Kota Kinabalu is situated on the tropical island of Borneo, and is the state capital of the Malaysian state Sabah, which is one of the two states of East Malaysia. The location of the city is absolutely amazing; and from the airport it is just a short ride to mostly any hotel. You find a world class sailing marina and championship golf courses as well as both first class holiday resorts and good hotels for the budget traveler.

And the food is varied in a way that only a state with 30 ethnic groups can offer. The flavours you will find are excellent and in KK, as Kota Kinabalu also is called, there are gourmet meals in restaurants for elegant dining, but you will also find wonderful tastes and textures in a bowl in a hawker’s stall at the night market.
 
There is so much to do in and around Kota Kinabalu!
Just minutes away, you will find a natural beauty that is unbelievable, then you can choose – go and see some of the islands around Kota Kinabalu or catch a train and head for the rain forests.

Sandy white beaches are “everywhere” and the water has always the right temperature. If you want to go rafting in a river or just catch a train, the choice is yours. Perhaps you will just do something you never find time to do in your daily life – just sit down and relax to enjoy life! Then Kota Kinabalu and Sabah is the right place. Here, dreams come true; it is as simple as that.
 

Kota Kinabalu has of course major shopping malls as well as shopping areas that you find in many other Asian cities, most of them located at the main streets of the city.  The five major shopping malls in Kota Kinabalu are: Centrepoint, Karamunsing Complex, KK Plaza, Wawasan Plaza and. Wisma Merdeka.
They all have fixed and attractive prices. Most of the malls are open from 10.00 a.m. to 10.00 p.m. 

But here there are also markets that feel genuine and honest, like the urban Gaya Street Fair that starts every Sunday at 8 a.m. You will find the fair in the lower end of Gaya Street; the stalls are till offer a collection of everything you want and do not want.
 
In most of the towns and villages around Kota Kinabalu there is a Tamu, also known as Sunday Flea Market, where you can find all kinds of stuff from orchids, fruits, vegetables, poultry, handicrafts, traditional music instrument and much more.

From luxury to budget hotels
In Kota Kinabalu you will find some of the best hotels in Asia! Most of the Kota Kinabalu´s business hotels are downtown. If you are a backpacker and looking for a budget hotels

  -Splurge-

.
Nexus Resort Karambunai
15.7 km — Kampung Karambunai Off Jalan Sepanfar Bay Locked Bag 100, Kota Kinabalu (Sabah)

.
Promenade Hotel
No 4 Lorong Api-Api 3
Api-Api Centre , Kota Kinabalu
88000 Sabah , Malaysia 
Phone
+6088 265 555
Fax
+6088 246 666  
.
Le Méridien Kota Kinabalu, Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens,

 tel. (60) 8832 2222.
.
The Magellan Sutera
No 1 Sutera Harbour Boulevard, Kota Kinabalu (Sabah)tel. 60 88 318 888
.
Hyatt Regency Kinabalu
Jalan Datuk Salleh Sulong,
Locked Bag 47
88991 Kota Kinabalu
abah , Malaysia 
Phone
+6088 221 234
Fax
+6088 218 909 

.
Shangri-La’s Tanjung Aru Resort & Spa
No 20, Jalan Aru, Tanjung Aru, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
+60-88-225800,

.
The Jesselton Hotel
69, Jalan Gaya, P.O. Box 10401,, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
Tel:(6088)223333.Fax:(6088)240401

.
Berjaya Palace Hotel, 1 Jalan Tangki Karamunsing, tel. +60-88-211911.

