Q: How to Get to Sabah

The easiest and fastest way to get to Sabah is by: Plane The best way to visit if you are departing from abroad is to use a plane, landing at Kota Kinabalu International Airport. Ship There are three ways to enter Sabah by boat or ferry, namely if departing from the Federal Territory of Labuan, Zamboangan (Philippines), and Nunukan Island (Indonesia).

Q: Best Time to Visit Sabah

Season The best time to travel here is in August and September when the weather is quite sunny and rain rarely falls. Average Temperature The average temperature in the rainy season is 24 degree celsius (75.2 degree fahrenheit). Whereas in summer, the average temperature here reaches 32 degree celsius (89.6 degree fahrenheit). Festival Every July, the Festival Tugu Budaya Etnik Sabah is held. This is an annual folklore festival held by the Sabah State Cultural Institute (LKNS). While in April, precisely on the 20th-22nd, there is Regatta Lepa Sempoerna. The festival is celebrated by the Bajau community in the east coast of Sabah in Semporna. The event is held by local residents to honor their tradition of building a beautiful boat called "lepa".

Question 1

What is tiket CLEAN in Sabah?

Accepted Answer

Do you miss traveling but still worried about the COVID-19 pandemic? We understand completely. Now, you can have a great trip with your loved ones to your favorite places in Sabah without worrying! Adapting to the current situation, various tourist sites are now setting new regulations and policies regarding cleanliness and social distancing at the site. We certainly want all t-mates to enjoy a pleasant time while still maintaining health, cleanliness, and safety together.

To find out which tourist attractions in Sabah have implemented this new policy, tiket.com presents "tiket CLEAN"!

Tourist attractions that have “tiket CLEAN” logo on tiket.com’s To Do page mean that they have implemented standard rules and protocols to prevent and reduce transmission of COVID-19. Starting from checking the body temperature of all staff and visitors, setting a new requirement to wear face masks and gloves, increasing the frequency of cleaning using disinfectants, providing healthcare and hygiene supplies, to social distancing regulations, such as capacity restrictions or minimum distance when waiting in line.

For more information, you can check the Highlight section of each product page with the “tiket CLEAN” logo. There, you will find a full explanation of the new regulations at the attraction.

Make sure you and your loved ones understand and follow the rules. This way, you, other visitors, and also the staff on duty can both enjoy a pleasant day without worries!

Keep Spirit! We’re All in This Together!

Question 2

What to Expect in Sabah

Accepted Answer

Sabah is one of the cities in Malaysia that is rich in natural charm with beautiful scenery and is the center of various exciting tourist activities. You can climb Mount Kinabalu, visit Gunung Kinabalu State Park, relax and enjoy the view on Mabul Island, visit Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Center, and many more.

You can make this city a solo trip or family trip destination.

Question 3

30 Best Places to Visit in Sabah

Accepted Answer

Various tourist destination locations in Sabah are known for their natural beauty, especially beautiful islands and beaches. However, there are also a number of historical locations that you can visit here. Here are 30 of the best tourist destinations in Sabah that we recommend!

1. Signal Hill Observatorium

This tourist spot in Kota Kinabalu is the best spot to see city views from a height. Instagramable! You are presented with a beautiful sunset panorama with a dramatic impression because the sun looks slowly sinking behind a tall building. Apart from tall buildings, you can see the South China Sea from a distance from this hit tourist spot.

2. Cow Island

One of the beaches that must be visited while on vacation in Kota Kinabalu is the beach on Sapi Island. Some of the fun activities you can do here are the Coral Flyer or flying fox and snorkeling. Coral Flyer on Sapi Beach is about 771 feet or 235 meters long and has a gliding speed of up to 55 km per hour, dare to try?

3. Desa Dairy Farm

Want to travel with natural scenery like in Switzerland? You can visit one of the tourist attractions in Kota Kinabalu, namely Desa Dairy Farm. The landscapes on this farm are extraordinarily stunning. How could I not? The green grass and mountains in the distance combine attractively with the blue sky. Apart from enjoying the slick natural attractions, you can also interact with cows, such as feeding them or drinking them.

