Kota Kinabalu Safety Guide
Health, security, and travel safety information
Emergency Numbers
Save these numbers before your trip.
Healthcare
What to know about medical care in Kota Kinabalu.
Healthcare System
Kota Kinabalu has a dual healthcare system with both public and private facilities. Public hospitals provide affordable care but can be crowded with longer wait times. Private hospitals offer faster service with English-speaking staff and modern facilities, catering well to international patients.
Hospitals
Private hospitals are recommended for tourists: Gleneagles Kota Kinabalu Hospital offers high-quality care with modern equipment; Jesselton Medical Centre and Sabah Medical Centre are also well-regarded. These facilities accept international insurance and have experience with travel-related illnesses and injuries. Hyperbaric chambers are available for diving-related emergencies.
Pharmacies
Pharmacies (called 'farmasi') are widely available throughout Kota Kinabalu, including Guardian, Watsons, and independent pharmacies. Many common medications are available over-the-counter. Pharmacists often speak English. Operating hours typically 9am-9pm, with some 24-hour pharmacies in shopping malls. Bring prescriptions for controlled medications.
Insurance
Travel insurance is not legally required but strongly recommended. Medical evacuation from Sabah can be extremely expensive. Ensure coverage includes adventure activities if planning diving, climbing Mount Kinabalu, or jungle trekking.
Healthcare Tips
- Bring sufficient prescription medications as specific brands may not be available locally
- Private hospital costs can be high - confirm your insurance coverage and payment procedures before treatment
- For diving trips, ensure you have DAN (Divers Alert Network) insurance or equivalent coverage for hyperbaric treatment
- Dengue fever is present in Sabah - seek immediate medical attention if you develop high fever after mosquito bites
- Tap water is not recommended for drinking - stick to bottled or boiled water to avoid gastrointestinal issues
Common Risks
Be aware of these potential issues.
Pickpocketing and bag snatching occur in crowded areas, particularly targeting tourists who appear distracted or carry valuables visibly. Motorcycle-based snatch theft can occur on quieter streets.
Beaches around Kota Kinabalu and nearby islands can have dangerous currents, particularly during monsoon season. Several drowning incidents occur annually, often involving tourists unfamiliar with conditions.
Kota Kinabalu's tropical climate with high UV index year-round causes severe sunburn and heat exhaustion in unprepared visitors. Dehydration occurs quickly, especially during outdoor activities.
Road safety standards vary, with motorcycles weaving through traffic and some aggressive driving. Pedestrian infrastructure is limited in many areas. Rental vehicle accidents are common among unfamiliar drivers.
Encounters with wildlife including monkeys (which can be aggressive), jellyfish, sea urchins, and occasionally snakes. Monkeys may snatch food or bags. Marine life can cause painful stings.
Mount Kinabalu climbers can experience altitude sickness at the summit (4,095m). Symptoms include headache, nausea, and dizziness, which can become serious if ignored.
Scams to Avoid
Watch out for these common tourist scams.
Unlicensed tour operators or touts approach tourists offering island hopping or city tours at seemingly good prices, but provide poor service, hidden fees, or skip promised destinations. Some operate unsafe boats.
Some taxi drivers refuse to use meters and quote inflated fixed prices, especially at the airport and tourist areas. They may claim meters are broken or that fixed prices are mandatory.
Vendors at markets claim to sell genuine South Sea pearls or authentic indigenous handicrafts at premium prices, but items are often low-quality imitations or mass-produced.
Some seafood restaurants, particularly at the waterfront, add items to bills that weren't ordered or charge per piece rather than per weight without clear explanation, resulting in unexpectedly high bills.
Unlicensed money changers or some shops offering exchange services use confusing calculations or distraction techniques to short-change tourists during the transaction.
Unscrupulous dive operators may offer quick, cheap certifications without proper training, or take uncertified divers on dives beyond their skill level, creating dangerous situations.
Safety Tips
Practical advice to stay safe.
