What to take to the Arab Emirates. Necessary things in the UAE. Public transport in the UAE
When preparing to leave for the UAE, you need to remember the peculiarities of the climate of this state. It is enough to bring comfortable and comfortable clothes with you to feel as comfortable as possible during your vacation. If you are thinking about what to take to the UAE, use our recommendations.
Necessary things
In a country with hot weather, you will have to protect yourself from the scorching sun. Therefore, the most necessary things must include a hat, sunscreen spray and dark glasses. It is worth considering that in all buildings in the UAE, including shopping centers and restaurants, air conditioning operates at full capacity. Therefore, take a thin sweater, long-sleeved shirt or cape with you to avoid getting too cold indoors.
Take into account the cultural traditions of the country. Try to dress so that your clothes completely cover your body. Closed clothing is indispensable for going outside the hotel premises. Revealing outfits may cause discontent among the local population. If you plan to visit the United Arab Emirates between October and mid-spring, then pack a warm sweater in your suitcase. In winter the evenings can be chilly. The air temperature there does not drop below +15 degrees, but if there is a breeze, the weather seems cold. A tourist will need a guidebook and an Arabic-Russian phrasebook.
What medications are best to take with you?
Be sure to bring flu and cold medications. Due to the difference in temperature indoors and outdoors, tourists often catch colds. When going on vacation, take medications to normalize digestion, against poisoning, eye and ear drops, painkillers, plasters, antibiotics and antiseptics. Necessary medications can be purchased in UAE pharmacies. But it’s better to have them on hand than to run around looking for the necessary medications. If you are taking medications as prescribed by a doctor, and they contain narcotic substances, then you must tell the customs officers about this. Otherwise, you will have to pay a hefty fine.
What to take to the UAE for a child
Suitable sunscreens are important. Be sure to prepare a hat for your child. The first aid kit should contain items that will quickly help your baby in case of a cold or poisoning. Place a light jacket or sweater in your bag for air-conditioned rooms. In the UAE you will need swimming gear: mask, swimming ring, goggles, fins, etc. This country has great amount wonderful water parks and beaches.
Resort selection
If you come to the UAE for beach holiday, then first of all you should pay attention to the resorts of Ajman, Fujairah and Sharjah. The latter, by the way, is also famous for its attractions, as well as ample shopping opportunities. Tourists also like to visit Dubai and Abu Dhabi, which, in addition to beach holidays, offer a wide excursion program.
Brief information about the country
The UAE, or United Arab Emirates, is located in the southeast of the Arabian Peninsula. The state is washed by the Ottoman and Persian Gulf.
The capital of the UAE is the city of Abu Dhabi, located in the emirate of the same name. Other major cities are Dubai, Sharjah, Al Ain, Ajman and Ras Al Khaimah.
Time in the UAE coincides with Moscow.
The climate in the UAE is very hot and there is little rainfall. There is no snow even in winter, so the seasons are divided only by air temperature. From December to February there is a relatively cool winter with temperatures up to +20 °C. It can also be windy and rainy in winter. The remaining months are much hotter; in July the temperature sometimes reaches +50 °C.
Official language in the country - Arabic. Many speak English, and in tourist areas you can meet Russian-speaking staff and see signs and menus in Russian.
The official religion in the UAE is Islam, the majority of the population there is Muslim. Among the immigrants there is a small proportion of Hindus and Christians.
Holiday seasons
· High season- from October to April. In winter, between holidays, prices for tickets drop slightly, and the best months October, November, March and April are considered for beach holidays;
· Low season - from June to August. Summer in the UAE is too hot for... comfortable rest, but the prices are much lower;
· Beach season - you can swim all year round, even in winter time, although in winter the water is a little cool;
· Sales season - January-February and July-August is best time for shopping in the Emirates.
What you need to know and do before your trip
There is no need to get vaccinated before traveling to the UAE. Remember that the UAE is a Muslim country, so don't bring a lot of revealing clothing. Be sure to pay attention if you are traveling to the country during the month of Ramadan, which falls in mid-to-late summer, in which case you will have to be especially discreet. Be sure to bring sunglasses and cosmetics to protect your skin from the sun's rays.