4. Sabandar Leisure Park

This tourist destination in Kinabalu offers an atmosphere like European horse farms. Interesting attractions in this hit tourist attraction are obtained when visiting Cowboy Lodge, which has a concept like Texas's old town. Not only that, but you can also see the shady mangrove forest making it suitable for family tours.

5. Tanjung Aru Beach

One more tourist spot in Kinabalu is suitable for enjoying the sunset in Tanjung Aru Beach. The beauty of this beach makes this area popular with tourists because it is instagramable.

6. Kinabalu National Park

Kinabalu National Park is a national park in Malaysia and is the country's first Unesco World Heritage Site. This park has an area of 754 square kilometers and is surrounded by Mount Kinabalu. At this hits tourist spot, you can also climb the mountain, giving the impression of a fun vacation. The cold air and unique landscapes are the magnets of this national park.

7. Tanjung Aru Perdana Park

This tourist spot in Kota Kinabalu is a park known as Tanjung Aru Perdana Park. This park has a pretty exciting view, especially if you come at night. Because, at that time, there will be a fountain show with a combination of colorful lights, interested?

8. Petagas Memorial Park

For those interested in historical tourism, there's nothing wrong with visiting the Petagas Memorial Park. This tourist spot in Kinabalu is approximately 0.6 km from Kinabalu Airport. Here, you will find a park built to commemorate the history of wars in the past.

9. Sabah State Mosque

This tourist destination in Kinabalu is in the Sembulan area. The hallmark of the Sabah State Mosque is a large golden dome surrounded by a small crown, which is also golden in color. The mosque, built-in 1977, is divided into two floors: the lower floor for men and the upper floor for women.

10. Sinsuran Night Market

Want a culinary tour? You can visit the Sinsuran Night Market, which serves food and raw materials. You can find various foods, such as fish, vegetables, corn, beans, fried noodles, and traditional cakes.

11. Sipadan National Park

Sipadan National Park is a tourist spot in Semporna City, Sabah. For those of you who like diving, it is perfect for visiting Sipadan. Here, you are presented with a view of biodiversity that is still sustainable in the middle of a tropical climate. There are much fish that you will encounter while diving, such as the School of Jack Fish, Storm of Barracuda, and Bumped Head Parrot Fishes.

12. Tun Sakaran Museum

Even though small islands surround it, Semporna City also has a museum. A must-visit museum is the Tun Sakaran Museum, built as a tribute to Tun Sakaran's service to Sabah. You can find objects and biographical documents inside the museum. The museum is divided into two floors showing the various ethnographies of Semporna.

13. Skull Hill Archaeological Heritage Museum

Not only is the Tun Sakaran Museum famous, it turns out that Semporna also has another museum, namely the Skull Hill Archaeological Heritage Museum. This museum displays historical records of pottery, which is a popular art and craft typical of Semporna.

14. Billabong Scuba

For those of you who are sports lovers who stimulate adrenaline, it is necessary to visit Billabong Scuba. This tourist attraction in Semporna offers water sports activities, such as scuba diving and snorkeling. You will be accompanied by professionals to do all the water sports that are here.

15. Bohey Dulang Island

Not only offering underwater tours and activities, it turns out that in Semporna you can also climb mountains. You can stop by Bohey Dulang Island, which offers fantastic and instagramable natural scenery. You can also spend the night on this island because many hotels are available.

16. Portlaoise Marine Aquarium

Tourist attractions in Semporna are endless! For those of you who like to see underwater scenery, you can visit the Portlaoise Sea Aquarium. Here, you will be presented with exciting entertainment, such as seeing various types of fish and sea views. This tourist attraction in Sabah is suitable for family tourism.

17. Center for Tropical Conservation and Research

If you are looking for tourist attractions that want to increase your knowledge, you can go to the Tropical Conservation and Research Center. Here, you can learn how to preserve nature by placing several rock structures on top of coral reefs.

