Currency
The Brunei dollar (BND) is the local currency, pegged 1:1 to the Singapore dollar — both are accepted interchangeably in Brunei, which is useful if you are arriving from Singapore. ATMs are widely available in the capital and larger towns. Card payments work in most hotels, supermarkets, and restaurants, but carry cash for markets, small stalls, water taxis, and transport.
Visas
Most nationalities do not need a visa for stays up to 30 or 90 days. US and Canadian citizens: 90 days visa-free. EU, UK, and most Western European citizens: 30 days. All visitors must fill in an online e-Arrival Card before entry, regardless of nationality or entry point (air, land, or sea).
Alcohol
Alcohol is not sold anywhere in the country. Non-Muslim visitors may bring a small personal allowance through customs: two bottles of wine or spirits and twelve cans of beer per person. This is for private consumption only.
Health
No vaccinations are required for entry from most countries, but standard Southeast Asia precautions apply: hepatitis A and typhoid are worth considering, and malaria prophylaxis is sometimes recommended for trips to the Temburong rainforest interior. Dengue fever is present year-round. Use repellent. Tap water in urban areas is generally safe but bottled water is cheap and widely available.
Safety
Brunei is one of the safest countries in the world. Petty crime is rare, violent crime is extremely unusual, and travelers of all kinds report feeling comfortable. The main rules to be aware of are the alcohol ban, the ban on public smoking in almost all spaces (including parks and transport), and modest dress expectations near mosques. Consequences for drug offences are severe — the country operates under strict laws and penalties.
Electricity and Communications
Power outlets are the UK three-pin type, 240V/50Hz. Mobile coverage is excellent in urban areas and most of Brunei proper, though sparse in the Temburong interior. SIM cards are cheap and easy to buy. Internet is fast and reliable in the capital.
Money and Costs
Brunei is relatively affordable for visitors from Western countries. A decent meal at a local hawker stall costs 2–5 BND. A taxi across town is 5–10 BND. Entry to most museums and attractions is free or nearly so. The main cost is likely accommodation, which is more limited than in neighboring Malaysia — budget options start around 25–40 BND per night.