Going to Dubai for the first time next month and wondering if there is anything to be careful of or anything i should know.
I'm well travelled, done India, etc and staying in a very nice hotel in Jumeirah so no major worries but would appreciate any tips.
Thanks in advance.
2006-08-10 00:44:06 · 20 answers · asked by Anonymous in Travel ➔ Africa & Middle East ➔ United Arab Emirates
Being in Dubai, knowing all the places & since i too am an expatriate, i can sure help you.
As for the main advice, be alert. Since Dubai is a major tourist place there are many ppl who are wait to cheat you ppl. But the good news is, the police is really good and very helpful. Dont hesitate to call them in case of any difficulty. They are very organised and well behaved to people.
There are a few pick-pocketer, so be careful. As for touring the city, ONLY go with the guides that Hotel ppl are giving you. There some fraud guides who act very nice. Which hotel r u staying in?????
As for MUST do activities:
go for a desert safari in Hatta
Visit Alain
Dont forget to eat "Shawarma". Its a special arab food.
Pay a visit to Abu Dhabi, the capital of UAE. A very beautiful place. And dont forget to visti the Abu Dhabi Corniche & the Cultural Foundation. If you are a shopping freak, then Abu Dhabi Mall & Marina Mall should also be visited.
Dont miss visiting Dubai Museum. It should be your main mission. Its an amazing Museum and here you can see the Arab culture.
There are many more interesting things in Dubai. If my guess is not wrong, i think you are coming to Dubai to take part in Gitex.
2006-08-10 01:08:30 · answer #1 · answered by SreeNadh 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
My big tip is for taking cabs. It is really cheep to get a cab from Jemarah to anywhere in town. The problem is that so many cabbies don't know where anything is and don't speak English OR Arabic for that matter. From your hotel you should always get the door man to make sure that the drive know where he is going. From anywhere else you should bring a map and MAKE SURE they understand. A lot of them well say "yes ma'am, yes ma'am" because that is all they know to say. Some of them who speak English will actually ask you directions, hense the map. Many of them do not seem to be able to read a map by the way. Also, remember all meters are in Dhs NOT USD as they sometimes well tell you. If you are in a cab with out a meter then make sure that you agree on a price before you get in, IN Dhs.
Other then that Dubai is just a fun place. It will still be pretty hot in September but not as bad as it would be right now. Try lots of restuarants, there are so many good ones. See the Mall of the Emirates (with the ski hill) and Ibn Battuta Mall just because it is beautiful.
2006-08-10 00:53:27 · answer #2 · answered by Constant_Traveler 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You dont need any vaccinations as one of the answers suggested, Ive been about 7 times and never had any. There is no need its a clean city and as long as you drink bottled water you will be fine. Cover up when you go out in the evenings, ie. wear a high neck t-shirt or men will stare at you like you are a whore. Woman are second class citiizens over there. Dubai resembles a building site at the mo due to building Palm Island but Im sure you were told that when booking. You can only drink booze in hotels and be sure to eat outside of the hotel, as its dirt cheap. But you could be loaded and staying at the Burj for all I know.
2006-08-11 01:05:49 · answer #3 · answered by Annie M 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dubai is awesome!
Look it's rlly hot there even at night so don't take any heavy outfits.
Jumeirah is the BEST part in dubai. Look, places u MUST go there are: "The Mall of the emirates" ( which is not far from jumeirah at all..as I remember that by taxi it costs like 25 dirhams) and "Wild Wadi", it's an amazing waterpark...u'll have so much fun there..you can even SURF! ( u don't need to take ur surfing board..they give u one there) and "Ski Dubai" which is in the mall of the emirates..but it ROX...u can ski there and play wz the snow..u don't have to take with you any special outfits for it coz they give you
A tip that you should know that is the fare of the taxi is rlly expensive..they all have a counter that starts with an initial value of 3:00 dirhamsbut it increses quickly so take lots of money.
2006-08-10 10:32:46 · answer #4 · answered by •NaNNou• 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dubai is really nice and tourist-friendly. I go about once-to-twice a year.
There are so many things to see around there....
They even have a skiing resort in a covered mall, Emirates Mall.
The beach is nice, specially when you go to one of those private beaches of the very nice hotels.
Oh and you should pay a visit to Buddha Bar... AMAZING atmosphere.
How is your budget? Because shopping there is amazing. Wafi Center is an upper high class mall. Also check out Burjuman And City Center... nice cute shops also!
You may wanna go to the Emirate Towers, they have restaurants, shops... oh and drop by Villa Moda for brand-name shopping if you like, and if you are in the area... try out the House of Noodles in one of the towers.. its very nice.
Go to the 4 wheeling safari... its fun :)
In shorts.. I am sure you will have fun... Take your sun block with you.
Check the link below
BON VOYAGE!
2006-08-10 00:55:34 · answer #5 · answered by SAM 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I was in Dubai 2 years ago and loved it. My favourite bits were:
- taking a ride on one of the little river boats. Just get on one that's crowded with locals rather than one of the expensive tourist boat trips.
- a drink on the top floor of the 7 star Burj el Arab hotel. I think you still have to pay to get in though unless you are staying at the hotel or eating in the restaurant. Panoramic photo of the hotel here:
http://www.360travelguide.com/idisp.asp?iCode=dub01
- the spice market in the centre of town... fantastic colours and smells
- Gordon Ramsay restaurant at the Hilton hotel Dubai Creek - *@#*~** great food, as Gordon would say!
Have a great trip.
2006-08-10 05:30:12 · answer #6 · answered by conrade 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dubai is a grate city; you should plan your trip because there are so many things to do and to see.
Taxis are very expensive as every thing in Dubai, there are same sites that can help you plan your trip they are:
http://www.dubaitourism.ae/
http://www.TimeOutDubai.com
http://www.mumtazz.com
Have fun and remember no matter how free city Dubai is it stills a Muslim country so no drinking in public and no intimate contact with the opposite or the same sex.
2006-08-10 14:31:18 · answer #7 · answered by ♥ amal_dxb ♥ 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get your vaccinations in Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Polio, Diptheria and Tetanus.
It's pretty much a trouble free country but respect local customs - such as no intimate contact with the opposite sex in public and don't drink in public and you should be OK.
I'm moving to Dubai tomorrow so I'll let you know when I get there.
2006-08-10 00:51:12 · answer #8 · answered by nkellingley@btinternet.com 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dubai is Just Amazing .. You Will Love it ..
Everything is Nice .. Shopping is the Best ..And Malls Too
And All The Hotels are Amazing ..
Hope You Have Fun There ..
Thanks For Asking
2006-08-10 06:56:27 · answer #9 · answered by Unique !! 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
hi! i am living in Dubai and i can warn u of one thing...u r going to have loads of fun if u go to most of the places in Dubai !!!
its a safe country ...u r going to be fine here ...its absolutely care-free(exception: a bit expensive in some places)...at least for me it is!!!
2006-08-10 00:59:00 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