18. Timba-Timba Island

Timba-Timba Island is one of the most famous beautiful islands in Semporna. This island offers underwater life, and you can easily see various types of marine animals, such as crabs, sea eels, turtles, lobsters, blue eels, and so on.

19. Skull Hill

Skull Hill is an archaeological site located on a hill and about 10 kilometers from the center of Semporna City. This archaeological site is the largest pottery center in Southeast Asia, which has existed for more than 3,000 years.

20. Borneo Semporna River

Borneo Semporna River is located on an island that is preserved by local people. This tourist attraction in Semporna is surrounded by mangrove plants, a probosci's monkey group, and enjoys the sunset's beauty.

21. Tawau Hill National Park

Tourist attractions in Tawau City, Sabah, are suitable for you nature lovers. You see, here you can study flora and fauna of the rainforest. There are also tropical trees that are amazingly attractive, you know!

22. Bukit Gelas Waterfall

Traveling in the open nature certainly brings a different sensation. A tourist destination in Tawau that is suitable for lovers of outdoor tourism is at Bukit Gelas Waterfall. This waterfall is known to be charming, calm, and the water is clear. Plus, the relaxed atmosphere, indeed, you will feel at home on vacation here.

23. Maliau Basin

Attractions in Tawau are indeed rich in natural attractions, one of which is in the Maliau Basin. This place will pamper you with beautiful and natural forest nuances. Nature lovers and real adventurers, don't miss it! Because of the stunning scenery here, the Maliau Basin has been nicknamed The Lost World of Sabah by tourists.

24. Tawau Hot Spring Recreation Park

Do you feel tired after touring various tourist attractions in Tawau? Let's relieve your fatigue by visiting the Tawau Hot Water Recreation Park. Here, you can soak in a hot spring that can treat your tiredness and fatigue.

25. Gemok Hill

For those of you who like hiking, visiting Bukit Gemok can be an exciting tourist destination. This hill has a height of 428 meters, with an area of 445 hectares. When you reach the top of the mountain, you will find the Titian Selara Canopy, which reaches 231 meters in length.

26. Archaeological Heritage Site of Skull Hill

Are you enjoying the natural scenery while studying history? Why not! Just come to the Tapak Warisan Bukit Skull. You can prove the peak of natural beauty in this place when you reach the top of the hill. In the past, this hill was the largest pottery making center in Southeast Asia, so that much ancient pottery is still in existence.

27. Inderasabah Beach

One of the famous beaches in Tawau is Inderasabah Beach. Even though the location is in a small village, this beach is still busy with visitors. Usually, visitors often spend time on the beach fishing and then eating the caught fish.

28. Mount Bombalai

Mount Bombalai is an active volcano. This tourist destination in Tawau has a height of 530 meters and is surrounded by dense forests. By climbing to Mount Bombalai, of course, it can boost your adrenaline, you know!

29. Balung River Eco Resort

Balung River Eco Resort is one of the must-visit tourist attractions in Tawau. This tourist spot offers various natural tourism activities, such as fishing, playing in the river, camping, etc. With a beautiful natural atmosphere and well-maintained flora and fauna, your vacation will be fun.

30. Tanjung Tawau Market

Do you like shopping or want a culinary tour? Maybe you can go to Tanjung Tawau Market. This market sells various local Malaysian products, such as vegetables, fruit, home appliances, clothing, and Malaysian snacks.

Question 4

How to Get to Sabah

Accepted Answer

The easiest and fastest way to get to Sabah is by:

Plane

The best way to visit if you are departing from abroad is to use a plane, landing at Kota Kinabalu International Airport.

Ship

There are three ways to enter Sabah by boat or ferry, namely if departing from the Federal Territory of Labuan, Zamboangan (Philippines), and Nunukan Island (Indonesia).

Question 5

Accommodation in Sabah

Accepted Answer

You will find more 3-star accommodations in this city. Order now on tiket.com for affordable prices and attractive promos!

Question 6

Instagramable Spots in Sabah

Accepted Answer

There are a variety of outdoor attractions in Sabah that you can visit to collect cool tourist photos. Some of them are Tanjung Aru Beach, Dairy Farm Village, Mount Kinabalu, Kota Belud, Kudat, Semporna Island, Street Arts in Gaya Street, Mahua Waterfall, and Kalampunian Beach.

