From Wikitravel

Dubai [1] (دبي) is one of the United Arab Emirates.

Contents 1 Understand 1.1 Climate 1.2 Useful Links 2 Get in 2.1 By plane 2.2 By car 2.3 By boat 3 Get around 3.1 By bus 3.2 By taxi 3.3 By car 3.4 By boat 3.5 By metro 4 See 5 Do 6 Learn 7 Work 8 Buy 8.1 Malls 9 Eat 9.1 Snacks 9.2 Budget 9.3 Mid-range 9.4 Splurge 10 Drink 11 Sleep 11.1 Budget 11.2 Mid-range 11.3 Splurge 12 Contact 13 Stay safe 14 Cope 15 Get out

Understand

A relatively new tourist destination, Dubai has gained in popularity in the recent years. It is essentially a desert city with superb infrastructure, liberal policies and excellent tourist amenities. Just 5 hrs from Europe and 3 hrs from most parts of Asia, Dubai makes a great short break for shopping, partying, sunbathing, fine dining, sporting events, and even a few sinful pleasures. It is a city of superlatives: for the fastest, biggest, tallest, largest and highest, Dubai is the destination.

The weekly day off is on Friday. Government departments are off on Thursday and Friday while a lot of multi-nationals are off on Friday and Saturday. Most local companies work a half day on Thursday. Note that, in September 2006, a harmonised weekend of Friday and Saturday will be adopted for the public sector and schools. It is not yet certain how the majority of the private sector will react.

Climate

The city of Dubai is situated on a coastal strip bordered by desert and gets very hot and humid in the summer. Cooler, more pleasant weather lasts from the end of September to begining of May. In May, June, July, August and September the sun is intense and temperatures can touch 50 degree Celsius in the city and even higher in the desert! January and February generally produce the highest precipitation.

Useful Links

Some useful links are located on the discussion page. Click on the discussion tab at the top of the article.

Get in

By plane

Dubai International Airport (DXB) [2] is the largest hub in the Middle East and the home base of the Dubai's flag carrier Emirates. The airport is famous for its duty-free shopping. Alcohol is also available at an inbound duty free store situated in the baggage reclaim area. The allowance is 4 bottles (or four 6 packs) per person.

Sharjah International Airport (SHJ) [3]is located in the emirate of Sharjah. It is only half an hour by road from Dubai and is taking an increasing number of international flights as Dubai airport struggles to keep up with demand. A taxi ride to Dubai will typically cost Dhs 50. The airport is fairly basic but is being expanded.

Dubai World City(JXB) recently announced to be ready for 2010.

Frequent visitors from countries granted automatic visa on entry may wish to purchase an e-gate card to speed up immigration formalities and save passport pages. The e-gate card office is situated in the upstairs foodcourt area of the departures concourse. The card will cost AED 150. Note: If you intend to buy an e-gate card in Dubai, you must have entered UAE via Dubai airport and not Sharjah.

By car

Dubai's only international road border is with Oman at Al Wajajah. Expatriate residents of Oman will require an official permit to exit Oman by road. Visitors do not require the permit. There is an OMR 3.000 charge per vehicle to exit Oman and, if returning, retain the charge receipt as it will be required to reenter. Ensure that insurance is valid for the UAE (preferably before commencing the journey). Temporary UAE insurance can be purchased at the border for a premium price. Exiting Oman is fairly orderly but several kilometres down the road, entry into the UAE is totally disorganised; so, be prepared for a wait.

By boat

Dubai is a trading hub for dhows from around the Indian Ocean. Travellers wanting to arrive in the city this way will probably need to make their own arrangements with the captain of the vessel.

Get around

By bus

Dubai has a good bus service with buses at intervals of about 20 min in general. However the bus service is not recommended for tourists as it is not as comprehensive as in other major global cities. The main bus stations are Gold Souq Market (in Deira) and Bur Dubai bus station (in Bur Dubai). Bus services are also available to other emirates. Ramadan timings differ.

