The United Arab Emirates is a country in the Persian Gulf, formed by the federation of seven emirates in 1971. The UAE is surrounded by luxury and modernity, but also maintains its attachment to tradition. If you are thinking of traveling to Dubai, you can enjoy both.
In the Emirates, you can take a city break to the cities of Dubai and Abu Dhabi or consider a trip that includes nature, touring the oases and the desert of Rub’ al Khali.
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Basic facts about the Emirates
- Population. 13 million. The majority of the population in the big cities is not native to the country. Emiratis make up only 10% in Dubai. It is common to see Pakistanis, Indians, Filipinos, Arabs and also Europeans and Americans in many places. The majority of the population lives in urban areas.
- Capital. Abu Dhabi is the capital of the country and has 1.5 million inhabitants. Dubai is the most cosmopolitan city and has more than 3 million. The other emirate capitals are rather more modest.
- Government. The UAE is a federation of 7 emirates created in 1971 after independence from the United Kingdom. It is an elective monarchy, where the sheikhs of each emirate have a different role in the executive power.
Languages
Emiratis speak Mashreq Arabic. Due to the large and diverse foreign population, English is the lingua franca of communication in the main cities.
There are more and more migrants from all over the world, so it is common to find speakers of many languages from French to Tagalog.
Visa for Emirates and documents for traveling
If you plan to travel to Dubai you need to be in possession of a valid passport with at least 6 months of validity at the time of entering the country.
Citizens of the European Union and many American countries do not require a visa to enter Dubai. Upon arrival 90 days stay is granted for these nationals. If you belong to a different country, you need to check with Emirati authorities.
Problems with your visa application?
If you have difficulties processing your visa for Dubai or any other travel documents, I recommend you the service of a professional from iVisaTravel. This is a website specialized in dealing with all the perks of visa applications for all the countries in the world. I use them for Indian visa application, which is one of the biggest headaches in terms of paperwork. A hassle free tool for travelers
Cash and card payments
The currency of the Emirates is the Emirati dirham (AED). It is divided into 1 dirham and 50 and 25 fils coins. All coins have the image of an Arabic coffee pot. There are 5, 10, 20, 50, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1000 dirham bills (the latter I don’t think you will see).
In the Emirates, almost everything can be paid for by card, so you can go for days without having to touch cash. You’ll want to get a commission-free card from digital banks that offer the best conditions for travel such as Revolut or N26.
According to Expatistan.com, the cost of living in Dubai is 27% more expensive than in Spain. Some aspects of life such as food or accommodation are more expensive, but gasoline is much cheaper and also housing.
Tipping in Dubai is not mandatory. Many restaurants include service charges, but diners usually leave a 10% tip when the service has been good.
Telephone and Internet
It is relatively easy to get a SIM card with data in the United Arab Emirates. You can buy them in many stores in Dubai. It is best to have a card with a basic data package, as there are many entertainment venues, restaurants and shopping malls that offer free Wi-Fi. Here are two links in case you prefer to buy one before your trip.
The Internet has certain access limitations, although in Dubai it is much more liberal than in neighboring emirates. In any case, it can be useful to take a VPN with you to consult content as if you were surfing from outside the country and avoid possible censorship.
Do I need an adapter for Dubai?
The Emirates power socket is type G, the same as in the Great Britain. You will need an adapter to travel to Dubai and the Emirates. The voltage in Dubai is 220-240 V.
How to get to the Emirates
The three most important airports in the country are Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.
- Dubai Airport (DXB) is the main point of entry and connection thanks to Emirates airline, one of the best in the world. The airport has a metro connection to the city center.
- Etihad is the flag carrier of the United Arab Emirates and operates from Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH).
- Sharjah Airport (SHJ) is served mainly by the low-cost carrier Air Arabia. It mainly connects to other countries in the Muslim world.
Travel to Dubai by road
The UAE has land borders with Oman and Saudi Arabia.
- The border with Oman is open at Al Ain. If you go by car, you must have the necessary documents to enter the Emirates. Rental cars cannot cross the border unless they have explicit permission from the rental company.