Road
You can get to the Emirates by plane. Direct regular flights to Dubai operate from Moscow, St. Petersburg and Novosibirsk almost daily. From Moscow you can also fly directly to Abu Dhabi. The flight from Moscow will take five hours, and from St. Petersburg and Novosibirsk - approximately six hours.
Charter flights to Dubai, Abu Dhabi and some other resort cities depart from most major airports Russia.
Airlines transporting passengers to the UAE include Aeroflot, AeroSvit, Somon Air, IFly, Emirates Airlines and some others.
Flight
During the flight, be sure to figure out something to do with yourself - you can read a book or watch a movie on your laptop. If you plan to sleep, then take a sleep bandage with you - they may run out on the plane, and you most likely won’t be able to sleep without a bandage. If you are flying during the day, you can also take earplugs.
Visa, Customs
A tourist visa to visit the UAE can be obtained either through a travel agency or tour operator, or at the UAE consulate if you have an Emirati inviter. Sometimes a visa is issued through a hotel or airline - in this case, the same documents are required as when applying for a visa through a travel agency. The visa can also be obtained from visa center Dubai, but this is a rather complicated procedure.
To apply for a visa through an intermediary, you must provide documents in electronic form:
· Scanned passport valid for at least three months after the end of the trip;
· Application form in English or Arabic;
· Scanned color photograph 3x4;
· Married women under 30 years of age who are traveling to the country without a husband or have different surnames with their spouse are required to have a copy of their marriage certificate;
· A copy of the child’s birth certificate if he or she is entering the country.
An unmarried woman under 30 may be denied a visa. To avoid this, it is better to go on a trip with your mother or father. If a married tourist under 30 alone books a room in a double or three star hotel, she will have to pay a deposit of $1.5 thousand to the travel agency.
The consular fee for a visa to the UAE is 70-75 dollars. A visa is usually issued within 4 working days. It is not possible to extend a tourist visa; it is valid for 30 days.
You can enter and exit the UAE with a tourist visa through the same airport. In addition, visas are not issued to those who have an Israeli passport.
You can import 2 thousand cigarettes, two kilograms of tobacco or 400 cigars, as well as two liters of wine and two liters of strong alcohol into the country duty-free. It is also allowed to import personal items in reasonable quantities. It is prohibited to import goods made in Israel and South Africa, weapons, pornography and propaganda literature. The importation of narcotic and psychotropic items is strictly punished by the local court. Be careful when importing medicines - many medicines that are sold in Russia even without a prescription are prohibited in the UAE. 
Staying in a foreign country
Accommodation
The UAE is a country very popular among tourists, so all the resorts here have many hotels of different categories.
The cost of staying at a hotel is affected by both the season and certain amenities in the hotel itself: the presence of a nearby beach, etc.
Checkout time in UAE hotels is 12 am, at which time tourists check out of their rooms.
Usually only in hotels you can buy alcohol, especially during the month of Ramadan. Also on the territory of the hotel there are more free morals than even in resort towns. This does not apply to the Emirate of Sharjah - you cannot buy alcohol anywhere here, and the rules of behavior are especially strict.
In the UAE you can rent a room or a villa, which will be slightly cheaper than a hotel room.
Nutrition
Groceries in the UAE are quite expensive, so eating in cafes and restaurants is quite expensive. For example, lunch in an inexpensive cafe will cost 200-500 rubles per person. Eating in hotels, if meals are not included in the price of the tour, is quite expensive. Plus, even if you take an all-inclusive tour, the food will most likely be very limited.
Please note that high price does not guarantee good quality food and service - be sure to read the reviews of tourists.
Muslims do not drink alcohol, so you can usually buy it only in hotel restaurants - it is not sold in regular catering establishments. To save on alcohol, take it with you or buy it in duty-free.
