Dubai — Beyond the Skyline

A dazzling blend of futuristic skyscrapers, golden deserts, luxury shopping, and cultural heritage, Dubai offers unmatched adventures in the heart of the UAE.

General Info

 

Once a small fishing village in the Arabian Gulf, Dubai is today one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world. One of the seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates, Dubai is home to nearly 200 nationalities and offers a truly memorable experience to all visitors. Whether it is by the banks of the Creek, or at the top of the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, Dubai lives and breathes a sense of possibility and innovation. And with an unparalleled coastline, beautiful desert and magnificent cityscapes, memories are just waiting to be made here.
 

Quick Facts

  • Marhaba! – This short greeting means ‘welcome’ in Arabic, the official language of the UAE. 
  • Lucky number – Dubai is the second largest of the seven emirates that form the UAE. 
  • Money talks – The currency is the UAE dirham, or AED (US$1 = AED3.67).
  • Hello sunshine – The climate is warm and subtropical with 300+ days of sunshine a year. 
  • The wild side – Did you know? The national animal of the UAE is the Arabian oryx. 

Best time to go to Dubai

The UAE has a subtropical climate, so skies generally stay blue and cloud cover is rare. Rain is even scarcer – any that does trickle down usually falls between November and April. And it’s these months that are the best time to visit. At this time of year, temperatures hover around the mid-20s – great for sightseeing and sunbathing. If you do visit during the summer, though, come armed with plenty of sun block. The temperatures can reach up to 45°C, and lots of outdoor activities are closed for the season as a result of the heat. Thankfully, there are plenty of air-conditioned buildings to chill out in.
 

Passports & Visas

You must have a valid passport and you’ll be given a 30-day visa when you arrive in the UAE
 

Health & Safety

You should take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance to cover you while you’re away.
 

Currency

New Israeli Shequel (NIS). 100 Agarot make up 1 Shequel. See here for exchange rates.
 

Dialing code

+00 972
 

Emergency Numbers –

Police (mish-ta-ra) 100; Medical emergency (Magen David Adom (MDA/MADA) 101; Fire (me-kha-BEY ESH) 102
 

Electricity

220 volts AC, 50 cycles. An adapter is necessary (usually 3 pronged)
 

Blank Passport Pages

One Passport page is required for stamping
 

Tourist Visa

Not required for tourist stays under 30 days
 

Currency Restrictions

No entry nor exit currency restrictions
 

Entry, exit and Visa requirements

Please visit the Embassy’s COVID-19 page for more information on entry/ exit requirements related to COVID-19 in the UAE.

  • Passport Validity: A passport valid for at least six months beyond the date of entry is required to enter the UAE.
  • Personal travel of 30 days or less: A U.S. citizen with a regular passport may obtain a no fee visitor visa upon arrival.
  • Stays longer than 30 days: Visitors on a 30-day visa may request a visa extension, which is at the discretion of immigration officials. Anyone planning to work or study in the UAE must obtain the appropriate visa.
  • Medical Exam: A full medical exam is required for work or residence permits. The exam and tests for HIV/AIDS, viral hepatitis B, tuberculosis, leprosy, and pregnancy must be performed after arrival. U.S. citizens have been detained and deported for testing positive for HIV, active tuberculosis, or hepatitis. Medical exams performed outside of the UAE will not be accepted.
  • Travel on Diplomatic or Official Passports: U.S. citizens traveling to or through the UAE on diplomatic or official passports are required to obtain a visa before travel (transit passengers only require a visa if exiting the airport). This requirement is strictly enforced by UAE officials and those not meeting the requirement will be denied entry. U.S. military travelers should not assume military ID cards will be accepted, but should consult the Foreign Clearance Guide.
 

Land Exit Departure Fee: All travelers who depart the UAE by land and who are not citizens of a Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) country must pay a departure fee. The fee is 35 UAE dirhams and is payable only in the local currency.

Please verify this information with the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates before you travel.

 

Exit Controls: The UAE maintains tight exit controls. All travelers must exit the country with the passport on which they entered. Travelers should visit a UAE immigration office prior to departure to obtain an exit pass if they plan to leave the UAE without the passport on which they entered.

Travelers both departing the UAE and transiting will be barred from exiting the UAE if there are any criminal or civil legal cases against them. Travelers have been arrested at the airport and have had their passports seized due to outstanding financial cases, unsettled legal disputes, and late credit card payments, including for cases that were previously unknown to the traveler. In such cases, some individuals have been arrested and detained for long periods of time. Individuals will be barred from leaving the UAE until legal cases are settled in full. This affects all persons whether they are in the UAE as residents, tourists, or transit passengers with no intention of exiting the airport. UAE residents can verify with UAE authorities whether they have an exit ban due to outstanding cases in Dubai or Abu Dhabi. More information on this process can be found on the UAE Government Portal.

