Dubai is a magical, far-off destination that everyone dreams of traveling to. The exotic paradise has a lot to be explored and can be the perfect getaway when well planned. If you’ve managed to save up enough money to travel to Dubai, there’s a lot you’ll need to handle before you arrive to ensure that your trip goes off without a hitch. Although the city is filled with beauty and welcoming of tourists, there are laws and cultural beliefs you should adhere to ensure you don’t end up being mocked, gawked at, or in jail.
1. Passport and Visa
In order to travel to Dubai, all US travelers must have a valid passport for more than six months. Upon your arrival, if staying 30 days or less, you are also required to obtain a free visitor’s visa at the point of entry. So, if you don’t have a passport yet and you plan on traveling to Dubai within the next six months, you should apply now to avoid being turned away.
2. Visit Your Doctor
When visiting Dubai, it is important to note that certain medications that are legal in the US are not legal in the UAE. Therefore, you will want to ask your doctor for a note for any medications that you need to take with you to prevent being locked up or having your medicine confiscated.
3. Traveler’s & Medical Insurance
Since you’ll be traveling internationally, you’ll want to get traveler’s insurance for added protection. You’ll also want to find out if your medical insurance will cover services overseas in the event that you’re injured or sick while on vacation.
4. Your Itinerary
Planning your itinerary is likely one of the most enjoyable parts of planning a trip. Dubai has lots of attractions and activities that tourists can enjoy. Below are a few suggestions on things to do in Dubai:
· Go Golfing – Whether you’re vacationing for leisure or you’re traveling to Dubai on business you can’t go wrong with a game of golf. Dubai golf courses like the Emirates Golf Club, The Els Club, Abu Dhabi City Golf Club, and more are some of the most beautiful you’ll ever see. Surrounded by lush grass and palm trees, beautiful bodies of water, and the city as the backdrop you’ll feel like you’re in paradise.
· Burj Khalifa – Dubbed the world’s tallest tower, the Burj Khalifa stands about 828 meters high. Take an elevator to level 124 where you can get a great view of the city from the observation deck.
· The Dubai Mall – If you love shopping you can’t visit Dubai without taking a trip to the Dubai Mall. With more than 1200 stores and 150 restaurants, an ice rink, indoor theme park, indoor waterfall, and outdoor fountain you’ll probably need more than just a day to see this tourist attraction.
· Kite Beach – If you’re traveling with the family a must-see attraction is Kite Beach. This popular hot spot is a great place for walking, biking, water sports, and even grabbing a bite to eat. Perfect for a family fun day.
5. Currency
While you’ll be able to exchange your currency once you arrive in Dubai, you’ll want to know ahead of time what the exchange rates are to ensure you have enough cash.
6. Accommodations
Finding a hotel in Dubai won’t be much of an issue as there are plenty of accommodations throughout the area. If you want to save money on your trip to Dubai it’s ideal to get a hotel room further from the main city and attractions. Also, paying for your hotel in local currency can save you money on your stay.
7. Transportation
While you could rent a car in Dubai be aware that the driving etiquette is very poor. In fact, the city happens to be at the top of the list for most vehicular fatalities. That being said, other options for traveling around Dubai include boat, bus, taxi, and metro. The two most commonly used options include the taxi and metro.
8. Home
When you plan on being gone for a while it is imperative that you take extra precautions to take care of your home. Outside of securing the property and asking someone to house sit, you should take other safety precautions. For instance, don’t inform a lot of people that you’ll be out of town for a while, and most importantly, do not post any vacation status or pictures online until you’ve returned home to ensure no one tries to break in while you’re away.
When traveling internationally to a city like Dubai, one must expect that there are going to be a few hoops to jump through cultural and legal differences in countries make it paramount for you to do your research prior to traveling. This will ensure a safe trip and more importantly a stress free vacation.