Dubai Fast Facts
Language: The of official language is Arabic but English is widely spoken and
understood Both languages commonly used in business and commerce.
Money: The monetary unit is the Dirham (Dh) which is divided into 100 fils. The Dirham is linked to the Special Drawing Right of the International Monetary Fund. It has been held constant against the US Dollar since the end of 1980 at a mid-rate of approximately US$1 = Dh 3.67.
American Express, Diners Club, Visa, MasterCard etc are generally accepted in the main hotels and larger shops but some retailers offer better bargains for cash.
Banks: Both the local banks and the many international banks represented by branches in Dubai, provide usual commercial banking services. Transfers can be made without difficulty as there is no exchange control and the Dirham is freely convertible. Bank hours are 8am to 1 pm, Saturday through Wednesday, although some also open from 4.30 to 6.30 pm. On Thursdays banks operate only from 8am to noon. Exchange houses are open from 8.30am to 1 pm and 4.30 to 8.30pm.
Tipping: Tipping practices are similar to most parts of the world. Some restaurants include service; otherwise 10 per cent is adequate.
Weather: Dubai has a sub-tropical, arid climate. Sunny, blue skies can be expected most of the year. Rainfall is infrequent and irregular, falling mainly in winter. Temperatures range from a low of about 10.5°C /50 °F to a high of 48°C/118.4°F. The mean daily maximum is 24 °C/75.2 °F in January rising to 41°C/105.8 °F in July.
Water: Tap water is quite safe to drink but visitors usually prefer locally bottled mineral water and this is generally served in hotels and restaurants.
Health / Visa Regulations: All visitors except AGCC nationals (Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and Saudi Arabia) require a visa sponsored by a local entity such as a hotel or tour company. There are two types: transit visas for 14 days and visit visas for 30 days (renewable). Airlines may require confirmation that the sponsor is holding a valid visa for incoming visitors. British citizens with the right of abode in the UK and expatriate residents of the AGCC of certain nationalities and professions may qualify for automatic 30 day visit visas on arrival, but current regulations should be checked before traveling. German and US citizens may obtain visas from the UAE Embassies in their respective countries. Visas are easily obtainable for other visitors except Israelis and travellers whose passports bear Israeli stamps.
No health certificates are required for entry to Dubai, but it is always wise to check before departure, as health restrictions may vary, depending upon the situation at the time.
Medical Care: Dubai has many well-equipped hospitals. The Dubai Department of Health and Medical Services runs Dubai, Rashid, aktoum and Al Wasl hospitals. Dubai Hospital is one of the best medical centres in the Middle East, with specialised clinics; Al Wsl is a specialized maternity and gynaecology hospital. The Department also operates a number of out-patient clinics, of which one is situated in Jebei Ali.
Customs: Duty-free allowances
Cigarettes' 2,000; cigars' 400; tobacco' 2kg;
Alcohol (non-Muslim adults only) 2 litres of spirits and 2 litres of wine;
Perfume -a reasonable amount.
No customs duty is levied on personal effects entering Dubai. Dubai Duty Free has a sales outlet in the Arrivals Hall (but alcohol may only be purchased on departure).
Clothing: Lightweight summer clothing is suitable for most of the year, but sweaters or jackets may be needed for the winter months, especially in the evenings. Compared with certain parts of the Middle East, Dubai has a very relaxed dress code. However, care should be taken not to give offence by wearing clothing which may be considered revealing, for example low-cut dresses, very short skirts, or tight shirt or top in public. At the pool or on the beaches, trunks, swimsuits and bikinis are quite acceptable. Good quality sunglasses are advised, and photo chromatic lenses for those who wear spectacles. Hats, or some protection for the head, are advisable when in direct sunlight.
Culture And Lifestyle: Dubai's culture is firmly rooted in the Islamic traditions of Arabia. Courtesy and hospitality are among the most highly prized of virtues, and the visitor is sure to be charmed by the genuine warmth and friendliness of the people. Dubai society is marked by a high degree of tolerance for different lifestyles. Foreigners are free to practice their own religion, alcohol is served in hotels and, provided reasonable discretion is shown, the dress code is liberal. Women face no discrimination and may drive and walk around unescorted.
Despite rapid economic development in recent years, Dubai remains close to its heritage. Local citizens dress in traditional robes and headress. Arab culture and folklore find expression in poetry, dancing, songs and traditional art. Weddings and other celebrations are colourful occasions of feasting and music. Traditional sports such as falconry, camel racing and dhow racing at sea continue to thrive.
