Dubai guide compiled by FlightCenter



Dubai is distinct from other six emirates of this oil rich nation in the Middle East in the sense that oil accounts for only 6% of its gross domestic product. Dubai's major source of revenue is the Jabel Ali Free Zone and tourism.

Dubai is one of the seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates. The other parts of UAE are- Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Fujairah, Ras al-Khaimah and Umm al-Qaiwain.

Expatriate communities make up the most of Dubai's 1.2 million population and as a result many languages are spoken Arabic is the official language German Hindi, Urdu, Malayalam, Tamil, Persian, Russian and Tagalog are widely heard.

Dubai is also the the only emirate in UAE that has Hindu temples and Sikh Gurudwaras.

Weather in Dubai.

Average temperatures in Dubai range from a low of about 10'C (50'F) to a high of 48'C (118'F). Mean daily maximum is 24'C (75'F) in January and 41'C (106'F) in July. You don't really want to be going into the Dubai desert in the middle of January

Winter in Dubai is the months of January February and March. Dubai weather is moderate during this period and can make it the most comfortable time to visit Dubai.

Summers (July to September) in Dubai are extremely hot and humid in Dubai. During this period temperatures can reach as high as 48'C (118'F) and humidity levels soars to 80-90%. Sandstorms hit the city from the end of May until early July.

In October in Dubai, minimum average temperature is 25 degree centigrade and the maximum average temperature is 35 degree centigrade. November and December has a more comfortable minimum average temperature of 20 degrees and maximum average is 30 degrees.

There are various modes of transportation in Dubai. The use of traditional modes of transportation in Dubai like camels and abras (small motorboats) is popular while buses are another favourite for transportation in Dubai for not only local residents but also for tourists.

Taxis are still relatively new and obviously preferred by tourists and business people traveling around Dubai.

Dubai gold souqs or the open Arabian markets of Gold have earned the emirate of the reputation as "The City of Gold". The quality of the Gold is regulated and of the highest quality.

Dubai beaches are a huge tourist attraction in Dubai where the tourists can enjoy the highest standards in absolute freedom. Excellent accommodation facilities and a wide range of water sports with lots of other recreational activities like theme parks, makes Dubai beaches some of the best in the world.

Desert Safaris in Dubai are one of the major highlights of Dubai tourism and one of the main reasons of the growth of the tourism industry in Dubai. There are half-day desert safari's in Dubai, along with lunch or dinner which costs from around Dh250 each. Overnight trip to Desert Safari cost around Dh450. and you get to enjoy dune driving, camel riding, barbeque dinner, and Bedouin Styled camping. With Wadi-Bashing and Sand-Skiing there's a lot to enjoy desert safaris around Dubai.

Nightlife in Dubai

Nightlife buzzes in Dubai, the city is full of up market wine bars, DJ joints and beach bars. Its party time for the everyone throughout the week. There is a steady increase of night bars and joints in Dubai with quality decoration and there's always somewhere to go in this bright swinging city of Dubai the most cosmopolitan city in the middle east.

Accommodation in the UAE is of a very high standard and most of the world's top hotel chains run five-star hotels in the Emirates, the pi?ces de resistance being the Emirates Palace Hotel in Abu Dhabi and the Burj al-Arab in Dubai. There are also a number of excellent locally run properties suitable for both tourists and business travelers. Several of the hotels are outstanding examples of modern architecture. Swimming pools, tennis courts and fully equipped health centres are the norm. Most waterfront hotels have excellent beaches and extensive water sports facilities. If your budget does not extend to a five-star hotel, there are alternatives, most also of a high standard.

General guide and thing to know for Dubai and UAE.

SECURITY

Personal safety

The UAE is one of the safest places in the world to visit. In fact, it has been designated the world's safest holiday destination by the international travel industry on two occasions. Nevertheless, it is a good idea to take out travel insurance and to take the normal precaution to safeguard yourself and your valuables.

TIPPING

Tipping is not compulsory, but is common practice. Gratuities to staff at hotels are at your discretion. Most restaurants add service charges to the bill (Abu Dhabi 16 per cent; Sharjah 15 per cent; Dubai 10 per cent). If this charge is not included, add 10 per cent of the total to the bill. Taxi drivers do not expect to be tipped. Supermarket baggers, bag carriers and windscreen washers at petrol stations are generally given a tip.

PHOTOGRAPHY

Ask permission before photographing people in general. Avoid photographing Muslim women and do not photograph airports, docks, telecommunications equipment, government buildings, military and industrial installations.

TIME

The UAE is four hours ahead of GMT. The time does not change during the summer. This means that there is a three-hour difference between UK and UAE local times in summer and a four-hour difference in winter.

ELECTRICITY

Domestic supply is 220 volts. Sockets suitable for three-pin 13 amp plugs of British standard design are the norm. However, it is a good idea to bring an adaptor with you. Alternatively, adaptors can be purchased in local supermarkets. Appliances purchased in the UAE will generally have two-pin plugs attached.

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES

The UAE uses the metric system, although British and US standard weights and measures are understood.

CLOTHING

Lightweight summer clothing is ideal with a wrap, sweater or jacket for cooler winter nights and air-conditioned premises. Although the dress code in the UAE is generally casual, guests in the larger hotels do tend to dress more formally in the evening. Since you are visiting a Muslim country, bikinis, swimsuits, shorts and revealing tops should be confined to beach resorts. Women are usually advised not to wear short skirts and to keep their shoulders covered. Note that in Sharjah women are prohibited from wearing swimsuits on public beaches.

TOILETS

Most shopping centres, public gardens, museums etc have clean, well-maintained public toilets. Outside of the cities, you can find good public toilets at restaurants and petrol stations.

FOOD AND WATER

The standard of food hygiene and water quality is extremely high, especially in all of the larger centres. You should take the time to investigate conditions in smaller cafes in remote areas, although again standards are usually good. Raw salads and shawarmas (meat cooked on a spit and served in a pitta bread sandwich) are to be avoided if you have any doubts.

Drinking water is usually produced by desalination so it is normally safe to drink, nevertheless you may prefer the taste of bottled water. In any case it is advisable to drink plenty of water in the heat so carry a bottle with you at all times.