2024 Sabah Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in December)
Popular Attractions
Kapalai
Tanjung Aru Beach
Mabul Island
Masjid Bandaraya Kota Kinabalu
Mengalum Island
5D4N Free & Easy in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.
My bestie’s husband took care of all the details for this trip. The four of us traveled together. 👍 Highly recommended: Pink University of Sabah, Floating Mosque, Mantanani Island.
Entry preparation: Passport, ID card
👉 Print out your round-trip flight itinerary ✈️ and hotel booking confirmation 🏨
You can prepare some local currency 💰, but Alipay is accepted in many places.
🚗 Transportation: Grab is very convenient!
💖 Recommended attractions:
You must go to the mangrove forest to see the fireflies. The fireflies there are as bright as stars, and you will feel like you are in a fairy tale.
Top recommendation: Pink University of Sabah. It is very photogenic, and you can take great photos 📷. There is also an aquarium and a beach, which are worth visiting. But remember to take a taxi, as the University of Sabah is really big! The Floating Mosque is also very beautiful.
Snorkeling on Mantanani Island and Mabul Island is amazing. The water is clear, and you can see many marine creatures. The only downside is that the boat ride takes 1–1.5 hours, so prepare some motion sickness medicine. It is really hot there.
Travel tips:
Sun protection: Sunscreen, sunglasses, and sun hat. The UV rays are very strong there.
Comfortable clothes: Shorts, short sleeves, and light dresses. Bring a jacket, as the temperature difference between day and night is large.
Snorkeling equipment: Mask, snorkel, etc. You can also rent them locally. I am nearsighted, so I bring a prescription mask.
Photography equipment: Camera or phone
Others: British plug adapter, mosquito repellent, motion sickness medicine, cold medicine. Bring them if you have them.
EffervescentEthereal
Sabah Kota Kinabalu Kundasang Trip - Attractions
November is the rainy season in Sabah (the rainy season is said to be from October to February)
The rainy season can't stop us from having fun
Rainy Sabah gave us a very different experience!
1. Mari Mari Cultural Village (recommended 👍)
2. Desa Dairy Farm - a must-see!
3. Sosodikon Hill - a windy place 🌬️🍃
4. Poring Hot Spring - go deeper, there are 6 canopy walks waiting for you to conquer (hiking 550m required) *forgot to take a picture of the hot spring 🤭
5. Kinabalu Park - for those who want to visit the Kinabalu Geopark Gallery, it opens at 9 am
6. Kundasang Market - selling all kinds of fresh fruits, vegetables, flowers, and plants
7. Filipino Market
8. The Art Attic & 9. Salt and Paper - niche literary products (I bought beautiful magnets and stickers)
Shirley Cronin
Best sunset I have seen in my life 🌅
#bestsunset
#100waysoftravel #sabah #siemreap #baliisland
Seen the best sunset in my life in several places around the world:
1) Sabah
- The sun is huge over the horizon of the South China Sea and sometimes, the colour would not just be orange or blue. If you are in the city centre of Kota Kinabalu, purple sunset is the highlight of the town.
2) Siem reap
- It really depends on the luck if you would like to see the sunset through the ancient Khmer empire - Angkor Wat. If you cant see the sunrise, most of the time, you will miss pit the sunset too!!
3) Bali
- Sunset can be seen everywhere in Bali but I think Tanah Lot is one of the most beautiful spot to enjoy it and do expect huge crowds everyday in the evening hour😆
Seay Doer
I went to Semporna three times this year, and my suggestion is...
Make sure you have a good strategy for Semporna✔️
Semporna, your starting point for an underwater fantasy drift! Get ready, we're going to dive into the coral reefs and dance with the colorful fish!
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🌟Travel preparation:
Get a diving certificate√, high SPF sunscreen is a must, waterproof camera to record the beauty; lightweight swimsuits for multiple changes, mosquito repellent for full protection.
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🌟Five-day itinerary:
✔️Day1 Arrive in Semporna, acclimate to the environment;
✔️Day2-3 Mabul Island diving, explore Turtle Bay;
✔️Day4 Kapalai snorkeling, chasing rainbow fish;
✔️Day5 Tawau fishing village experience, return in the evening.
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🌟Must-visit spots: Sipadan cliff diving, challenge the limit; Battleship Island snorkeling, swimming with whale sharks is not a dream!