Question 7

Sabah Culinary

Accepted Answer

Local food in Sabah has a delicious and unique taste because of its unique spices and cooking methods. Some of them are:

Satay: meat that has been seasoned and skewered before burned/roasted.
Butter Tiger Prawns: shrimp seasoned with garlic, salt, butter, and pepper.
Sota: Noodles with vegetables and meat.
Tuaran Mee: Made from egg, shrimp, or chicken noodles and mixed with stir-fried vegetables.
Soft Shell Crabs: crab meat that just takes off its old skin so that it tastes soft.

Vegan / Vegetarian Food

You can find vegan or vegetarian food in several restaurants, especially in Kota Kinabalu which is the capital of Sabah.

Question 8

Shopping in Sabah

Accepted Answer

For malls, you can shop at:

1B: Mall 1 Borneo is the biggest shopping center in East Malaysia.
Mall Suriah Sabah: located on Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens, Kota Kinabalu 88000, Sabah, Malaysia. Mall Suriah Sabah is one of the many tourist attractions in the state of Sabah.

As for traditional markets, street markets, or outdoor shopping, you can visit:

Central Market: Central Market shopping area that serves daily necessities.
Handicraft Market: only sells handicraft items from the Sabah community.
Jalan Gaya: sell antiques and used goods.
Night Market: a night market for used goods whose quality is still good.
Tawau Bazar: contains shops that sell souvenirs, cosmetics, to handicrafts from the community and local brands in this market.

Question 9

Best Time to Visit Sabah

Accepted Answer

Season

The best time to travel here is in August and September when the weather is quite sunny and rain rarely falls.

Average Temperature

The average temperature in the rainy season is 24 degree celsius (75.2 degree fahrenheit). Whereas in summer, the average temperature here reaches 32 degree celsius (89.6 degree fahrenheit).

Festival

Every July, the Festival Tugu Budaya Etnik Sabah is held. This is an annual folklore festival held by the Sabah State Cultural Institute (LKNS).

While in April, precisely on the 20th-22nd, there is Regatta Lepa Sempoerna. The festival is celebrated by the Bajau community in the east coast of Sabah in Semporna. The event is held by local residents to honor their tradition of building a beautiful boat called "lepa".

Question 10

How to Get Around in Sabah

Accepted Answer

Kota Kinabalu International Airport serves domestic flights to all other regions in Sabah. You can also use the long-distance Express Bus which operates routes between major cities in Sabah. As for trains, the only train network that can access Sabah is The North Borneo Railway. There are services from Kota Kinabalu to Beaufort.

Question 11

How Big is Sabah

Accepted Answer

The area of Sabah is 73,631 square km and to visit the most famous tourist attractions in Sabah, you can spend 2 to 3 days here. During this time, there are a variety of fun things to do in Sabah that you can try, such as climbing Mount Kinabalu, Airport Adrenaline Rush Extreme (playing paragliding), riding the Sabah Forest Railway, Quad biking in the Kiulu Valley, and seeing how the local community lives by the river in the beautiful Kiulu Valley.

Question 12

Sabah Currency

Accepted Answer

Since it is in Malaysia, locals usually use MYR (Malaysian Ringgit). But because it is located near the border of Malaysia and Indonesia, some shops and sellers accept payment in IDR (Indonesia Rupiah).

Question 13

Sabah Language

Accepted Answer

The main language here is Malay with the Sabah dialect. Local residents are generally quite fluent in English.

Question 14

Time Zone in Sabah

Accepted Answer

Question 15

Plug Type in Sabah

Accepted Answer

The plug type in Malaysia is type G which has three rectangular pins in a triangular pattern. Sockets for type G usually have a safety switch. This type is commonly used also in Hong Kong, Singapore, China, United Kingdom, and Ireland.