Religion: Islam is the official religion of the UAE and there are a large number of mosques throughout the city. Other religions are respected and Dubai has two Christian churches, St Mary's (Roman Catholic) and Holy Trinity (inter-denominational)
Ramadan: Ramadan is the holy month in which Muslims commemorate the revelation of the Holy Koran. The timing of Ramadan is not fixed in terms of the western calendar, but occurs a few days earlier each year. It is a month of fasting when Muslims abstain from all food, drinks and cigarettes during from dawn to dusk. Visitors are also required to refrain from consuming these items in public places during this time as a sign of respect.
Alcohol: Alcohol is available in hotel and club restaurants and bars. However, restaurants outside the hotels are not permitted to serve alcoholic beverages. Permanent residents who are non-Muslims can obtain liquor supplies without difficulty under a permit system.
Water Taxis: An interesting way to travel between Dubai and Deira is by water taxi (abra) across the Creek.
Bargaining: Bargaining is expected in the souk and is quite usual elsewhere. Vendors will usually drop the price- and often quite substantially - particularly for a cash sale. In the case of certain electronics' products, the margins are very low and therefore bartering is minimal.
Business Hours: The weekend has traditionally been Thursday afternoon and Friday, but some organisations now close on Friday and Saturday, working through Thursday afternoon instead. Government offices are open from 7.30am to 1.30pm (7.30am to 12 noon on Thursday).
Private sector office hours vary, but are generally from 8am to 1 pm, reopening at either 3pm or 4pm and closing at 6pm or 7pm. Shop hours are similar in their opening times, but remain open until 9-10pm. Department stores, boutiques, the souks and many food shops remain open on a Friday, apart from Prayer Times (11.30-1.30), while larger shops re-open on a Friday afternoon around 4pm - 5pm.
Embassies and consulates are generally open from 8.45am to 12.30pm and are closed on Fridays and in most cases on Saturdays, but will leave an emergency number on their answering machines.
Communications and Newspapers: The Khaleej Times and Gulf News are daily English-language newspapers. Arabic newspapers include Al Bayan, Al-Ittihad and Al- Khaleej. Foreign newspapers, especially British and Asian, are readily available in hotel bookshops and supermarkets. What's on is a colourful monthly magazine which covers social and cultural events within the UAE.
Electricity: The electricity supply in Dubai is 220/240 volts at 50 cycles. US-made appliances may need a transformer.
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Money: The monetary unit is the Dirham (Dh) which is divided into 100 fils. The Dirham is linked to the Special Drawing Right of the International Monetary Fund. It has been held constant against the US Dollar since the end of 1980 at a mid-rate of approximately US$1 = Dh 3.67.
American Express, Diners Club, Visa, MasterCard etc are generally accepted in the main hotels and larger shops but some retailers offer better bargains for cash.
Banks: Both the local banks and the many international banks represented by branches in Dubai, provide usual commercial banking services. Transfers can be made without difficulty as there is no exchange control and the Dirham is freely convertible. Bank hours are 8am to 1 pm, Saturday through Wednesday, although some also open from 4.30 to 6.30 pm. On Thursdays banks operate only from 8am to noon. Exchange houses are open from 8.30am to 1 pm and 4.30 to 8.30pm.
Tipping: Tipping practices are similar to most parts of the world. Some restaurants include service; otherwise 10 per cent is adequate.
Weather: Dubai has a sub-tropical, arid climate. Sunny, blue skies can be expected most of the year. Rainfall is infrequent and irregular, falling mainly in winter. Temperatures range from a low of about 10.5°C /50 °F to a high of 48°C/118.4°F. The mean daily maximum is 24 °C/75.2 °F in January rising to 41°C/105.8 °F in July.
Water: Tap water is quite safe to drink but visitors usually prefer locally bottled mineral water and this is generally served in hotels and restaurants.
Health / Visa Regulations: All visitors except AGCC nationals (Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and Saudi Arabia) require a visa sponsored by a local entity such as a hotel or tour company. There are two types: transit visas for 14 days and visit visas for 30 days (renewable). Airlines may require confirmation that the sponsor is holding a valid visa for incoming visitors. British citizens with the right of abode in the UK and expatriate residents of the AGCC of certain nationalities and professions may qualify for automatic 30 day visit visas on arrival, but current regulations should be checked before traveling. German and US citizens may obtain visas from the UAE Embassies in their respective countries. Visas are easily obtainable for other visitors except Israelis and travellers whose passports bear Israeli stamps.
No health certificates are required for entry to Dubai, but it is always wise to check before departure, as health restrictions may vary, depending upon the situation at the time.
