Quick weekend getaways mean crossing the Causeway to JB. And that usually means hitting up the malls like Sunway Big Box, and maybe chowing down some Nasi Lemak. But if you just drive past the city buzz, a few relaxing resorts are awaiting your escape. And the best part is, they’re just a quick 1.5-hour jaunt away.
We’ve gathered several resorts in Johor for those wanting to kick back and recharge in nature and a kampung-ish atmosphere.
The current exchange rate is RM1 = ~S$0.30 as of 23rd April 2025.
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If you’re driving to JB, you’ll need the Vehicle Entry Permit, as without it you can’t enter the country, even if you say pretty please. Remember to bring a Touch ‘n Go card so you can pay the RM20 (~S$5.72) toll fee upon entering. If you don’t have one, you can buy it at selected SPC, Shell, Sinopec, and Caltex stations. You can also buy a Touch ‘n Go card on Shopee.
No car, no problem. You can rent a car in JB to take care of your commuting needs during your trip. Alternatively, you can book private hire vehicles and drivers once you’ve crossed the border.
These resorts have many fun-filled activities to enjoy, so we recommend that you stay at least 3 days to get the most out of it. Since these resorts are 1.5 hours away, you can use travel eSIMs to switch between network providers in a jiffy.
| Resort | Known for | Price (for 2 pax) | Nearest checkpoint | Travel time from checkpoint (non-peak hours) |
| Sea Horizon Resort | Glamping on a cliffside | From RM200/night | Woodlands checkpoint | 1 hour |
| Y&L Hobby Farm | Mini-zoo near a recreational forest | From RM500/night | 1 hour 21 minutes | |
| Sinar Eco Resort | Farmstay experience | From RM250/night | 1 hour 17 minutes | |
| Rina Balinese Resort | Adventurous experience amidst a Bali-esque environment | From RM340/night | 1 hour 8 minutes | |
| Pulai Springs Resort | Near beautiful hiking trails | From RM240.08/night | 55 minutes | |
| Rainforest Tree House | Pretty spots to catch the sunset & sunrise | From 128/pax for a 3D2N stay | Tuas checkpoint | 54 minutes |
| Talula Hills Farm Resort | Luxurious farmstay experience | From RM384/night | 1 hour 30 minutes | |
| Star Fish Leisure Farm | Outdoor water activities | From RM258/adult for a 2D1N stay | 1 hour | |
| Koref Desaru Leisure Farm | Live like a farmer experience | From RM240/pax for a 2D1N stay | 1 hour 30 minutes | |
| Green Valley Eco Resort | Tube-shaped rooms & submarine-turned-karaoke room | From RM240/night | 1 hour 20 minutes |
Wake up to waves crashing below you with a stay at Sea Horizon Resort. They’ve got glamping tents on the edge of a cliff that face out to the open sea. But that’s not the only million-dollar view you’ll get. Wait till nightfall and you’ll be able to stargaze from the comfort of your bed.
Image credit: Sea Horizon Resort via Facebook
At RM830/night, their Coastal Glamping Suite is a glamping dome that has modern comfort amenities like air conditioning, shower, and even complimentary breakfast for 2. If travelling with the family, there are also Standard Rooms (from RM200/night) that afford the same panoramic view of the South China Sea.
While it’ll be tempting to stay cooped up in your dome tent, the resort does have activities to engage in too. There are bicycles and kayaks for rent, and 2 swimming pools you can lounge at during the day.
Distance from Woodlands Checkpoint: 1 hour, 84.6km
If you want to be closer to the pool, get the Panti Hillview Suite.
Image credit: Efa Chu via Facebook
Whether you’re flying solo for some soul-searching or dragging your whole squad along for a nature fix, Y&L Hobby Farm is a farmstay located near Gunung Panti Recreational Forest. With its location 11 minutes away from Kota Tinggi town, you’re sure to be away from the hustle and bustle of city life.
Image credit: Y&L Hobby Farm via Facebook
The farm stay offers 2 different lodging options that suit your needs; Mini Bali’s your jam if it’s just you and your boo or a mini crew. It’s a charming double-storey kampung house with a verandah that overlooks the lush greenery and it starts from RM500/night.
If you’re rolling with a party of 6, you might want to consider getting their spacious loft, Panti Hillview Suite. Score yourself a beautiful view of the surrounding hilltops and splash around in the pool, all from RM1,200/night. These room rates come with free breakfast and hot pot dinner, so you don’t have to worry about travelling out when you’re hungry.
Good news to animal lovers, there’s a mini zoo on site where you can feed and pet adorable furry friends like rabbits, meerkats, and chinchillas, for free. Beyond animal encounters, Y&L Hobby Farm caters to the diverse interests of all ages. Belt out your favourite tunes in the karaoke room, challenge your buddies to a game of Mahjong, or zen out in a chill yoga session.
