Recently returned from Brunei

We have just returned from a trip to Asia which included a 9 day vacation in Brunei. I found it extremely difficult to find information on Brunei when I was planning our trip so I am posting this review in the hope that it may assist others as they plan an upcoming trip.

We stayed at the Rizqun Hotel which we highly recommend (see separate report under the hotel name).

Firstly I would say that 9 days is much too long, maybe 3-4 days would be more appropriate as there are not too many highlights to see.

Our hotel was located in Gadong, a lively suburb of BSB, popular with the locals. There is a large shopping mall and lots of cafes and restaurants there and the area seems to be the centre for the night life of the city. However don%26#39;t look for nightclubs etc. One of the main attractions of Gadong is the night food market which is excellent - there are local foods of every kind served in an extremely hygenic way - we were very impressed and visited several nights.

Taxis tend to be expensive in Brunei but if you are staying in Gadong local buses nos. 1 and 20 run every 15 minutes into the city centre at a cost of B$1. Local water taxis ply the riverside area of BSB and for a negotiated fee it is possible to get them to take you to see the Proboscis monkeys in the mangroves up the river and also to tour the water villages which are extremely interesting. There are several museums in the city but it is impossible to get close to the Sultan%26#39;s Palace although it is permitted to tour the Mosques out of prayer times.

The highlight of our visit was a tour to Temburong National Park and the canopy walk. However it is important to note that there are 1220 steps to the top, plus another 200 to the actual walk! The tour costs B$135 p.p. and includes snacks, tea and lunch en route. The boat journey is worth the cost alone!

Other tours are available but individual travel is not recommended or encouraged.

If you are not staying at the Empire Golf and Country Club then it is certainly worth a visit. It is most impressive and if you wish only to lie around the pool and relax then this is the place for you. It is a little remote from the city and the taxi fare each way is B$30.

Tourists seems to be a rare commodity (which is not a bad thing) and although most people speak English it is difficult to obtain information about the country as other than a handful of recommended tours there is not much else to do.

It must also be remembered that this is a Muslim country and no alcohol is available. Dress is conservative, in fact we did not see anyone in shorts or suntops.

Recently returned from Brunei

Thanks for sharing the review as I%26#39;m looking at planing my next overseas trip and may look at it as a stop over place.

Recently returned from Brunei

Bandet, how did you book your tour to Temburong Ntonal Park? We are planning to include Brunei on our trp to SE Asia in October.

Thanks,

Jane

Hi Jane, you will find there are many tourist companies that organize tours in BSB, also your hotel will have lots of information. All prices are pretty much the same. We actually booked through our hotel (Rizqun) with Mona FloraFauna Tours. The cost of the tour was B$138 p.p. We could not find a tourist information office for general information on the area, I really don%26#39;t think there is one. If I can be of any further assistance please let me know.

Thanks! Good to know that tours are available from hotels.

On the Brunei Tourist Office - there are several.

I got off the bus at the bus terminal in the city centre and walked up Jalan Cator half a block to Jln Sungai Kianggeh and there was a tourist info office on the corner. The guy mentioned that they had previously been in an office 2 blocks further away from the river (I think that was the General Post Office building in Jln Elizabeth Dua)

My Brunei map which I picked up there gives the official contact details as:

Brunei Tourism:

Tel: 673 2382822/2382831

Fax: 673 2382824

Email: info@tourismbrunei.com

Hope that helps.

Hi bandet,

Could you please tell what did the tour to Temburong National Park include? what were you able to see there?

Also, what would be the cost of a water taxi to take us to see the Proboscis monkeys in the mangroves?

Where is Gadong? How close is it to Terrace Hotel or Sheraton Hotel?

Thanks

Hello b m2001, Gadong is on the outskirts of BSB, a short bus ride from the city centre at a cost of $1 so you could go there in the evening if you wish to go to the night market, the restaurants or the mall.

The water taxi is taken from the riverside in BSB and it is up to you to negotiate a price (we managed to pay only 20 bnd. It is only a short boat ride to the mangroves to see the monkeys but the best times to go are early morning or early evening. You can take a tour of the water villages at the same time which is very interesting. The whole thing takes about an hour but of course it is up to you how long you would like to take and the cost will vary accordingly.

The tour to Temburong is the most worthwhile and memorable tour. It leaves around 9.00 by boat up to Bangar, then by SUV (including stop for refreshments) to another river then by long boat up to the forest. The walk is taxing in the heat to the viewpoint but different types of trees and plants are illustrated on the climb. The ants are huge and interesting to watch. We did not see much else with regard to wild life. At the top you climb up the viewing towers (you certainly need a head for heights here) but is well worthwhile. On the way back you stop for lunch and then the return journey to BSB.

Hope this helps - if you need anything further let me know. Enjoy your trip.

Hi bandet,

Thank you very much for your quick reply.

We will be leaving for Brunei on 24.04.08.

I would grately appreciate if you could also answer few more questions:

1. what time do buses stop their service?

If we go to Gadong night markets, it would be good to know how can we return to downtown.

2. do you know if the taxis charge according to the taxi meter or should be the price negotiated upfront? Is it easy to catch a cab?

3. Is there a bus that goes from downtown to the The Empire Hotel and back?

4. I would like to take a Temburong tour. In this respect - will we see the big nose monkeys on this tour or should we still get a water taxi to take us to mangroves to see them?

Since we decided to go to Brunei only yesterday and have to leave in 2 days I didn%26#39;t have much time to gather lots of information, so any advise and tips on any topics will be greatly appreciated.

Hello b m 2001, well you certainly decide to do things quickly! I am afraid I cannot tell you what time the buses stop running but your hotel will tell you that. Taxis always seem to be around but they are expensive and seem to all charge the same amount. The average cost of a journey - even a short one is 30 bnd. There is no bus to the Empire - you have to get a taxi and the cost is $30 each way for about a 15 min trip but I suppose it is worth it just to see it. We used the pool while we were there which was nice.

You will not see the Proboscus monkeys on the canopy walk - you have to do it from the riverside in BSB. When you walk to the water the taxis will come and the operator will wave his finger in a circular motion - that is asking if you would like a round trip. As I said - negotiate before you board the boat.

The night food market is excellent and exceptionally clean - we ate there several times as the variety and quality of food is much better than many of the restaurants. There are many coffee shops around so it is easy to pop in for refreshments and to cool down. We went into the museum near the Sheraton which houses the sultan%26#39;s coach etc. - it is free and very interesting.

Most people speak English so it is not difficult to find out information. I hope this information helps you. I check my mail regularly so if there is anything else ......

bandet, thanks a million

After tossing up a bit and reading reviews we decided to book Jubilee Hotel. We chose for its location - walking distance to all the attractions and pretty good price. And they also provide free transfer from the airport. Practically all reviews about it seem to be positive. In any case, we would only need a clean and comfortable place to sleep in as we will be out all days.

I understand you stayed in Gadong. Do you happen to know if there is a night market not far from Jubilee Hotel? (In case you don%26#39;t know the location of Jubilee hotel - it is not far from Chinese Temple, General Post Office and Parliament House).

Needless to say we would try to see and do as much as possible (we will have 4 full days there). I am very thankful for all your advise as now I have pretty good picture of what we will have to see and do.