When to visit Dubai

The best time to visit Dubai and the UAE is from October up until May.
In October the weather may still be quite hot (up to 35C), blue skies are the norm and the evenings are warm. At this stage the tourist season is well under way.

Temperatures in Dubai are ideal during November, December, January and February (around 24C) although the evenings may be a little cool (13C). North-westerly winds (shamal) sometimes blow during these winter months, bringing choppy seas. Most of the annual rainfall occurs between December and March, but this tends to be in the form of short heavy downpours that rapidly clear away. Indeed some winters are totally dry.
By March–April, temperatures are beginning to rise during the day (early 30s) but humidity is still low and the evenings are warm. May can be quite hot again (late-30s).

Avoided visiting Dubai between June–September especially the July–August period which is very hot (high 40s) and humid (100 per cent). However Dubai hotels and golf clubs and other facilities offer very good deals during the summer months and it is worth remembering that hotels, shops, in fact all buildings, cars, buses etc are air-conditioned.

Fees for short-term visit visas to Oman reduced

Muscat: In a decision expected to boost tourism, Oman has slashed the fees for short-term visit visas from 20 Omani riyals (Dh190.10) to 5 riyals (Dh47.50).

Visas for a stay of more than 48 hours and less than 10 days are classified as short-term visas.

The Royal Oman Police (ROP) has also extended the free visa period for cruise passengers and crew from 24 to 48 hours.

However, for Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) residents, the short-term visa costing five riyals will be valid for four weeks and can be extended by a week.

The visit visa for GCC residents will be issued by all ports, including airports and border posts, and Omani embassies.

Dubai presented with ‘The Most Beautiful Travel Destination’ award in

Dubai has been presented ‘The Most Beautiful Destination’ award by the China Travel Channel after a jury comprising of 100 senior Chinese journalists endorsed the emirate of Dubai over several other destinations including US, France, Germany, UK and Singapore for the award given to mark the 10th anniversary of the popular TV channel. China Travel Channel is the only satellite travel and lifestyle TV channel in China with over 350 million viewers in major cities in the People’s Republic.

Personal safety

Dubai and 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.

Police Headquarters

Abu Dhabi 02 4461461
Dubai 04 2292222
Sharjah 06 5631111
Ajman 06 7436000
Umm al-Qaiwain 06 5656662
Ra’s al-Khaimah 07 2333888
Fujairah 09 2370000

Dubai Police hotline (Al Ameen service) 8004888 alalmeen@emirates.net.ae

Emergency Numbers

Ambulance 998 or 999
Fire 997
Police 999
Coastguard 04 3450520
East Coast Coastguard 09 2380380

Dress appropriately

During your trip to Dubai please remember it is permitted to wear bikinis and normal swim wear on the beach, however, it is highly recommended that one restrict the wearing of such garments to the beach and not openly in public.  In addition, topless bathing is not permitted, and thongs may also cause offense to the local population. Whilst it is common for men to walk bare-chested on the promenades of Europe, it is frowned upon here so please respect the local customs and culture and ensure you comply with the local dress code. Short skirts and revealing tops will also attract attention, and are not considered appropriate attire for public forums, such as area shopping malls.