Distance from Woodlands Checkpoint: 1 hour 21 minutes, 50km
If you just want to book and show up at a farmstay without organising how to get there, Sinar Eco Resort has pick-up service right from your doorstep in Singapore. Just chill in the vehicle and you’ll find yourself transported to an eco-friendly stay located in repurposed shipping containers.
For the ultimate getaway with Sinar Eco Resort, get the 2D1N package starting at RM250/adult and RM220/child. The price covers all your meals with a BBQ dinner and breakfast, tractor tour around the farm, and animal feeding.
Image credit: @alyaazulkaffli via Instagram
If you can’t commit to a whole weekend staycation, Sinar Eco Resort also has day trips starting at RM45/adult and RM35/child. That includes getting a tractor ride through the greenery, animal-feeding activity, and a refreshing dip in the pool.
Image adapted from: @phangleilei & @sinarecoresort via Instagram
You’ll be spoiled with many outdoor activities – just pick your poison. Set sail on a laid-back river cruise for RM15, kayak down a river at RM30/30 minutes, go horse riding for RM30/2 paddock rounds, or indulge in some karaoke for RM30/hour.
Distance from Tuas Checkpoint: 1 hour 17 minutes, 45km
If you find yourself missing Indonesia, drive 50 minutes from Tuas Checkpoint to get to “Ubud” in JB. That’s where you’ll find Rina Balinese Resort.
Image credit Kityen Lee via Google Maps
Take your pick from 4 different rooms: there’s the cosy Deluxe Room for lovebirds, a Family Deluxe Room if you’re rolling with the kiddos, the chill Garden Suite, and the roomy Villa Suite, perfect for bigger crews of 6.
Now, if you’re there for the weekend, you can take up their Explore RBR package from RM340/night. It hooks you up with ATV rides, archery sessions, a steam bath, 4 meals a day, and a sweet 1-night crash pad in a Deluxe Room with a canopy bed.
The inside scoop on a must-do at the resort is the ATV ride. Even if you didn’t snag the Explore RBR package, you could still go for an ATV ride around the palm grove at just RM70 for 20 minutes.
Distance from Woodlands Checkpoint: 1 hour 8 minutes, 28km
Image credit: go Johor
Hiking enthusiasts looking for a base camp, consider booking a stay at Pulai Springs Resort. It’s located near Gunung Pulai, a recreational forest that stands 654m above sea level; for comparison, our humble Bukit Timah hill’s only 164m tall. But before you venture into the lush forest, take a moment to dip your toes into Pulai Springs Resort’s offerings.
Image credit: Pulai Springs Resorts
For starters, stays here start from RM240.08/night for a Studio Suite which sleeps up to 2 pax, but you wouldn’t want to stay cooped up in your room for long. Instead, pay a visit to the Pulai Spa, which prides itself on using traditional Balinese healing philosophies to soothe your aching muscles and knotted back.
When the sun’s out, go for a dip at any 1 of the resort’s 5 pools; they’ve even got a shallower pool that allows even the tiniest of tots to wade about. But if you can’t resist the beautiful hiking trails, Gunung Pulai is about a 50-minute drive away.
Image credit: @ambok.uddin via Instagram
There are 2 trails to conquer at Gunung Pulai. The easier main road trail is about 5km long, while the 3.14km long jungle trail is the one experienced hikers will want to challenge, as it contains a section where you’ll have to hoist yourself up with a rope to traverse.
Image credit: @nparksbuzz via Instagram
For your efforts, you’ll be rewarded with close-up views of the native flora and fauna, such as ferns and pitcher plants, as well as civet cats, tapirs. If you’re especially lucky, you might catch a glimpse of the rare Raffles Banded Langur.
Distance from Woodlands Checkpoint: 55 minutes, 29.2km
Shake up your typical Johor getaway with something more adventurous, and we’re talking about crashing at the Rainforest Tree House, a 45-minute drive from Johor Bahru City centre. They’ve got hassle-free packages from as low as RM128/pax for a 3D2N stay which includes 2 dinners, 2 breakfasts, and a trek through the jungle with an experienced guide.
Make sure you bring your jogging shoes because you definitely don’t want to pass up the 20-minute jungle trek to Pulai Waterfall if you want to cool off with a refreshing dip in the cold water.
Image credit: Rainforest Tree House via Facebook
Chill out in the Bali-esque net before the sun dips for the ultimate spot to catch the sunset; it’s the chillest and most relaxing way to soak in the view. Just make sure to pack your own toilet paper unless you’re up for the leaf alternative and leave the snacks at home if you don’t want to have a “war” with the monkeys over a pack of chips.
Distance from Tuas Checkpoint: 54 minutes, 63.9km
No need to rough it out in tents and sleeping bags to experience the farm life. Talula Hill Farm Resort in Kluang is your gateway to experience it without sacrificing your boujee hotel-room comforts.
