Brunei became my 36th country during my first backpacking trip around Southeast Asia. I wasn’t actually planning to visit Brunei. A friend convinced me to book a last-minute flight from Kuala Lumpur, and suddenly I was heading to a country I knew very little about. After traveling through some of the busiest places in Southeast Asia, arriving in Brunei was a completely different experience. The first thing I noticed was how quiet everything felt. Bandar Seri Begawan was calm, spacious and nothing like the crowded capitals I had been used to. During my visit, I spent two days exploring the capital, visiting Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque, seeing Kampong Ayer, checking…

If you’re planning a trip to Brunei, you might be wondering how to create the perfect Brunei itinerary and how much time you actually need. Brunei is one of the least visited countries in Southeast Asia, and unlike many destinations in the region, it is not a place where you need a packed schedule. The main highlights are concentrated around Bandar Seri Begawan, making it easy to experience the country in just a couple of days. I visited Brunei during my first backpacking trip around Southeast Asia, and it became my 36th country. I wasn’t originally planning to visit, but after a friend convinced me to book a last-minute flight…

Brunei is one of the least visited countries in Southeast Asia, and for many travellers, it is a destination they know very little about before arriving. Since most people only spend a couple of days in Brunei, one of the biggest questions is what is actually worth doing and which places should you visit with limited time. I visited Brunei during my first backpacking trip around Southeast Asia, and it became my 36th country. I only had a short time there, but it was enough to explore Bandar Seri Begawan, visit the main landmarks and experience a completely different side of Southeast Asia compared to the neighbouring countries. In this…

If you’re planning a trip to Brunei, one of the first questions you’ll probably ask is how many days in Brunei do you need. It’s a fair question because Brunei is one of the smallest countries in Southeast Asia, and many travellers only include it as a short stop during a bigger trip around the region. I visited Brunei during my first backpacking trip around Southeast Asia, when I was traveling alone and Brunei became my 36th country. I spent two days in Bandar Seri Begawan, which gave me enough time to see the main highlights without feeling rushed. In this guide, I’ll break down whether one, two or three…

If you’re planning a trip to Brunei, you’ve probably wondered what the best time to visit Brunei actually is. Unlike many destinations in Southeast Asia, Brunei doesn’t have four distinct seasons, but the weather can still make a big difference to your experience. Most of Brunei’s highlights are outdoor experiences — exploring Bandar Seri Begawan, visiting the beautiful mosques, walking around Kampong Ayer, and taking a boat trip through the mangroves to look for proboscis monkeys. Because of that, choosing the right time to visit can make your trip much more enjoyable. I visited Brunei during my first trip around Southeast Asia, when I was backpacking alone and Brunei became…

I’ve now traveled to 62 countries, mostly alone, and Brunei was country 36. When I booked my flight to Brunei, I didn’t really know what to expect. I was backpacking Southeast Asia alone for the first time, and the only things I knew about Brunei were the headlines you see online about the country’s strict laws and conservative culture. As a woman traveling alone, that made me nervous. I had no idea what it would actually feel like to arrive there by myself. Would I feel comfortable walking around alone? Would I have to be constantly worried about doing something wrong? Would traveling as a solo female traveler be difficult?…