Buffet at the hotel
Leisure
Mostly people go to the UAE for a beach holiday. Majority major cities And tourist centers is located on the shore, and almost the entire coastline is a well-maintained civilized beach. There are both city beaches and those owned by hotels. The latter are usually cleaner and less noisy.
Thanks to the sea in the UAE, tourists have access to almost all types of active water recreation. This is especially true for the emirate of Dubai with its yachting, fishing and surfing opportunities, etc. Diving is also widespread in the UAE, although it is quite expensive here. Standard also available aquatic species sports like water skiing.
Except active rest on the water, the UAE offers tourists horse riding, active species sports and much more.
The Emirates are good for families with children. There are several water parks here that will be equally fun for both kids and their parents. In general, UAE water parks are definitely worth a visit, even if you are traveling without children - this type of recreation is very popular here.
Excursions
In general, the UAE is a fairly young country, so there are not many attractions here. However, lovers of excursions will definitely find something to see. Besides, most of large cities are located on the coast, which means excursion holiday Can be combined with a beach one. Tour prices start at $35 and sometimes reach $100.
Shopping
The leaders in shopping in the UAE are the emirates of Sharjah and Dubai. You can also buy well in Abu Dhabi. In other emirates, if you wish, you can also buy a lot of interesting things, but you shouldn’t go there specifically for shopping.
In the Emirates, you can bargain in markets and small shops, or you can make purchases in a civilized manner in huge shopping malls - whichever you prefer.
Market in the UAE
At Dubai Airport there is the world's largest duty-free shopping center, where you can buy everything at ridiculous prices. In Dubai, prices for goods are generally very low, since the import duty there is, in principle, very small. And in the port of Abu Dhabi there is a free economic zone, where goods are also sold at very low prices. In general, it is better to come to the markets in the UAE for impressions, rather than for purchases - you can easily be deceived there, and the prices will not be much lower than store prices.
Mostly branded items are brought from the UAE: clothes, shoes, watches, jewelry, and interior items. Here you can find goods of any brand, and at a very low price.
If you want to purchase a typically “Emirati” product, you can buy a gold bar (they come in small ones) or gold jewelry. They also sell aromatic essences and spices, which will be an excellent souvenir. You can bring copper products, silk fabrics, a hookah, an Arabic coffee pot or a product made of camel hair from the UAE.
What to do in the UAE
· Take a helicopter tour over Dubai - this is the only way you can appreciate the scale of this city;
· Visit Ferrari World- huge theme park with rides and all kinds of entertainment;
· Visit the Yas Waterworld water park, which has several unique water attractions;
· Visit the Dubai World Cup races;
· Look at the Sheikh Zayed Mosque, which looks amazing both during the day and in the evening, in the light of artificial lights;
· Organize a luxurious shopping experience in Dubai shopping centers;
· Ride a jeep through the desert.
Health
Medicine is very well developed in the UAE, so tourists can count on qualified medical care, of course, for money or with insurance. Pharmacies in the UAE are very good and it is easy to buy the necessary medications.
the main problem tourists in the UAE are sunburn and sunstroke. Do not stay under the scorching sun for a long time, always wear long sleeves and hats, and be sure to use sunscreen on the beach. Also be careful with overly spicy local dishes - you can get an upset stomach. You can only drink bottled water; vegetables and fruits should be washed before consumption.
Safety
The UAE is the safest Arab country. For comparison, it ranks 33rd in terms of security out of 153 countries, while France ranks 36th and Russia 147th. Recently, cases of pickpocketing have become more frequent in major cities, but following basic safety rules will be enough - just don’t carry original documents or large sums of money with you.
The main danger facing tourists is non-compliance with local moral norms and laws.
It is forbidden to swear or show rude gestures on the streets - you can end up in prison. The same awaits you for kissing public place and walks in revealing clothes or a swimsuit around the city. Be sure to carry a photocopy of your passport with you, as documents are often checked. Drinking alcohol and being intoxicated on the street is also prohibited. Girls are not recommended to be alone on the streets - there is no need to fear harassment from locals, but certain problems and misunderstandings still sometimes arise.