Use the Dubai Public transport as a cheaper means of traveling within the several districts in Dubai. The fare comes up to an easy 1.50 AED, affordable for those who prefer a cheaper mode of transport. There's a bus stand on almost every road in Dubai and with all the friendly people in Dubai, you won't find it difficult to get help at any point of time. Self-explanatory maps and route marks and their bus numbers are placed inside every bus stand. At any time, if in doubt, simply ask the bus driver for help!

For a good, hop on - hop off, type tour try the Big Bus Company [4].

By taxi

Taxis are reasonably priced and easily found on all main roads in built-up areas, 24 hours. The official taxis (cream color) are a lot cheaper than people approaching you at the airport saying "you want taxi?". They are metered thus saving a haggle over prices. From the airport, there is a standing charge of AED 26; all other pick ups attract a standing charge of AED 3.50. There is nothing to choose in rates between the 5 players: Dubai Transport, National, Cars, Metro, and Arabian; so, take the first one that comes along. Driving standard in Dubai ranges from poor to wild - taxis are some of the worst on the roads.

By car

There are a countless number of Rent-A-Cars that will provide a mode of transportation for very cheap rates and very little paperwork. An International Driving Permit is now being asked for. In the past this was only needed for travel outside of Dubai.

Some agencies will hire out cars complete with drivers. Visitors taking advantage of this option will need to make certain that their driver knows his way around, as many do not.

When driving on the main roads, such as Sheikh Zayed road, the junction numbers are not in logical order! Junction 13 is just after 18 and are rarely as shown on the maps. Road names can also be very confusing with slight differences in spelling (due to transliteration from Arabic) being very important. The construction work that is taking place throughout and around Dubai can make finding your destination a challenge. Temporary road layouts change with alarming regularity and temporary signs can be misleading or non existent.

Driving during morning and afternoon peak hours is not recommended, as traffic slows to a standstill and even a simple trip across a bridge can take up to 45 minutes. There is also a scarcity of parking spaces in many parts of the city.

With such a mixture of nationalities residing in the city, driving styles are mixed to say the least. Dangerous driving will be witnessed, or experienced, on a frequent basis; and, bear in mind that Dubai has one of the highest per capita road death rates in the world. There is zero tolerance for alcohol and driving with stiff penalties meted out, including jail and deportation.

By boat

An easier way of crossing the Dubai Creek is by abra, essentially a small ferry. Abra stations are located along the Creek on both the Bur Dubai and Deira sides, and the system of filling the boats is remarkably efficient. The cross-river trip costs 50 fils per passenger, payable to the driver after the boat has left the station, and affords a very picturesque view of the city (not to be missed). Abras set off very regularly, and the service is available round-the-clock.

Abras can also be hired for a private tour (for a price negotiable with the driver but usually very cheap). This is quite a popular activity at sunset on a clear day, particularly if the driver is able to enliven the tour with stories about the structures on either side of the Creek. Just make sure that the purpose of one's abra hire is made clear at the outset - otherwise you'll be in for a very expensive cross-river trip or a crowded private tour.

The Creek is also the home of many boats offering more comfortable (and correspondingly more expensive) tours, often in boats designed to resemble dhows. Prices tend to the higher end of the scale, particularly for dinner cruises with on-board entertainment.

By metro

Dubai Municipality has embarked on an ambitious project to introduce a Metro Rail system. According to the official site Dubai Metro [5] construction has already commenced and the first phase is expected to be complete by 2009.

See

• Bastakiya District. The historic home to many reconstructed buildings in the traditional style. While information on the structures is slim here (see the museum in preference), the atmosphere is very evocative.

• Burj al-Arab hotel [6]. For a real glimpse into "how the other half lives", (self-proclaimed as the only 7 star hotel in the world, however is actually a 5 star deluxe hotel, with a unique shape of a boat's sail) afternoon tea, or cocktails, may be an interesting experience. Entry to the hotel requires a reservation which will be confirmed at the entry gate although residents of adjacent Jumeirah hotels may be able to visit by arrangement. Other tourists may occasionally be able to book tours of the hotel itself, however these will not run when the hotel is full. A "very smart casual" dress code applies.

