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The Rainforest World Music Festival is one of the world’s great world-music gatherings — three days of global roots music in the jungle of Borneo. Set in the Sarawak Cultural Village beneath Mount Santubong, it blends daytime workshops and cultural displays with main-stage evening concerts from artists across every continent. This guide covers when to go, how to fly in, where to stay, and how to plan it.
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When to go: the music calendar
- Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) — held each late June at the Sarawak Cultural Village, Kuching, in Malaysian Borneo (the 2026 edition is June 26–28). Confirm the next edition on the official RWMF site before booking.
- The programme — daytime music workshops, cultural and craft displays and food, then main-stage evening concerts of world and roots music from artists across the globe.
- The setting — a living-museum village in the rainforest beneath Mount Santubong; humid and tropical, often with rain (it is the rainforest).
Getting there: flights to Kuching (KCH)
Fly into Kuching International (KCH), the Sarawak capital, usually via Kuala Lumpur (KUL) or Singapore. The festival site is about 45 minutes from Kuching city by road, with festival/hotel shuttles. Set a price watch and book early — beds near the site are limited.
→ Search flights to Kuching (KCH)
Where to stay (matched to your trip)
- Damai / Santubong (near the site) — beach resorts right by the Cultural Village; the most convenient (and quickest to sell out) for the festival.
- Kuching city — far more hotels, food and the charming waterfront; use shuttles to the site (~45 min).
- Resorts on the Santubong peninsula — nature-and-beach stays close to the venue.
Getting around
Use festival/hotel shuttles between Kuching and Damai, or ride-hailing (Grab) and taxis. Malaysia uses the ringgit (MYR); carry cash for stalls, though cards work at hotels. The site itself is walkable.
Plan for the rainforest: heat, humidity and rain — bring light clothing, a poncho, insect repellent, sun protection and a refillable bottle.
Airport transfer
Pre-book a private transfer from Kuching airport to your Damai/Santubong resort or city hotel.
→ Pre-book a private airport transfer with Kiwitaxi
Stay connected: get an eSIM
A local data eSIM keeps Grab, maps and festival info working the moment you land.
→ Get an Airalo eSIM for Malaysia
Explore by car
A rental helps for exploring Kuching, Bako National Park and the Santubong area around the festival.
→ Compare and book a rental car
Sample budget — 4 nights (per person)
| Item | Budget | Mid-range |
|---|---|---|
| Flights (varies by origin) | $200 | $650 |
| Hotel/resort (4 nights) | $150 | $520 |
| Festival ticket (3-day) | $90 | $160 |
| Food + drinks | $80 | $220 |
| Shuttles, transfer, eSIM | $60 | $140 |
| Total | ~$580 | ~$1,690 |
Money-saving tips
- Stay in Kuching city and shuttle to the site for cheaper beds.
- Fly via KL or Singapore on a budget carrier and book on a dip.
- Eat at Kuching’s hawker centres and the waterfront — superb and cheap.
- Buy the 3-day pass if attending all nights — better value than singles.
- Pair the trip with Bako National Park / orangutans to maximise the airfare.
Plan your RWMF trip
Confirm the dates, then watch fares into Kuching and book a Damai resort or city hotel early — beds near the site are limited.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Rainforest World Music Festival?
Each late June at the Sarawak Cultural Village, Kuching, Borneo (the 2026 edition is June 26–28). Confirm the next edition on the official site.
How do I get there?
Fly into Kuching (KCH), usually via Kuala Lumpur or Singapore, then take a shuttle/taxi ~45 minutes to the Damai/Santubong site.
What kind of music is it?
World and roots music from across the globe, plus daytime workshops, cultural displays and crafts in a rainforest village setting.
Where should I stay?
Damai/Santubong resorts to be near the site, or Kuching city for more hotels and food with a shuttle to the venue.