Miri
Travelers come to Miri for the Niah Caves, flights into Gunung Mulu National Park and rainforest days from a city base on the coast.
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Miri is a coastal city in Sarawak, the Malaysian state on the northwest of Borneo, close to the Brunei border. Oil drilling started here in 1910, and the city still reflects that history in its industry and services. Most visitors use it as a base, because its flights and roads reach the parks and caves nearby.
The main draws are outside town. Niah Caves, a limestone cave system in Niah National Park to the south, is known for its large chambers and for evidence of long human use. Gunung Mulu National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site reached by a short flight, has caves, limestone pinnacles and rainforest trails. Lambir Hills National Park is closer to the city and has trails for a half day or a full day. Miri suits travelers who want caves and rainforest with a city base close at hand. Plan three to four days, and visit the parks in the drier months, March to August, though rain can come at any time.
Miri in five
- Book Mulu flights and park tours earlyMost visitors fly from Miri to Gunung Mulu National Park, because the river route is much slower. Seats on the small planes and the cave tours are limited, so book both before you fix the rest of the trip.
- Set up Touch 'n Go eWallet or DuitNow QRQR payments are common in Malaysia, but some hawker stalls and markets still want cash in small ringgit notes. Carry a few small notes as a backup.Money and costs
- Install Grab before you landGrab is the usual way to book a car in Miri. Add your card and sign in before you land, so you are not searching for a signal at the arrivals hall.Getting around
- Take off your shoes at mosques and templesMosques ask visitors to remove shoes and cover shoulders and knees. Some temples in town also ask for shoes off indoors, so follow the sign or what locals do.
- Buy a SIM or eSIM and save offline mapsMobile signal is patchy inside the national parks and caves. Download offline maps and your flight times before you leave the city.Phones and eSIM
Need to know
- Currency
- Ringgit (MYR)
- Entry
- Visa-free for many passports; MDAC arrival card for most visitors Read more
- Emergency
- 999 police, fire and ambulance
- Tipping
- Not expected
- Time
- UTC+8, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRain27 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°Monsoon rainJanuaryRain
Poor
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 356 mm
- Rainy days
- 27
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Monsoon rain
- FebruaryRain23 rainy daysHigh29°Low24°Still wetFebruaryRain
Mixed
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 214 mm
- Rainy days
- 23
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Still wet
- MarchRain25 rainy daysHigh29°Low24°Drier, hotMarchRain
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 231 mm
- Rainy days
- 25
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Drier, hot
- AprilRain25 rainy daysHigh30°Low25°Drier, hotAprilRain
Best
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 236 mm
- Rainy days
- 25
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Drier, hot
- MayRain25 rainy daysHigh31°Low25°Hot, showersMayRain
Mixed
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 282 mm
- Rainy days
- 25
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, showers
- JuneRain22 rainy daysHigh30°Low25°Drier, sunnyJuneRain
Best
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 257 mm
- Rainy days
- 22
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Drier, sunny
- JulyRain20 rainy daysHigh30°Low25°Drier, sunnyJulyRain
Best
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 224 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Drier, sunny
- AugustRain23 rainy daysHigh30°Low25°Hot, drierAugustRain
Best
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 253 mm
- Rainy days
- 23
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, drier
- SeptemberRain24 rainy daysHigh30°Low25°Showers returnSeptemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 291 mm
- Rainy days
- 24
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Showers return
- OctoberRain28 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°Wet, risingOctoberRain
Mixed
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 349 mm
- Rainy days
- 28
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, rising
- NovemberRain28 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°Wet seasonNovemberRain
Poor
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 361 mm
- Rainy days
- 28
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet season
- DecemberRain28 rainy daysHigh29°Low24°Heavy rainDecemberRain
Poor
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 425 mm
- Rainy days
- 28
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Heavy rain
Average daily high and low in Miri, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Miri
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
25
- Feels like
- 28°
- Humidity
- 91%
- Wind
- 14 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 98%
Miri
04:40 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today31°24°98%Tuesday: Rain. High 31°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 98%.
- Wed30°24°96%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 96%.
- Thu30°24°90%Thursday: Rain. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 90%.
- Fri30°23°92%Friday: Rain. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 92%.
- Sat29°23°82%Saturday: Rain. High 29°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 82%.
- Sun30°23°80%Sunday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 80%.
- Mon29°23°98%Monday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 98%.
Updated 12:16 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 4.057 MYR
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Gunung Mulu National Parkunder 1 hour by airA UNESCO park of large caves, cave passages and limestone pinnacles, reached by air.
- Niah National Parkabout 2 hours by roadLimestone caves and a long history of cave use, with boardwalks through the forest.
- Lambir Hills National Parkabout 40 min by roadRainforest trails and waterfalls close to the city, a good half day for walking.
Before you go to Miri
Rules for Miri, checked
- Submit the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) before you arrive. Check the current steps on the official immigration portal.Source
- Remove shoes and cover shoulders and knees before entering a mosque. At temples, follow the signs and what locals do.
- Malaysia applies strict drug laws with severe penalties. Check the current travel advice from your country's foreign ministry before you go.
- Declare cash or other currency above the legal limit at customs on arrival or departure. Check the limit with the Royal Malaysian Customs Department.
Plan around Miri
Regions, entry rules and getting around the country
Read the guideSarawakSarawak's regions and where Miri fits in the state
Read the guideGetting aroundFlights from Miri, buses and car hire
Read the guideMoney and costsRinggit, eWallets and typical prices for a day
Read the guideVisas and entryEntry rules and the arrival card before you fly
Read the guideWhere to stayHotels and lodges in Miri and near the parks
Read the guideMiri FAQ
Is Miri worth visiting?
Yes, if you want Mulu's caves or a base for Sarawak's national parks. Miri is a working oil town, so most visitors use it as a stop on the way to the parks rather than as a sightseeing city.
How do you get from Miri airport to the city?
A taxi or a Grab car is the simplest choice, and it is a short ride into the centre. Book the Grab ride from the app once you have landed.
How do you get to Mulu from Miri?
Most visitors fly, as the river route from Marudi is much slower. Book the flight and the cave tours early, since seats are limited on the small planes.
How many days do you need in Miri?
One day covers the centre, the waterfront and the oil heritage on Canada Hill. Add two or three days for Mulu's caves, and a separate day for Niah or Lambir Hills.
When is the best time to visit Miri?
March to August has the drier weather. November to January brings the heaviest rain and wet trails.