The Government of the UAE requires that all persons residing in the country have a national identification card. U.S. citizens who are working or living in the UAE should visit the Emirates Identity Authority website for more information on card registration procedures and requirements.

 

Cancellation of Visas: All UAE visas must be formally cancelled through the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) before a new visa can be issued. This includes visas that have already expired or have never been used. Travelers may be denied entry to, or not permitted to depart, the UAE if previous visas have not been properly cancelled. More information on the process is available on the UAE Government portal.

 

Dual Nationality: The UAE does not recognize dual nationality. The UAE recognizes only the citizenship of the passport on which a person enters the UAE. The embassy may be prohibited from providing certain consular services to those who did not enter the UAE on a U.S. passport.

The UAE has imposed HIV/AIDS travel restrictions on all foreigners seeking residency. Travelers for tourism are not tested or requested to provide information about HIV/AIDS status. Please verify this information with the Embassy of the UAE before you travel. Information about dual nationality and the prevention of international child abduction can be found on the embassy website. For further information about customs regulations, please read the embassy’s Customs Information page.

Current restrictions:

Weapons and Law Enforcement Equipment: The transportation of arms or items that may be considered law enforcement or military equipment is strictly prohibited without written approval from the UAE government. Do not transport any arms or items that may be considered law enforcement or military equipment. Such items include, but are not limited to:

  • Weapons
  • Weapon parts and tools
  • Functional, inert, or decorative ammunition, even one bullet
  • Empty or spent shell casings
  • Body armor
  • Handcuffs
  • Any other military or police equipment

U.S. citizens, military personnel, and U.S. government/military contractors found to be carrying such items, even in the smallest quantities, will be arrested and face strict criminal penalties, including imprisonment, large monetary fines, forfeiture of the items, and deportation , even though airlines and U.S. authorities allowed shipment on a U.S.-originating flight.

Other prohibited items: Importation of the following items is also prohibited under UAE law: pornographic material, non-Islamic religious pamphlets for missionary activities, e-cigarettes, fireworks, ivory, chemical and organic fertilizers, laser pointers, radar jammers/other unauthorized communication devices, products and medications containing cannabidiol (CBD), endangered animal species, and any objects, sculptures, paintings, books or magazines which do not adhere to the religious and moral values of the UAE. Possession of any of these items can lead to detention and lengthy jail sentences.

Typical Emirati clothing

With around 200 nationalities represented in Dubai, how people dress is incredibly varied – yet the traditional attire of the UAE is bold and distinctive. You can see it all across the city.
Emirati national dress is a symbol of pride and identity that has been designed with the dual intent of providing comfort and adhering to religious beliefs. In Dubai, men wear an ankle-length, loose-fitting garment made of white cotton, known as a kandora or dishdasha. A ghutrah covers the head and is held in place by the agal, a type of black cord. This garment was originally used to protect the face from the harsh desert environment
Traditionally, women in Dubai wear an abaya – a long, black flowing light coat over their clothing. This is worn over their Western clothes or a traditional long-sleeved full-length dress known as a jalabeya. A black scarf called a shayla is often draped over the head.
 

Typical Emirati food

Do you know your karak from your chebab? Can you tell your lugaimat from your labneh? While Dubai is renowned for incredible dining options, local Emirati cuisine stands apart. Make your way to some of the many Emirati restaurants and sample the delicious dishes on offer. Here are some to get you started.
 

Traditional arts and handicrafts

 

Local arts and handicrafts are still commonly practised in Dubai and around the UAE. Many examples can be found among the boutique shops around the Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood, with modern, artistic iterations often on show at various galleries within Alserkal Avenue.
Calligraphy: The Arabic alphabet the second most widely used across the globe. This decorative way of writing is known as khatt, which derives from the word for ‘line’, ‘design’, or ‘construction’.
Henna: Originally worn by brides across the region to bring good luck to their marriage, henna body art remains a popular beauty treatment in Dubai to this day.
Perfumery: The Arab world is known for bold fragrances and many modern perfume brands combine traditional base aromas with a multitude of modern notes. Visit Al Shindagha Museum to find out all about the art of perfumery.
Pottery: People have been working with clay since the third millennium BCE. Aside from decorative vases and incense containers, earthen pots remain highly effective for cooling drinking water.
Weaving: Belts, saddles, tents, baskets and more. The traditional weaving technique known as Al Sadu used goat or sheep’s wool or camel hair to craft a range of essential items.
 