• Dubai Museum, Al Ibn Abi Talib Road, (+971-4) 353-1862. A must-see for anyone interested in the social history of the Emirate (and indeed the country). The centrepiece of the museum is a reconstructed souq from the pearling days, complete with authentic sights and sounds. There is also a considerable focus on the speed at which the transition from poor pearling village to modern metropolis occurred. Admission 3AED.

• Dubai Zoo, Jumeirah Road. An outdoor zoo near to the beach. Considering the extreme temperatures during the summer months, there are plans bring the zoo indoors. Admission 3AED.

• Gold Souq Deira. One of the more startling sights in the city, even for those not interested in making a purchase. Most of the gold is 22ct quality (although in some shops this is a veneer placed on lesser metals) and quite expensive - although even here the shopkeepers are prepared to bargain - and the craftsmanship can be remarkably detailed. The gold items are sold by weight with a "making charge" added on top to cover the workmanship. It pays, therefore, to go shopping armed with the current gold price and a knowledge of the making charges in order to hone the bargaining process. Most visitors here can expect to be offered "copy watches" as well, often by very persistent hawkers.

• Ibn Battuta Mall. Commissioned in early 2005 this mall is worth visiting less for the shopping it offers and more for the architectural ambience created in its six courts designed according to the traditional architecture of China, India, Persia, Egypt, Tunisia and Andalusia

• Jumeirah Mosque, Jumeirah Road, Jumeirah 1 (opposite Palm Strip Mall). Generally considered to be one of the more attractive mosques in the region, as well as one of the few which are open to non-Muslims for tours. Tours run on Thursdays and are followed by a question-and-answer session about Islam for those who want to know more.

• Mall of the Emirates. Home to what is currently the world's largest indoor ski slope. Guests at the nearby hotel have free ski passes and clothing hire, while other visitors need to purchase these. More info on Ski Dubai web site

• Shindagha District Home to the open museums of the Heritage Village, and has the home of former Sheikh Rashid Al-Maktoum.

Do

• Shopping - Dubai is a shopper's paradise. Shops open as early as 9 am and stay open to 11 pm. There are innumerable shopping centers and malls around town to keep any shopper happy!

• Entertainment - As Dubai has grown from a small town into a bustling city, so has the entertainment. There are many music and sport events through out the year. Dubai also has a Dubai Shopping Festival and Dubai Summer Surprises to entertain visitors and residents. Most 3-5 star hotels have bars and nightclubs for those interested in the nightlife.

• Beaches and sea - There are endless water-sport opportunities as Dubai has some of the whitest and sandiest beaches in the world. Ocean temperatures range from 22 in winter up to 35 degrees Celsius in summer, meaning you might as well forget a hotel and bathe in the ocean. Very salty though. Diving activities have been severely affected by offshore construction work for the Palms and The World; consequently, long boat trips are necessary to reach wreck sites. Alternatively, one can make the 90 minute road journey to the East coast Emirate of Fujairah or the Sharjah enclave, Khor Fakkan, for top class diving on coral reefs supporting extensive marine life.

• Desert Safari or WikiPedia:Dune Bashing - Head out to the desert in an SUV with specialist Desert Drivers. The drivers will take you for a roller-coaster ride over sand dunes, show you the sunset from a strategic vantage point and then take you to a lavish dinner with music and dance to complete the atmosphere. For a brief while you would experience what it is like to be a Sheikh! Not to be missed

• Ski [7] - Dubai now has its own snow skiing centre. Located in the new Mall of the Emirates (MOE), on the Sheikh Zayed Road, it offers both skiing and snowboarding. The slope is quite large for an indoor area. All equipment is available for hire and a 2 hour package typically costs Dhs140. You must take warm clothing since it is well below freezing inside. More here Ski Dubai

• Wild Wadi [8] - Located in the heart of the city, next to Jumeriah Beach Hotel, this is a water amusement park that is loved by kids as well as adults. It has light as well as adventurous rides; and sports like water surfing. A great way to beat the heat and enjoy the day away from the bustle of the city.

