Fast Facts Dubai!
What is the weather like in Dubai?
With its dry, subtropical climate and lots of sunshine, Dubai is a year-round destination. Rainfall is infrequent—mostly during the winter months—but flash floods can occur. Temperatures range from a low of about 50 F to a high of 118 F in the summer. The best time to visit Dubai is during the winter months, November-March. April and May are still pleasant, although it will be warming up. Summers are hot and humid.
Click here for the current forecast in Dubai
What is required for entry into Dubai?
A passport with a minimum validity of six months and a visa is required for entry into Dubai. Citizens of the following countries will obtain a free visa upon arrival in the UAE: United States, Canada, Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Hong Kong, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, and Vatican City.
All other passport holders will require a visa prior to arrival which our representatives in Dubai will arrange on your behalf. The cost for this visa is $145 per person. We will send you forms and instructions if you require this type of visa.
Are there any health precautions I should take?
There is no risk of malaria or yellow fever in the United Arab Emirates. While there are no required vaccinations for entry into the United Arab Emirates, consult your doctor about vaccinations and other preventative medicine recommended by the Center for Disease Control. Make sure your food and drinking water are safe as food and waterborne diseases are the primary cause of illness in travelers.
CDC Website link: http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/destinationUnitedArabEmirates.aspx
WHO website link: http://www.who.int/ith/countries/are/en/
What is the currency?
The currency of the U.A.E. is the dirham. Currency-exchange bureaus are the best places to exchange money. They can be found all over the city and are usually open until 8:30 pm. ATMS are another very accessible option as they can be found all over Dubai. Click here for updated currency exchange information on the dirham
ATMs: ATMs are found all over the city.
Tipping: Where service charges are not included in a bill, a 10% tip for hotel bellhops and restaurant waitstaff is adequate. It is also appropriate to tip taxi drivers a few dirhams.
What are the best things to shop for in Dubai?
As the shopping capital of the Middle East, Dubai is a true shopper's paradise. Low customs duties make luxury goods less expensive than in most countries. In fact, the Dubai Duty Free is renowned as one of the best duty-free operations in the world.
In the city, there are three main places: shopping malls, souks and the shopping streets or areas. Souks are very common in the Emirates and tend to be good places to buy gold, fabrics, electronics, and traditional Arabic art. Other items to shop for include clothes and fabrics, Persian carpets and rugs, Arabic coffee pots, silver and brass swords and khanjars (curved daggers), ancient rifles, shisha pipes, porcelain prayer beads, antique silver jewelry, brass trinkets, and silver and wooden miniature dhows.
Bargaining is acceptable everywhere, even in the malls.
What are the voltage requirements in Dubai?
Voltage: 220/240 V. You will most likely need a voltage converter, and plug adapter in order to use U.S. appliances, even though some outlets will correspond to American plug types and voltages. We recommend getting a universal adapter and converter kit. Click here
for more information about electrical standards around the world.
