Brunei

Brunei may be small, but it delivers a fascinating mix of glittering mosques, water villages and rainforest in a tidy, relaxed package. Most travellers start in Bandar Seri Begawan, where the golden domes of Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque and Jame' Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque set the tone: calm, orderly and deeply spiritual. Dress modestly for mosque visits (shoulders and knees covered), and be ready to remove shoes; robes are usually provided for visitors.

Brunei is a majority-Muslim country with strict laws on alcohol and public behaviour, so plan evenings around night markets, cafés and riverside strolls rather than bars. The country is very safe, and English is widely spoken, which makes independent travel easy. Use Hello’s trip planning tools to map out mosque visits, a boat ride to Kampong Ayer (the historic water village), and a day trip into Ulu Temburong National Park. Buying and activating Hello eSIM connectivity before you land keeps maps and ride-hailing apps working from the moment you leave the airport, avoiding surprise roaming fees.

Brunei is compact enough to explore in 3–4 days, but add an extra day if you want more time in the jungle or to move at Brunei’s naturally unhurried pace.

Brunei’s transport is straightforward once you know your options. From Brunei International Airport to central Bandar Seri Begawan, taxis and hotel shuttles are the most efficient; public buses exist but run on limited schedules and can be confusing for first-time visitors. Having mobile data via Hello eSIM makes it easy to check routes in real time and message your accommodation if you’re arriving late.

In the capital, you’ll mostly rely on:

• Taxis and ride-hailing: The local app Dart is widely used; a short city ride might cost around BND 5–8 (about USD 4–6).
• Buses: Very inexpensive (often under BND 2), but routes are not always intuitive and services taper off in the evening.
• Water taxis: A must-do experience for reaching Kampong Ayer. Agree the fare before boarding; a quick crossing is usually a few Brunei dollars.

Traffic is light compared with many regional capitals, and roads are in good condition. If you’re travelling with others, use Hello’s expense splitting to share taxi and water-taxi costs without awkward maths. For day trips outside the city—such as Jerudong Park or the beaches near Muara—consider arranging a driver through your hotel or a local agency, and keep your Hello app handy for navigation and communication.

Brunei’s food scene blends Malay, Chinese and Indian influences, with an emphasis on comforting flavours rather than extreme spice. Start with nasi katok (rice with fried chicken and sambal) from a local stall, often around BND 1–2 (roughly USD 0.75–1.50), making it one of the country’s best-value meals. Another favourite is ambuyat, a sticky sago dish eaten with various side dishes and dipping sauces—try it in a traditional restaurant for a uniquely Bruneian experience.

In the evenings, head to Gadong Night Market (Pasar Pelbagai Barangan Gadong) or Tamu Kianggeh for grilled satay, fresh juices and sweets like kuih. These markets are great for sampling many dishes in small portions. Most places are cash-friendly, though larger restaurants accept cards; use Hello’s budget tracking to keep an eye on how those tempting snacks add up in BND.

Remember that Brunei is officially dry: alcohol is not sold in restaurants or shops. Instead, locals linger over teh tarik (pulled tea) or iced coffee in cafés and food courts. If you’re sharing big platters of seafood or multi-dish ambuyat feasts with travel companions, Hello’s expense splitting keeps the bill-sharing simple, even when everyone has ordered something different.

Brunei uses the Brunei dollar (BND), which is pegged 1:1 to the Singapore dollar. Both currencies are generally accepted, though you’ll receive change in BND. ATMs are easy to find in the city, but can be scarce in more rural areas, so carry some cash for markets and water taxis. Many mid-range and higher-end hotels and restaurants take cards, yet small eateries often prefer cash. Use Hello’s budget tracking to monitor your daily spend in local currency and avoid end-of-trip surprises.

In terms of etiquette, modest dress is appreciated, especially when visiting mosques or government buildings. Public displays of affection are frowned upon, and during Ramadan eating or drinking in public during daylight hours is considered disrespectful. Always ask before photographing people, particularly in Kampong Ayer and village areas.

Reliable internet access is invaluable for translation, maps and local info. Activating a Hello eSIM before departure lets you land with data already working—no need to find a SIM counter at the airport. This is especially handy for confirming hotel pickups or booking a boat to Temburong on the go. With trip details, spending and shared costs in one place, you can relax into Brunei’s unhurried rhythm and focus on the call to prayer echoing over the river rather than on logistics.