• Dubai Creek Cruise/Ride The Dubai creek is the foundation from which Dubai grew. It originally served as a port for trading vessels plying to and from India, Africa and the Middle East. Today a bit of the old shipping culture still remains. In and around the creek one can see some of the original buildings thats served as customs houses and defence structures. You can book a ride on the creek with a dinner cruise or even rent a private boat to take you on a hour long ride up and down the creek.

Learn

Dubai has set up a free-zone Knowledge Village [9] to house institutes and universities, providing both on-line and in-class training. The city also has the American University in Dubai [10].

Work

Dubai presents an affluent stylish image to the visitor. What is not so obvious to the regular visitor are the people that actually make it work. Unfortunately, the people working in the service industries are underpaid, often have very poor working conditions and no employment rights. For example, a hotel waitress in one of the top hotels could expect $400 per month and to work very long hours. It is common for people to come from Asia and CIS countries, attracted by the Dubai image, but many return home disillusioned.

Buy

Dubai is practically synonymous with shopping. The huge amounts of cargo passing through its port and the low tariffs ensure that practically anything is available at competitive rates.

Remember to haggle in the souks, as discounts are almost always available and even in situations where the item will not become much cheaper, the customer is always expected to "play the game" of haggling. A simple question of "what's your best price?" will often result in a shop-keeper going to extraordinary lengths to sell his stock.
Prices in the malls and other Western shops tend not to be negotiable. Far from being a bad thing, this allows the canny visitor to work out comparative prices for common souvenirs - an invaluable aid when a shop-keeper in a souk is asking for a higher price.

Malls

• Mall of the Emirates [11] - near 4th interchange on Sheikh Zayed Road - The largest shopping mall outside of North America. 200+ shops, cinemas, plus the Ski Centre. Has many international high street chains as well as luxury brand stores, including Harvey Nichols. Many restaurants and cafes, though cafes tend to be much more crowded than at other malls. Very large Carrefour hypermarket attached. Arabian/Middle Eastern souvenir shops upstairs.

• Ibn Battuta Mall [12] - Jebel Ali - Areas themed around six countries (China, India, Persia, Egypt, Tunisia and the Andalusia.) Wide range of shops, although fewer high class brands. Has various restaurants and cafes (including three Starbucks), and a multiplex cinema including an Imax. No restaurants serve alcohol. Also has permanent exhibition of Islamic science, invention and astronomy. Attached (access via outside) is one of Dubai's few second-hand bookshops, House of Prose. Has a Geant supermarket attached.

• Souk Madinat Jumeirah [13] - Jumeirah Road, - 75 shops, numerous bars, restaurants and cafes, a nightclub, theatre. More expensive and targeted directly at tourists than other, general malls where residents go. Most bars and restaurants are licensed for alcohol. Nice to wander through as it has been designed to resemble a "traditional" souq, but with the modern comforts of air conditioning. Lots of souvenir-type shops.

• Burjuman Centre [14] - Khalifa Bin Zayed Road, - Recently opened after expansion, focus is on premium brand stores and luxury boutiques, but high street stores are also available. No restaurants serve alcohol.

• Deira City Centre [15] - This is by far the most popular mall in Dubai and no visit to Dubai is complete without a visit. Debenhams, Virgin Megastore, Zara and other international high street brands. A multiplex cinema, and many restaurants and cafes. Also has a large "Arabian Treasures" souvenir and traditional textiles area. Big Carrefour hypermarket attached, which is nearly always very busy. No restaurants serve alcohol.

• Wafi Mall [16] - Marks & Spencer, Goodies. Focus is almost entirely on luxury brands, jewellery and expensive boutiques. Many upmarket restaurants and bars, many of which are licensed (have alcohol available). A luxury spa is attached to the complex. The Egypt-themed architecture, which includes quite beautiful stained-glass pyramids, is worth seeing.

• Emirates Towers Boulevard [17], Sheikh Zayed Road - Part of the Emirates Tower Hotel complex. The shops here match the hotel - very high class, plus a Starbucks. Lipton cafe has free wifi. Restaurants and bars all serve alcohol. Quite a popular nightlife spot, with bars and nightclubs.