Actions in case of emergency
In the event of an emergency, you should immediately contact a police officer - the problem will be resolved immediately. If you have lost your documents, contact the embassy by phone or in person.
Telephone
To call from the Emirates to Russia you need to dial 9-007 area code-phone number. To call the Emirates from Russia, you need to dial the 8-971 area code-phone number.
Major city codes:
· Abu Dhabi - 02;
· Al Ain - 03;
· Dubai - 04;
· Ras Al Khaimah - 07;
· Korfakan - 070;
· Sharjah - 06.
Official contacts
· Ambulance and police - 999;
· Fire service - 997;
· Russian Embassy in Abu Dhabi - 02-6723516.
Currency
The currency of the UAE is dirhams equal to one hundred fils. One dollar is equal to approximately 3.6 dirhams, this rate has been maintained for many years. Currency can be exchanged at a hotel or exchange office. It is not very profitable to exchange in hotels. Exchange offices In the UAE they usually work from 8 am to 8 pm.
If you do not plan to do shopping, but will only eat outside the hotel and attend several excursions, then 700-800 dollars will be enough for seven days, including taxi trips. If you want to have a more luxurious holiday and do more shopping, then take more money with you.
Transport
Public transport in the UAE it is very poorly developed - the local population usually travels by car. There are buses in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, but their routes are very confusing. It will be more convenient for tourists to travel by taxi.
It is easy to rent a car in the UAE - all you need is an international license. Local drivers often do not follow the rules traffic, so be careful.
Tips
Tipping in the UAE is not necessary; moreover, it is often included in the price of the bill in a cafe and amounts to 15% of the order value. You can leave a couple of dollars for the hotel maids. But you don’t need to give money at the reception.
Cloth
The climate in the UAE is very warm, so don't take a lot of clothes with you. At the same time, keep in mind that you won’t be able to walk around the city in shorts and a T-shirt - the UAE has strict clothing standards. Everyone, especially girls, should dress very modestly, not expose the body and not wear translucent T-shirts or other similar clothing. At resorts, girls can wear fairly long shorts and skirts, provincial cities On the contrary, you should dress as closed as possible. A swimsuit is only acceptable on the beach.
National characteristics and traditions
The UAE is a religious country, so you should behave especially carefully here. If you follow traditions, then there should be no problems - otherwise you may stumble not only on misunderstanding of the local population, but also on a fine or imprisonment.
All basic actions must be performed with the right hand - the left is considered “unclean”. When entering a house or mosque, you must take off your shoes. Men should be greeted with a bow; a handshake is not accepted here. You cannot run along the streets. Also, you should not walk in front of Muslims performing prayer. Photograph local residents forbidden. Women should not let their hair down in public places.
All these rules should be observed especially strictly during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which begins in mid-to-late summer. At this time, you shouldn’t even talk loudly or chew gum on the streets.
The local religion must be treated with special respect, not disturb those praying and not insult their shrines. It is better not to start conversations about religion with locals at all. 
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
Return
Customs
To export carpets and jewelry, you need to have a receipt from the store where they were purchased. Items cannot be taken out historical heritage countries, palm fruits and seeds, wild animals. Anything prohibited for import cannot be exported from the country either.
A varied cuisine awaits tourists in the UAE. In and at every step there are cafes and restaurants serving Indian, Arabic, Persian and other cuisines. It's hard to resist trying all these dishes (example in the photo on the left). We highly recommend trying it, this cuisine is spicy-sweet. But how will the stomach react to unfamiliar dishes?
The first aid kit must contain products to normalize the functioning of the stomach and anti-allergenic medications. We will not name specific drugs; after all, we are a tourist site, not a medical one.
Put the usual kit in your first aid kit: bandages, plaster, iodine, ointment for bruises and sprains, painkillers, antipyretics, antispasmodics, activated charcoal. Select the rest of the drugs in the medicine cabinet according to your own understanding; everyone knows their own diseases very well.
