What are the best things to do in Tawau?
Explore local landmarks, neighbourhoods and day trips around Tawau, Malaysia. This guide covers attractions, food and where to stay.
Photo: LDyou2 · CC BY-SA 4.0
Why visit Tawau
Travel guide for Tawau, Malaysia — practical tips, places to visit, and planning help.
Tawau is a stop in Malaysia, not a country-in-a-weekend. Most people stay 2–4 days. Mid-range ground costs are about 35–100 USD per person per day, excluding international flights. Best time: November–March for cooler, drier conditions. Rankings, stay length and cost bands on this page come from Global Itinerary’s trip-planning models.
Best time
November–March for cooler, drier conditions
Weather
Varies from tropical to temperate depending on the season
Budget
Tawau trip cost
Budget
USD 15–35
per person / day
Mid-range
USD 35–100
per person / day
Luxury
USD 115–190+
per person / day
Typical on-the-ground spend in Tawau, Malaysia. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury. Figures exclude international flights.
Trip budget estimator
Typical mid-range for Tawau
Estimated total (USD)
$1,935
≈ $968 per person · $276 per day group total
Ground costs ≈ $70/person/day (lodging + food + transport + activities)
Defaults match Tawau mid-range ground costs (budget 15–35 · mid 35–100 · luxury 115–190+ USD/day). Edit freely — flights vary by origin.
Where to stay
Tourist favourites & top-rated
Hotel Emas Tawau
Prince Hotel
Shervinton Executive Boutique Hotel
Belmont Marco Polo Hotel
Kingston Executive Hotel
Nightlife
- Zenzi Dance Club
In pictures
Tawau gallery
Photos: LDyou2, Unknown authorUnknown author, Lee Lip Pang, CEphoto, Uwe Aranas, Burke, Frank Albert Charles — via Wikimedia Commons
Good to know
Tawau travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Tawau?
November–March for cooler, drier conditions.
How many days do I need in Tawau?
Most travellers spend 2–4 days in Tawau, depending on how many day trips you want in Malaysia.
Where should I stay in Tawau?
Popular stays in Tawau include Hotel Emas Tawau, Prince Hotel, Shervinton Executive Boutique Hotel. Book central areas if you want to walk to major sights.
How much does a trip to Tawau cost?
On the ground in Tawau (excluding international flights), budget travellers often spend about 15–35 per person per day, mid-range about 35–100, and luxury about 115–190+ (USD). Typical on-the-ground spend in Tawau, Malaysia. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury.
Keep exploring
