Dubai is a type of mystical cities that you simply hear a lot about, however nonetheless by no means actually know what to anticipate earlier than travelling there. This was definitely the case for me final 12 months after I made my first ever journey to Dubai. After spending a complete of three weeks within the metropolis, I really feel as if I’ve come again with a very good understanding of how Dubai works, and I picked up some nice suggestions alongside the way in which. Listed here are the issues to know earlier than visiting Dubai, and the issues I want I knew earlier than my first journey…
Dubai Marina
Issues to Know Earlier than Visiting Dubai
1. What to Put on in Dubai
One of the vital necessary issues to know earlier than visiting Dubai is what to put on. I’ll state the plain first. Dubai is a part of the United Arab Emirates, which is a Muslim nation, so it’s particularly necessary to consider bringing garments that can mean you can gown modestly in sure areas. In the case of dressing appropriately in Dubai, the very first thing is to differentiate the distinction between public and lodge areas.
Public Areas
In public areas (e.g. malls, cafes, the airport, public transport), women and men are anticipated to decorate modestly. Shoulders must be coated and an excessive amount of leg, boob or bum will not be a very good look. While no one goes to name the style police for those who’re displaying an excessive amount of pores and skin, it’s much better to suppose like a savvy traveller and be respectful of the native tradition. Pair a maxi skirt and t-shirt with some glamorous jewelry and sandals for a modest but trendy look.
Motels are seen as ‘worldwide zones’ the place normal vacation / seaside / scorching climate apparel is completely acceptable. I wouldn’t advise you wander across the lodge foyer in your bikini and shorts, however all of that’s completely nice by the pool and seaside. There are additionally loads of day seaside golf equipment the place you may lounge in your beachwear and bikinis all day.
Travelista High Tip: Girls, hold a pashmina packed in your bag always for public areas and produce some kaftans and canopy ups for on the lodge.
Visiting The Desert
2. E book Eating places in Advance
Dubai isn’t the simplest place to be spontaneous. If you happen to’re going out for dinner, choose a restaurant upfront and make a reservation. Not like many different bustling cities, it’s not really easy to only rock up someplace and get a desk, particularly to the extra upmarket eateries.
Issues to Know Earlier than Visiting Dubai
3. The place Can I Drink Alcohol in Dubai?
There are many nice impartial eating places in Dubai, however none of them are licensed to serve alcohol. If you happen to’re planning to have a number of drinks, ensure you’re going to eating places and bars that sit inside a lodge complicated. Once more, being an ‘worldwide zone’ implies that alcohol is permitted and also you’ll discover that the entire most well-known eating places are all discovered inside Dubai’s motels. You don’t must be staying on the lodge to eat at their eating places,
Travelista High Tip: Don’t be afraid to stroll straight in to a lodge foyer and ask for instructions to your bar / membership / restaurant.
The 4 Seasons Dubai at Nightfall
4. Nightlife in Dubai
Dubai has an amazing alternative of trendy bars and golf equipment, a lot so that you simply’ll by no means get spherical all of them. Equally to my level about alcohol, the golf equipment are all positioned inside the motels, which makes it really feel like extra of a ‘secret scene’. There isn’t a primary ‘strip’ or nightlife hub. If you happen to’re planning an evening out, you might want to know the place you’re going and precisely the place it’s. Chances are high, it’s most certainly tucked away by means of the foyer of a swanky lodge or on the highest of a skyscraper.
Dubai Marina by night time
5. How A lot Are Taxis in Dubai?
While costs in Dubai are just like London requirements, taxis are dirt-cheap. This makes taxis an inexpensive and extremely useful means of getting across the metropolis. There are infinite taxis on the roads and it by no means takes quite a lot of minutes to flag one down. The meter begins at 5 dirhams.
Travelista High Tip: Whenever you get right into a taxi, at all times ensure the motive force places on the meter and confirms he is aware of the place your vacation spot is.
Issues to Know Earlier than Visiting Dubai
6. The Name to Prayer
The Islamic Name to Prayer will be heard from just about anyplace within the metropolis. All the mosques are wired as much as public speaker methods and the decision is heard from the minaret 5 occasions a day. Relying on how shut the closest mosque is, chances are you’ll hear calls all through the night time too. Don’t fear, it’s completely regular!
7. How A lot Ought to You Tip in Dubai?
Tipping is a customized in Dubai, however it’s not anticipated and is nowhere close to as obligatory as the united statesA. Soak up to account the standard of service offered and don’t really feel inclined to tip if one thing was dangerous. Simply take it on a case-by-case foundation. Dubai-based journalist @BellaKay recommends the next as a tough information to tipping in Dubai:
Waiter /waitress: 10 to fifteen per cent of the whole invoice, if service has been good.
Taxi driver: Spherical as much as the closest observe, if driving was acceptable.
Meals supply man: Spherical as much as nearest observe, or AED 5 to 10.
Valet-parking assistant: AED 5 to 10.
Bellboy: AED 5 to 10.
Grocery store bag-packer: A few cash, as much as AED 5.
Hairdresser: 10 per cent.
Magnificence / spa therapist: AED 5-20, relying on quantity spent.
Wish to learn extra? Try extra of my Dubai posts:
- 10 Enjoyable issues to do on a Ladies Vacation in Dubai
- A Luxurious Evaluation of The 4 Seasons Dubai
- A Style of Tepanyaki at Inexperienced Spices, Dubai
Or get extra high suggestions from the blokes at Go to Dubai
What did you consider my 7 issues to know earlier than visiting Dubai? Are you planning a visit to Dubai quickly for the primary time or have you ever just lately visited? If you happen to loved this submit or discovered it useful, please depart me a remark within the field under! x