Think charming cabins nestled amidst rolling hills, where you can get your hands dirty in their vegeveggie and fruit garden one minute and sip gourmet coffee on your balcony the next. It’s the perfect escape for those who want the best of both worlds.
If you’re all about that loft life, check out the Loft Cabin (RM784). It’s got 2 single beds and a king bed, perfect for a family of 5. For squad outings, go for the Bunk Cabin. It’s got 2 bunk beds that can fit up to 4 guests, all for RM384.
Image credit: @makebadart.py via Instagram
Don’t forget to bring the kiddos because the resort offers a load of farm activities that many kids would love. They’ll be the mini farmers in the barnyard feeding animals, harvesting veggies and fruits, and even unleashing their creativity by pot painting before using it to plant aloe vera.
Distance from Tuas Checkpoint: 1.5 hours, 111km
Take a break from the city and spend the weekend kampung-style at the Star Fish Leisure Farm located in Kulai. It’s a place for those who are looking for outdoor activities and to relax somewhere far from the city. If that sounds like the perfect getaway into a chill and simpler life, give this place a shot.
This farm stay has a unique concept where they have floating chalets with verandahs that look out to a river. But here’s the catch: you’ll need a minimum of 10 people to book their Kampung Chalet, but we think it will be perfect for group getaways.
If you’re down for it, they have a 2D1N package that costs from RM258/adult and RM238/child per night. The rate is an all-inclusive package that includes water activities, feeding some animals, breakfast, supper BBQ, and steamboat dinner.
Image credit: @wu_kwon via Instagram
Get ready for a bunch of exciting water escapades – including pulling the rope to navigate their floating boats, conquering the thrilling “mini wipeout” called Water Obstacles, or just chill in a kayak. Split your squad into teams and turn it into a friendly competition for the fun of it.
Besides splashing around in the water, you can look forward to activities like ATV riding, fish fishing, fish feeding, and petting rabbits in the Rabbit Garden. Or you can put your green thumb to work and plant vegetables at the Aquaculture Vegetable Garden.
Distance from Tuas checkpoint: 1 hour, 50.8km
Save the theme parks in Malaysia for another day and opt for an “off-the-radar” staycation surrounded by nature at Koref Desaru Leisure Farm. Think collecting fresh eggs straight from the clucking crew, sliding down a slippery tube slide like a jungle explorer, and chilling out in a treehouse.
If you’re looking for a 2D1N escape in the Tree House Chalet, the price starts at RM240/pax for a room accommodating up to 2 people. The Stone Chalet (RM300/pax) is also another interesting type of accommodation; you’ll be hunkering down in a house that’s seemingly built into a hill, reminiscent of the ones the hobbits’ houses in LOTR.
Just a heads up, though – pack your personal care items, including towels and soap, as they are not provided.
Even though it’s in an ulu location, you won’t run out of things to do. They’ve got an adventure-packed itinerary lined up for you with loads of fun activities. Prepare to get your hands dirty like a real-life farmer as you learn to harvest rice and various veggies or fruits the old-school way.
To top it off, have a blast feeding farm animals like goats and sheep, take a ride down a human-made tube slide, and dive into water activities like bamboo rafting. All activities are included in the room packages.
Distance from Tuas Checkpoint: 1.5 hours, 127km
Image credit: @liting6 via Instagram
Bring your kids to “touch some grass” at the Green Valley Eco Resort for a nature-focused vacation in Johor. If you’re up for a quirky experience in the tube-shaped Standard Room (Round Tube) for 2, it starts from RM310/night.
Image credit: Green Valley Eco Resort
But if a funky room structure isn’t your main thing and you’re more into having a scenic view from the room, go ahead and book their Standard Room (Ground floor) with balcony for RM240/night. It comes with a balcony that offers views of the lagoon and rainforest.
Sure, karaoke is a usual gig, but at Green Valley Eco Resort, you’ll sing your heart out in a submarine-turned-karaoke room. And that’s not all – there’s a bunch of other stuff to do, too, like cruising around on bikes, going on an ATV ride, or making pit stops at every giant animal figure for some Insta-worthy pics. For the rates of each activity, feel free to contact the resort.
Distance from Tuas Checkpoint: 1.5 hours, 63.9km
With these farm stays and relaxing resorts in Johor, your weekend break surrounded by nature is just a stone’s throw away. From singing karaoke in the submarine to petting meerkats at the mini zoo and thrilling rides on an ATV, there’s a diverse range of experiences to choose from.
For more things to do in Johor:
Cover image adapted from: Koref Desaru Leisure Farm via Facebook & @wu_kwon, @sgwalking, @makebadart.py via Instagram
Originally published on 3rd January 2024. Updated by Khoo Yong Hao on 24th April 2025.
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