Major city · Malaysia
Lahad Datu
Spend one day in Lahad Datu to see the town centre and take a short trip to Danum Valley; longer stays are for wildlife tours.
Lahad Datu is a small town on Sabah's east coast, surrounded by cocoa and palm‑oil plantations. The town itself offers a few eateries and budget hotels, while the main attraction is Danum Valley rainforest a short drive away. One full day covers the town and a quick Danum Valley visit; longer stays are only needed for multi‑day jungle treks.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- MYR
- Best months
- Mar–Oct
- avoid Nov–Feb (heavy rain)
- Airport
- LDU
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 5Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore…
- Southeast Asia ↗Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Brunei and Myanmar; never carry a bag or parcel for anyone.
- Southeast Asia ↗Carry a passport valid for at least six months from entry with two blank pages; airlines refuse boarding on less.
- Malaysia ↗Most foreign visitors must submit the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) online shortly before arrival; use only the official immigration site.
- Malaysia ↗Remove shoes before entering mosques, temples and homes; cover shoulders and knees, and use the robes on loan at major mosques.
- Malaysia ↗Cards and e-wallets are common in cities; keep some ringgit in small notes for hawker stalls, taxis and tolls.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Lahad Datu999 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Lahad Datu, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Malaysian ringgit (MYR, RM); cards and e-wallets are widely used in Kuala Lumpur.Malaysia-wide
- SIM or eSIMCelcomDigi, Maxis, U Mobile and Unifi sell tourist SIMs at KLIA with passport registration.Malaysia-wide
- Tap waterTreated in cities, but most people filter or boil; bottled water is cheap.Malaysia-wide
- TippingRestaurants: Nothing if 10% service charge is added; otherwise round up.Malaysia-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets G. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 240 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Malaysia-wide
- SafetyGenerally safe for tourists; stay on main roads, keep valuables hidden, and avoid night travel on unpaved routes.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern and squat toilets side by side; water hose instead of paper; some public toilets cost RM0.20–1.Malaysia-wide
- Emergency numbers999 police · 994 fire · 999 ambulance
- Sundays & holidayscheckKelantan, Terengganu and Kedah have Friday–Saturday weekends; Johor Saturday–Sunday since 2025 — check…Malaysia-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckLDU Lahad Datu Airport (Domestic flights; check schedule for connections to Kota Kinabalu.).
- Getting aroundTown is walkable; taxis and motorbike taxis available.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi (5 km (3.1 mi))Taxi (3.1 mi (5 km))RM15–20
- Museum or sight ticketDanum Valley entryRM30 per adult
- Budget bedBudget hotel/guesthouse, a night, per personRM20
- Mid-range bedMid‑range hotel, a night, per personRM80
- High-end bedMid‑range hotel, a night, per personRM120
A day, not counting the bed: Budget RM70 · Mid RM120 · High RM200
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- LDU Lahad Datu Airport (Domestic flights; check schedule for connections to Kota Kinabalu.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Feb
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Mar
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Apr
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
May
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jun
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jul
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Aug
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Oct
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Nov
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Dec
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Best: Mar–Oct. Avoid: Nov–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Apr (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C) low), wettest Dec (11 rain days), driest May (6). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Lahad Datu: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
10 rd
Feb
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
9 rd
Mar
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
8 rd
Apr
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
7 rd
May
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
6 rd
Jun
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
6 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
6 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
7 rd
Sep
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
8 rd
Oct
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
9 rd
Nov
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
10 rd
Dec
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
11 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Town is walkable; taxis and motorbike taxis available. For Danum Valley hire a car or join a tour (≈RM150 round‑trip).
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Danum Valley Conservation Area
goDoor to door: ≈1 h total
Hire a car or join a tour from town; ~30 km (19 mi), 45 min driveHire a car or join a tour from town; ~19 mi (30 km), 45 min drive
Entry fee RM30 per adult; guided walks available.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Asia Hotel
10‑storey hotel, 60 rooms; basic amenities, central location.
Bike and Tours Bed & Breakfast
Rooms from RM170, AC, free Wi‑Fi, airport pickup, bike rentals.
Tabin Hotel
Budget rooms RM20/night, town centre.
Wong's Hotel
Mid‑range, RM80/night, near Jalan Mawar.
Borneo Home
RM39.90/night, town centre.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- RM70–120 excl. bed
- Mid
- RM120–200 excl. bed
- High
- RM200+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid‑range hotel2 × 1 night × RM80 | RM160 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × RM120 | RM240 |
| Car hire for Danum Valley (round trip)2 × RM150 · check | RM300 |
| Meal at Conrado's Café2 × RM25 · check | RM50 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | RM75 |
| Trip total≈ RM413 per person per day, bed included | RM825≈ US$200 |
2026 estimate; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Meal at Conrado's Café | RM25–35 |
| Taxi (5 km) | RM15–20 |
| Bicycle rental | RM10 per day |
| Danum Valley entry | RM30 per adult |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Roads to Danum Valley can be rough; travel in daylight.
- Domestic flight schedules change; confirm before travel.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 999
- Fire
- 994
- Ambulance
- 999
Pocket card
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Lahad DatuLahad Datu
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Ke alamat ini, tolongTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police999
- Fire994
- Ambulance999
Embassy
US consulate in Kota Kinabalu; check for exact address.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Lahad Datu Airport → town centre, taxi: ≈ RM30 (check)
- Car hire for Danum Valley (day): ≈ RM150 (check)
Say or show
- Maaf — Excuse me / Sorry (ma-fah)
- Terima kasih — Thank you (tuh-ree-mah kah-see)
- Berapa harganya? — How much is it? (buh-rah-pah har-gah-nyah)
- Di mana tandas? — Where is the toilet? (dee mah-nah tan-dahs)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Lahad Datu. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–Oct · avoid Nov–Feb (heavy rain) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 5 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 1 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a car‑rental day for Danum Valley (RM150).
- Include a night at a jungle lodge for extended trekking.
Sources
Ask about Lahad Datu
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