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Brunei Darussalam Destination Guides > Facts for The Visitors

GETTING AROUND
Travelers can get around Brunei by bus, hired car or taxi, while public buses are reliable for tripping around the capital cities. Should you eager to discover the hinterland a hired car will be needed. Hitchhiking is a practicable alternative in Brunei. It is a novelty so your chances of getting a lift are good. However, like anywhere around the globe, hitchhiking has its dangers and is not recommended as an ultimate means of transport, otherwise, you may voyage by boat. There are regular boats connecting Bangar in the Temburong district with Bandar Seri Begawan.

PLANNING
Whenever you go to Brunei, the country is bound to be warm and wet; therefore weather is not much of a consideration when heading for Brunei. Things are even wetter and warmer through September to January when the official wet season occurs. During the Ramadhan month, when all Muslims must fast between dawn and dusk, things tend to close down, thus it’s worth for travelers to anticipate this whether planning to visit Brunei within this period.

VISAS & DOCUMENTS
Visas are not necessary for these countries if the visits are up to: 14 days for people from
Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Indonesia, Japan, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, the Philippines, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand and the Republic of the Maldives. 30 days for British, Malaysian and Singaporean. 90 days for US, while Citizens of all other nationalities inclusive of British overseas citizens and citizens of British dependent territories must obtain a visa to enter Brunei. Transit passengers will get a 72-hour visa.

CUSTOMS
Travelers entering Brunei are permitted to import almost all personal belongings free of customs duty. However, alcohol is forbidden, while both cigarettes and perfumes can attract customs duty. Arms and ammunition, narcotics and pornographic material are also not prohibited into the country. Anyone could truly get into trouble if caught with these. Non-Muslims may import two bottles of liquor and 12 cans or beers. It must be declared upon arrival though. Like certain countries, possession of drugs carries the death penalty.

MONEY & COSTS
Even that the official currency in Brunei Darussalam is Brunei dollar, but the Singapore dollars are equally exchanged and can be used. It's comparatively easy to change both cash and travellers' cheques in Brunei’s bank, but commonly the banks will give you a better rate (around 10% more) for travellers' cheques.
Accommodations in Brunei can be intensely pricey. There is only one budget accommodation option in the country, but it cannot always be relied upon for a bed. Mid-range accommodation is a bit of a ruin for travelers, nevertheless some top-end hotels are not that much more expensive than the equivalent in Malaysia.

POST & COMMUNICATIONS
Brunei’s postal system is practically well-organized. You can rely upon it for both speed and efficiency. The main post office in Bandar Seri Begawan is the best place to go if you’re planning to send packages overseas, though. Brunei’s telecommunications system is one of the best in South East Asia, with around 1 telephone for every 3 people. You’ll be bale to find public phones pretty easily throughout the country, and other telecommunication facilities, like the Internet, fax and telex services are plenty in most places. Most hotels, some department stores and other large shops usually offer these facilities.

BUSINESS HOURS
Business hours for Brunei’s Government Offices are from 7:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., except on Friday and Sunday they are closed. Private Offices open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon. Meanwhile, most shops in the central area are opened around 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Shopping Malls are opened from about 10 a.m. to 9.30 p.m. or 10 p.m. During the Ramadan month hours are shorter

