Kota Kinabalu (Borneo), Malaysia-6-day-itinerary

6-Day Itinerary for Traveling in Kota Kinabalu, Borneo, Malaysia

Day 1: Arrival and City Exploration

Morning

  • Arrive at Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI)
  • Transfer to your hotel using a taxi or Grab (approx. RM15-20 / USD3.50-4.70)
  • Check-in at Shangri-La’s Tanjung Aru Resort & Spa (or similar), a 5-star resort with stunning views of the South China Sea

Afternoon

  • Visit the nearby Kota Kinabalu City Mosque, one of the largest mosques in Southeast Asia
  • Take a stroll along the waterfront promenade, which offers great views of the city and the sea
  • Grab some lunch at Din Tai Fung, a popular restaurant for Chinese cuisine (approx. RM20-30 / USD4.70-7)

Evening

  • Head to Night Market in Kompleks Penjaja, where you can find local street food, souvenirs, and handicrafts
  • Try some local snacks like laksa or char kway teow at the night market (approx. RM10-20 / USD2.30-4.70)

Day 2: Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park and Manukan Island

Morning

  • Take a ferry to Manukan Island in the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park (approx. RM50-60 / USD11.90-14.20 return)
  • Snorkel or dive in the crystal-clear waters of the marine park, which is home to an incredible array of marine life
  • Visit the island’s turtle conservation center and learn about the efforts to protect these gentle creatures

Afternoon

  • Return to Kota Kinabalu by ferry and grab some lunch at The Fisherman’s Wharf, a seafood restaurant with great views of the sea (approx. RM20-30 / USD4.70-7)

Evening

  • Visit the Kota Kinabalu Waterfront for dinner, where you can find a variety of restaurants serving local and international cuisine
  • Try some local desserts like ABC or cendol at one of the many food stalls along the waterfront (approx. RM10-20 / USD2.30-4.70)

Day 3: Monsopae Waterfall and Tambunan National Park

Morning

  • Drive to Monsopae Waterfall in the Crocker Range (approx. 1 hour, RM50-60 / USD11.90-14.20 return by taxi)
  • Hike through the forest and enjoy the stunning views of the waterfall and surrounding landscape
  • Visit the nearby Tambunan National Park, which is home to a variety of flora and fauna, including orangutans

Afternoon

  • Return to Kota Kinabalu for lunch at Old Town White Coffee, a popular restaurant serving local and international cuisine (approx. RM20-30 / USD4.70-7)

Evening

  • Visit the Kota Kinabalu Night Market again, where you can find great deals on souvenirs and handicrafts
  • Try some local snacks like rojak or popiah at one of the many food stalls along the night market (approx. RM10-20 / USD2.30-4.70)

Day 4: Mari-Mari Cultural Village

Morning

  • Visit Mari-Mari Cultural Village, which showcases the traditional way of life in Sabah (approx. RM50-60 / USD11.90-14.20)
  • Learn about the customs and traditions of the indigenous people, including the Dusun and Kadazan-Dusun communities
  • Watch a traditional dance performance or participate in a cooking demonstration

Afternoon

  • Return to Kota Kinabalu for lunch at Hai Yen, a popular restaurant serving local Chinese cuisine (approx. RM20-30 / USD4.70-7)

Evening

  • Visit the Kota Kinabalu Waterfront again, where you can find great views of the sea and surrounding landscape
  • Try some local desserts like ais kacang or cendol at one of the many food stalls along the waterfront (approx. RM10-20 / USD2.30-4.70)

Day 5: Labuan Island

Morning

  • Take a ferry to Labuan Island (approx. RM50-60 / USD11.90-14.20 return)
  • Visit the Labuan Museum, which showcases the island’s history and culture
  • Explore the island’s beautiful beaches, including the famous Pulau Labuan Beach

Afternoon

  • Return to Kota Kinabalu for lunch at The Fisherman’s Wharf again, a seafood restaurant with great views of the sea (approx. RM20-30 / USD4.70-7)

Evening

  • Visit the Kota Kinabalu Night Market one last time, where you can find great deals on souvenirs and handicrafts
  • Try some local snacks like laksa or char kway teow at one of the many food stalls along the night market (approx. RM10-20 / USD2.30-4.70)

Day 6: Departure

Morning

  • Spend some time shopping for souvenirs or exploring the city before departing
  • Transfer to Kota Kinabalu International Airport (BKI) using a taxi or Grab (approx. RM15-20 / USD3.50-4.70)
  • Depart from Kota Kinabalu, bringing back memories of your amazing trip to Borneo!

Transportation

  • Taxi: approx. RM10-20 / USD2.30-4.70 per ride
  • Grab: approx. RM10-20 / USD2.30-4.70 per ride
  • Ferry: approx. RM50-60 / USD11.90-14.20 return to Manukan Island or Labuan Island

Accommodation

  • Shangri-La’s Tanjung Aru Resort & Spa (or similar): 5-star resort with stunning views of the South China Sea

Food and Drink

  • Laksa: approx. RM10-20 / USD2.30-4.70
  • Char kway teow: approx. RM10-20 / USD2.30-4.70
  • Dinosaur eggs (ABC): approx. RM5-10 / USD1.15-2.30
  • Cendol: approx. RM5-10 / USD1.15-2.30

Tips and Reminders

  • Be respectful of the local culture and customs, especially when visiting indigenous communities or attending cultural events.
  • Try to speak some basic Malay phrases, such as “hello” (selamat datang), “thank you” (terima kasih), and “goodbye” (tolonglah).
  • Don’t drink tap water; stick to bottled or filtered water instead.
  • Be prepared for the heat and humidity by bringing sunscreen, a hat, and plenty of water.