Alcohol
Alcohol is permitted in Dubai and can be purchased at the Duty Free Shop at Dubai Airport on the way into the country. The limit for this is four bottles each per person. Alcohol cannot be purchased in supermarkets or liquor stores here unless you are a resident with an alcohol license. However, alcohol is readily available in most hotels, bars, nightclubs and restaurants affiliated with hotels. But you need to be aware that although it is permitted for non Muslims to drink it is illegal to be drunk so getting smashed and staggering around the streets will get you in trouble.
Alcohol is not permitted to be consumed on the streets and there is a zero tolerance on drinking and driving. There are also some public holidays or periods of mourning where alcohol will not be served in public places. If this is important to you please check before booking your holiday if your dates are affected by these restrictions.
Drugs
Dubai also has a zero tolerance on drug offenses, either taking drugs or trafficking, with very strict consequences if caught. Please consider Dubai to be as stringent as other Asian countries a Dubai prison is not the place to be spending your holiday and a lot longer, if you are caught.
The Emirate of Dubai does have regulations regarding controlled drugs, so those visitors traveling with prescription medicine may want to verify whether these regulations impact theirs. Medicines, such as Tylenol 3 do have restrictions (as it contains codeine) so it is always important to check beforehand. If you are traveling with such prescription medicine, it is advisable to only carry the necessary amount needed for your travel (not to exceed 3 months as a maximum), and a letter from your physician. Some narcotics will require prior Ministry approval
