Travel in Kota Kinabalu
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Informations on Kota Kinabalu: history, politics, economy, culture, Did you mean: Kota Kinabalu
For an other version of this travel guide, please visit Ooaj.com: Travel in Kota Kinabalu + Hotels
Located in Sabah, Borneo, this Malaysian city is a growing resort destination due to is proximity to tropical islands, lush rainforest and Mount Kinabalu.
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Get in
By plane
Kota Kinabalu can be reached by plane from many cities in Malaysia. Internationally you can fly direct from Bangkok with Thai Air Asia (http://www.airasia.com/); from Singapore with Silkair (http://www.silkair.net/); from Hong Kong with Dragonair (http://www.dragonair.com/); from Brunei with Royal Brunei Airlines (http://www.bruneiair.com/); from Taipei with Far Eastern Air Transport (http://www.fat.com.tw/) and possibly other cities, too.
The Kota Kinabalu airport is pretty far from Kota Kinabalu city centre. 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).
Caution: there might not be any ATMs or currency exchange at the airport, and if you're arriving late it'll almost certainly be closed, 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
See
Do
Mount Kinabalu - The State Park is 80 km from the city.
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. Not the best Bananna Leaf restaurant in Malaysia, but not bad. They'll bring you a spoon and fork, which you should politely decline. and eat with your hands. English menu.
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.
Sleep
Budget
Hotel Kota Kinabalu (http://www.HotelHoliday.com.my/) - Hotel Holiday - One of the best budget hotel in the city centre.
Mid-range / Splurge
The Pacific Sutera Hotel, Sutera Harbour Blvd (60-88); tel. 318 888 1 (http://www.suteraharbour.com). 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.
Get out