Borneo Tours & Vacations

Visas are your responsibility. Entry requirements can change anytime, so you must check for the latest information. Please visit the relevant consular website of the country or countries you visit for detailed and up-to-date visa information about your nationality. Check the Essential Trip Information section of the itinerary for more details.

Absolutely. All passengers traveling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their adventure. Your leader will record your travel insurance details on the first day of the trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of healthcare around the world, travel insurance is an essential part of every journey.

Learn more about travel insurance

Tipping isn’t customary in Borneo, but leaving a small token of appreciation is always welcome if you feel the service has been particularly good.

Internet is easy to access in large cities and tourist areas, though it can be quite slow. Access is more limited in remote and rural areas.

Cell phone coverage is good in major cities, but there is little to no coverage in the mountains and in remote areas. Ensure global roaming is activated with your service provider before leaving home.

Squat toilets are common in Borneo, though some hotels and tourist areas have Western-style, flushable toilets. Carrying your own toilet paper and hand sanitizer is a good idea, as these are not always provided.

Tap water is not considered safe to drink in Borneo. For environmental reasons, try to avoid buying bottled water. Instead, pack a reusable bottle that can be filled with filtered water. Your leader can tell you where to find filtered water or pack your own purification tablets.

Most places only accept cash, especially small businesses, though you might be able to use your credit card at larger hotels, shops and restaurants in tourist areas.

You’ll find ATMs in Borneo’s large cities and urban areas, though they are less easy to find in rural and remote parts.

No vaccines are required in order to enter Borneo but some are recommended for protection against disease. Always visit your doctor or travel clinic for up-to-date advice and make sure to schedule vaccinations 4-6 weeks before your departure date, as some require time to become effective.

Discretion is highly advised for LGBTQIA+ travelers in Borneo. Homosexuality is illegal in both Malaysia and Brunei, where it can be punished with long prison sentences or even death. While homosexuality is not illegal in Indonesia, few people are openly out. Regardless of which part of Borneo you are visiting, discretion is strongly suggested.

For more detailed and up-to-date advice, we recommend visiting Equaldex or ILGA before you travel.

Yes, all Intrepid trips support The Intrepid Foundation. Trips to this country directly support our global Intrepid Foundation partners Eden Reforestation Projects and World Bicycle Relief. Intrepid will double the impact by dollar-matching all post-trip donations made.

World Bicycle Relief provides people in low-income communities with bicycles to mobilize school kids, health workers and farmers in far-out areas – giving them access to vital education, healthcare and income. Donations help provide Buffalo Bicycles to those who need them most, specifically designed to withstand the rugged terrain and harsh environment of rural regions.

Learn more or make a donation