I hope you enjoy the tips as much as I enjoy writing them. This will help you a lot in your travels
- Dubai is one place where you everyone flaunts their best and so should you. Modesty is limited only to mosques. Yes. You can wear anything stylish in Dubai, its the most liberal/tolerable Arab State. Just ensure it’s not outrageous. Bikinis on beaches, shorts, and mini skirts everywhere outside is acceptable and of course, you will see a lot of women wear them. So wear your Zara/Gucci/Armani and flaunt ur style.
- In Dubai, men wear an ankle-length, loose-fitting garment made of white cotton, known as a kandora or dishdasha. A ghutra covers the head and is held in place by the agal, a black cord. The Ghutra and Agal look so cool that everyone must purchase it and wear it when there. I purchased one and wore it for a few days.
- Alcohol is extremely expensive, you have to be over 21 to drink it, and it’s only served in bars attached to hotels or clubs. I purchased a bottle of fine whiskey at the duty-free shop at the airport and used it on my trip. Almost all the bars and pubs have Ladies night on one day of the week(generally Tuesdays), so if you are a woman its the best you can ask for. Men can use Happy Hours to their benefit.
- Dubai has an amazing nightlife and party culture. If you do plan to drink and party, the weekend starts on Thursday evening. The cheapest place I found to Party was Barasti Beach Bar. Drinks start around 30-40 Dirhams and can go up to 100 dirhams depending on your taste. This can surely burn a hole in your pocket if you are not careful.
- There are rarely any Emiratis seen in Dubai. Emiratis are the ones who generally wear the white ghutra on their head with the black cord named agal and all white dress. Do click a picture with them if you find them as they look remarkably different and very attractive in real life. Also, they do not mind being photographed if you take permission.
- Dubai Metro has a gold compartment that is not super expensive and worth the extra money in terms of comfort. It also has a “Ladies Only” pink colored section. Men should beware of entering there as you will be fined. Though I did it once by mistake and was reminded by the women there. But no one fines you unless you are deliberately doing it.
- Water is very expensive but tap water is drinkable. Just refill tap water once you are outside. But there are not many refill stations available in Malls. And the weather makes you very thirsty. So you have to buy some water when you are outside.
- In addition to free Wi-Fi in metro and malls, the new Smart Palm’s now line the streets of Dubai. They are electronic, palm tree looks alike stations that provide free Wi-Fi, charging ports and other extremely handy assets for tourists.
- Never consume heavy meals. It’s too much in the hot and humid weather, no matter what time of the year. You will feel puky or unwell in no time. Follow this especially if you have parents. Eat regularly but small portions. Always feast on light food like sandwiches unless its the last meal of the day and you are going to stay indoors in a hostel/hotel.
- If you are traveling from, especially April to September, ensure you are not out in the sun from 11 am to 3 pm when the sun is at its worst. I have heard that as labor law, even workers are banned from working outside in such times. Severe sunstroke may happen if you are caught outside in such times.
- Dubai is extremely humid and you will be drenched in sweat in 2-3 mins. So always have a ready itinerary for all your days and ensure the places you plan to visit are close by and also have malls close by. Also in the terrible heat, even walking 500 meters feels like 5 km. Malls closeby will ensure you can head to a cooler place and relax there for some time. In an emergency, you can also go to the metro stations to chill for a bit, which is what even locals also do.
- Local food is always accompanied by a fruit juice in Dubai. There is a reason for that. Fruit juice will soothe the body and makes the weather more bearable and is light on the body for digestion. Always have a fruit juice with whatever you have.
Always carry cash to Dubai to pay for your expenditure. Card charges for cash withdrawals are very high and even travel agents advise against using even forex cards, unless at a payment terminal where you can pay by card. - There are ferry rides available in the creek as well in the sea. I see no tourists take a ferry ride in Dubai. Do enjoy them as they are not very expensive and gives a different perspective of the city.
- Don’t photograph any woman as such or any government/official-looking building. Also, don’t get caught making rude gestures, using obscene language, swearing or using bad words in public. That’s a definite No No. You will surely be asking for trouble with the police.
Hope you will have a wonderful journey. Cheers and Happy travels.