Soaps, shampoos, hair dryers
Russian tourists most often choose tours to the UAE with a minimum price tag and to hotels with a minimum of stars, that is, a minimum of amenities. Be prepared that the hotel may not have shampoo or hair dryer. There may be soap, but you will disdain to use it.
Conclusion: if you go to cheap hotel, then take all personal hygiene products with you.
Clothing for excursions and visiting public places
“Walkout” clothing should cover your shoulders and knees. For men these are trousers; for women we recommend a long skirt and blouse. We clearly showed the dress code in our review “”. Get ready that you may not be allowed in if you're wearing shorts shopping mall. The dress code is especially closely monitored in the emirate - cultural capital countries.
What else
In hot climates, lips are the first to suffer. It is very useful to take chapstick with you;
Most rooms have air conditioning, they are even on bus stops and stations. But it happens that air conditioners work so actively that it becomes very cold. Take a light sweater or pullover with you;
Make copies of documents in advance - foreign and Russian passports, vouchers, air tickets, insurance. Keep copies separate from documents. In case of loss of original documents, copies will greatly facilitate communication with the consulate and restoration of documents;
Enjoy your holiday in the United Arab Emirates, and read our useful and interesting reviews about this country ( list of links below).
Your holiday is approaching and you are planning to spend it in the UAE? Then it is important for you to know what you should take with you on vacation in the UAE. The United Arab Emirates is a country of amazing beauty, considered a real earthly paradise that attracts tourists from all over the world. Magnificent scenery, high-quality service and decent service, unrivaled local kitchen– all this will be remembered for many years. But to prevent your vacation from becoming a huge disappointment, you need to take care in advance of what your luggage will consist of.
– One of the main steps is collecting necessary documents– passports, medical insurance, vouchers. The amount of money depends on what you plan to spend it on and the type of trip. As a rule, if you purchase a last-minute all-inclusive package, you will need to spend less on food. But you should consider additional costs for excursions and all kinds of souvenirs.
– The United Arab Emirates is an incredibly hot country, and therefore you should definitely purchase sunscreen, a hat, glasses and, of course, anti-burn remedies.
– The main place in your suitcase should be given to a first aid kit with all the necessary first aid medications. If you have any chronic diseases, then make sure that the necessary medications are enough for the entire vacation. In addition, there must be antipyretics, painkillers, medications for motion sickness, poisoning and allergies, as well as brilliant green, iodine, bandages, and adhesive plaster.
– If you go on vacation in winter, then take a light jacket or sweater with you. You won't need them in the summer, so don't fill your bag with unnecessary things. But light clothing made from cotton fabrics will be a must. However, do not forget that the UAE is a deeply religious country with its own customs and traditions, so make sure that your clothing is not too revealing. Don't forget about your swimwear. The UAE has a lot of beautiful, well-maintained beaches and huge water parks, and each hotel, as a rule, has its own swimming pool.
– Don’t forget about hygiene products – those that you usually use.
– When it comes to cosmetics, it is best to purchase waterproof products. It is advisable to put a moisturizing and nourishing cream and lip balm in your bag. But you are unlikely to need foundation and other corrective products. Don't forget about the mirror and hair accessories.
– If you smoke, then take care of a supply of tobacco products in advance, because the prices for them in the Emirates are simply fabulous, and besides, they cannot be purchased everywhere.
– Buy a phrase book and a guidebook, they will help you facilitate communication, since not all people, even hotel workers, speak English, much less Russian.
– For equipment, don’t forget to take a camera, video camera, and chargers for them.
– In order to somehow brighten up your leisure time during the flight, you can take books, newspapers or crossword puzzles with you.
By collecting all the necessary things in advance, you can be sure of the safety of your vacation. Enjoy your holiday in the UAE!
Before leaving for the airport
Don't forget to take your passport (OPP), travel documents, voucher, invitation (or copy of visa).
Check-in for the flight begins 3 hours before departure. We ask you to fill out a customs declaration and go through customs control before registration begins.