Celebrations and festivities

Dance: Visitors may be lucky to see men lined up in a row, performing Ayyala, holding thin bamboo canes and moving in sync to a percussive rhythm. Other forms of dance include Razfa, which often involves reciting lines of poetry and handling other objects, such as daggers or rifles.
Poetry: Forms of poetry in the UAE have been influenced from both near and far, with many notable poets originating from the Emirates. Many poems are immortalised in a calligraphic style, bringing them to life with striking visuals and Nabati poetry is a key element of Emirati heritage.
Eid: Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha (both often shortened as “Eid”) are important religious holidays in the UAE and for Muslims across the world. During this time there is an emphasis on spending time with family, offering special eid greetings and providing charity to the poor and needy.
Ramadan: The ninth month of the Islamic calendar is a time dedicated to striving for purity and heightened spiritual awareness. For healthy adults, this involves fasting from dawn – following the suhoor meal – till dusk, when people break their fast for an evening meal, known as iftar.
Weddings: It was once a tradition for weddings to be held within a family home, decorated with flags and bunting. Celebrations would continue for around three days and a feast would be prepared. These days, a wedding celebration is likely to be hosted in a banquet hall at a hotel or function venue, with discreet celebrations for male and female guests.
Music: Music has historically been connected with poetry, with traditions such as Al Shila and Al Wana combining music and verse. In terms of modern music, Dubai now has a thriving scene that includes both homegrown artists strumming at local cafés, and international superstars selling out arenas and concert halls across the city.

Fountain Show and Burj Lake Ride by Traditional Boat

 

See the lights of Dubai Mall Fountain Show on a 30-minute cruise by traditional “abra” water taxi. Climb aboard the wooden boat on Burj Lake. Admire monuments such as the Burj Khalifa before you enjoy grandstand views of the illuminations.

City Helicopter Tour

 

Climb aboard a luxury helicopter and swoop high above the city streets. See the world’s tallest building, Burj Khalifa, and many other record-breakers up close.

Small-Group City Tour with Dubai Frame Tickets

 

Dubai, the city of dreams, is a city that is alive all the time. There is much to be seen in this city that tempts everyone to visit at least once. The tour is to help visitors understand what is so cosmopolitan about the city.

From Dubai: Abu Dhabi Premium Full-Day Sightseeing Tour

 

Explore the history of Abu Dhabi on an 8-9-hour tour of the largest city in the United Arab Emirates. Visit the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque to see a masterpiece of Islamic architecture, and marvel at the opulent Emirates Palace.

Premium Red Dunes, Camel Safari, & BBQ at Al Khayma

 

Escape Dubai for an unforgettable desert safari across red sand dunes and enjoy a BBQ dinner feast and traditional desert activities inside the majestic Al Khayma Camp.

Morning Desert Safari with Sandboarding & Camel Ride

 

Admire spectacular landscapes and experience the thrill of dune bashing and sandboarding on this morning desert safari from Dubai. Upgrade your experience to include a traditional Arabian Brunch.

Burj Khalifa Tickets: Level 124 & 125

 

Witness unforgettable, panoramic views over Dubai from the observation deck of the iconic Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building. Let your jaw hit the floor as you are elevated up 125 floors to fantastic 360-degree views over the Arabian Gulf.

20-Minute Inflatable Donut Experience

 

Experience one of the most thrilling watersports in Dubai as you glide and swerve on a speedboat-pulled donut. Admire views of Dubai’s beautiful marina as you speed by on this 20-minute experience.

Marina: Yacht Tour with Breakfast or BBQ

 

Explore all the top landmarks with this amazing Luxury Yacht Tour experience departing from the famous Dubai Marina. Your experience is complete with a tour guide and freshly prepared BBQ or breakfast on board.

Hop-On Hop-Off Classic or Premium Bus Ticket

 

Explore Dubai at your own pace with a Classic or Premium ticket on this open-top sightseeing bus tour. Enjoy the engaging commentary in a choice of 12 languages and admire the views of Dubai’s top landmarks.

2-Hour Mega Yacht Tour with Buffet Dinner

Enjoy Dubai’s scenic views of the famous Dubai Marina along with panoramic views of the skyline and Atlantis Hotel and Palm Jumeirah Island from the comfort of a luxury mega yacht. Sit back and taste a five star all-you-can-eat buffet dinner.