Foster Katherine Kath
High-Flying Flavor
#winhkflight
AirAsia's Nasi Lemak is a delightful surprise at 30,000 feet! This traditional Malaysian dish, served on their flights, combines fragrant coconut rice, spicy sambal, crunchy peanuts, and tender chicken, creating a burst of flavors that transport you to the streets of Kuala Lumpur. Despite the challenges of in-flight dining, AirAsia manages to deliver a satisfying rendition of this beloved dish, making it a highlight of the journey for those craving a taste of Malaysia in the skies
Hope to win flight to Hong Kong and tries the in flight meals of cathy pacific
Xyxx.m
Can you imagine this is in Sabah Malaysia?😨
#freehotelstay
Sabah is the state of Malaysia that located in the region of East Malaysia, right next to Sarawak and Brunei. This is the favourite state of mine out of all other states as there are full of natures here such as the tropical rainforests, animal and plants species.
If you are visiting to the Sabah, no not miss out the capital city - Kota Kinabalu as Tanjung Aru beach here is a world-famous spot with the panoramic orange sunset and purple sky after the sunset.
Other than that, Kundasang is one of the best place to visit to which is 2-4 hours away from KK by driving!! Mountains and rivers are surrounded where you can enjoy the chill weather here. Remember to get a villa or homestay with the cloud view and you wont be disappointed with it.
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Seay Doer
What a paradise place !
This is the perfect place for city dwellers especially newly weds or family with young kids to come over and wind down and de-stress and enjoy a dose of nature and sealife.
Snorkelling highly recommended here. There were only 3-4 spots to snorkel but more than enough for us to see different species of fish. Highlight was the very friendly house turtle! He even came up and let us rub his back and play and swim with him!
Sunset was truly beautiful. So many spots and places to take photos and relax. Also very friendly staff who were patient in answering all our questions.
#mytripvlog #summervacation #foodie #beachlife #Malaysia
Miss Thai
Most beautiful Sunrise at 4095.2m
Getting There - flight to Kota Kinabalu
Attractions - world heritage site of mountain Kota Kinabalu
Hotels -Laban Rata Resthouse
wow most excited and hardcore trek up to mountains Kota Kinabalu with the highest mountain in Malaysia, 4095.2m. advice for whoever going soon . just slow pace , breath normally and don't rest too long you able to reach the summit on time and to catch the Sunrise . if you miss the sunrise be sure you can reach the Summit. auntie age 50 can made it, surely you can make it too.
#nationalpark #summervacation
Kim~ Keep on EXPloring
I am studying at the world's most beautiful pink castle in Malaysia 🏰.
Clickbait alert 😝 Besides the romantic sunsets, Malaysia also has the beautiful pink of Sabah University 🌈
As the most beautiful university in the world, Sabah University covers an area of 999 acres, with mountains ⛰️, sea 🌊, port 🚢, mosque 🕌, and private beach 🏖️. It's so lucky to study here, as if living in a big park.
The most worth mentioning is the mosque building on campus, with a girlish pink exterior 💗 and rows of coconut trees 🌴 and white latticed windows adding other colors to the large pink area. Remember to wear light-colored clothes, so that both the distant and close-up shots will be perfect 💯.
🗺️: University Malaysia Sabah
Aiden.Cox.52
ISLAND ACTIVITES TO EXPLORE
Sabah is one of the beautiful island which need to explore. One part that we visit is located at Kota Kinabalu which is Pulau Manutik, Pulau Manukan dan Pulau Sapi. Package that we choose include 3 activity which is seawalking, banana boat and island hopping. This package took around halfday to complete and no lunch included. For sure will repeat again 😍
#island #awesomepic #mytripvlog
FERSSS
BACK TO THE GOOD OLD DAY - UNIVERSITY NOSTALG
⛳️ Outdoor Development Centre (ODEC), Beach, University Malaysia Sabah (UMS)
An university? Yes, it is! UMS is one of the tourist attraction in Sabah, as it it open for local or foreigners to visit.
ODEC Beach is one of the main attraction where visitor can have a good time to enjoy the Sunrise or Sunset. Besides, you can go picnic and spend time with your love’s one (friends or family).
Sunrise estimated time: 06.00
Sunset estimated time: 18.25
(Depends on the weather)
Additional info:
UMS is one of strategic location for jogging as this place is very big and safe. Other than that, you also can rental a bicycle and have a tour around the campus. You will love the greenish environment for sure.