.
Sutera Harbour Resort & Spa
1 Sutera Harbour Boulevard
88100 , Kota Kinabalu
Sabah , Malaysia 
Phone
+6088 318 888
Fax
+60-88 317 777, Sales and Marketing +60-88 303 338  
Email: sutera@suteraharbour.com.my

  -Mid-range-

.
King Park Hotel Kota Kinabalu, Jalan Masjid Lama, Bandaran Berjaya 88000  +6088 270 500 (reservations@kk.kingparkhotel.com.my),

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Megah D’Aru Hotel, No. 2, Jalan Kinabalu, Tanjung Aru Township, 88100 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia. (located in the heart of Tanjung Aru Township), ? +6088 239 666 (mdaru2@streamyx.com).
  -Budget-
.
Akinabalu Youth Hostel, 
 tel. 60 88 237727. 
.
Asia Adventure Lodge,
tel. +60 138929995,

.
Borneo Global Backpackers
Lot 29, Ground & 1st Floor, Karamunsing Godown, Jalan Karamunsing, Kota Kinabalu

.
Borneo Backpackers,
tel. +6(088) 234 009, ,Email : info@borneobackpackers.com .

.
Borneo BeacHouse Backpackers,
tel. +6(088) 218 331, 
tel: +6088 242 477,
Email : info@borneogayalodge.com.

.
Globetrotters Lodge
(formerly New Horizon),
tel. +6088 272796,

.
Hamin Lodge,
tel. +6(088)272008

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Hotel Holiday,
tel. +6(088)-213116,
 +6012-6909-888
.
Lavender Lodge,
tel. +6088 – 217119 ,
fax +6088 – 218077,
.
Step-in Lodge,
tel. +6088 – 233519,
.
Kinabalu Backpackers,
tel. +6088 – 253 385,
.
X-plorer Backpackers, 1st Floor, 106/108, Jalan Gaya, 88000 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah,  +60-88-538780
info@xplobackpackers.com
fax: +60-88-538781
.
Hotel Kotajaya and Back Packers
+6088 222715,
.
Impiana Mutiara Hotel
Sadong Jaya, Kota Kinabalu., Ground Floor, No.3, Block BC, Lot 13, Lorong Ikan Juara 3, 88100 Sadong Jaya, Kota Kinabalu
+6088 268 823 / 268 824 (info@impianamutiarahotel.com),
.
Tune Hotels.Com 1 Borneo Kota Kinabalu
G 803 1 Borneo Hypermall, Jalan Sulaman, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.

-
others kota kinabalu hotels:

.
Manukan Island Chalet
Kinabalu Nature Resorts Sdn Bhd ,
Lot G15, Ground Floor, Wisma Sabah
88000 Kota Kinabalu Sabah , Malaysia 
Phone
+6088 243 629 / 245 742
Fax
+6088 259 552  
 

.
New Sabah Hotel
Lot 3 & 4, No. 9-11, Block A,
Jalan Pedas, Segama Complex ,
P.O Box 12055
88822 Kota Kinabalu
Sabah , Malaysia 
Phone
+6088 224 648
Fax
+6088 235 875  
 
 
.
Airport View Hotel
Jalan Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa
88100 Kota Kinabalu
Sabah , Malaysia 
Phone
+6088 251 919
Fax
+6088 239 319  
 
 
 
.
Langkah Syabas Beach Resort
KM3.5, Lok Kawi, Kg Laut Kinarut ,
Jalan Papar Baru
88800 Sabah , Malaysia
 Phone
+6088 752 000
Fax
+6088 751 058  
 
 
 
 
.
Hilton Inn Kota Kinabalu
No.23, Jalan Tugu, Kampung Air
88000 Kota Kinabalu
Sabah , Malaysia 
Phone
+6088 245 577
Fax
+6088 245 775  
 

.
KEKWA, Kota Kinabalu
Tingkat 2, Wisma BSN, Jln Kemajuan Karamunsing,
88000 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah  , Malaysia 
Phone
088-237052 / 051
Fax
088-242052  
 
 
 
.
Malaysia Airport Berhad, Kota Kinabalu
Malaysia Airport Berhad (Sabah)
Kota Kinabalu International Airport
88740 Kota Kinabalu Sabah , Malaysia 
Phone
088-238555 / 219211
Fax
088-219081  
 
 
 