• Mercato Mall [18] - Jumeirah Beach Road. The only Renaissance-themed shopping mall in the Middle East. Cinemas, Virgin Megastore, high street brands such as Next, Top Shop. Also has a big Spinneys attached. Some restaurants, but none are licensed for alcohol.

• Gold Souk - Not a mall, but a historic market that has been a part of Dubai since the origin of Dubai itself. Located at the mouth of the creek, it dazzles people by selling gold in large quantities and with no security. A must visit for shoppers and sightseers.

• Spice Souk - As above, not a mall, but a historic market that has been a part of Dubai since the origin of Dubai itself. Located at the mouth of the creek, it is not far from the Gold Souk, but has sadly declined a bit in recent years as supermarkets take over the spice trade. A must visit for shoppers and sightseers. Lots of souvenirs are also available. Both the Spice Souk and the Gold Souq are a rather hot and sweaty experience with limited air-conditioning, so wear appropriately cool, loose clothing if visiting in mid summer. Individual shops are air conditioned.

• Gold & Diamond Park [19] Interchange 4, Sheikh Zayed Road (South side)- sells gold and diamond products. None of the character of the more historic gold souq, but is air-conditioned throughout, and easier to reach and park at than the historic souq (which is in the depths of downtown Deira).

• Al Ain Plaza (known locally as Computer Plaza) On Mankhool Road along from the Ramada Hotel, Bur Dubai heading towards the creek. A mall specializing in computers, computer parts and computer add ons like monitors, VOIP Phones, Hard Drives, etc.

TIP: Several malls have a large Carrefour, or similar, hypermarket where you'll find the lowest cost electronics.

Eat

Consult the weekly listings magazine, Time Out Dubai, for restaurant reviews and offers. It is available on line at www.timeoutdubai.com.

Most of the American fast food chains have set up shop in Dubai, including KFC, Chillis, Starbucks, McDonalds. The beauty of the food in Dubai is that you will probably find cuisine for every taste.

Snacks

Shwarma is the most available (and cheap!) food in Dubai. It is meat that has been cooked on a skewer and then cut into thin strips and placed into a pita bread with vegetables and dressing. It costs about AED 3 (80c) for the plain-jane variety and up to AED 5 ($1.30) for the more exotic Lebanese and Iranian varities. Fala-Fil (Felafel, falafel) is also available at about the same costs as the shawarma.

Budget

• Ravi Restaurant by Satwa roundabout sells excellent Pakistani food that is incredibly cheap. A tableful of food here costs in the region of AED 20-25 per person. This is a must see for anyone with a spicy tooth.

• The Karachi Darbar chain of restaurants scattered throughout the city is worth visiting.

Mid-range

• Wafi Gourmet, Wafi Mall - excellent Lebanese cuisine and ambience. In the cooler months the outdoor verandah is a pleasure. (about AED 100). No alcohol served.

• Lebanese Restaurant in Deira City Centre. No alcohol served.

• The Noodle House, Emirates Towers Shopping Boulevard - Asian food (about AED 80)

• Toscana, Souk Madinat Jumeirah - Italian (about AED 100)

• Yakitori House, Ascot Hotel - Japanese cuisine, very popular with the Japanese expat community.

• Tony Roma's [20], Ibn Batutta Mall - American food.

• Automatic, this is a chain of popular Lebanese restauraunts found all over Dubai. Famous for its lamb chops & Friday lunch buffet. No alcohol served.

• Al Dawaar Hyatt Regency. Serving an assortment of cusines, the highlight of this beautiful restaurant is that it revolves, giving a nice tour of the city. (Dhs. 150 per person)

• Pars Iranian Kitchen Located in the residential area of Diyafah Road next to the Rydges Plaza Hotel. This is an open air Iranian restaurant where one can sit in traditional machans (large bed-like seating) and enjoy a fine Iranian meal. The speciality is the mixed grill which is served with live coal. After the meal, smoke a traditional sheesha pipe. No alcohol served. (Around Dhs. 150 per person)

• Yum! - A wonderful noodle bar located at the InterContinental Dubai. Well priced, with excellent food.

