The Sultanate of Oman (سلطنة عُمان) is the kingdom that controlled the Strait of Hormuz and maritime traffic through the Indian Ocean. As such, it is much more diverse than its Arab neighbors and has its own idiosyncrasies. Some things that are immediately noticeable when traveling to Oman is that it is a very warlike country, full of fortresses and where military culture is very present in the folklore.
Traveling to Oman is a breath of authenticity in a Gulf country that has developed dramatically in recent decades. You can make a one-week trip to Oman alone or combine it with the United Arab Emirates, as it is a good contrast between the futurism of Dubai or Abu Dhabi and the more traditional life of the Sultanate of Oman.
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Basic facts about Oman
- Population. 5 million. Unlike the neighboring Emiratis, Oman is a very diverse country that for centuries has been an essential stopping place for populations from South Asia, the Arabian Peninsula and the east coast of Africa. There is a lot of mixing in addition to the growing expatriate community, especially in the capital.
- Capital. Muscat is a city of 1.5 million inhabitants scattered among mountains. Each of its neighborhoods looks like a village or a small isolated town. The historic center is around the palace of Al Alam and the port of Muttrah. It concentrates a third of the country’s population.
- Religion. Sunni Islam is the religion of the majority of the population. There is also a small proportion of Hindus and Christians, especially in Muscat.
- Government. Oman is an absolute monarchy. The sultan has supreme power over all areas of public life. However, there is a parliament elected by census suffrage of 83 members, although the sultan can veto their election if he wishes.
Languages
Arabic is the official language of Oman. Most Omanis are also fluent in English, although its use is not as widespread as in the UAE. Fortunately, there are many Indians and Pakistanis who speak it fluently in the tourist areas. Other European languages are rarely spoken, even in the tourist areas.
Visa for Oman and travel documents
You must carry a valid passport with at least 6 months validity. A travel insurance is also requested, although they don’t check it in the border.
The information on travel visas to Oman is a bit confusing. There is an electronic visa system that when you fill in the information gives you the option of a one-month visa for 20 rials (approx. €50). In reality, most nationalities have a free 14-day visa when entering the country. Check that your country is included among the beneficiaries of the tourist visa exemption in Oman.
Problems with your visa application?
If you have difficulties processing your visa for Oman 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 payment
The currency of Oman is the Omani Rial (OMR). There are no coins, only banknotes. The smallest are 100 baisa, ½ rial, 1 rial, 5, 10, 20 rials. At the time of writing, 1 Omani rial was equivalent to 2.5 euros.
You can pay by card in Oman in most stores and restaurants. Some local businesses may require a minimum spend to accept card payment. It is a good idea to have a commission-free card for your trip. You can apply online, and it allows you to pay with no fees and the best exchange rate.
Life in Oman is somewhat cheaper than in Spain. Expatistan’s comparison between Muscat and Barcelona indicates that the Omani capital is 7% cheaper. On the other hand, food is significantly more expensive. One positive thing about traveling in Oman is that gasoline is cheap.
Tipping in Oman is not customary in Omani restaurants. If you feel you should leave something, do so, but customers are not expected to do so.
Phone and internet
Omantel has prepaid SIM cards for travelers. You can get them at the airport or in the border city through which you enter the country. For about 15 euros, you can get a voice and data package with the best coverage in the country.
As in other Gulf countries, Internet content may be limited. You may need a VPN to avoid censorship of social networks or to enjoy some content from your country.
Sockets: do I need an adapter for Oman?
The voltage in Oman is 240 V and only the G-type plug is used as in the UK, so you will probably need a plug adapter for your trip.
How to get to Oman
Muscat airport is the gateway to Oman, although there are also flights to Salalah. The country’s flag carrier is Oman Air, which has no direct flights to Spain.
Being a holiday destination for many neighbors in the Persian Gulf, there are cheap flights from all regional capitals and also operate in Oman low-cost airlines such as Wizzair or Air Arabia.
Book a flight, bus or train ticket
Travel to Oman by road
You can also enter Oman by road from the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. If you arrive by own or rental car from Dubai, please note that you need some special documents to enter the country with foreign cars. Third-party insurance for Oman can be taken out at the border.
If the car is a rental car, you should know that not all car rental companies in Dubai allow you to take the car out of the country. We did it with Autorent. You have to carry a specific insurance for Oman called the orange card and a permit called NOC (No Objection Certificate) from the rental company. Normally, these documents are not given unless the car is rented for seven or more days.
Getting around Oman by car
It is a good idea to have a car for your trip to Oman. Public transport is infrequent to the country’s main attractions, so unless you are in an organized group, you will need a vehicle. You can rent a car in Muscat at a good price.
If you are driving, another good tip is not to rely too much on Google Maps in the mountainous areas. We came across a road that did not exist and other times the recommended route was on dirt roads, impractical with a car.
Otherwise, the main roads in Oman are wide and well paved. There are radar controls everywhere, and on the highways there is a radar literally every two kilometers.
Best season to travel to Oman
Oman’s climate is very hot and dry almost all year round. Keep in mind that the best times for activities are in the morning and at sunset because temperatures reach 38 and 40 degrees, even in the spring and autumn months.
If you can choose when to travel to Oman, I recommend December and January, when in the evenings you may want to wear a jacket. The rest of the months expect sun and heat. Of course, in the mountains it can rain sporadically and fill with water some of the many streams of the country.
