Tawau Travel Guide

Come on, Tawau isn't tat boring unless you are those city lovers. In here, the first thing I want to introduce is food in Tawau. You can definitely feast yourself with the popular "Pork Noodles" which you can find it somewhere around Fajar street. Usually, in Malaysia, there is very difficult for you to find restaurants which serve pork due to the cultures here. The "Pork Noodles" might look common but it does taste delicious tat you could not forget it. Besides, it only costs RM5-6 for one, worthy eh? That's the another reason why i introduce food in Tawau to you, because you can spend a little, yet eat until u are fulled as well as satisfied.

Not only tat, there are quite many other delicious foods which you can find in Tawau. So, what are you waiting for? Come and visit Tawau!

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The Tawau International Airport was opened in 2002 and is located in Balung... It was decided to built a new airport after a MAS Fokker 50 from Kota Kinabalu crashed into the local village at the end of the runway, Kampung Seri Menanti, causing 34 fatalities including two crews in September 1995... The airport is about 35km from Tawau town on the truck road to Semporna... The taxi fare for the 30mins drive from the airport to Tawau is RM45... while is cost RM100 for the one hours drive to Semporna... From Tawau, the fare to the airport can be arranged by the hotel and will be RM40 thereabout...

Besides taxis, there is also a bus service from the airport to Tawau... Both taxi and bus fares are by coupons purchased at the respective booths... Bus fare is RM10 one way...

The airport has 2 aero-bridges... For arriving passengers, there are booths for baggage storage in the public area at RM5 (small), RM10 (medium) and RM15 (big) per day... It is opened from 7.30am to 9.30pm...

You will definitely like this place. Souvenirs, clothes ... you name it!! Haggle the price, dont be naive. If you're thinking about buying something at the airport, you are just one sad loser. This place sells everything at half the airport-shop price.

Snatch theft has been reported. Dress simple. Keep cash well tucked in your pockets.

What to buy: Beautiful handicraft made from coral shells. The white ones are of low quality. Look for darker shells, possibly with lacquer finish or glazed.

What to pay: Expect to spend USD20-40. If luggage isn't a problem, sky is the limit!

Tawau is close to the indonesian and philipine borders. There are many illegal immigrants in this area. Their numbers depend on various situations. Illegals typically disappear when there is an election or a publicised clean-up by the authorities.

The illegals wont disturb you unless you choose to walk alone in dark areas. You can get stabbbed, even for a wrist watch. It pays not to be showy.

You may be approached by these guys ... especially along the seaside. They normally sell fake watches and cigarettes. Generally they can be annoying but not dangerous.

You can buy the watch but one warning though.... the Malaysian government has introduced a stiff penalty for those caught smoking cigarettes without 'banderols' -- a small insignia at the base of the pack, authorised by the customs department. So, stay away from the cheap cigarettes.

Favorite thing: Food! Food! Food! If you are a seafood 'guru', you can definitely expect a refresher course here......... and its dirt cheap!

Fondest memory: i love the 'night markets' at dunlop street. traders bring their produce from nearby islands by the sea. i once picked up a bunch of bananas and it cost a mere RM1 (1USD=RM3.80). I still remember, there were 24 fresh bananas!

Tawau is a medium-sized town. It has everything-- an airport, seaport and extensive land connections by taxi, bus and minibus. Even the goverment hospital has adequate facilities for most types of surgery. People here are simple, humble and friendly.