Getting around the Emirates
There are two ways to plan your trip to Dubai and the Emirates: by bus or by private car. The price of car rentals and gasoline make the second option preferable.
Public transportation
The network of urban and interurban buses covers the whole country, but frequencies are not very high. It is impractical to use them for a trip, as the distances in the cities are very long, and the climate does not encourage walking.
The Dubai Metro is an excellent means of transport and connects the main points of interest, the airport and Expo 2020.
The Emirates by car
To get around the country optimally, you should rent a car when you arrive in Dubai or Abu Dhabi. Driving in the Emirates is quite safe. The roads are wide and in excellent condition. The price of gasoline is very cheap.
- Where to rent a car in Dubai
If you need to cross the border into Oman, remember that your car must have a No Ojection Certificate (NOC) from the rental company. It has an extra cost of approx. 300 – 400 dirhams.
If you prefer to set up your trip on your own with excursions from Dubai, here is a selection of excursions in the Emirates.
Book a flight, bus or train ticket
Best time to travel to Emirates and Dubai
The desert climate is very extreme in the hot months. The months between April and October are considered low season. Daytime temperatures are very high and make outdoor activities difficult. However, hotel and tour prices are much cheaper. At this time, some luxury hotels offer rooms for €30 – €50. Some people tolerate the dry heat very well.
Between the end of October and the end of March, the high season of tourism begins. The weather cools down to moderate temperatures, although it is rarely cold and you will rarely need a jacket. It can rain during these months. In January 2022, it rained after two years without a drop.
Hotel prices during the high season months are normal for this type of service. They are around €150 – €200 per night in a double room.
A particularity of the cheapest accommodations is that they are not always designed for tourism, but for migrants from South Asia. The spaces are tiny and the services a bit precarious.
Is it safe to travel to Dubai and Emirates?
The United Arab Emirates is a very safe country for men and women. Despite being a big city, Dubai is not dangerous at all and you can move around even at night with complete peace of mind. Crime rates are very low and it is totally safe to travel alone.
Alcohol is legal in Dubai, but not all emirates have the same policy. In Dubai the sale and consumption is restricted to licensed premises. It is absolutely forbidden to drive under the influence of alcohol throughout the UAE. The BAC is zero. The minimum drinking age is 21 years.
It is absolutely forbidden to consume or possess drugs in the United Arab Emirates. The laws are very strict in this respect.
Women travelers in Dubai and the Emirates
Dubai is a perfect destination for solo female travelers. The city is very liberal and there are no limitations on behavior or dress. Head coverings are only required when entering the few mosques open to the public. There are many women in the capital who work and live independently.
Outside Dubai and Abu Dhabi, dress in accordance with the country’s culture is always recommended. The other emirates have more conservative laws and you will see far fewer women in public spaces.
Queer travelers in the Emirates
The LGTBIQ+ community must take precautions in the United Arab Emirates. Dubai is a fairly liberal city, but the country as a whole is very conservative.
Although in Dubai, there are certain bars that attract the city’s gay community, homosexuality is not socially accepted. According to the law, the death penalty can be applied.
Health and travel insurance to Dubai
No vaccinations are required for travel to the Emirates, except for entry regulations relating to Covid19. If you are traveling from a country where yellow fever is endemic, you must carry the appropriate vaccination. This is a mandatory requirement for travel to Dubai.
The Emirati healthcare system is very good, but only covers residents. There is a good network of private hospitals, although they have a high cost. It is advisable to take travel insurance for any eventuality.
There are different types of insurance, from a basic package for short trips, standard (my recomendation), backpacker and even a year round insurance for those travelers who go several times abroad and want to save. Remember to assess if you will participate in risky activities or adventure sports that require an extra insurance coverage.
You can check the conditions and get a 5% discount by using the link on this page.
