Capital: Bandar Seri Begawan
Time zone: GMT + 8
Telephone services: Country Code: 673
Outgoing Code: 00
Emergency telephone numbers: Not available at present.
Tourist information: Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources, Bandar Seri Begawan BB3910, Brunei. Tel: (2) 382 822. Fax: (2) 383 811. Information Bureau Section, Information Department, Prime Ministers Office, Bandar Seri Begawan 2041, Brunei Tel: (2) 240 400 Fax: (2) 244 104.
Passport information: A valid passport is required by all with assured re-entry facilities to country of origin or domicile required by all. Passports must be valid for at least 6 months after entry to Brunei. Return Ticket Required. Requirements may change at short notice. Contact the embassy before departure.
Visa information: Visa required by all except nationals of: The UK for up to 30 days and nationals of Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Luxembourg, The Netherlands and Sweden for up to 14 days (nationals of other EU countries do require a visa). NOTE: All visitors must be able to display proof of sufficient funds on entry.
Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended
Yellow Fever: A vaccination certificate is required by those over one year of age who have visited an infected area within the previous six days.
Other Health Risks: Cholera.
Food & drink: Water is untreated and not safe to drink. Avoid dairy products as they are not pasteurised. Fruit and vegetables should be peeled before consumption.
Currency: Brunei Dollar (Br$) = 100 sen. Exchange:Foreign currency and traveller’s cheques can be exchanged at any bank. Hotels and department stores may also exchange traveller’s cheques. CC: Generally accepted by major establishments. NOTE: The export of local currency is limited to Br$1000. Travellers cheques are accepted and can be exchanged at hotels and department stores. Preferable currency for cheques is US dollars. All credit cards are generally accepted by major establishments.
ATM availability: Over 25 locations.
Cost of living: Accommodation can be very expensive. Transport and food are comparable with prices in the rest of East Malaysia.
Languages: Malay. English Chinese dialects are also spoken
Weather: Tropical climate most of the year. Monsoon = Oct – Mar when there is very heavy rainfall
Electricity: 230 Volts AC 50 Hz. Plugs are either square or round 3 pin.
Post: 2 – 5 days.
Transport: BUS: services operate to the main centres. CAR HIRE: Available at the airport and large hotels. DOCUMENTATION: IDP is legally required. A temporary licence can be obtained on presentation of a national licence.
Special information: Avoid passing or receiving with the left hand or pointing the soles of the feet towards companions. Shoes should be removed when entering Muslim homes. If offered refreshments by a host it is considered rude to refuse. Accommodation is impossible to find outside the main towns.