Dubai Travel Tips For The Tourist
Dubai Travel Tips For The Tourist
Whenever and wherever you go on holiday, it’s important to be aware of certain customs, traditions, and expectations in general, as not to offend anyone or be legally liable for something you didn’t know was wrong. Dubai is a fairly liberal destination, in comparison to most other Arabian cities and nations.
Summer time is to be avoided, unless you prefer indoor activities. The best time to travel to Dubai is between December and May, during Winter and Spring seasons. The mild weather allows outdoor fun throughout the days. This period is peak tourist season in Dubai, so be prepared for higher hotel room rates and activity ticket prices. Just after the summer season, Ramadan begins, usually during September or October, which should be avoided too. During Ramadan, no one (yes, it applies to tourists too) is allowed to eat, drink or even smoke in public view. All restaurants are closed during daylight hours and only open after around 6:00 pm.
Passport holders from first world nations (UK, USA, Australia, Germany etc) don’t require prior approved visas, but tourists from third world countries do. Confirm your visa requirements prior to making arrangements for your Dubai holiday. Remember to reserve a rental car while you are booking various things for your Dubai trip. Taxi fares are too high for daily transportation, so a car rental is a better option, unless you prefer to use public transport. Be forewarned though, Dubai’s public transportation system is not among the world’s best, with delays and bus stops located too far apart etc. If you do get a rental car, just keep in mind that driving in Dubai is on the left-side.
For accommodation, check out the serviced apartments, if you plan to stay in Dubai for a long time. There are plenty of Dubai hotel options for travellers, so don’t settle for the first place that you see on a website or your travel agent tells you to select. If you do some research, you’ll find ample cheaper options.
Visitors cannot buy liquor from stores in Dubai, as it’s a privilege restricted to residents with liquor permits. Alcohol consumption in public is prohibited and liquor for visitors are only available at hotel nightclubs and bars. However, Dubai Duty Free shops at the airport have liquor on sale, which visitors can buy on arrival. English is widely spoken, but speaking in broken sentences will help you more with communicating than speaking grammatically correct English. Finally, have a strict budget when you go shopping in Dubai, because it’s easy to fall into the trap of over-spending when everything is relatively inexpensive.