Things to do in the Emirates: 6 must-see destinations
A journey through the Emirates usually starts in Dubai or Abu Dhabi. Both cities are a good starting point for a route through the Emirates. These are the must-see destinations of a trip to the United Arab Emirates.
1. Dubai, a must-see destination
Dubai is a global destination. You can spend as many days as you want because the city is designed to never get bored. However, these are the must-see places to visit in Dubai.
- The Burj Khalifa is the tallest building in the world. You can climb up to the 148th floor or enjoy the water and music show at Dubai Mall.
- Dubai Marina is one of the liveliest neighborhoods in Dubai. Hop on the Ain Dubai for the best views. The restaurants and bars are lively all day long. You can also book a boat ride in Dubai Marina with dinner on board.
- Jumeirah is the last must-see area in Dubai. The promenade has the best sunset views in Dubai.
- Al Fahidi historic district is a small area on the banks of the Khor Dubai. Discover the wind towers and souks of Dubai.
Another attraction of the economic capital of the Emirates are the beaches of Dubai and the activities around Dubai Marina.
2. Abu Dhabi, a cultural haven
The capital of the United Arab Emirates has three essential visits to get to know the history and art of the country.
- Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. A modern building that incorporates the latest technology and the best materials for worship. During the visit you will walk through all the spaces of the mosque and you can observe the beautiful finishes of a unique building in its category.
- Al Watan Palace. The official residence of the Emir of Abu Dhabi is next to his actual residence. It is a modern palace where you can see the kind of luxuries that Arab sheikhs love. The visit to the palace complex is especially interesting at night. From 6 o’clock you can buy a ticket for the light show and 3D projection on the main facade.
- Louvre Museum. The first branch of the Parisian museum exhibits under a spectacular architecture an interesting collection of art of Antiquity to understand the most ancient civilizations of the Arabian Peninsula.
In addition, you can visit Ferrari Land and drive a Ferrari at Yas Island, a unique experience in the Mecca of luxury.
3. Mleiha and Fossil Rock
Mleiha is one of the oldest settlements in the Arab Emirates. The museum explains the origins of the population in this corner of the world.
It is also very close to Fossil Rock, a desert area where you can do activities to get to know the dunes of Dubai and Sharjah.
4. The oasis of Al Ain
On the border with Oman is a small city around the main oasis of the United Arab Emirates. Al Ain preserves several fortresses and the most important palm grove in the country.
Leaving the city, you can climb the second-highest mountain in the country. The summit of Jebel Hafeet is a place to enjoy the sunset over the Arabian desert. On one side, the dunes of Oman and on the other, the oasis and the Al Hajjar Mountains.
5. The haunted village of Al Hamra
A very accessible destination, but very little visited. In this abandoned fishing village, you can admire the abandoned houses built with coral and adobe.
Further north, a trip can be made to visit the pearl farms of the Persian Gulf.
6. Ras al Kaimah and the peak of Jebel Jais
The emirate of Ras al Kaimah includes the highest mountain in the Emirates. The ascent can be done by car. At the top there are viewpoints, the highest zip line in the world and a roller coaster. Don’t miss it if you are traveling to Dubai.
In the Emirates there is a long tradition of picnicking in the wadis, so during the cooler months of the year there are many families who stop by the road to enjoy nature.
All my posts about the United Arab Emirates
- The best beaches in Dubai and the Emirates’ East Coast
- Visit Ras al Khaimah by car from Dubai: what to do in one day
- Excursion to Sharjah from Dubai by car: what to do in one day
- Dubai and the Emirates by car: a 9-day itinerary on your own
- Q&A about Dubai currency
- Getaway to Al Ain, the largest oasis in the Emirates
Do you want to plan a trip to Dubai on your own?
These are some tools to help you prepare for your travel to the Emirates from home.
This post may contain some affiliate links. These links allow you to follow my recommendations and book them. Thus, you help keep this travel blog ad-free at no extra cost to you. Thanks!
Travel safe!
If you have questions about a destination in the UAE, leave me a comment in the next section. Have a blast in Dubai and the UAE! It will be an extraordinary experience.