.
Alpine Homstay
Lot 7, Jalan Taman Deluxe
88200 Kepayan , Kota Kinabalu
Sabah , Malaysia 
Phone
+6 088-237727
Fax
+6 088-237727  
Email: info@alpinehomstay.com.my 
.
Langkah Syabas Beach Resort Sabah
P.O. Box 451, Tanjung Aru
88858 Sabah , Malaysia 
Phone
60-88-752000
Fax
60-88-752111  
 
.
Holiday Park Hotel
3 1/2 Miles, Jalan Penampang, ,
P.O Box 11568,
88817 Kota Kinabalu
Sabah , Malaysia
 Phone
+6089 712 311
Fax
+6089 717 866  
 
 
 

 
 
.
Tang Dynasty Hotel
1-1 Lorong Plaza Wawasan Coastal Highway ,
Kota Kinabalu
88000 Sabah , Malaysia 
Phone
+6088 263 389
Fax
+6088 263 989  
 
 
 
 .
Beverly Hotel
Lorong Kemajuan
88000 Kota Kinabalu
Sabah , Malaysia 
Phone
+6088 258 998
Fax
+6088 258 778  
 
 .
Trekkers Lodge
Block L, Lot 5 & 6, ,
Tingkat 2, Komplek Sinsuran
88803 , Kota Kinabalu
Sabah , Malaysia 
Phone
088-252 263
Fax
088-258 263  
 

.
Mercure Kota Kinabalu
TA-00-01, 1Borneo Hypermall, Jalan UMS, Kota Kinabalu
 

.
Novotel Kota Kinabalu 1Borneo
TB-00-01 1Borneo Hypermall Jalan UMS , Kota Kinabalu

.
Best Western Kinabalu Daya Hotel
Lot 3 & 4, Block 9 Jalan Pantai, Kota Kinabalu

.
Seapark Condotel
Jalan Murni, Tanjung Aru,, Kota Kinabalu (Sabah)

Malaysia money currency

- any currency inquiry try currency converter on our right side bar

Travellers cheques can be exchanged for Malaysian Ringgit at commercial banks, hotels or at authorised money changers. All major hotels are only licensed to buy, but not sell, foreign currencies in the form of notes and travellers cheques. Credit cards including American Express, Visa, Master Card and Diners Club are accepted at most hotels, shopping centres and major restaurants. ATMs are widely available

Duty Free: Travellers to Malaysia do not have to pay customs duty on 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 225g tobacco; 1 litre wine, spirits or malt liquor; 100 matches; cosmetic products to the value of RM200; up to three new items of clothing and one pair of footwear; one portable electrical or battery-operated appliance for personal hygiene; food preparations to the value of RM75; souvenirs and gifts to the value of RM200 (with the exception of goods from Langkawi and Labuan, to the value of RM500). Prohibited items include goods from Haiti, counterfeit money and illegal drugs.

malaysia climate and weather

The country is made up of two regions. Peninsular Malaysia which lies between Thailand and Singapore, and East Malaysia across the South China Sea on the island of Borneo. The combined land area of both regions is about 330,400 sq km (127,000 sq miles). 
 
The Peninsular is divided into the ‘east coast’ and the ‘west coast’ by the Main Range, known as Banjaran Titiwangsa, which runs from the Malaysia-Thai border in the north to the southern state of Negeri Sembilan. Geographically, East Malaysia is rugged, with a series of mountain range encompassing the interior regions of both states.

The Crocker Range in Sabah is the site of Mount Kinabalu, the highest peak in South East Asia. Low’s Peak, at 4,093 metres above sea level, is the highest point of the mountain.

 
  The country is generally warm throughout the year with humid tropical climate temperatures ranging from 21° to 32° Celsius in the lowlands.Temperatures and humidity are high all year round, Malaysia’s position in the equatorial zone guarantees a classic tropical climate with relative humidity levels usually around 90%.but it is slightly cooler in the mountains. This can however be as low as 16° Celsius in the highlands. Annual rainfall is heavy at 2,500mm (100 inches). Malaysia has a hot with two monsoon seasons, one between October and February and the other from April to October; the latter is characterised by thunderstorms. 
 