Red Dunes Safari & Quad Bike, Camel Ride & Sand Board

 

Discover the mysteries of an Arabian desert on this epic safari tour from Dubai. Take a thrilling drive on the vast red dunes, have a go at camel riding and sand boarding, and enjoy the option to quad bike in the desert too.

Top places to visit in Dubai

Burj Khalifa

Towering at a height of 2,700 feet, the Burj Khalifa is currently the tallest tower in the world. With two observation decks, a Las Vegas-inspired fountain, nine of the city’s best luxury hotels and multiple restaurants, this 21st-century architectural marvel must be your number one place to visit when in Dubai or even the UAE. Also, make sure to book your tickets in advance well to avoid last moment hassles.

The Dubai Mall

The Dubai Mall, also known as the home of the Dubai shopping festival, is one of the world’s largest shopping malls with an area of over 500,000 square meters! With more than 1200 stores, a large walk-through aquarium, a world-class ic rink, 14,000 parking spaces and more exciting experiences for shoppers, the mall was voted the best shopping experience in the world by Grazia Magazine in 2010.

Dubai Aquarium

Located on the ground floor of the Dubai Mall, the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo houses over 33,000 marine life occupying the 10 million litres of water within the tank. A unique underwater zoo occupies the level above the tank showcasing a plethora of underwater life that can be found inhabiting the oceans, rivers and other water bodies across the planet. The VR Zoo makes up the third section offering thrilling wildlife adventures via realistically created virtual tours.

Dubai Marina

Nestled in the region popularly known as ‘New Dubai’, Dubai Marina is a conceptualized man-made canal city. It offers luxurious lifestyles through its exquisite waterfront development along the Persian Gulf shoreline. There are classy hotels and upscale shopping and other leisure options here. It also contains the Dubai Marina Mall Complex, a shopping and entertainment destination.

Palm Jumeirah

Palm Jumeirah, Dubai’s magnificent artificial archipelago, is the epitome of beauty created by land reclamation, extending into the Persian Gulf. The archipelago resembles a palm tree with a circle when you take an overhead view of it. It was one of the first major tourism projects in the UAE and currently houses some of Dubai’s top tourist destinations like Atlantis, the Palm, Aquaventure Waterpark and the Lost Chambers Aquarium.

Global Village Dubai

Global Village Dubai is claimed to be the world’s most significant tourism, leisure and entertainment project of UAE. It is the region’s first cultural, entertainment, family and shopping destination. Every year, the place receives over 5 million visitors over an area of 17,200,000 sq ft. The compound has various pavilions that each

Dubai Dolphinarium

Home to the majestic Black Sea bottlenose dolphins, Northern and Southern American fur seals, and exotic birds, the Dubai Dolphinarium is famous worldwide for its awe-inspiring and interactive shows. Located in Creek Park, a family entertainment and activity park in Dubai, the Dubai Dolphinarium is a major tourist attraction where people from all over the world flock in large numbers all around the year to enjoy exciting marine mammal and bird shows.

Dubai Fountain

Dubai Fountain is the world’s largest choreographed water fountain located in the beautiful Burj Complex. This dancing fountain surges as high as 150 meters in complete synchronisation to classical, Arabic and other popular world musical numbers. Forming beautiful arcs and jumping to the beats, this fountain was designed by California-based WET, the creators of the Fountains of Bellagio in Las Vegas. The show begins in the evening every day, and the best way to approach it is through the Dubai Mall.

Aquaventure Waterpark

One of the biggest water parks of Dubai, Aquaventure is located in the Atlantis hotel complex. This amazing water park offers a series of pools, shoots and flumes and a few thrilling rides. Adrenaline pumping Tower of Neptune and the equally exhilarating Tower of Poseidon are some of the key highlights of the park. Visitors can also relax at the Cabanas, have a nice meal at the various restaurants and shop some souvenirs at the many stores in the park.

Dubai Frame

One of the most recent megaprojects of Dubai launched in January 2018, the Dubai Frame is the world’s largest frame structure inspired by the logo of the upcoming World Expo 2020 which is to be held in the city. Located in Zabeel Park, it acts as a frame to some of the greatest architectural marvels of Dubai including the Burj Khalifa. It is flanked by two high-rise towers that go up to 150 meters and are connected by a Sky Deck which has a breadth of 93 meters acts as a top member of the frame structure.