Splurge

The top hotels in the city all have at least one restaurant serving (most commonly) some form of international cuisine - Italian, Japanese, Indian and so on. Quality tends to be high, along with price, but non-guests are able to reserve tables as well, thus allowing the rest of us to experience a bit of these hotels.

• Kiku, Le Meridien Dubai - Japanese cuisine. Very high quality and very popular. AED 150.

• Shang Palace, Shangri-La Dubai - Exceptional Chinese food. AED 200.
• Al Mahara, Burj Al Arab - Part of the Burj Al Arab hotel, and as you would expect is also very high quality! Seafood. AED 700.

• Legends Steakhouse, Dubai Creek Golf Club, Deira, Dubai. This restaurant is part of the Creek Golf Clubhouse. Highly popular with residents but, unfortunately, not known to tourists is this fabulous waterfront restauraunt. Situated overlooking the Dubai Creek it provides an excellent meal and views. At around AED 200 per head very reasonable for the ambience & food.

• JW's Steakhouse, JW Marriott, Deira Dubai. This is the Marriott's signature restauraunt and has won many awards over the years. Highly popular with Dubai residents. AED 350 per head

Drink

Alcohol is only available at licensed premises, usually attached to hotels (most nightclubs and bars are in or attached to hotels, though they may have separate entrances).

Alcohol is not sold on religious holidays, nor during daylight hours in Ramadan (even to non-Muslims).

It is illegal to drink alcohol in public places, and there is a zero-tolerance policy on drink driving. Anyone involved in a collision found with alcohol in their blood will usually get a month's jail sentence and fine.

Non-muslims can bring in "four items" of alcohol per adult from airport duty free. Eg four bottles of wine, or four bottles of spirits, or four cases of beer. (Regardless of the fact that four bottles of vodka contain a lot more alcohol than four bottles of wine).

Alcohol can only be bought for home consumption at certain outlets in Dubai, and an alcohol license is required. Supermarkets only stock non-alcoholic beers. Even food items containing alcohol are not sold in supermarkets.

• Try the Rooftop Swimming Pool on top of Hilton Dubai Creek. Small bar but wonderful views especially at sunset.
• The Cocktail Bar on the 24th floor of the Jumeirah Beach Hotel has good views along Jumeirah beach and the Burj al-Arab Hotel - the photo below was taken there.
• The Terrace bar, Park Hyatt, Deira, Dubai. A chilled out bar touching the Dubai Creek. Good for a one on one evening. Plays light music.

Sleep

IMPORTANT Due to very heavy demand for hotel rooms in Dubai it necessary that you book your hotel at least 2 weeks in advance to get a decent rate, especially from September to May.

Budget

• Gulf Pearl Hotel - Al Baraha Street, Omar al khattab Road, tel: +971-4-2728333, (mail: P.O. Box 88767, Al Baraha Road, Deira, Dubai, UAE) Rooms from $71.

• Pacific Hotel [21] - Sabakha Street 115, Deira, Dubai, tel: +971-4-2276700 (mail: P.O. Box 21423, Dubai, UAE, email: [22], fax: *971-4-2276761) Rooms from $80.

• New Peninsula Hotel - Mankhool Road, PO Box 33502, Bur Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Rooms from $99. Indian restaurants. Search the web for a cheap reseller!

• Panorama Hotel - Mankhool Road, PO Box 14703, Bur Dubai, United Arab Emirates, tel: +971-4-3518518. Rooms from USD$41.

Mid-range

• Apartments and Villas on Short term rentals [23] -Tel: +971-50-698-4217
• Ascot Hotel [24] - Khalid bin waleed Road, Bur Dabai, tel: +971-4-3520900 (mail: PO box 52555, Bur Dabai, Dubai, UAE, email: [25], fax: +971-4-3529819) Bur Dubai. Has Russian, Irish and Thai themed restaurants. Rooms from $180.
• Landmark Plaza Hotel [26] Deira City Centre. More expensive noticable version and cheaper Landmark Hotel a few meters further (same chain).

