Broadly safe for most visitors, with only routine travel precautions needed. Civil liberties are tightly restricted and political expression can carry risk.
Regional breakdown
Most visits to Brunei centre on the capital, Bandar Seri Begawan. The city sits on the Brunei River and is known for the Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque, the Royal Regalia Museum. And the stilt village of Kampong Ayer. Both official advisories flag no specific neighbourhoods or districts for higher caution. Petty crime is low by regional standards. But travellers should still watch out for bag snatching in busy markets and around the Gadong shopping area at night. Outside the capital, the Temburong district draws visitors for Ulu Temburong National Park and its rainforest canopy walk. Reaching Temburong now usually means crossing the Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien Bridge, which has cut travel times sharply. Roads are generally in good condition, though rural sections near Bangar can be narrow and poorly lit. River travel by longboat is common in the interior and depends heavily on weather and water levels. The Belait district in the west, including the oil town of Seria and the coastal town of Kuala Belait, is the second main hub. It is quiet and industrial, with little reported crime. Travellers heading overland to Miri in Malaysian Sarawak pass through here. Border crossings are usually orderly, but queues can build at weekends and during school holidays.
Recent advisory changes
The official advisory guidance last updated its Brunei travel advice on 19 March 2026. The page does not flag any region of Brunei for extra caution. The main change in recent updates relates to wider Middle East tensions, which official advisory guidance warns could disrupt flights routing through the region. That can mean delayed or cancelled connections for travellers flying via Gulf hubs to Bandar Seri Begawan. The official advisory guidance keeps Brunei at Level 1, Exercise Normal Precautions, its lowest tier. The advisory was last reissued on 19 March 2025 after a periodic review. No ordered departure status is in place and no specific zones are singled out. The official advisory guidance points travellers to the Country Security Report for Brunei and recommends enrolling in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program. The US Embassy in Bandar Seri Begawan remains fully staffed and contactable on its standard and emergency lines.
What travellers should know
Brunei is a Malay Islamic Monarchy and enforces Sharia-based criminal law alongside its civil code. Penalties for drug offences are severe and can include the death penalty. Alcohol is not sold publicly; non-Muslim visitors aged 17 and over may import limited quantities for personal use and must declare them at customs. Public behaviour during Ramadan should be modest, including not eating, drinking or smoking in public during daylight hours. Dress is conservative, particularly when visiting mosques or government buildings. LGBT+ travellers should be aware that same-sex relations are criminalised under Brunei's penal code. And official advisory guidance and official advisory guidance both flag this in their country pages. Public displays of affection of any kind are uncommon. Healthcare in Bandar Seri Begawan is good for routine needs, but serious cases are often referred to Singapore. So comprehensive travel and medical insurance with evacuation cover is strongly recommended. The rainy season runs roughly October to January and can bring flash flooding in low-lying areas. Driving is on the left, and an International Driving Permit is accepted alongside a UK or US licence for short visits.