Brunei is an independent country located in the Southeast part of Asia on the north coast of Borneo island and is considered to be one of the countries with the world’s highest standards of living due to its oil reserves.
The culture of the country is influenced by the population of Malay and as a result, more than half of the population are of this origin as well.
Standard Malay is the official language, while the most spoken language is considered to be Brunei Malay, however, they also speak English and this already means that you will be safe and welcomed there.
Warnings & Dangers in Brunei
OVERALL RISK: LOW
Brunei is considered to be the safest destination for tourists in Southeast Asia with supper small crime rates, besides theft, but still, one is advised to use their common sense for not getting into trouble.
TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM
Taxi is not so often met in Brunei and is considered to be relatively expensive and not secure, so it is better to arrange transportation from one point to another with your hotel you are going to stay.
PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
Even if these are not often met in the country, there are some registered cases that do happen there and nudge tourists to be more attentive and take a closer look at their belongings.
NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW
Brunei is located in an area that is quite apart from the region that is mostly affected by natural disasters, which means that there is a low chance of experiencing one.
MUGGING RISK: LOW
Crime rates in Brunei are very low, however, there are some cases of violent thefts registered in recent years. This is why it is advisable to not walk alone in dark and not so populated places.
TERRORISM RISK: LOW
Even if there is no historic data of any terrorism in Brunei, attacks can not be ruled out, so you should be as everywhere in the world be prepared and try to avoid very populated areas.
SCAMS RISK: LOW
There are scammers on the islands but these could be easily avoided through using your common sense and not being easily influenced.
WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM
Women, in general, are not recommended to travel alone here, but in case of this happening choose wisely your accommodation and try to wear loose-fit clothes.
So... How Safe Is Brunei Really?
Even though it is considered to be a safe place all the required measures should be taken in order to avoid all the possible unpleasant cases.
As it is one of the least visited countries in the world and the industry is still in its growing phase, they as nationality are very welcoming and helpful.
In comparison with their neighborhood and even all the Southeast part of Asia, Brunei is considered to be the safest place as it has registered super low crime rates, which indicates that travelers can explore the city in whatever part of the day they are willing to.
What is interesting to notice is that the main factor that makes the country so safe is considered to be the alcohol ban, even though tourists are allowed to drink but only in their hotel or accommodation rooms.
Even if we are in the 21st century Brunei is still one of the countries in which homosexuality is considered to be illegal, therefore it is advisable if applicable to your relationship to not show in public your affection and as a result, you will not be discriminated or even punished by public authorities.
Choose wisely your accommodations as they can often provide you with safe transportation and all other facilities.
How Does Brunei Compare?
| Country | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Brunei | 80 |
| Morocco | 54 |
| Norway | 85 |
| Mauritius | 80 |
| Kazakhstan | 72 |
| Germany | 85 |
| Romania | 80 |
| Namibia | 71 |
| Netherlands | 75 |
Useful Information
Visas
British passport holders are able to visit Brunei for more than 90 days, while the visa requirements for others differ from nationality to nationality and you should check out the national website.
Currency
The official currency of Brunei is the so-called Brunei dollar which has the same value as Singapore dollars and can be easily used on its territory.
Weather
The climate in Brunei is a mixture of tropical equatorial and humid subtropical at high altitudes and as a result, there are a big number of rainfalls throughout the year.
Airports
Brunei International Airport is considered to be the primary airport in the country as well as the biggest one that operates the greatest number of international flights.
Travel Insurance
As it is always recommended to have travel insurance while traveling, no matter the destination, Brunei is not an exception and it is also advisable to check out the national website regularly for updates.
Brunei Weather Averages (Temperatures)
Average High/Low Temperature
| Temperature / Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 29 | 30 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 31 | 30 | 30 |
| Low °C | 23 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 |
| High °F | 84 | 86 | 88 | 88 | 88 | 88 | 88 | 88 | 88 | 88 | 86 | 86 |
| Low °F | 73 | 75 | 75 | 75 | 75 | 73 | 73 | 73 | 73 | 73 | 73 | 73 |
GOOD if muslim. POOR if not.
Don’t go if not Muslim
Don't dress like you are from California...
You have to be aware of the culture in the area. Women, do not go here dressing as you would in America. Wear loose-fitting clothing that covers your chest, behind, and stomach. I would not advise on wearing anything shorter than capris in terms of shorts. It is best to just buy some of those oversize loose-fitting tops designed for warmer weather.
Motor boat and cruise
Respect local customs when you are there, especially when you are in areas that are holy. There are a lot of beautiful mosques to see. It is a generally safe country to visit, I remember sharing a boat with other tourists for the motor boat and cruise. Splitting the cost could save you a couple more bucks.