GENERAL INFORMATION
TRAVEL IDEAS
- Brunei Experience, 3 days
OTHER TRAVEL IDEAS
THAT INCLUDE SINGAPORE AND MALAYSIA
- Singapore to Kuala Lumpur, 4 days
- Malaysia Connector, 7 days
- Essential Malaysia, 7 days
- Classic Borneo, 7 days
Brunei
Things To Know Before You Go
Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque
PASSPORTS & VISAS
Visitors are required to hold valid passports. No visas are required for Canadian citizens for up to 14 days, and for American citizens for up to 90 days.
VACCINATIONS
Yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers aged one year and over who have visited infected or endemic areas within the previous six days. Malaria, cholera and small pox have been eliminated from Brunei Darussalam and the inoculation is not needed.
CUSTOMS
The following goods may be imported into Brunei by travellers aged over 17 years without incurring customs duty: 200 cigarettes or 250g tobacco products, two 1L bottles of liquor plus 12 cans of beer (by non-Muslims for personal consumption only, provided declared at customs upon arrival), 60ml of perfume and 250ml of eau de toilette.
CURRENCY
The official currency is Brunei Dollar (BND), symbol is Br$. Foreign currencies and travelers cheques can be exchanged at any bank.
DEPARTURE TAX
International Airport tax is Br$5 (Approx. CAD$4 / US$3) for flights to Kota Kinabalu and Kuching; Br$12 (Approx. CAD$10 / US$8) for all other destinations.
LANGUAGE
Malay is the official language. English is widely used and Mandarin and Chinese dialects are also spoken.
Health
It is advisable to drink only bottled or distilled water, which is readily available everywhere. Milk is unpasteurised and should be boiled. Powdered or tinned milk is available and advised. Avoid all dairy products. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled.
TAXIS
Taxis are available in Bandar Seri Begawan, in the multi-storey car park at Jalan Cator. There are also airport taxis and taxis in most hotels and shopping centres. Fares are usually metered; if not, they should be agreed before the journey. There is a 50% surcharge after 2300 for airport taxi services. Tipping is not necessary. Traffic drives on the left.
TELEPHONES
Public telephones are available in most post office branches and main shopping areas and there is a private internal service. There are both coin and card operated public telephones in Brunei. Telephone cards can be obtained at post offices or at the Telecom office.
ELECTRICITY
Electricity supply is 220/240V AC 50Hz. Plugs are either round or square three-pin.
TRAVELLERS CHEQUES & CREDIT CARDS
To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller's cheques in US Dollars or Pounds Sterling. Hotels and many department stores will also cash traveller's cheques. American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are generally accepted by hotels, department stores and major establishments.
CLOTHING
Lightweight cottons and linens. Waterproofing is advisable all year.
MEDICAL FACILITIES
Medical insurance is advised. Medical facilities are of a high standard. The health administration of Brunei reserves the right to vaccinate arrivals not in possession of required certificates and to take any other action deemed necessary to ensure arrivals present no health risk.
TIPPING
Most hotels and restaurants add 10% to the bill.