On a rainy day, thunder and lightning often accompany the heavy downpour which normally lasts for about an hour or two. The high humidity level at 80% throughout the year favours light and sweat-absorbent material like cotton for daily dressing.

Generally, Malaysia has two distinct seasons. The dry season occurs during the south-west monsoon from May and September. The northeast monsoon brings the rainy season to the country during mid-November till March. 
 
Try to avoid east coast destinations and Island Malaysia between November and January. Otherwise, Malaysia can be enjoyed at any time of year as the weather is generally hot, sunny and fairly uniform; it’s rare to have a day without showers and unusual to have a day without sunshine. Take light summer clothes, carry an umbrella and an extra warm sweater if visiting the hill stations.
Slightly thicker clothing may also be worn in air-conditioned spaces like cinemas and meeting rooms.

If heat is your enemy, the only alternative is to ensure the home you choose for yourself has excellent ventilation with lots of windows for better air circulation, and is fitted with air-conditioning.
Most accommodation will have air conditioning although many houses and apartments will only have it in the bedrooms.

Pulau Tiga (the name means “Island of Three”) was formed on September 21, 1897 when a large earthquake on the Philippine island of Mindanao triggered a volcanic eruption just north of Borneo. The eruption of mud and rock formed a new island 66 feet (20 meters) wide. Over the next four decades, subsequent eruptions of the volcano and the development and eruptions of two additional adjacent mud volcanoes expanded, coalesced, and formed the island in its current state. The last eruption of the mud volcanoes on the island was in 1941 but warm mud continues to ooze from these geothermal vents on the island. Though it’s mostly a low-lying island, Pulau Tiga’s highest peak is approximately 330 feet (100 meters) tall. The island is now about 2.8 miles (4.5 km) long and 1 mile (1.5 km) wide, for a total of eight square miles (20.7 km2).

Situated 48 km southwest of Kota Kinabalu, the Pulau Tiga Park comprises of the three islands; Tiga, Kalampunan Besar & Kalampunan Damit.

Pulau Tiga is the largest of the three islands and has three mud volcanoes. The 30 minutes trail starts at the base camp near to the National University of Malaysia marine research site.  The volcanoes are now largely dormant.  Every few hours, bubbles of gas rise to the surface and with a loud sighing ‘gloop’ spatter cold mud over the surrounding vegetation.  Many visitors are fascinated by this and some even spread the cold mud over their face and body – nature’s beauty treatment! One of the sapling of special interest encountered along this trail is the Tongkat Ali which is well-known for its medicinal properties.Sea erosion has reduced Pulau Kalampunian Besar to a small sand cay built up from unconsolidated coral fragments.

Whilst Pulau Kalampunian Damit is composed of sandstone, limestone and shale with thick vegetation where hundreds of poisonous sea snakes can be found resting under rocks, in crevices or on tree stumps. All three islands have brackish inland lagoons.

Unlike many other offshore islands of Borneo, the vegetation on these islands are practically untouched. White sand beaches and coral reefs, ideal for swimming & snorkeling, surround all three islands. The coral reefs which fringe part of Pulau Tiga Park are easily accessible and contains some species not found in the reefs on the west coast. Within the emerald depths are found delicate sea fans, staghorn corals and schools of brightly coloured coral fish.
The pristine natural environment of Pulau Tiga Park is protected by the Malaysian governmen. Pulau Tiga and its surrounding sea is home to a diverse number of interesting animal species. Poisonous sea snakes, proboscis and macaque monkeys, flying foxes, bats, sharks, monitor lizards, barracuda (a total of 132 species of fish exist in the park), sea turtles, and a plethora of birds – including megapodes, hornbills and sea eagles all call Pulau Tiga home. The sea snakes, twice as poisonous as the King Cobra, are capable of killing a human with its venom in approximately five minutes. The megapode birds build their nests on the ground and lay their eggs a few feet deep in piles of sand and debris; when the chicks hatch they dig their way out of their nest, unguarded by their parents.