If your flight is delayed, the air carrier is responsible for the flight delay in accordance with the rules of international transportation. We ask you to check in advance the validity of your passport, the presence of photographs of children included in the passport, and the presence of appropriate stamps on all photographs.
Children under 18 years of age traveling without parents or with one parent must have a notarized permission to make a tourist trip. Children over 14 years of age must have their own foreign passport. If the child included in the parents’ foreign passport is over 6 years old, then it is necessary to paste a photo of the child .
The flight from Moscow to Dubai is carried out according to the terms of the air ticket issued to you, which indicates the airline, flight number, and aircraft schedule. Check-in begins 2 hours before departure and ends 40 minutes before the flight departure time; Here you must provide visa confirmation. Don’t be late for check-in: transportation is carried out under charter/scheduled flight conditions, for which the cost of tickets is not refundable after they are issued; If you do not use the ticket, it is lost.
Attention! To obtain a tourist visa to the UAE, your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the start date of the tour.
A birth certificate must be sent for the child.
The visa is issued at the immigration service of the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Along with a package of documents, you are issued a visa, which you present upon departure from Moscow at check-in. You also present it at Dubai airport when going through passport control. The visa must be retained until departure from Dubai.
Upon arrival in Dubai
Upon arrival in Dubai, you will be greeted in the arrivals hall by a representative of the host company (indicated in your voucher) with a corresponding sign. He gives you the original visa with which you go to passport control (the visa should be kept, as it must be presented when leaving the UAE), as well as a hotel voucher. Group transfer to the hotel is carried out by bus.
For questions about organizing excursions, as well as for additional information that interests you, you should contact a representative of the host company (all coordinates will be provided upon arrival). On the day of departure, the company serving you will provide transport to go to the airport. Exact time You will be informed about the delivery of transport to your hotel the day before. Please be prepared to leave at this time as... the driver cannot wait more than 15 minutes. If you do not catch the transport provided for the transfer, you will have to take a taxi and get to the airport at your own expense.
Customs regulations
Customs restrictions on the import of certain goods into Dubai: cigarettes - 2000 pcs., cigars - 400 pcs., tobacco - 2 kg., alcoholic beverages - 2 liters of strong drinks + 2 liters of wine (for each non-Muslim adult), a reasonable amount of perfume.
We inform you that from May 13, 2014, the Government of the Russian Federation Decree No. 398 of April 29, 2014 “On invalidating paragraph 7 of the Government Decree” comes into force Russian Federation dated December 31, 2005 No. 866 “On the labeling of alcoholic products with excise stamps.” In this regard, the import of any alcoholic beverages into the territory of the Russian Federation from abroad is prohibited. The exception will be alcoholic beverages purchased at airports in duty-free shops. Duty Free.
General information
The United Arab Emirates is a federal state in South-West Asia. The capital is Abu Dhabi. The administrative center of Treaty Oman was Dubai. total area OK. 83.6 thousand sq. km. Religion - Islam. The UAE is located in the southeast of the Arabian Peninsula and borders the kingdom Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the Sultanate of Oman. The shores of the emirates are washed by the waters of the Persian and Oman Gulfs. The area of the UAE is 83.6 thousand square meters. km. The UAE is a confederation of emirates that united on December 2, 1971. There are 7 emirates in total, they are listed below in sequence corresponding to the size of their territories: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, Umm Al Quwain and Ajman. The UAE is home to 2.1 million people.
Transport
Bus is the most cheap look transport, but it does not run very often and covers only part of the streets. Note that municipal transport in Dubai is used only by the low-paid part of the population. There are two types of taxis in Dubai: public and private. State taxis are light beige, with a tel. on the front door. Municipal taxi service: 331-31-31
The monetary unit is the dirham.
Rate 1$ = 3.66 dirhams.
Traveler's checks and currencies are exchanged by banks, exchange offices, travel agencies and large hotels. Credit cards are accepted, but not always. Import and export of foreign and national currency is not limited.
In winter - Moscow time+ 1 hour, in summer - coincides with Moscow.
