Bandar Seri Begawan Traveler Essentials
- Safety rating
- 8.8/10
- Best time to visit
- The drier months of January to May are best for sightseeing and river trips.
- Population
- 0.3M
Overview
Bandar Seri Begawan, the tranquil capital of oil-rich Brunei, is a tidy, devout city of gilded mosques and the sprawling stilt village of Kampong Ayer on the water. Its calm, green streets reflect the sultanate's quiet prosperity and conservative Islamic character. Rainforest and proboscis monkeys lie just beyond the city.
Getting around
Taxis are scarce and pricey; ride-hailing (Dart), rental cars, and water taxis are the practical options.
Local etiquette
Dress conservatively, remove shoes at mosques, use your right hand for eating and greetings, and avoid public displays of affection.
Safety
Brunei is very safe with extremely low crime, but note that it enforces strict Sharia law, so follow local rules carefully.