Kota Kinabalu Malaysia Cruise Port Guide

Location:

Larger ships will use their tenders to bring the passengers ashore.

Can passengers walk to town: Yes
Distance/drive time from port/terminal to town center: 2km
Availability of taxis at port/terminal: Yes
Availability of public transport at port/terminal: No
Distance from ship to tour buses: Less than 100m

Printable map to take along.

Cruise calendar for this port.

Watch a destination video.

Live Nautical Chart with Wikipedia Markers

Port Location on Google Maps

Monthly Climate Averages for Kota Kinabalu Malaysia

Sightseeing:

Often referred to as the 'Land below the wind' because it lies below the typhoon belt, Sabah occupies the eastern part of North Borneo and is East Malaysia's second largest state with an area of 74,500 sq km. Sabah has the South China Sea on the west and the Sulu and Celebes Seas on the east.

Mountainous and largely carpeted by lush tropical rain forests, its population of nearly two million is made up of 32 colorful ethnic communities.
Kota Kinabalu, the capital, lies in a fertile lowland plain where most commercial and administrative activities are concentrated. However, the 'real' Sabah can best be found in its countryside.

Kinabalu Park has been listed as a UNESCO Heritage Site, due to the diversity of plant life and wildlife. It provides a challenging climb amidst a lush virgin rain forest, where one can find hidden hot springs in cool altitudes.

Sipadan Island off the south eastern coast of Sabah, has been one of the top five dive sites in the world for years. This is attributed to its unique underwater geography that encourages proliferation of wildlife. Leatherback turtles, barracuda and white tipped sharks are a common sight while diving in Sipadan.

Tours Excursions Transportation:

The city center is quite small, and you can walk from one end to the other in less than 30 min.

Short fares are around RM10, longer trips around RM20. A whole day shouldn't cost more then RM300.

Towering 13,431 feet above the verdant tropical jungles, Mount Kinabalu is the magnificent centerpiece of Kinabalu Park and one of the highest mountains in Southeast Asia.

Haggling is absolutely vital in order to get a fair price. Many taxi drivers in Malaysia are infamous for raising their fare prices, even after a price has already been determined by thorough prior negotiation. They frequently attempt to manipulate and deceive unknowing tourists by feigning ignorance and delivering tourists to the wrong hotels, which sometimes provide kickbacks to the drivers. Mentioning a call to the authorities may resolve the situation quickly.

SIGHTSEEING OPPORTUNITIES (SHORT TRIP/HALF DAY)

KK City Tour
KK Heritage Walk : stroll down the city center while learning about its pre-war, post-war and post-independence days
KK Wetland center : serves as environmental education center
Monsopiad Cultural Village : founded in memory of the great Kadazan warrior and headhunter Monsopiad Located about half an hour south-east of town, this small park shows the traditional way of life of the Kadazan ethnic group and tells the story of Monsopiad, a Kadazan warrior who lived some 300 years ago and who killed 42 men who attacked his village. The 42 skulls can be viewed in the Hall of Skulls. Entrance fee is RM50 for adults, RM10 for children (prices for non-Malaysians). To get there you can hire a taxi from Kota Kinabalu and arrange to be picked up some hours later. The rate should be around RM80, or RM20 one-way.
Tunku Abdul Rahman Park : a cluster of five islands, about 20 minutes speed boat ride from the city. Boats depart from Jesselton Point Ferry Terminal or possibly use one of the dive operators boats if going there on a dive trip from Kota Kinabalu.
Signal Hill Observation : a popular spot to have bird's eye view of the city

It pays to compare your cruise line shore excursions here.

Nearby Places:

Shopping and Food

Kota Kinabalu Handicraft Market (Next to the waterfront). It is a very colorful place that will stay in your memory as a 'souvenir' from Sabah.

Best Shopping Buys

Sabah Pearls
Ethnic Beaded Work
Contemporary products with ethnic designs
Tapestries
Sabah Tea and Coffee
Sabah Dried Seafood (anchovies, shrimp, fist etc)

Currency:

The Malaysian currency is the ringgit.

ATMs are widely available in cities, but do stock up on cash if heading out into the smaller islands or the jungle. Credit cards can be used in most shops, restaurants and hotels, although skimming can be a problem in dodgier outlets.

Tipping is not customary in Malaysia. However, hotel porters and taxi drivers will appreciate a small tip if you have been provided with exemplary service. Most expensive restaurants, bars and hotels may indicate prices in the form of RM19++, meaning that sales tax (5%) and service charge (10%) will be added to the bill.

Currency Converter

Communication:

The sole official language of Malaysia is Malay (Bahasa Malaysia). English is also taught in schools and widely spoken in the cities although in rural areas a little Malay will come in handy.

Broadband Internet is available in most hotels, cafes which offer free WiFi for customers, and some restaurants and cafes. Both cable broadband and wireless broadband (available in hot spots areas such as Starbucks and McDonald's) are available.

Emergency numbers All type of emergency 999; From mobile phone - 999 or 112

Opening Hours and Holidays:

In general shops open from 10.30am till 9.30pm in the large cities. They open and close for business earlier in the smaller towns and rural areas.

For a list of public holidays click here.

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