Medical Care: Dubai has many well-equipped hospitals. The Dubai Department of Health and Medical Services runs Dubai, Rashid, aktoum and Al Wasl hospitals. Dubai Hospital is one of the best medical centres in the Middle East, with specialised clinics; Al Wsl is a specialized maternity and gynaecology hospital. The Department also operates a number of out-patient clinics, of which one is situated in Jebei Ali.
Customs: Duty-free allowances
Cigarettes' 2,000; cigars' 400; tobacco' 2kg;
Alcohol (non-Muslim adults only) 2 litres of spirits and 2 litres of wine;
Perfume -a reasonable amount.
No customs duty is levied on personal effects entering Dubai. Dubai Duty Free has a sales outlet in the Arrivals Hall (but alcohol may only be purchased on departure).
Clothing: Lightweight summer clothing is suitable for most of the year, but sweaters or jackets may be needed for the winter months, especially in the evenings. Compared with certain parts of the Middle East, Dubai has a very relaxed dress code. However, care should be taken not to give offence by wearing clothing which may be considered revealing, for example low-cut dresses, very short skirts, or tight shirt or top in public. At the pool or on the beaches, trunks, swimsuits and bikinis are quite acceptable. Good quality sunglasses are advised, and photo chromatic lenses for those who wear spectacles. Hats, or some protection for the head, are advisable when in direct sunlight.
Culture And Lifestyle: Dubai's culture is firmly rooted in the Islamic traditions of Arabia. Courtesy and hospitality are among the most highly prized of virtues, and the visitor is sure to be charmed by the genuine warmth and friendliness of the people. Dubai society is marked by a high degree of tolerance for different lifestyles. Foreigners are free to practice their own religion, alcohol is served in hotels and, provided reasonable discretion is shown, the dress code is liberal. Women face no discrimination and may drive and walk around unescorted.
Despite rapid economic development in recent years, Dubai remains close to its heritage. Local citizens dress in traditional robes and headress. Arab culture and folklore find expression in poetry, dancing, songs and traditional art. Weddings and other celebrations are colourful occasions of feasting and music. Traditional sports such as falconry, camel racing and dhow racing at sea continue to thrive.
Religion: Islam is the official religion of the UAE and there are a large number of mosques throughout the city. Other religions are respected and Dubai has two Christian churches, St Mary's (Roman Catholic) and Holy Trinity (inter-denominational)
Ramadan: Ramadan is the holy month in which Muslims commemorate the revelation of the Holy Koran. The timing of Ramadan is not fixed in terms of the western calendar, but occurs a few days earlier each year. It is a month of fasting when Muslims abstain from all food, drinks and cigarettes during from dawn to dusk. Visitors are also required to refrain from consuming these items in public places during this time as a sign of respect.
Alcohol: Alcohol is available in hotel and club restaurants and bars. However, restaurants outside the hotels are not permitted to serve alcoholic beverages. Permanent residents who are non-Muslims can obtain liquor supplies without difficulty under a permit system.
Water Taxis: An interesting way to travel between Dubai and Deira is by water taxi (abra) across the Creek.
Bargaining: Bargaining is expected in the souk and is quite usual elsewhere. Vendors will usually drop the price- and often quite substantially - particularly for a cash sale. In the case of certain electronics' products, the margins are very low and therefore bartering is minimal.
Business Hours: The weekend has traditionally been Thursday afternoon and Friday, but some organisations now close on Friday and Saturday, working through Thursday afternoon instead. Government offices are open from 7.30am to 1.30pm (7.30am to 12 noon on Thursday).
Private sector office hours vary, but are generally from 8am to 1 pm, reopening at either 3pm or 4pm and closing at 6pm or 7pm. Shop hours are similar in their opening times, but remain open until 9-10pm. Department stores, boutiques, the souks and many food shops remain open on a Friday, apart from Prayer Times (11.30-1.30), while larger shops re-open on a Friday afternoon around 4pm - 5pm.
Embassies and consulates are generally open from 8.45am to 12.30pm and are closed on Fridays and in most cases on Saturdays, but will leave an emergency number on their answering machines.
Communications and Newspapers: The Khaleej Times and Gulf News are daily English-language newspapers. Arabic newspapers include Al Bayan, Al-Ittihad and Al- Khaleej. Foreign newspapers, especially British and Asian, are readily available in hotel bookshops and supermarkets. What's on is a colourful monthly magazine which covers social and cultural events within the UAE.
Electricity: The electricity supply in Dubai is 220/240 volts at 50 cycles. US-made appliances may need a transformer.