Question 16

Important Things to Know About Sabah

Accepted Answer

For comfortable travel, suitable clothing is a short-sleeve or long-sleeved shirt, long pants or knee-length pants, long skirts or knee-length skirts, and comfortable walking shoes. Because Malaysia is a Muslim country, you should not wear clothes that are too exposing.
Don't hug and kiss in public.
There is a 100% tax on alcoholic drinks.
Wear modest and covered clothes when visiting a holy place.
Take off your shoes when you enter the holy place.

Question 17

Favorite Destinations in Sabah

Accepted Answer

Things to do in Kinabalu

Question 18

Visit Other Interesting Things to do

Accepted Answer

<ul> <li><a href="/to-do/region/kedah">Things to do in Kedah</a></li> <li><a href="/to-do/region/serawak">Things to do in Sarawak</a></li> <li><a href="/to-do/region/penang">Things to do in Penang</a></li> </ul>

Explore the most popular things to do in Sabah

Try these activities to make your trip more memorable

Fun Splash Water Theme Park Ticket in Tuaran

Half-Day Trip to Lok Kawi Wildlife Park Sabah

Junior Naturalists Experience at Shangri-La Rasa Ria, Sabah

Winged Wonders Buggy Tour at Shangri-La Rasa Ria, Sabah

3D Wonders Museum Ticket in Sabah

Rumah Terbalik The Upside Down House of Borneo Ticket in Sabah

No hassle, no worries. Arrange your trip easily with tour packages

Mount Kinabalu & Desa Farm Full-Day Tour

Tur Pesona Sabah: Cruise Mangrove Bongawan, Keajaiban Kunang-kunang & Sky Mirror

Kota Kinabalu Desa Cattle Farm Full-Day Small Group Tour

Bohey Dulang Package | Bohey Dulang + Mantabuan + Sibuan Island Hopping Tour

Kinabalu Park Full-Day UNESCO Site Bird Watching Tour

Countryside Cycling Tour in Kiulu Sabah

Kota Kinabalu Easy Breezy Cycling Tour in Sabah

Fun Countryside Cycling and Kiulu Rafting in Sabah

Kota Kinabalu Kinabalu Park & Poring Hot Spring Full-Day Tour

Kota Kinabalu Kinarut Firefly Half-Day Guided Tour

Bongawan Mangrove Cruise and Fireflies Tour

Countryside Cycling Tour in Tuaran Sabah

Pamper and refresh yourself with massage and spa treatments

Ulu Ulu Spa Gaya Street in Kota Kinabalu

Spa & Massage Experience at Tiya Spa and Reflexology

Mali-Mali Garden Spa Massage in Kota Kinabalu

Koisaan Cultural Village

Kiulu White Water Rafting & Mari-Mari Cultural Village Combo Tour

Mari-Mari Cultural Village Half Day Tour

Wanna keep your body fit or get your adrenaline rushing? Let's go!

Kota Kinabalu Kokol Hill ATV & Sunset Half-Day Tour

Sunrise Hike at Shangri-La Rasa Ria, Sabah

Desa Dairy Cattle Farm, ATV & Paragliding Day Tour in Ranau

3D2N Mount Kinabalu Climb via Timpohon Trail Join-in Tour with Chinese Tour Leader & Photography Service

Nature's Symphony Experience at Shangri-La Rasa Ria, Sabah

Sapi Island Snorkeling and Water Sports Experience

Manukan + Mamutik Island Snorkeling and Water Sports Experience

Manukan Island Snorkeling and Water Sports Experience

Kota Kinabalu ATV Riding and Dairy Farm at Mountain Kinabalu

Favorite international destinations

Must-visit domestic destinations

Recommended Tourist Attractions in Sabah

Popular Tourist Attractions in Sabah

Famous Landmarks in Sabah

Trending Places in Sabah

Nature Attractions in Sabah

Family-Friendly Attractions in Sabah

Museums in Sabah

Hidden Gems in Sabah

Instagrammable Spots in Sabah

Marine Tourism in Sabah

Cultural Tourism in Sabah

Fun Things to Do in Sabah

Best Time to Visit Sabah

How to Get to Sabah