 5 MYR / 2 = 2.5 MYR per person
• Sabah State Museum Admission Fee - 15 MYR
• Grab Car to Kota Kinabalu Waterfront - 7 MYR / 2 = 3.5 MYR per person
• Dinner - 15 MYR per person
• TOTAL - 98.00 MYR per person

DAY 2 EXPENSES

• Hostel (2nd night) - pre-booked
• Tourism Tax (2nd night) - 10 MYR
• Breakfast - complimentary at the hostel
• Sapi and Manukan Islands Adventure via Klook - pre booked
• Lunch - included in the tour from Klook
• Grab Car from hostel to Signal Observatory Hill - 5 MYR / 2 = 2.5 MYR per person
• Grab Car from Signal Observatory Hill t hostel - 5 MYR / 2 = 2.5 MYR per person
• TOTAL - 30.00 MYR per person

DAY 3 EXPENSES

• Atkinson Tower - free, you can just walk from the hostel
• Grab car from hostel to airport - 12 MYR / 2 = 6 MYR per person
• TOTAL - 6 MYR per person

SUMMARY OF EXPENSES PER PERSON

• DAY 1 - 98.00 MYR
• DAY 2 - 30.00 MYR
• DAY 3 - 6.00 MYR

TOTAL - 134.00 MYR or 1,785 PHP per person

Pre-travel bookings - 3,114 php per person, grand total - 4,899 php per person.

• Round trip airfare from Manila to KK and back to Manila
• Check-in baggage fees
• NAIA terminal fee and travel tax
• Food expenses for snacks
• Budget for pasalubong, souvenirs and shopping expenses

A post shared by Pinoy Adventurista (Mervz) 🇵🇭 (@pinoyadventurista) on May 17, 2018 at 6:45pm PDT

I hope this First-timer's Kota Kinabalu Budget Travel Guide will help you in planning an exciting and fun-filled Malaysia Adventure! Enjoy, have fun and safe travels!

Terima kasih kota kinabalu, malaysia, follow my adventures on youtube @pinoyadventurista, 12 comments :.

I'll be going to KK on Oct. 1. This is such a great help! Thanks!

I usually jump from one travel blog/ website to another when planning for a trip until I came across Pinoy Adventurista. I'm so impressed (and happy!!!) as it has all the information I need for the trip I'm planning. This is now my absolute travel guide. Thanks for the big, big help!

Very helpful! thank you so much!

Very well detailed information😊Thank you!

This is really helpful. We already booked a ticket to KK this October. :) thanks

I read you blog 3x already! very helpful. I just want to ask if worth ba ung Borneo Cultural Village Half Day Tour with Klias River Cruise or we'll stick with Sapi and Manukan Islands Adventure??

Magkano po dala niyo pocket money?

Thanks for the blog. Very very helpful. 🤗 Will use this as my ite too. 🙂

Thanks what a helpful information!This is a very nice start for our incoming travel to KK

Hi I'm from cagayan de oro city... they say there is ferry in zamboanga going to sandakan Sabah Malaysia. Is more cheaper just need you have passport. I use this travel strategy .

Thank you for sharing this Blog Mervz. I am planning to go to KK and this Blog is a big help. Complete kasi...from airport to airport...hotel, transpo, places to visit and how to do it...thanks Mervz...

Hi po. I've been planning to have a trip to KK, and one of the tour I've been planning to do is to climb Mt. Kinabalu. Do you have some information for that Sir?

Looking for Budget Travel Guide Blogs, Hotel Reviews, and Sample DIY Itineraries? Welcome to Pinoy Adventurista, "Your Next Ultimate Adventure Starts Here!" Pinoy Adventurista is one of the Top Travel Blogs in the Philippines and the World. In 2013, he visited all the 81 provinces in the Philippines.

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