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
Most festivals religiously mark the anniversaries of important events in the sultanate's history. The religious festivals occur highly regarded to the Islamic calendar, so the dates are not fixed. Here are some public holidays and celebrations in Brunei:
National Day Celebration
Brunei celebrates a cheerful national day occasion on the 23rd of February. People happily welcome the celebration as they usually prepare themselves two months beforehand. Everyone is involved within. Schoolchildren, private sector representatives and civil servants work hand-in-hand going over their part in flash card displays and other vibrant crowd formations, while the mass prayers held at the mosques throughout the country.
Fasting Month (Ramadhan)
Ramadhan is a holy month for all Muslims marking the beginning of the period of fasting - self-restraint from food, drink and other material comforts from dawn till dusk. During this month, religious activities are held at mosques and suraus throughout the country
Hari Raya Aidilfitri
Hari Raya Aidilfitri is a time for celebration ending the fasting month of Ramadhan. In the early part of the first day, prayers are held at every mosque in the country. Families gather to ask for forgiveness from the elders and loved ones. You will see Bruneians adorned in their traditional clothes visiting relatives and friends.
Special festive dishes served particularly for the special day including satay (beef, chicken or mutton kebabs), ketupat or lontong (rice cakes in coconut or banana leaves), rendang (spicy marinated beef) and other teasing cuisines. During these favorable events Istana Nurul Iman was open to the public as well as to visitors for 3 days. This gives the nation and other visitors the chance to meet His Majesty and other members of the Royal Family, to wish them a Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
Royal Brunei Armed Forces Day
The Royal Brunei Armed Forces Day formation day commemorated every 31st of May. The military parades, artillery displays, parachuting and various armed forces exhibitions usually cheering up the occasion.
Hari Raya Aidiladha
The special day is also known as the sacrifice day, in which goats and cows are practically sacrificed to commemorate the Islamic historical event of Prophet Ibrahim. The meat is then distributed among relatives, friends and the less fortunates.
His Majesty the Sultan's Birthday
His majesty the Sultan’s Birthday is celebrated on 15th July. This is one of the most essential occasions in Brunei’s national calendar. The nationwide activities and festivities are held. The celebration begins with mass prayer throughout the country, when His Majesty the Sultan delivers a 'titah' or royal address followed by inauguration ceremony held at the Istana Nurul Iman. The event is also marked with gatherings at the four districts where His Majesty meets and gets together with his subjects.
Birthday of the Prophet Muhammad
This occasion is also known as the Mauludin Nabi S.A.W. Muslims throughout the country honour this event. This auspicious occasion begins with the readings the Holy Koran - the Muslim Holy Book, and an address on Islam from officials of the Ministry of Religious Affairs. His Majesty the Sultan also gives a royal address and with other members of the Royal family, leads a procession on foot through the main streets of Bandar Seri Begawan. Religious functions, lectures and other activities are also detained to commemorate this essential occasion nationally.
Chinese New Year
The event is the Chinese community’s two weeks festival begins with a reunion dinner on the eve of the Lunar New Year to cheer closer empathy between family members. For the next two weeks, families visit one another bringing with them oranges to symbolize longevity and good fortune. Traditional cookies and food are abundantly during this festivity. Unmarried young people and children will receive 'angpow' or little red packets with money inside, a symbolic gesture of good luck, wealth and health.
Christmas Day
Throughout the world, 25th of December marks Christmas day, the birthday of Jesus Christ, the savior. Christmas is nevertheless a cheerful and vivid celebration enjoyed by Christians throughout the country.
Teachers' Day
Teachers' Day is celebrated on every 23rd September in gratitude of the good deeds of the teachers to the public, religion and the country. It is celebrated in remembrance of the birthday of the late Sultan Haji Omar 'Ali Saifuddien Saadul Khairi Waddien, the 28th Sultan of Brunei for his dedication in the country’s education including religious education. On this occasion, three awards are given away namely, Meritorious Teacher's Award, Outstanding Teacher's Award and "Guru Tua" Award.
Public Service Day
29th September is the Public Service Day with the purpose to encourage the objective of the Government of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam towards creating an efficient, clean, sincere and honest public service. The Public Service Day commemorates the proliferation of the first written Constitution in Brunei Darussalam, in which it’s celebrated with the presentation of the meritorious service award to Ministries and Government Departments.

BOOKS
Brunei Darussalam, A Guide (Published by Brunei Shell); White Rajah: A Dynastic Intrigue - Cassandra Pybus; By God’s Will- A Portrait of the Sultan of Brunei - Lord Chalfont

WEIGHTS & MEASURES
All measurements are based on the Metric system. Liquids are bought and sold in liters, solids in kilograms; distances are measured in kilometers and temperatures on the Celsius scale.

ELECTRICITY
220 – 240 volts, 50 Hz is the standard power supply in Brunei. An adaptor is required for appliances not set at 220/240 V.

TIPPING
Most enterprises like hotels and restaurants add 10% to their bills so any supplementary tip is completely at your discretion as it is in the case of valets, doormen, cab drivers, porters etc.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE MEDIA
Separately from the government’s Daily News Digest and the fortnightly Brunei Darussalam Newsletter, The Borneo Bulletin is the only independent English newspaper in Brunei. English language radio broadcasts can be listened on the BBC and VOA frequencies.

FOODS
Brunei is famous for its diverse and great food. The spicy rice and noodles being the Brunei’s staple food seems very similar to that of its neighbors, Malaysia and Singapore. Visitors can experience a great range of food throughout the day. Being waken up by Chinese food, followed by a lip smacking Malay food for lunch and devouring on Indian food for dinner. There is a range of ethnic restaurants that primarily serves Chinese and Indian food in Brunei. However, Malay restaurants are quite hard to come by. Certainly, the ever-present fast food joints are available in Brunei, while western food is available at major hotels. By the sale of alcohol prohibiting law, there is a lack of alcoholic beverages on restaurants' menu.

HEALTH
In Brunei, foreign travelers do not obliged to have any compulsory vaccinations, other than for yellow fever, should they are coming from an infected zone. Brunei is a tropical country, but it masquerades few health risks for the traveler. Visitors must only drink boiled or bottled water, eating freshly cooked food, and avoiding food that may not be absolutely hygienic, and take other basic precautions. However, traveler should not be worry, if unluckily falling ill, since Brunei has excellent and efficient medical facilities, moreover healthcare is free. Brunei is a very secure place to visit.

DANGERS & ANNOYANCES
Violent crime is practically non-existent, and even petty theft is rare. All you need to do is to keep an eye on your valuables, especially if you’re in a crowded area, and not to leave your room unlocked.

TIME
GMT+ 8 hours

PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEO
There are many photo-processing, camera and film shops at Gadong's town center. You should have no problems getting films or developing services. However, if you have any special film requirements, do get them before coming to Brunei.

THINGS TO BUY
A quality shopping can be found at air-conditioned plazas. The YSHHB Complex that stays open till late presents an impressive range of goods from watches, sunglasses, Iranian chandeliers and other essentials. Meanwhile the huge Yaohan department store set right across the bridge through Kampung Ayer. It offers a vast range of imported clothes, electrical goods and books whilst the supermarket in the basement stocks a huge amount of imported foodstuffs from all over the globe. There are also a number of shopping plazas within close distance such as the Plaza Athirah, Mohamad Yossof and Badiah. About 5 kilometers northwest of the city center is the next big shopping center located at Gadong.

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