United Arab Emirates Flag
Why visit United Arab Emirates?
Best known for architecture, beaches, culture, desert, camel trek, dune driving, folk art, golf, historical sites, horse races, mosques, museums, sand skiing, scuba diving, shopping, spas, spectator sports, sport fishing, trade shows, and water sports.
Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Photo Credit: Wild Pixar/Pixabay
At a Glance
- Souvenirs to Buy: Beads, birthstones, brass ornaments, carpets, coffee, coffee pots, daggers, dates, embroideries, fabric, gold jewelry, hookahs, incense holders, lamps, lanterns, muskets, pashminas, pearls, perfume holders, saris, spices, and traditional stands.
- Local Cuisine to Try: Al Batheetha (date cookie). Al Harees (meat dish). Al Madrooba (fish dish). Assidat (pumpkin dessert). Baleetat (breakfast). Chabab Bread (pancake). Dango (chickpeas). De-Ja Ta-Ha-Tah (chicken dish). Hareeth (wheat porridge). Kafta (sandwich). Khameer Bread. Lamb Ouzi (rice dish). Luqaimat (fried dumplings). Machboos (rice dish). Reqaq (flat bread). Samak Mashwi (grilled fish). Thereed (meat stew).
- Local Drink to Try: Arak (anise distilled). Gahwa (coffee).
Photo Credit: shaban Ali/Pixabay
Fun Facts
- Oil rich nation.
- Jebel Ali is a major cruise port.
- Burj Khalifa (aka: Burj Dubai) is the tallest skyscraper in the world.
- Burj Al Arab (Dubai) is the highest ranked star hotel.
- Universal Studios Dubailand (Dubai) was a Universal Studios theme park proposal.
- Dubai International Airport (DXB) ranks as the world's best duty-free shop.
- Dubai International Airport (DXB) is considered the busiest airport in the world.
- Formula One is a particularly popular spectator sport.
- Amongst one of the wealthiest Middle East countries.
- Ranks 5th most popular tourism destination in the world.
- Dubai Metro was the 1st urban train network in the Arabian Peninsula.
Sharjah Mosque, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. Photo Credit: Mahmoud Faisal/Pixabay
Special Holidays/Occasions
- Annual Events: (January) Abu Dhabi Open, Awafi Festival, Dubai Desert Classic, Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Creative Sports Award, (February) Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, Dubai International Boat Show, Dubai Pet Show, Dubai Tennis Open, Emirates Airline Festival of Literature, Gourmet Abu Dhabi, International Jazz Festival, RedfestDXB, Terry Fox Run, (March) Abu Dhabi Festival, Art Dubai, Burj Al Arab Swim, Abu Dhabi Media Summit, Dubai Desert Rock Festival, Dubai World Cup, Mother of the Nation Festival, Taste of Dubai, (April) Middle East Film & Comic Con, (May) Arabian Travel Market, (June) Middle East Special Event & Exhibition Show, (July) Dubai Summer Surprise, (August) Dubai International Holy Quran Award, (September) Al Gaffal Dhow Race, (October) Camel Racing, Dubai Fashion Week, GITEX, (November) Abu Dhabi Formula 1 Grand Prix, Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Dubai International Food Safety Conference, Dubai World Games Expo, Sharjah International Book Fair, (December) Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF), Dubai Marathon, Dubai Rugby Sevens, Dubai Shopping Festival, Rugby Sevens, and Shopping Festival.
- Holidays: New Year's Day, Eid al-Adha, National Day, Eid al-Fir, Islamic New Year, Eid al-Fitr Eve, Mawlid, Day of Arafat, and Commemoration Day.
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Photo Credit: Maria/Pixabay
Good to Know
- Arabic is the national language.
- Dubai and Abu Dhabi are popular amongst tourists.
- Prayer occurs 5 times daily at dawn, midday, mid afternoon, sunset, and nightfall.
- Horse racing is popular in Abu Dhabi, Ghantoot, Jebel Ali, Nad Al Sheba and Sharjah.
- Stores are usually closed on Friday (Holy Day).
- Due to Muslim practices natives do not eat pork.
- Hat and sunscreen is recommended.
- International Drivers License not accepted. Requires a local license.
- Coffee and tea are often flavored with cardamom and saffron.
- Tipping is not expected but appreciated.
- Adultery, alcohol consumption, drug use, and/or premarital sex is criminally offensive between 80 - 200 lashes.
- Americans are targeted amongst criminals.
- Fishing or sailing offshore Abu Musa waters may result in seizure of vessels and detention of passengers and crew in Iran.
- Strong tides and windstorms complicate ship movements near the shore.
- Verbal abuse to dishonor someone is illegal and punishable to 80 lashes.
- Has no public liquor stores.
- You may purchase up to 135 ounces of alcohol at the airport.
- Premarital sex is punishable to 100 lashes.
- Abortions are illegal and punishable to 100 lashes and up to 5 years in prison.
- Driving under the influence and/or public drunkenness is not tolerated and subject to hefty jail sentences, lashings, and/or substantial fines.
- Adultery is 100 lashes for unmarried persons and stoning to death for married persons.
- Alcohol is allowed to be served only in hotel restaurants and bars.
- Amputation, flogging, and stoning are legal punishments.
- Kissing in public is illegal and may result in deportation.
- Federal Law prohibits cursing on social media with a 250,000AED fine and incineration.
- Has a 35UAE Departure Tax payable only in the local currency.
- Homosexuality is illegal and a capital offense.
- Importing books, cannabises (CBD) products, e-cigarettes, endangered animal species, fertilizers, fireworks, ivory, laser pointers, magazines, non-Islamic religious pamphlets for missionary activities, paintings, pornographic material, radar jammers, sculptures, and/or unauthorized communication devices are not permitted if not adhering to local moral values and religious beliefs.
- Drug traffickers receive a death sentence.
- Drug possession is illegal and up to 15 years in prison.
- Drones are prohibited.
- Prescription medications must be fully authenticated, must be authenticated by the Secretary of State, the U.S. Department of State, and finally by the UAE Embassy in Washington, DC.
- Air pollution is an issue.
This international destination requires:
- A valid passport with six months of validity upon return and one blank page for entry stamp.
- Tourist VISA not required for visits under 90 days.
Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. Photo Credit: supertranslator/Pixabay
- Best Time to Visit: October - April
- Coolest Months: January & February
- Hottest Months: July - September
- Peak Season: December - March
Fujairah, United Arab Emirates. Photo Credit: Raventhorne/Pixabay
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All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Subject to change without notice.
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