United Arab Emirates: Overview
United Arab Emirates (UAE) is the name of a Middle East state, located to the southeast of the Persian Gulf, in the Arabian Peninsula; sharing borders with Oman and Saudi Arabia. Two of the seven emirates (Ajman, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras Al-Khaimah, Sharjah and Umm al-Qaiwain), are ranked among the main deluxe tourism destinations.
When to go
The best months for a visit to the Emirates are the ones between November and April, since the weather is cooler. During the rest of the year walking around and seeing the cities becomes a suffocating experience under the inclement sun. On the other hand, you should consider that, although during the Ramadan is illegal, not to mention disrespectful, to eat, smoke or drink in public during sunlight, in this same month hotel rates drop 50%.
Important info
There are different types of visas to enter to the UAE: entry service permit, visit visa, tourist visa, multiple-entry visa and 96-hour visa for transit passengers. The most recommended thing to do is to ask in a UAE embassy or consulate which is your case. Each visa has its own validity time and some can be extended; it is important to keep in mind that you will have to pay a 100 dirhams fine for each day of overstay. The nationals from the following countries don't need a visa to enter to the UAE: Andorra, Austria, Australia, Belgium, Brunei, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, Germany, Holland, Hong Kong, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechestein, Luxemburg, Malaysia, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Spain, San Marine, Switzerland, South Korea, Sweden, Singapore, the USA, the United Kingdom and the Vatican.
The official currency is the dirham (AED) to which you can change any foreign currencie at banks and large hotels; however, the best changing rates are the ones used by private money changers, who mostly operate in souks (markets) and popular shopping centres. You can also pay by the main credit cards or traveller’s cheques (preferably in American dollars or pounds sterling). ATMs are abundant in the UAE territory. Customs regarding tipping are similar to the ones in most countries. When the charge for service is not included, a 10% tip is enough. Many hotels and restaurants include the service in the bill, so it is better to check it in order to decide weather to add a tip or not.
As for health, there is no vaccination requirement to enter to the UAE; however, a health certificate will be asked to those people coming from cholera or yellow fever infected areas. In the main cities tap water is safe, but in the rest of the country you should only drink and brush your teeth with bottled water. Also in the main cities, medical care is as excellent as expensive, while in less populated areas it is not so easy to find. Do not travel without a medical insurance!
Although crime is not a threat to visitors, the chance of terrorist attacks is quite high. You should always be alert, search the news and avoid public demonstrations and political gatherings, since Al-Qaeda is still menacing the Gulf area. These attacks generally aim to residential complex and places related to recreation or to the military, petrol, transport and aviation industries.
The UAE are Muslim and, even the country is tolerant with Western visitors, there are some customs and behaviour rules that you must know. Alcohol is not served, except in hotels and to drink or to be drunk in public is considered a serious offence which is severely punished. Behaviour and gear must be discreet, especially during the Ramadan month, when is forbidden to smoke, drink or eat in public between dawn and sunset. Women’s clothes must cover the top of the arms and the legs. Concubine, adultery and homosexuality are illegal in the UAE and it is offensive to swear, make offensive gestures or make public displays of affection.
Where to go
There are two of the seven emirates which stand out as main tourist destinations, Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
The capital city of The Emirates, Abu Dhabi, is one of the wealthiest and modern cities in the world and it has a wide range of activities to satisfy all its visitors. You can enjoy shopping or haggling in the souks; you can ride air-conditioned limousines around the city or a camel in the desert; you may have dinner in luxurious restaurants or embrace Bedouin hospitality under the stars. Of course, you can also have it both ways in this wonderful city. Among the most interesting places you can visit here are White Fort, home of the former regent family and the oldest building in Abu Dhabi; Heritage Village, an exhibition of the lifestyle and customs of the Bedouins and other cultures; the Cultural Foundation which has a different art exhibition each week along with reading rooms, a library, a theatre and an auditorium; and The Corniche, a coastal boulevard border by modern buildings.
Dubai is not only the most populated town of the seven emirates, but it has also become one of the world’s main deluxe tourism destinations over the last years. The old part of the city contrast with the modern and competitive-high sky-scrapers, amazing aquatic parks and extremely deluxe hotels. The main places you can see in this city are the souks, Dubai Creek, the old Bastakiya district, the Great Mosque where only Muslims are allowed to enter, Hatta, an enclave located in the Hajar Mountains and Wild Wadi, the spectacular aquatic park.