Water Safety
- Always wear life jackets on boat trips, even if you're a strong swimmer
- Check that tour boats have adequate safety equipment before boarding
- Avoid swimming alone or in unpatrolled areas
- Be aware of boat traffic when snorkeling or diving
- Don't dive if you've consumed alcohol or if feeling unwell
- Complete a check dive if you haven't been diving recently
Personal Security
- Make copies of passport and keep separately from original
- Don't leave valuables unattended on beaches or in rental cars
- Use hotel safes for passports, excess cash, and important documents
- Be cautious when withdrawing money from ATMs, especially at night
- Keep accommodation address written in local language for taxi drivers
- Register with your embassy if staying for extended periods
Food and Water Safety
- Drink only bottled or boiled water; avoid ice in questionable establishments
- Choose busy restaurants with high turnover for freshest food
- Be cautious with raw seafood and ensure seafood is thoroughly cooked
- Wash hands frequently, especially before eating
- Avoid food from vendors without proper refrigeration in hot weather
- Bring anti-diarrheal medication and oral rehydration salts
Transportation Safety
- Use Grab app for transparent pricing and driver tracking
- Photograph taxi license number before entering
- Wear seatbelts in all vehicles (often not standard practice locally)
- Avoid overloaded boats for island hopping
- If renting a scooter, always wear a helmet and have proper license
- Be extremely cautious crossing streets - traffic doesn't always yield to pedestrians
Mount Kinabalu Climbing
- Book through official channels only - permits are required and limited
- Hire a registered guide - it's mandatory and essential for safety
- Bring warm, waterproof clothing - summit temperatures can drop to 0°C
- Start summit attempt early (2-3am) to avoid afternoon storms
- Don't push through severe altitude sickness symptoms - descend immediately
- Bring headlamp with extra batteries and basic first aid supplies
Island and Beach Safety
- Apply reef-safe sunscreen to protect marine ecosystems
- Don't touch or stand on coral - it damages reefs and can cause injuries
- Wear water shoes to protect against sharp coral and sea urchins
- Keep belongings secured on boats - items can easily fall overboard
- Inform someone onshore of your plans when going to islands
- Check return boat schedules and don't miss last departure
Cultural Sensitivity
- Dress modestly when visiting mosques or rural areas - cover shoulders and knees
- Remove shoes before entering homes, mosques, and some shops
- Ask permission before photographing people, especially indigenous communities
- Use right hand for eating and giving/receiving items (left hand considered unclean)
- Respect Ramadan customs if visiting during the fasting month
- Don't touch anyone's head, which is considered sacred in local culture
Wildlife and Nature
- Never feed wildlife - it creates dangerous behavior and dependency
- Keep safe distance from monkeys and don't show food
- Shake out shoes and check bedding in rural areas for insects or small animals
- Stay on marked trails during jungle treks
- Hire local guides for jungle activities - they know terrain and wildlife behavior
- Don't purchase products made from endangered species or coral
Information for Specific Travelers
Safety considerations for different traveler groups.
Women Travelers
Kota Kinabalu is generally safe for women travelers, including solo female visitors. The local population is accustomed to tourists and women traveling alone is not unusual. However, standard precautions should be taken, and cultural sensitivities regarding dress and behavior should be respected. Harassment is relatively uncommon but can occur, particularly in nightlife areas or from overly friendly touts.
- Dress modestly, especially outside resort areas - cover shoulders and avoid very short shorts or skirts
- Use reputable transportation like Grab rather than walking alone late at night
- Stay in well-reviewed accommodations in safe neighborhoods like city center or beach resort areas
- Be firm but polite when declining unwanted attention from touts or overly friendly strangers
- Avoid excessive alcohol consumption, especially when alone or with people you've just met
- Keep phone charged and share your location with friends or family when going on tours
- Join group tours for activities like island hopping or Mount Kinabalu climbing for added security
- Trust your instincts - if a situation feels uncomfortable, remove yourself
- Carry a scarf or sarong to cover up when entering mosques or conservative areas
- Be aware that some local men may misinterpret friendliness as romantic interest
- Solo dining is perfectly acceptable and common in tourist restaurants
- Consider staying at women-only dorms in hostels if budget traveling
LGBTQ+ Travelers
Homosexuality is technically illegal in Malaysia under federal law, though prosecutions are rare and primarily target Malaysian citizens rather than tourists. Same-sex marriage is not recognized. However, enforcement is inconsistent and tourists are rarely affected.
- Exercise discretion with public displays of affection regardless of orientation
- Book hotel rooms as two friends rather than explicitly as a couple if concerned
- International hotel chains are generally more understanding and discreet
- Avoid discussing sexual orientation openly with locals you don't know well
- Be aware that local laws exist even if rarely enforced against tourists
- Connect with LGBTQ+ travel communities online for current information and advice
- Consider travel insurance that explicitly covers LGBTQ+ travelers
- Kuala Lumpur has a more visible LGBTQ+ scene if seeking community connections
- Respect local cultural norms while maintaining personal safety and comfort
- Be cautious on dating apps - some users may not be who they claim to be
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is essential for visiting Kota Kinabalu due to the adventure activities commonly undertaken (diving, climbing Mount Kinabalu, island hopping), potential for tropical illnesses, and the high cost of medical evacuation if serious injury or illness occurs. Private medical care can be expensive, and evacuation to Singapore or Kuala Lumpur for serious conditions can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Many activities require proof of insurance before participation.
Travel insurance for adventurous travelers • Coverage in 200+ countries