It must be considered that the region of Salalah receives the monsoon, like India. From July to September, there is regular rain that turns this area into a green paradise and a place of refuge for many Arab tourists.
Is safe traveling to Oman?
Oman is a very safe country, as far as crime is concerned. There are not many violent crimes or robberies of tourists.
It is absolutely forbidden to consume or possess drugs in Oman. The laws are very strict in this respect.
Alcohol is legal in Oman only for tourists, not for locals. Therefore, its consumption is very restricted to exclusive hotels and restaurants. You cannot drink in the street or be drunk in a public space. It is absolutely forbidden to drive under the influence of alcohol. The blood alcohol level is zero. The minimum age to consume alcohol is 21 years old.
Advice for women and LGBTQ+ travelers
In general, it can be said that Oman is a very conservative country. It is not advisable to wear shorts in rural or mountain areas where people are more traditional. There are some places that are very strict, for example, in Misfat Al Abriyyin.
Men may wear shorts in Muscat or on the coast, although the local population often looks on with disapproval.
The same applies to sleveless t-shirts and tight-fitting clothing for women. Head coverings, on the other hand, are not required on a daily basis. It is only requested to do so to access the few mosques open to the non-Muslim public.
For the same reasons, it is preferable not to show affection in public and to avoid kissing and hugging between men and women. It should be noted that unmarried couples are not allowed to share a room.
Unfortunately, queer travelers will have to pretend throughout their trip. At one hotel where we were mistakenly given a double bed, the same front desk staff quickly changed their minds when they saw that we were two boys.
Homosexuality is illegal in Oman. The penalty of imprisonment is up to three years, so gay travelers should exercise extreme caution.
Health and travel insurance for Oman
Vaccinations are not required for travel to Oman. The covid-19 vaccination or the negative PCR test is not a requirement any more. You must also have your yellow fever vaccination card in order if you come from or have visited a country where this disease is endemic.
As far as medical care is concerned, foreigners cannot use the public health system. The prices of anything in Oman are quite high and healthcare is no exception. It is highly recommended that you take out travel and health insurance for Oman, such as that of IATI, which specializes in products for travelers.
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 Oman: 5 must-see destinations
It is difficult to choose the must-see destinations in Oman. It is a vast country that deserves a two-week trip if you like mountain routes, trekking and if you want to visit Salalah, the region of frankincense and myrrh.
You can also make a very complete and interesting itinerary in a short trip of 9 days. In my case, I made the trip from Dubai by rented car for seven days, but I think it would have been better to dedicate a couple of days more to not do so many kilometers every day. Whatever your trip is, don’t miss these destinations.
1. Muscat
Muscat is a city protected by the Hajjar Mountains that spreads between valleys and gorges. For a century, it was a Portuguese dominion, of whose time many fortifications remain in the maritime area.
In addition, you will find some of the great modern buildings built by the reigning dynasty and the best museums in the country. Muscat is also home to one of the few mosques you can visit if you are not Muslim.
2. Ras al Jinz Turtle Reserve
The largest turtle nesting sanctuary in the Indian Ocean is at the eastern end of the Arabian Peninsula. It is an exceptional place to witness the egg-laying spectacle of these large reptiles.
Unfortunately, it attracts both nature enthusiasts and families and tourists who do not always follow the rules of access to the protected area. See the article on Ras al Jinz for the best experience.
3. Nizwa: an old fort and the best souk in Oman
It was one of the ancient capitals of Oman and is still considered a conservative city. In its alleys of adobe houses hides the Oman of yesteryear. A day trip is available from Muscat.
The truth is that its Friday morning souk is worth the trip to this city. The fort is very lively all week, but it is especially attractive on Thursday afternoon and Friday morning.
4. Sand dunes in Bidiyah
The Sharquiya desert stretches for hundreds of kilometers, with dunes to infinity. It is a good place to experience the Arabian desert in a less commercial way than in neighboring countries.
5. Wadis in Oman
The wadi of the Hajjar Mountains. There are many gorges created by streams that grow suddenly when it rains. The bed of these dry rivers is usually a long oasis full of date palm crops. Some can be visited with any car, but in general you either need an off-road vehicle or trekking.
What to eat in Oman
- Majboos. A dish of basmati rice with vegetables and meat or chicken seasoned with spices. It is served with green salad, natural yogurt and tomato sauce. It is a very common dish in all Gulf countries and is sure to be served to you on a trip to Oman.
- Shuwa. These pieces of lamb or beef roasted underground for two days is one of the most delicious dishes in Oman. It is usually prepared on important festivals such as Eid. The meat is marinated with spices before being put in a subway clay oven.
- Dates with sesame. Dates are eaten throughout the Arabian Peninsula, but in Oman, they are served in a special way. Dates are battered with grated coconut or sesame seeds and dipped in tahini.
- Kahwa. The oldest coffee in the world was drunk in the area between Arabia and Ethiopia. It is a much lighter infusion than modern coffee and is perfumed with cardamom.
- Halwa. The sweet par excellence of Oman is prepared with eggs, honey, sugar, rose water, spices and dried fruits. It is served with Arabic coffee and dates. Often, a single portion is shared by all the guests.
All my posts about Oman
If you have any questions or would like me to write a more detailed article about a destination in Oman, leave a message in the section below. Have a good journey to Oman!
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