Nowadays, when low-cost airlines in the Philippines announce seat sales, expect a very low base fare and get hit by all kinds of surcharges when you’re about to pay.
In 2010, however, one of the glory years for solo travelers like me, seat sales really meant cheap flights.
The best deal I’ve had was to Kota Kinabalu from Manila. The return ticket cost P870 (US$22)–I mean, how cheap can you get?–so I didn’t hesitate to buy a ticket for the weekend.
Here are my solo travel tips to Kota Kinabalu.
Wonderful sunset at Jesselton Point.
I stayed in a dormitory in Borneo Backpackers just off Gaya Street. Although the room was a bit small for 10 beds, it was good enough for me at the price (around RM25 then).
(For other cheap accommodations in Kota Kinabalu, check via Agoda.)
I met Alice there, an American teaching English in Seoul. We established that we were both solo female travelers, both Couchsurfing members, and both into adventure travel. We had our meals together and then went off the next day for whitewater rafting in the Padas Gorge, where we met other travelers as well.
I loved the adrenaline rush; too bad I didn’t have an underwater camera, so I never had any pictures of myself there, nor of the people I’d met!
Some of the Couchsurfing members I’d met in Kota Kinabalu.
In my three days and two nights in Kota Kinabalu, I met a lot of Couchsurfing members, both locals and foreign visitors alike. We had dinner together, and some of us stayed up the whole night watching the championship game of the World Cup!
One of the most interesting persons I’d met was an older woman who had been sailing around the world with her husband. At that time, she had just lost him; he passed away while they were docked somewhere in the Philippines.
I couldn’t imagine what she felt then; would she still continue sailing without her partner of over 30 years? How would it feel to lose someone you’ve been with for decades?
I met a couple there, too, Shell (from HK) and Sam (from the UK) who was later hosted by my host in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Truly, the world of travelers is a small place!
The food in Kota Kinabalu was absolutely delicious!
Prior to my India trip, I had always been cavalier about my safety. I walked around Kota Kinabalu even at midnight, loving the fact that there were almost no people on the streets around that time.
When my Couchsurfing friends heard about it, they were scandalized, and made me promise to always bring a photocopy of my passport. It seemed that there were (are?) a lot of illegal immigrants there, and if I couldn’t show my passport, I would have had a lot of trouble with the police!
Gaya Street on Sundays is closed to traffic to give way to the Sunday market.
Walk around the city; it’s the best way to get to know this place. Eat nasi goreng, have coffee, watch the sunset at the Jesselton Point. You can also go see the State Mosque, walk along the waterfront, or buy your souvenirs at the Filipino Night and Handicrafts Market.
I was glad to see nobody bought these corals at the Sunday market!
I, myself, haven’t been to half the attractions in Kota Kinabalu (check out my post: Things to Do in Kota Kinabalu). I was too busy meeting up with Couchsurfers to go to all the must-sees in this small city.
However, I have no regrets. I might not have seen those beautiful structures or wonderful vistas that all tourists must see, but at least I will always remember the times I’ve spent with the people who shared my love for travel.
Have you been to Kota Kinabalu? What do you suggest doing there?
19 Comments. Leave new
@ Janno: If you’re budget travelers, check out Hostelworld http://www.hostelworld.com/findabed.php/ChosenCity.Kota-Kinabalu/ChosenCountry.Malaysia I stayed at Borneo Backpackers because it was cheap (less than P300) and in the center.
hi ghuys,
we’re planning to have a vacation in kota this coming September.. we need your help.. like we’re 10pax.. any suggestions for cheap hotel accommodations?/ and trip as well.. thanks..(for accommodations?) is it ok to be a walk in? or we need to reserve a hotel?/or inn?? thanks..
this is my hometown! well the capital of it. hehe. glad you enjoyed it!
So, did you climb the highest peak?
You’ve captured such a beautiful shot of sunset at Jesselton Point! I really hope you’ve had a wonderful time here and will come again soon! 😀
Sad to note that a couple had been traveling or sailing for 3 decades and her partner died while their ship docked in Philippine sea. Well, Leah, that’s the reality that we need to accept.
You are so courageous in walking at night without someone with you at least if there’s something might happen to you, you have someone to protect you.:-).
That first photo is a very stunning sunset.:-).
did’n have time to wander around KK during our visit…
it’s worth another trip 🙂
Looks like a lot of fun in Kinabalu. Interesting to note that the market street is called Gaya street. In fact, there is a town in India called Gaya.
OMG- $22? RT?! The couchsurfing I’ve actually never had luck in. No one ever responds to my requests, so occasionally I try it and then ultimately give up. It sucks because it would be so nice to meet people this way.
The sunset shot is amazing, Aleah! It’s always nice to meet like minded people when traveling. And the ticket price for all this is unbeatable.
My and my partner celebrated post anniversary by climbing the highest peak in Southeast Asia last March. We were joined in by fellow a couchsurfer and his newly wedded wife, they got married in Kota Kinabalu the day before the climb! It was one of the most amazing experience we had so far. 🙂
PS. The time we climbed was also the height of the Sabah siege issue and me and my partner had interesting conversations with the locals and the Filipinos who have settled in this territory for many years now.
That sunset photo from Jesselton Point is beautiful and so serene. I’m hoping to get to Kota Kinabalu in the next year. I would strongly agree with your advice about carrying a copy of your passport, especially since you are a Filipina. With the recent Sulu problems in Sabah state, the Malaysian police and military have reportedly been doing sweeps and assuming that undocumented Filipinos are militants.
Very nice post again.
I always get some good to know information here.
Thanks
That’s the fun thing about traveling, meeting people who likes the same thing. Yes, please listen to other travelers about safety and making sure you have “papers” with you.
I got “carded” one time. My name is so Hispanic that when I showed the INS people my green card and saw that I was from the Philippines and not Mexico they were a bit disappointed I think. So I told the officers, it’s a long way to swim to get to the borders sir 🙂
Hi Aleah, Love the stunning sunset shot. Meeting like-minded travelers make a trip more precious. It’s great you met lots of them during this trip.
Intrigued to read that they have a Filipino night market. Do they exclusive sell products from the Phils?
Many times, it’s the story of fellow travelers we meet down the road that will give us a time to reflect about our own selves and what we hope to learn in life. It may be a short visit but the reward is one I think that sticks with you forever.