The United Arab Emirates are located in the eastern part of the Arabian Peninsula and is washed by the waters of the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Gulf. The UAE borders Saudi Arabia and the Sultanate of Oman. The UAE Federation was established in 1971 and currently consists of seven Emirates. The UAE includes Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Fujairah, RAS al Khaimah and Umm al Quwain. The Federation is ruled by elected President and Prime Minister, however each Emirate has its own ruler.
One of the traditional feature of UAE is the strict observance of the personal privacy rules and confidentiality.
In the UAE, it is forbidden to photograph and make videos of other people without their prior consent. These actions are punishable by law.
In the Arab Emirates, public expressions of feelings are prohibited, even between spouses. Passionate hugs and public kisses are forbidden. This rule applies to all Emirates without exception.
Drinking alcoholic beverages in the territory of the Emirate of Sharjah is a criminal offense. Also, in Sharjah, on public beaches, you cannot swim in two piece and / or very revealing swimsuits.
Foul language and abusive gestures can lead to arrest.
Ladies day (women's day).
In some parks and on paid public beaches there is a special women's day, when the entrance to the Park or the beach is open only to women and children.
Ramadan is a month of obligatory fasting for every devout Muslim. During the fast in the daytime, they abstain from eating, drinking, smoking and any form of intimacy. The duration and the beginning of Ramadan depends on the lunar calendar and shifts each year. Fasting begins at sunrise and ends at sunset. The Holy month of Ramadan has its own oriental flavor and traditions. And during this period, there are a number of rules to follow.
For Muslims, Ramadan is a month of piety, good deeds, generosity and abstinence from excess. Showing respect for people who observe fasting and following certain rules are mandatory components of behavior in the UAE.
Outside of the hotel and in public places from dawn to dusk, it is forbidden to eat, drink water, smoke, chew gum. Women can not wear tight or low-cut clothes, short skirts, bright, eye-catching makeup.
A number of restaurants and cafes located in most visited public places have, as an exception, a fenced area created specifically for tourists where the food and soft drinks are served throughout the day.
Upon arrival in the UAE, you may find that all your messengers have stopped supporting video calls. Don't worry, your phone is fine. In the UAE, there is a current ban on voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), that restricts the use of the following applications: Skype, Viber, Telegram, WhatsApp and others.
For your convenience and possibility of making calls within the country we recommend taking a tourist SIM card from local mobile operators : Du, Etisalat or Virgin.
Arabic and English are the official languages of the country. Before the trip, we recommend you download the Russian-English dictionary to your phone.
The currency of the country is dirham (AED). The current fixed exchange rate is 1 USD = 3.65 AED. In many places, you can pay for the purchases in dollars, but be careful about the exchange rate in stores: it may differ considerably from the rate at the exchange office. To exchange currency at a local bank or exchange office, you will need to provide a passport or any other valid original identification.
Dubai has many shopping centers offering a unique variety of shopping. Designer boutiques, world-famous brands, a wide range of products (from fashion to cutting-edge gadgets), as well as numerous cafes and restaurants will allow you to spend the whole day enjoying shopping and recreation.
The Dubai Mall • Deira City Centre • Ibn Battuta Mall • Burjuman Centre • Dubai Marina Mall • Mall of The Emirates • Festival City Centre • Wafi Mall • Dubai Outlet Mall
In authorized Tax Free (tax refund) stores you need to show your passport to register for this option. The minimum amount spent to be eligible for registration is 250 dirhams. Keep your original purchase receipts and Tax Free receipt to complete the refund process at the airport when departing the country.
The United Arab Emirates is a country where it is often difficult to get from one place to another on foot. Most likely, you will need public transport such as buses, taxis or metro. Our recommendation is to install 2GIS application on your phone, as this map works offline, without Internet. It can also protect your budget from unscrupulous taxi drivers who like to drive tourists around the city. An alternative to 2GIS is Google Maps app, where you can partially save areas that are also available offline after downloading.
And since your phone contains such important things as a dictionary and a map, we recommend buying a spare power bank in advance to always stay connected.
In summer, the thermometer scale can rise to over 40 degrees Celsius. The tourist peak season is considered to be from early October to mid-December and March-April.
Since the country has a warm climate, we recommend taking with you light clothes made of natural fabrics, hats, bathing suits and comfortable shoes. UAE adhere to certain rules based on respect for the culture and religion of the country when it comes to clothing. Their observance will help to make the stay in the country more pleasant and will allow to avoid misunderstandings associated with involuntary insult to the feelings of believers. Ladies need to take care so their outfits are not shockingly revealing and transparent. But this does not mean that the trip should completely be deprived of the beautiful outfits. Covered shoulders, less cleavage and skirts below the knees are considered as a good manner in the UAE. During the winter months, we recommend that you bring warm clothes, such as a light sweater or jacket, especially if you are planning evening walks or trips to the desert, where the temperature is usually a few degrees lower than in the city.
To book a taxi call:
Dubai: 04 208 08 08
Sharjah: 600 52 52 52
Abu Dhabi: 600 53 53 53
All stations on the red line are operating as follows:
Saturday to Wednesday: 05: 00-24: 00
Thursday: 05: 00-01: 00 (next day)
Thursday: 05: 00-01: 00 (next day)
All stations on the green line are operating as follows:
Saturday to Wednesday: 05: 30-24: 00
Thursday: 05: 30-01: 00 (next day)
Friday: 10: 00-01: 00 (next day)
We wish you a pleasant stay in one of the most hospitable countries in the world.