Other’s attraction in UMS:
1. Pink Mosque
2. UMS Peak
#ums #Odec #Tripsblazers #tripblazers
GLM
WALAI Tobilung Cultural Village
If you are going to Kudat please make a stop to visit their village. Located at Kg minansad Walai Tobilung is one of the last place showcasing it's community effort to preserve the culture of Tobilung tribe.Walai Tobilung literally mean traditional Dusun Tobilung House. We enjoy trip here. We rented car to move around. The price is reasonable. Almost 2 hours driving from Kota Kinabalu Airport. #travel
Tomen
Maledives found in Malaysia!
Kapalai dive resort - the male dives of Malaysia! one of the most beautiful places to go. Spend 4D3N including all dives. there are many spots in the direct surroundings of the resort and it is possible to use the house reef for snorkeling.
Svenja26
Girls Trip at Sabah, Land Below the Wind
✈️We took flight from KUL to BKI which took about 2 hours.
Highlight of the trip
❤️ In Kota Kinabalu, island hopping is one of the best and most exciting things to do. There are four islands near Kota Kinabalu that are popular day-trip destinations. These islands lie in a National Marine Park which surely will left you with unforgettable memories.
❤️For food, we went to Handicraft Market which also known as Pasar Filipina. Very busy night market with plenty of food and beverage choices. Pick your own seafood & vegetable, the stall chef will cook to your preference.The fish is steam good, crispy calamari , butter prawns are perfectly done. Worth every penny!
#grouptravel
Pejapeach
Kundasang & Kota Kinabalu, Sabah- Sabah is also known as the land below the wind.One of the state in Malaysia located in East Malaysia. It is the heart of Borneo that has plenty to offer to its visitor. From the highest mountain ( Mount Kinabalu) in Malaysia to a numbers of gorgeous islands like Mabul, Mataking, Sipadan and Boley dulang. Sabah is a must visit place in Malaysia. you must fell in love with the culture, people, foods and many more. Lets visit Sabah and make it a great memories
.#staycation #awesomepic #floraandfaunaofsabah #beautifulisland #highest mountain #foodparadise #nicepeople
Izwan ab manan
Cultural, Food & Nature
1. Mari Mari Cultural Village
Address - Inanam, Kota Kinabalu
Highlights - Learn on the old stories, traditions and cultures of the major/minor etnicities in Sabah
Rating - 5/5⭐️
2. Lokan Bakar
Address - Tuaran
Highlights - Deliciois delivacies of locals in Sabah. Seafood with a spark!
Rating - 4.5/5⭐️ (parking difficulties)
3. Polumpong Melangkap View Camp
Address - Kota Belud
Highlights - Nice river stream but it was quite rapid as it was the raining season. Otherwise, the water is just gorgeous!
Rating - 4/5⭐️ (area is a bit rocky for my taste)
#
_GG***89
Nice
I want go
Iqbal Nasir
person who love the sea
SonarsGreen
Kota Kinabalu is the capital of Malaysia’s Sabah state in the northern part of the island of Borneo. Often referred to as KK, it’s a coastal city partly surrounded by rainforest.
It's known for its bustling markets, modern boardwalk, beaches and waterfront Kota Kinabalu City Mosque. It is also a gateway to Kinabalu National Park, the home of 4,095m-high Mount Kinabalu.
#newyearstrip#seasidephotoguide#beautifulhotel#naturalwonders
Capt.Dell_A380
Beautiful sunset at Kokol Hills , Kota Kinabalu, Sabah!
The sun may set but it shall rise again.
#wanderlust #sunset #traveldad #liveyourdreams
Edmoon
The journey of Sabah, the mobile phone to shoot Sabah, the Kota Kinabalu water mosque, the sunset of Mabul Island, the emerald-like sea water of Sempor, the handsome taxi driver, the shadow of the big tree and the grass, and more and more like this one. The powerful Huawei P30Pro, a mobile phone can handle all modes of shooting.
caiweihuang.
Kota Kinabalu is a magical and dreamy city with beautiful sunsets, towering mountains, hidden islands, beautiful coral reefs, light luxury resorts, unique sea gypsy Ba Yao, aerial photography Ya Island and Gaya island resort are the prototypes of One Piece. The intoxicating Tunku Abdul Rahman Park belongs to this summer.
caiweihuang.
[Sabah Yacht] 200 pieces take you to the yacht to see the most beautiful sunset!
