This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel. We share our insider knowledge of tips, tricks and important things to look out for in Miri.
Miri is a small city in Sarawak, one of the Malay eastern states. The city itself is nice; due to the nearby oil rigs, there are a lot of foreigners that work and live here.
Those arriving in Miri are probably heading to one of three places -- Gunung Mul National Park, Brunei, or Sabah (a natural wonder and excellent place to explore). Gunung Mulu National Park is something that you don't want to miss, as it is the main natural attraction in Sarawak. With impressive numbers of wildlife species, the park is mainly covered by rainforest crossed by small rivers, astonishing mountains, and the popular Pinnacles -– a big, limestone mountain eroded by time and weather. The caves are also a must-see and the trekking is great here -– keep in mind that the Pinnacle's trail can be very demanding if you are not in good shape.
If you are on your way to Brunei, it is quite easy to find some options to get from Miri to Bandar Seri Begawan in Brunei, so ask around. Miri hostels should be the easiest way to get a lot of information, such as how many buses or boats you need to take and which are the cheapest ones -– if you want something direct without losing too much time, that can be arranged, but it will be more expensive. There are only a few hostels in Miri and they're usually not fully booked, as people don't tend to stay many days in town.
If you have some time to kill in the city don't miss the markets and ask around for the best time to visit them. The easiest way to arrive in Miri if you're already in Sarawak is by bus, but always confirm in which station you are arriving, as it can be just five minutes' walking to the city center or more than eight kilometers away. There is also an airport with some connections to the main cities in Malaysia.
Written by local enthusiast for Miri hostels