Ski Dubai

Ski Dubai is an indoor ski resort with 22,500 square meters of the indoor ski area. It is the largest indoor ski park in the world. The park has a Snow Park, ski slopes, an ice museum and a skiing academy for those who wish to learn skiing. Apart from the regular facilities, Ski Dubai also hosts various events and concerts and a very cosy eatery called the Avalance Cafe which has a balcony that faces the ski slopes.

The Walk at JBR

The Walk at JBR near Dubai Marina is a beautiful avenue lined with swaying palms on either side offering many shops and restaurants to its visitors. The Walk is nearly a mile-long stretch with plazas and arcaded doorways on both sides. The Walk is host to multiple events and festival venues and is a must-visit after sunset. The Walk runs along with the six high-rise structures, Shams, Amway, Rimal, Bahar, Sadaf and Murjan. With Shams on the east side and Murjan on the west side, this place is also home to some amazing restaurants.

Skydiving in Dubai

Dubai being a favourite among the adrenaline junkies is a well-known destination for people who love skydiving as it provides a unique one-of-a-kind experience as adventurers get to skydive with the beautiful Pal Jumeirah below them. Many consider this a highlight of the city with many even claiming that no trip can be completed without this electrifying expedition. The Skydive at Dubai is regarded as one of the best skydiving service providers in the world.

Legoland Dubai

Situated amidst Dubai parks and resorts, Legoland is a family-theme park which lets you play with the Lego bricks and enjoy on water slides too! Ideal for kids aged between 2 to 12, Legoland is divided between two parks- a Lego park and a Lego Water Park. Legoland, Dubai consists of almost forty interactive rides, twenty water slides and more than fifteen thousand Lego models.

Dubai Desert Safari

Dubai, mainly renowned for its great infrastructure, is also known for its adventurous streak. At the heart of Dubai is still its desolated desert. And so, to enjoy the desert a bit more effectively, the city presents various Desert Safari options. The experience is one of its kind and worth every penny spent! Visitors can experience desert camping with a delicious Arabian dinner, belly dancers and other traditional performers. Day safaris hold you in for an adventure as you get to try out Dune Bashing, sandboarding, quad biking, camel rides and more.

Miracle Garden Dubai

Miracle Garden is one of the most beautiful and biggest natural flower gardens in the world. Located in Dubailand, it is spread across a vast area of over 72,000 square meters, the garden is the world’s largest natural flower garden featuring over 45 million flowers and plants. The place is a heaven for those seeking nature’s beauty in the city. The garden is open only from mid-November to mid-May.

Al Bastakiya

If you wish to get a slice of Dubai’s history then a visit to Al Bastakiya is a must. A trip to Al Bastakiya or Al Fahidi district can quench your thirst for discovering the historical roots of today’s glamourous star town. Characterized by large buildings made in traditional materials like mud and wood, Al Bastakiya place oozes charm of its own.

Burj al Arab

Established in the year 1999, Burj Al Arab is one of the premium hotels of Dubai located on an artificial island off Jumeirah Road. Designed in the shape of a sail of a dhow, this iconic landmark houses an array of shiny chauffeur-driven limousines and a private helipad. Talking of luxury, the hotel features an attractive fountain, an admirable lobby and richness induced 203 suites. Standing tall at a height of 180 meters, the royalty factor of the hotel is brought out by its may interior elements adorned in real gold! A prior reservation (on its website) is required to get past the lobby security to visit its restaurant if you are not staying there.

Dubai Creek

This Saltwater Creek is UAE’s one of the major port and divides the city into two parts and connects the trading port to the desert. Extended to the Persian Gulf and the wildlife sanctuary, this waterway acts as a commercial lifeline as it facilitates not just tourism but also harbours ships, trade and commercial activities. This is a popular place for an evening visit. Witness the lights and music shows, floating and moving dhows, yachts, boats and vessels to get a glimpse of old Dubai during the trade times. A delectable meal and a starry waterfront is all you need to end your journey and trip on a good note!

Jumeirah Mosque

Jumeirah Mosque is regarded as one of the most beautiful mosques in the UAE. Built exactly on lines of Cairo’s Al Azhar Mosque that is eight times its size, this mosque is an excellent example of Islamic architecture. It is the only mosque in Dubai that is open to non-muslims. Its detailed architecture and design are even more glorified when lit up in the evening. It is also one of the most photographed mosques in the UAE.

Got a question?

You can use the form or see the contacts

Unforgettable Adventures will be at your service every moment of the day, please feel free to contact us if you have any questions. Just send us an email or contact us through WhatsApp and/or Facetime.