In Sabah, the most famous is the top three sunsets in the world. I love the sunset here, I dont feel tired, and the sunset is different every day. Ordinary tourists often go to Tanjung Aru Beach, the first beach, etc., a little niche I have recommended the Coco Mountain Paragliding to watch the sunset or the bar street to watch the sunset. But this time, I must definitely recommend the newly launched "Dabai" double-decker yacht to watch the sunset!
has a 5m water slide, you can go down the water from the second floor slide, and the transparent glass boat can take beautiful photos.
The maximum number of people is 38, with super high privacy, not only to watch the sunset, but also to play with water before sunset. The water slides, semi-annular sofas and exquisite buffet dinners are also very good.
There is a dusk bath net weaving bed on the yacht, plus a double-decker luxury yacht + the world's most beautiful sunset as the background, you can enjoy the sunset in 360 degrees. On the beach and on the shore, you can only watch the sunset at 180 degrees. ~
Itinerary: 15
Vickyqin.
Some meet,
no rehearsal is unpredictable,
is happy at the moment I met.
Semporna Mabu Island,
This clear sea,
Is it the same as you think?
Walking_Wild_Goose.
Kota Kinabalu, the inland style of Sabah State
Many people come to Sabah, Malaysia, all of which are heading for the island style of Sempor.
This time we went deep into Sabah inland and felt the chic mountain pastoral style around Kota Kinabalu. Lets feel it together~
NBtravel.
Sally's Shangri-La coordinates are next to Dali Bay, about 40 minutes drive from Kota Kinabalu Airport. From the city center to the hotel, there are tropical rainforest scenery around, and I am immersed in this quiet five-star. Luxury resort hotel. After getting off the bus, the enthusiastic staff sent us ice towels and welcome drinks. The Kung Fu front desk had already set up the check-in procedure for us.
When I checked in, I also had a hand-applied addiction in the lobby. This instrument was seen in many places in the local area, called kulintangan, with a row of horizontal gongs and large The hanging gongs and drums make the sound as if the water droplets in the cave are generally crisp.
Recumb to the crispy hills facing the open beach, the hotel room is divided into two wings of garden and ocean. The price of the ocean wing is high, there is a separate public part and breakfast area, and the drinks and snacks in the room are It is a visa-free one. The room we live in is the ocean wing. All rooms are designed in soft earth tones and are filled with Malaysian and Sabah styles. The Garden Wing rooms have private access to the ground floor and a terrace from which you can walk directly into the garden. The ocean wing has a private outdoor bathtub on the balcony, and the view from the beach is unobstructed.
Washing supplies This Shangri-La is branded with L'Occitane.
Twilight time, enjoy the delicious dinner and drink cocktails at the seaside pavilion. At the same time, you can see the super beautiful sunset scene, every minute is changing sunset, and every outdoor performance on Thursday, as well as Southeast Asian characteristics. Food, vacation means nothing more than this.
Suri.
I am waiting in the breeze, every sunset in Saliya... Shangri-La's Rasa Resort, giving you a different experience of a new vacation. In the morning, accompanied by the insects and birds, they boarded the hotel's protected area, and they were lightly loaded, all the way to the "thorns". Under the guidance of the guide, they knew all kinds of animals and plants. When I came to the top of the mountain, I saw the tables and chairs placed in the woods, the carefully prepared food on the tables and chairs, and the fullest expectations were met. I used to eat in a natural environment, but the food is not exquisite. This time the breakfast may be the most memorable breakfast in my life. While enjoying a delicious breakfast in the forest oxygen bar, while waiting for the red sun in the east, slowly rising from the mountain, the macaws on the tree beside it whispered, the breeze on the beach blew across the table corner, wandering with the tablecloth
Sky..
There is nothing particularly worthwhile to visit in Kota Kinabalu City, where local food restaurants are concentrated near Gaya Street.
Probably too early, many stores open at two or three in the afternoon, and dinner here is later than us.
GAYA Street is relatively old, both sides are old houses, the car stops are not very good to see, there are a group of pigeons on the roadside, we bought the food for feeding pigeons in this convenience store, the salesperson will be Chinese, There are still quite a lot of Chinese here, and it doesn't feel like playing abroad.
sarah on the road
Sabah Trip 2023
Wendyyxxii
tanjung aru/kundasang
the best view and nature love it !! i will repeat this trip