The most beautiful city in the United Arab Emirates, Dubai is home to the world’s tallest skyscraper, Burj Khalifa, and the world’s only 7-star hotel, Burj Al Arab. Not only that, but Dubai still grows to be one of the most elegantly structured cities in the world and is known for its rich cultural diversity and popular festivals. But Dubai is more than just skyscrapers and fancy malls. Are you planning your first trip to this Middle Eastern emirate and feeling nervous? Don’t worry about it! Here are some tips to ensure your visit to the Gulf City is one to cherish forever.
When to visit Dubai?
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Without a doubt, the best time to book a trip to Dubai is during the winter. It occurs when the temperature is just right—not too hot or too cold. It’s the perfect time of year for you to take to the beach for pure relaxation as the cool breeze blows through your hair and washes away your worries. The main event is that it’s Christmas in Dubai! The streets will be decorated for the holidays. Both the people and the weather will be cheery. The best month to visit Dubai is from November to March when the temperature ranges from 30°C to 12°C and the weather is pleasant. Avoid the month of February due to the torrential rain that falls during this time. It would be foolish to travel to Dubai between the months of April and October when it would be nearly impossible to leave the air-conditioned malls and posh spas due to the heat and humidity.
Dressing Respectfully in a Muslim Country: What to Wear in Dubai
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It can be a little difficult to explain what to wear in Dubai, especially if you’re a woman. The Arab world, a part of the world not known for its enthusiasm for those ideals, is where Dubai loves to present itself as a diverse and westernized tourist destination. Although Dubai fits many of those descriptions, at its core, it is still a traditional Islamic country. Many tourists in Dubai are summoned to the closest police station because they keep forgetting to keep this in mind. In comparison to its Middle Eastern neighbors, Dubai is much more lenient when it comes to attire. Women are not always required to wear the abaya, a long robe, or cloak, and they are permitted to expose a little more skin than they would in, say, Saudi Arabia. One good rule of thumb is to cover everything from your shoulders to your knees when you’re out in public. Avert emphasizing your hips or cleavage. If you’re at a beach or swimming pool, you may wear a bikini or a swimsuit. Moreover, most of the time, the temperature is scorching. So, unless you would like your skin burned with the harmful UV rays, you better cover up. If you come face-to-face with someone who thinks your attire is inappropriate (this rarely happens), keep your cool and explain that you’re returning home to change. Keep the situation from getting worse. Just keep in mind that many people may not share your mentality, even if what you’re wearing may not be against the law.
Speaking of booze, restaurants, hotels, and bars will provide you with the most diverse selection of beverages, ranging from inexpensive beer or spirits to opulent champagne. Even though the legal drinking age is 21, some establishments only allow customers over the age of 25. You must purchase an expensive liquor license in order to purchase alcohol in the city. However, you can also purchase alcohol from the duty-free airport shop, though there is a purchase cap that will be examined in the customs office. Almost no restaurant or bar would serve you alcohol during the holy month of Ramadan, even if you are a tourist or a non-Muslim. You must not take your alcohol out in public, regardless of how brave you might feel or how thirsty you might be! This prohibition extends to drinking in a parked car. If you are caught drinking in public, you could face serious consequences. Especially if you are observed throwing up or starting fights. If you are caught drinking in public, you face a six-month jail sentence and a fine of up to 5,000 dirhams ($US 1361).
In Dubai, not even in private residences, there is no free drinking water! People should not drink tap water in Dubai, so you must purchase it. The best workaround is to purchase drinking water from a nearby supermarket and carry it around. You can save money by drinking from your own bottle, which is generally permitted in restaurants. You can also order drinking water (which, incidentally, comes in bottles), but the cost will depend on the restaurant.
In Dubai, it’s best to exercise caution when making public displays of affection. It can be euphoric to make one and only know how much you love them in the most dramatic way possible while in a faraway place. But when visiting Dubai, you might want to hold back your emotions. Regarding public displays of intimacy, the Dubai government has some pretty strict regulations. Pay attention to how you act around your romantic partner. Couples may occasionally embrace in public, but kissing is never permitted. It’s also forbidden to pet or stroke your significant other. While married couples may hold hands, if you hold the hand of your girlfriend in The Dubai Mall, no one is going to chase you. LGBTQ people’s rights are neither recognized nor respected in the UAE. If the government believes a person has engaged in improper behavior, they may be deported or sentenced to ten years in prison.
While many websites and blogs advise hiring a private taxi, keep in mind how much less expensive public transportation would be for your travels. You could spend that money on shopping and food instead. This is why it’s advisable to get an NOL transit card from the nearest gas station. You’ll have access to the extensive bus network and dependable metro system of the city with this rechargeable card. Before you launch into a prolonged rant about how you abhor the idea of using public transportation in any of its forms, keep in mind that Dubai makes sure that its public transportation system is reasonably priced, secure, and comfortable. Most importantly, the metro and buses run on time. In most cities, those attributes are uncommon for a public transportation system. Go for a taxi if you want a comfortable trip and have the money, but make sure to download Google Maps and keep in mind the key landmarks. You can’t expect your driver to be familiar with every inch of this massive wonder of a city. However, why not choose public transportation like subways and buses if you’re on a tight budget or want to minimize your travel expenses? Buses run almost everywhere, or there is a metro station nearby for the majority of the important landmarks. Dubai Metro even has a gold compartment that, despite being pricey, is completely worth it. You would require an international driving license if you wanted to rent a car. Vehicles in Dubai drive on the right side of the road.
Amazing Food in Dubai, with Lots of Vegetarian and Non-Vegetarian Options
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Are you concerned about your food while traveling abroad? There are many options in Dubai for desi food if you don’t like to experiment. There is food for everyone, including veg biryani, dosas, dal, butter chicken, and even thaalis. You’re going to love Dubai if you’re a non-vegetarian! Dubai offers meat of superior quality. The Madhbee and the Madfoon must be sampled, or you must eat kababs at an Afghan restaurant. Another interesting fact about meals in Dubai is that they all come with free soup, vegetable salad, and occasionally even hummus.
Sunscreen is among the most crucial items to bring with you to Dubai. We might describe this as an epidemic of skin diseases. Dark spots and aging can be disastrous if you’re outside in the oppressive heat of Dubai. Dubai weather is unforgiving, and it is recommended to carry sunscreen with the highest SPF formula you can find.