Dubai is one of the seven emirates collectively called the United Arab Emirates. A former protectorate of the United Kingdom, today Dubai is a global city and a major business hub in the Middle East.

Dubai was mainly a trading post due to its geographical location until oil was discovered in 1966. Since then, this bustling and relatively young city has grown exponentially to become one of the important trade centers in the world.

Dubai’s economy has shifted from oil to tourism, financial services and real estate. The city has been in the international news because of its huge projects and the sporting events.

When one thinks of Dubai, one thinks shopping at duty free rates since it is a free port.

What to see

Most people think that all you can do in Dubai is shop. How wrong can one be? There are a lot of things to see and do in Dubai. You could go in a desert safari or if you have friends in Dubai you can also go camping in the desert. You can head out to the desert if you want to try a spot of dune bashing.

One of the must- sees in Dubai is the man made islands, the first of which is shaped like a palm and is called the Palm Jumeriah.

The Dubai Marina is one place you must visit at night. The Walk is a big attraction to Emiratis and other expats as well. It is here that you would get a pulse of the vibrant city. Again, it is here that you can see all the Harley Davidson bikes in action.

As you drive around you will see the Burj Khalifa, the Burj Al Arab and the Atlantis. Dubai also has two lovely parks which are worth visiting.

If you are a golfer then Dubai is a place to be. The city has some excellent golf courses.

When to visit

It really doesn’t matter when you visit Dubai as it is air conditioned everywhere. The climate is generally hot and arid. Summers can get very hot and windy while winters are pleasant.

Where to stay

Dubai has a range of hotels to suit your requirement and budget. Starting from the iconic Burj Al Arab and hotels such as the One and Only; accommodation is available for the budget traveler also.

Watch out for the great deals which the hotels and airlines offer on a regular basis.

Shopping

Shopping is a national past time and the malls are where you will find life. Dubai is also the world’s supermarket and you will find produce and products from all over the world.

Malls like the Ibn Battuta, the Dubai Mall and the Mall of the Emirates are destinations by themselves. You can buy almost anything in these malls.

Food

Dubai is foodie’s delight. You can experiment with cuisine from all over the world. Don’t forget to try out the Thai, Chinese, Malay, French, Japanese, Italian and of course Arabian cuisine.

Pork is not served in the restaurant. However, some supermarkets do sell pork.


What to wear

Dubai is a multi cultural society and you can wear anything you want to. But is better you remember that this is also an Islamic country. It would be advisable that you cover up and not show too much skin.

There is no dress code as such, but it is best to dress up for fine dining.

Transport

You will get a taste of Dubai even as you walk down the gargantuan arrival halls of Dubai International Airport.

Though most tourists take cabs to get to their destinations, the airport is connected by both metro and buses.

Though not frequent, Dubai has a fairly regular bus service. The metro is also an effective way to get from point to point.

The cabs in Dubai are reliable and safe.

Money

The currency in the UAE is the dirham (Arab Emirate Dirham or AED). You will find ATMs very conveniently placed in the airport, in malls and in petrol stations.

You can change money at money exchanges and banks. Most exchanges are located in malls and department stores. The money exchanges offer better rates than the banks.

Medical

In case of a medical emergency call 998 and 999 for ambulance. The operator will speak in English. You can go to the nearest hospital. Please ensure that your travel medical insurance is current.

There are pharmacies in all the malls and you can pick up your medication there.

Tourist office contact

Dubai is a tourist friendly place and you will find the booths of the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) everywhere. Please contact the DTCM for further details.

Visa

US passport holders with more than six months validity can enter UAE without a visa, provided their stay is less than one month.

Rules concerning visa requirements change suddenly in the UAE. Please contact the UAE embassy or the DNRD (Dubai Naturalization and Residency Department) in Dubai.

The validity period of the free visa on arrival has seen some changes.

The visa validity period in the UAE is generally stated in days. Please remember that 30 days in not always a month. If you over stay you will have to pay a fine.

Entry permits and visit visas when not used expire in two months after it has been issued.

Dubai also offers the facility of visa on arrival to nationals of some countries. Please check with your nearest UAE embassy for the latest details.

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