The UAE is a country with a dry subtropical climate. Rains are extremely rare, occurring mainly in winter. Quantity rainy days does not exceed 7-10 per year. Depending on the time of day and season, the temperature ranges from +10°C to +48°C. The average daily temperature in January is +24°C, in July +41°C.
Official language– Arabic. English is widely used. Hotel staff, as a rule, speaks other European languages, primarily German and French, and sometimes Russian. In some shops and markets they may also speak Russian to you.
The UAE is a Muslim country living under Sharia law. Try to adhere to certain rules of behavior so that your stay in the UAE will be remembered only by pleasant moments. Men! You shouldn’t look closely at oriental beauties in black capes, much less point your finger at them. UAE law provides full protection for the peace of local women, and increased attention can have unpleasant consequences, including criminal liability. It must be remembered that you cannot enter a Muslim mosque in shorts, without a shirt, or in any other inappropriate clothing. When entering the temple, be sure to take off your shoes.
You cannot photograph local women or men - only with their permission. Photography of government agencies, military installations, ports, airports, embassies and consulates is prohibited.
Tips depend on your satisfaction with the service received. It is usually customary to leave 5-10% of the bill in hotels and restaurants. It is not customary to leave a tip in a taxi, but you can leave 1-2 DHS.
Electricity
Mains voltage 220-240 volts/50Hz. English type sockets with three pins are standard. You can get an adapter for using the usual two-pin socket from the receptionist or buy it at the supermarket.
Features of staying in the country
CITIZENS OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION TRAVELING ON TOURIST VACATIONS MUST REMEMBER THE FOLLOWING:
The United Arab Emirates is a sovereign Islamic state, the regulation of social relations in which is carried out by national legislation, moral norms, religion, as well as customs, which are based on the principles of Islam. The tourist should remember that he is responsible for all offenses in accordance with the laws of the UAE, regardless of citizenship (the principles of Sharia provide for fairly harsh, mainly corporal punishment for committing criminal offenses). Therefore, compliance with the laws of the host country is an important condition for the safety of tourists.
THE TOURIST IS RESPONSIBLE:
- treat with respect to the local population, comply with the laws and customs of the country, as well as rules of behavior in public places and internal rules established in the host institution in the UAE (hotel, etc.); - obey the legal requirements of official representatives of the UAE authorities (police, customs, etc.) - women refrain from wearing clothes that are too short, open and tight-fitting.
CLOTH. There are no strict dress codes in the UAE. So, on the beach, swimming trunks and swimsuits up to a bikini are acceptable (but topless and nudist options are excluded!). However, people here are used to sticking to certain traditions. Therefore, in public places you should avoid clothing that may be perceived as provocative or offensive to local traditions: women should not wear revealing clothing (bare shoulders, large necklines, miniskirts, very tight trousers), and men should not appear in swimming trunks or shorts , T-shirts and rubber slippers. It is especially advisable to carefully monitor your clothing during Muslim holidays and Ramadan, the month of Muslim fasting. In an expensive restaurant, men wear a jacket and tie, women wear a dress. You can wear appropriate Asian style clothing. Foreigners are prohibited from appearing in public places wearing Arabic clothing.
THE SUN is very active, we advise you not to sunbathe during the midday hours, protect yourself and your children from harmful ultraviolet radiation with the help of protective creams, and use sunglasses.
DRINKING WATER. All tap water in Dubai is desalinated sea water and is, in principle, suitable for drinking. But most local residents prefer to use bottled water, which we advise you to do as well. Driving while intoxicated is STRICTLY prohibited. If the police stop you, you will face imprisonment.BikYU Eating pork is prohibited for Muslims. In supermarkets, a separate isolated counter is allocated for selling pork. A picture of a cheerful pig on your T-shirt or on your beach bag may not be viewed very positively.
TOURISTS ARE PROHIBITED:
- insult the national, religious and personal dignity of all persons living in the UAE;
- import pornographic materials. All video materials imported into the UAE are selected for customs control and return after viewing them - a few days later. The importation and distribution of drugs is punishable by death; - any gambling is prohibited in the UAE;
- drink alcohol (Sharjah Emirate), appear drunk in public places; - photograph buildings of government institutions in the UAE without special permission, as well as women of the Muslim faith;
- swear in the presence of Muslims;
- eating in public places during the daytime during the religious fasting period of Ramadan (November-December).