Splurge

• Burj al-Arab [27] - PO Box 74147, Dubai, tel: +971-4-3017777 (email: [28], fax: +971 4 3017000) . Popularly known as the first seven-star hotel in the world, however actually is a five star deluxe hotel, this striking sail-shaped building is a symbol of Dubai and one of most opulent hotels in the world. Rack rates over US $700 per night.

• Crowne Plaza. Sheikh Zayed road.

• Dusit Dubai [29] - 133 Sheikh Zayed Road, PO Box 23335, Dubai, tel: +971-4-3433333 (fax: +971-4-3434222) Thai hotel. Rooms from $350.

• Fairmont Dubai

• Jebel Ali Hotel & Golf Resort [30] - Jebel Ali, PO Box 9255, Dubai (take exit 13 on the Sheikh Zayed Road) tel: +971-4-8836000 (email: [31], fax: +971-4-8835543) Rooms from $400.

• Jumeirah Beach Hotel [32] - PO Box 11416, Dubai, tel: +971-4-3480000 (email: JBHinfo@jumeirah.com, fax: +971-4-3482273). Next to Burj al-Arab and run by the same company. Rooms from $700.

• Shangri-La Hotel, Dubai [33] - Sheikh Zayed Road, PO Box 75880, Dubai, tel: +971-4-3438888 (email: sldb@shangri-la.com, fax:+971-4-343 8886)

• Sheraton Dubai Creek

• Sheraton Jumeirah Beach Hotel - Al Sufouh Road, P.O. Box 53567, Dubai, tel: +971-4-3995533 (email: [34], fax: +971-4-3995577) Rooms from $350.

• Rydges Plaza Dubai, Al Diyafah Street Satwa Roundabout ph 97143982222 - Centrally positioned between the commercial and popular leisure districts of Dubai, with the Jumeira beach front just 10 minutes away. Rydges Hotels and Resorts is an Austrailian owned and operated company.

Contact

The international code for UAE is +971, for Dubai, add a 4 afterwards for land lines. Mobile phone numbers will start +971 50 xxx yyyy. The single service provider is Etisalat [35].

GSM Those with GSM phones can expect auto roaming from their home countries. You can also buy a prepaid GSM card. You will need a local address, which can be a hotel. A visitor's package, Ahlan, can be purchased at the airport from the Etisalat counter in the exit corridor after clearing customs.

Phone Booths Phone booths are located on most streets. Phone cards can be purchased from hotels and tourist shops. Some phones accept coins & credit cards

Internet Internet Cafes are hard to find. There is one at Computer Plaza next to Ramada Hotel in Bur Dubai. Also, the French Connection, Al Wafa Tower on Sheikh Zayed road (opposite side of road from the Dusit Hotel) has wifi access and nice cakes/pastries. Surprisingly the malls do not have Internet Cafes. Most hotel business centres are equipped with Internet Cafes, but expensive.

Etisalat [36], UAE's telecom operator, offers a roaming, post paid WiFi internet connection known as iZone [37]. Most coffee shops and malls across Dubai provide this service. Prices are available on their website.

Stay safe

Eating or drinking publicly during daylight hours is an offence during Ramadan except in hotels and private beach areas.

Drivers are not always as fond of the road rules in Dubai as in other cities or countries. Particularly during the morning and afternoon rush-hours, most drivers will take quite astonishing risks in heavy traffic. Taking a taxi, bus or abra is often a better bet than crossing busy roads, as even pedestrian crossings are not always observed.

The General Department of State Security operates a 'confidential' security service to allow citizens to submit any security related issues, called Al Ameen [38]. Offers anonymity and many channels of communication to the authorities.

Cope

Get out

Dubai has an arrangement with Oman to allow visitors who qualify for an Omani visa on arrival, visiting permission by road through Hatta. Details of the arrangements can be viewed on the official Omani web site [39].

While Dubai itself offers ample entertainment and shopping opportunities, most tourists visit to Sharjah for its many museums, beaches and parks. Be aware that ladies swimwear is not allowed on public beaches in Sharjah.

The capital of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi, is an entirely different city and it would be worth the one and a half hour ride to see the contrast!

This is a guide article. It has a variety of good, quality information including hotels, restaurants, attractions, arrival and departure info. Plunge forward and help us make it a star!