The capital of Sabah, Borneo, this Malaysian city is a growing resort destination due to is proximity to tropical islands, lush rainforest and Mount Kinabalu.

Get in

By plane

Kota Kinabalu International Airport (IATA code BKI, but also abbreviated KKIA) is the main gateway to Sabah. In addition to frequent domestic services from Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru and various points on Malaysian Borneo on AirAsia, Fly Asian Xpress (FAX) and Malaysia Airlines, internationally you can fly direct from Manila (Clark) ; from Bangkok with Thai AirAsia; from Singapore with Silkair; from Hong Kong with Dragonair; from Brunei with Royal Brunei Airlines; from Taipei with Far Eastern Air Transport; from Tokyo, Osaka, Seoul, Manila on Malaysia Airlines, and other cities, too.

The airport is 7 km away from the city. Try and find the bus stop, which is not at the airport itself but down on the main road, or take a taxi (coupon available, 15 minutes).

Caution: there are ATMs and a currency exchange at the airport but if you're arriving late it'll almost certainly be closed and the ATMs are not always working, so make sure you've got some Malaysian ringgit before you arrive as you'll need it for the taxi or the bus.

Get around

Taxi - Taxi fares around town would cost around $20, at most.

Bus - Used to be 50 cents to the city centre, but not sure what the price is nowadays.

See

Do

Mount Kinabalu - The tallest peak in South East Asia at 4,101 metres. The State Park is 80 km from the city.

Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park - The Tunku Abdul Rahman Park comprises of 5 Islands off the coast of Kota Kinabalu and are accessable from Kota Kinabula via a number of boat services.

bike, blade, and board [1] - extreme sports community group in Kota Kinabalu

Buy

• Central Market is next to the waterfront. Also known as "Pasar Pilipin", it's a collection of shops selling goods from many places (such as Bali and Thailand) and not necessarily native to Sabah. Prices are on most goods, but be sure to bargain. If you're not getting it for 1/2 the sticker price, you're not getting a good deal.

Eat

• Jothy's Fish Head Curry and Banana Leaf Restaurant - Api Api Center. An eat-with-your-hands restaurant. A chicken dish 8 ringgit, a mango lassie 4 ringgit. (Also, try the fish head curry, fish cutlets, fried fish pieces, chicken nasi briyani, assam soup and dried bitter gourd - Price N/A) Not the best Banana Leaf restaurant in Malaysia, but not bad. They'll bring you a spoon and fork, which you should politely decline. Ask for a banana leaf (for additional 50 cents) and eat with your hands. English menu.

Seafood in Kota Kinabalu is very popular, so getting a dose of it is a must. Here are some places to try:

• Ocean Seafood Restaurant - Right next to the Promenade Hotel and Parkson Grand. The restaurant faces the coastline. You can take a pick on your seafood orders by the fishtanks, or if you prefer, you can let the waiters recommend at your table.

• Portview Seafood Restaurant- There are 2 branches of this in K.K. One of them is right opposite Centrepoint Shopping Centre, called The Waterfront. This one is quite new, a very popular place for tourists and orders can be taken either way similar to Ocean Restaurant. This restaurant is nestled amongst other popular nightlife hangouts, mostly bars and clubs, but also cafes like CoffeeBean. The other older one, is nicely set in front of a pier, within walking distance to banks such as HSBC and Standard Chartered, and some supermarkets stocking imported goods.

Drink

• Shamrock Irish Bar - The Waterfront Lot 6. Pint of Tiger or Guinness 20 ringgit ++. The usual Irish fare, with outdoor seating. Add 16% tax.

There are also several bars or night cafes as some might call it, nicely scattered right outside Hyatt hotel.

• Cocoon - One of KK's most notable nightspots. It is a relaxed bar in the day and a lively bar/club by night, with the action carrying on into the small hours.

Sleep

Budget

• Akinabalu Youth Hostel [2] - Best place for Backpacker & Budget.

• Hotel Holiday [3] - One of the best budget hotel in the city centre.

Mid-range / Splurge

• Jesselton Hotel, Jesselton was the initial name for Kota Kinabalu during the British colony. And this boutique hotel should not be missed. Built in the early 1920s, it has been one of the longest remaining quality hotels in Kota Kinabalu. Set right in the middle of Gaya Street, a street thriving with local shops and cafes, and walking distance to the local cinemas - sets off the charms of the local atmosphere. The Pasar Malam ('night market') and Sundays on Gaya Streets are a must-see. Many hawkers will set up shops along Gaya Street to sell their wares - food, toys or pets. Lots of vibrant colors and scrumptious smells along the strip. This hotel is within the city centre district. Hotel has their own limousine, which is a British cab imported from the UK.

• Hyatt Hotel, A 3 - 4 star International hotel but still has that exclusive feeling once you walk through the doors. Right in the heart of the city centre, a perfect choice for business men who just want to eat, sleep and work. This hotel boasts an impressive choice of restaurants, from their coffeeshop serving Malaysian food, a Chinese restaurant with 'dimsum' or 'yum cha', a Japanese restaurant with Teppanyaki and a fresh bakery. Close to shopping centres, fast food outlets, and cafes.

• The Pan Pacific Sutera Hotel, Sutera Harbour Blvd (60-88); tel. 318 888 [4]. This hotel is part of Sutera Harbour, which also has a golf course, another hotel and a marina. About a 15 ringgit taxi ride to town, or a 20 minute walk. The facilities are top notch with either a sea view or golf course/ Mount Kinabalu view. You can easily book trips to the islands, starting at 45 ringgit. The hotel has a free shuttle bus going to town every hour until 21:00. There is also the more 'upmarket' Magellan Hotel right at the end of the Sutera Harbour Boulevard. Facilities include the ones as mentioned above.

• The Shangri-La Tanjung Aru Resort [5]; tel. +60-88-225800. This is one of the oldest, grandest but possibly the most comfortable hotels in Kota Kinabalu. A 5 star hotel, the rooms in the old wing are confined inside the building and looks out to the golf course. A tiny jungle is built in the middle of the corridor leading towards the hotel rooms of the old wing. Although as old as it may sound, the rooms are impressively larger than the new wing. The new wing, on the other hand, overlooks the sea or the swimming pool and is a bit more secluded for those who enjoy lazing out in the sun. A taxi ride from the airport is just about $10, but to the city centre may slightly be more costly. Shuttle from the airport to the hotel is available upon request.

Get out