UAE restaurants offer cuisine from all countries, including Russian. Everything, even the smallest establishments, is air-conditioned. All the world's FastFood systems are widely represented here. However, if you want to eat with alcohol, then you need to go to an establishment at the hotel. The Koran forbids Muslims to drink wine, so Arab countries There are restrictions on alcohol consumption. In Dubai, alcohol is served in hotel restaurants and bars. Non-Muslim residents can purchase alcoholic beverages in specialized stores if they have the appropriate liquor license. Be in a public place or in a car with alcohol, offer or sell alcoholic drinks Muslims are prohibited. There is a prohibition law in the emirate of Sharjah. Carrying alcohol into this emirate is a criminal offense. Showing up on the street while drunk can result in a fine or even imprisonment. If you do drink a little more alcohol, try to stop a taxi and get to your hotel, do not disturb other guests, as well as the hotel staff.
Opening hours
In the UAE, like in others southern countries, there is a siesta - an afternoon rest in the hot part of the day. In accordance with Muslim traditions, the day off is Friday.
Government offices are open from 07:30 to 14:30 from Saturday to Wednesday inclusive. Thursday and Friday are days off. Private sector institutions work differently, but in general - from 08:00 to 13:00, then a siesta until 15:00 or 16:00 and again work until 18:00 or 19:00.
Trade establishments and markets - from 9:30 to 13:00 and from 16:00 to 22:00. Shopping centers - from 10:00 to 22:00 without a break, on Friday - from 16:00 to 22:00.
Most supermarkets are open 7 days a week, some are open 24 hours a day. On Friday, all shops are closed during the midday prayer: from 11:30 to 12:30, but then many work without a break, and in the evening - until late.
During the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, shops open as usual in the morning, close in the evening for iftar (evening breaking of the fast), and then continue to open until midnight and beyond.
Public parks open daily from 08:00 to 23:00, seaside parks have special days when they are open only to women and children.
Car rent
Cars for rent are provided with a driver's license and a credit card (preferably two). You can rent a car for at least 24 hours at the appropriate rent a car agency. It also issues a temporary driving license. You must be at least 21 years old, present a passport (sometimes a copy is enough), a credit card and a valid international license issued at least 1 year ago, and also provide 2 photos. A temporary driving permit is valid for the period for which the car is rented. When you are driving, always have your license and passport or a copy of it with you.
In the UAE, traffic is driven on the right. At many intersections, traffic is organized in a circle - dauar in Arabic, roundabout in English. When driving on a roundabout, those who are already on it have the right of way. Entering an intersection if it is occupied by vehicles ahead is prohibited even with a traffic light and is considered a gross violation.
In Dubai, it is a strictly enforced rule that both the driver and passenger must wear seat belts. Carrying alcohol in a car without the appropriate permit (license issued to residents) is punishable by law. The mileage is not limited, rental with a driver is possible. The estimated cost of renting a car is $20-80 per day. Purchasing gasoline yourself, using cash gas stations. One gallon of gasoline (4.5 l) in the UAE costs approximately $1.
Phones
All types telephone communication in the UAE they are paid. You can contact your country via automatic line using the code 007 + area code + telephone number. You can call abroad from any street pay phone. There are 2 types of calling cards in Dubai, each of which can be worth 30, 60 and 120 dirhams. Normal card is a regular telephone card; it can only be used in pay phones that have a corresponding slot for reading information. Having another card - Prepaid card - you temporarily open your own account in the telecommunications department, so you can call from any phone, incl. from the hotel, at the minimum rate (which is significantly lower than the hotel rate). The cost of telephone calls with Russia via automatic communication is 9DHS/min., during preferential times (from 0.00 to 7.00) - 7DHS/min., through an operator - 12.5DHS/min.