Written By Arabiers Digital & Reviewed by Robeena Brown
24 July 2024 | 13 min read
Is it safe to travel to Dubai right now? – You may have this doubt, if this is your first time traveling to Dubai. In addition, the answer to this question is a yes. Dubai is known to be one of the safest cities in the world. Safety of the locals and tourists is one of the top priorities that the UAE government considers, whenever they come up with their country’s laws and regulations.
The shortest answer to this question is, a big yes. Dubai, the city of luxury, is very much popular for being one of the safest countries in the world. Similar to all other Emirates in UAE, Dubai is governed by strict laws and regulations. Since Dubai is well monitored, it is possible to say that the probability of tourists facing violent crimes is less.
However, some of the crimes that are most likely to be traveler-directed are scams such as – money transfers, lotteries, job offers/work permits, visa related scams and pick-pocketing.
Dubai is a major hub for all the travelers from all over the world. Therefore, obtaining a visa to enter Dubai is a must.
UAE offers on arrival visas as well as pre-paid visas. UAE, maintains special bonds with some of the selected countries. Citizens from those countries, and travelers who hold passports from those countries are eligible to enter Dubai with an on arrival visa. All the citizens from other countries have to get a prepaid visa to visit Dubai.
● Getting Travel Insurance
It is not compulsory to get travel insurance when you are traveling to Dubai. However, it is highly recommendable, to get one for yourself, and for everybody traveling with you.
Having a travel insurance, can be helpful in instances such as:
No matter what, no one can surely say that any city is completely free from risks. Like in any other country, there is at least a one per cent probability for anybody to face a horrible incident in Dubai.
Dubai, is home to a number of popular attractions and desert adventure, including indoor and outdoor activities. During your Dubai stay, you may always be outside, walking around the streets of the city, inside parks, or in heavily crowded places. So it is always best, to know the petty crimes, that can potentially make your Dubai experience worse.
Here, are some petty crimes, that are identified to be common in UAE:
| Crime | How To Avoid It? |
|
Tour operator scams Set up fake websites to sell fake tour packages |
Refrain from sharing your personal information without any thorough inspection |
|
Taxi scams Scamming for higher rates for short taxi rides |
Use taxis with working meter |
|
Immigration scams Call immigrants and make false threats related to deportation |
Refrain from sharing personal information, and call the police immediately |
|
Gold scams Sells fake gold or switch real gold to a fake one |
Buy gold from authorized or reputed dealers. Inspect the quality of gold before buying |
| Pick-pocketing | Always keep your valuables close to you |
|
Credit card skimming Can happen at ATMs or when making payments via unsecured payment links |
Make sure to use authorized ATMs Keep an eye on your transactions regularly
|
UAE, as it is mentioned earlier, is one of the safest cities to travel. The UAE government has CCTVs operating everywhere, including in public transportation modes, and sometimes, even in taxis.
However, being aware of where you are going is a must, especially, if you are a first timer. So here are some tips for you to follow, when you are using public transportation in Dubai;
Dubai is, undoubtedly, a safe city for women travelers as well. However, it is always good to know, some safety tips when traveling to any foreign land, including Dubai:
Dubai is all about fun and adventure. Although it is a safer country for all the tourists around the world, there will always be potential risks. Sometimes safety risks can also occur, from your own actions and behavior. Therefore, wherever we go, we must be responsible for our own safety as well.
So here are some safety precautions you must remember, before having fun;
● Safety in the Beach/Sea
It is, usually, very safe to swim in the beaches in Dubai. However, you must be mindful, of the safety signs displayed close to beaches;
Red flag :- not safe to swim
Yellow flag :- can swim but be safe
Purple flag :- an area with harmful water creatures
● Safety While Hiking
Hiking is another adventurous activity, available in Dubai. Always make sure to plan your hiking adventure, during the winter season.
Carry lots of water
Always be sure of the route you are choosing for the hiking
Wear hiking boots
Wear suitable clothes and headgear
Apply sunscreen
● Safety in the Deserts
Another fun adventure, in Dubai, is the desert rides. We can guarantee to all travelers that this will be a mind-blowing and a memorable experience to your life. But you know, deserts are super hot and sunny, and that is why, you must be cautious of your own safety. So here are some safety tips for you;
Have lots of water with you
Bring snacks
Carry a first aid kit with you
Book your desert trip with a reputable tour operator, to make your desert experience tireless
If planning to spend the night, bring warmer clothes, because the temperature starts decreasing, after the evening
● Safety Under the Sun
Dubai is a very hot city. Even if it is the winter season, you can witness sunshine, all around the year. So protecting yourself from the sun rays must be one of your priorities. Here’s what you can do;
Wear sunscreen, whenever you are stepping out into the sun
Drink plenty of water all day
Wear something comfortable that can protect your skin from direct sunlight
Take regular breaks under shade, while walking on the streets
Wear hats and sunglasses
In a situation, where you need medical assistance and need to be hospitalized, it is always advisable, to dial 998 in order to request an ambulance or an air ambulance, to take you to a nearby hospital.
If you have no clue of your whereabouts, tell the name of a landmark that is close to where you are. This way, it will make it easy, for the ambulance, to the exact place you are.
Other emergency numbers in Dubai you need to know:
As a first timer traveling to Dubai, it is very common to ask questions such as - “is it safe to travel to Dubai right now?”. Yes – it is safe to travel to Dubai, but like in any other country, there is potential for small crimes, even in luxurious cities like Dubai.
So, if you are visiting all the beautiful places in Dubai, as a first timer, make sure to follow the below instructions, to keep yourself out of any safety risks;