14 Top Things to Know Before Traveling to Dubai

Dubai holds a reputation of a luxurious tourist hub that has greatly invested in technology, infrastructure and technology. It is the home to most iconic buildings in the world such as the Burj Khalifa and the beautiful collection of artificial islands such as the Palm Jumeirah.

Beyond this modern view of Dubai, the city has a vibrant culture and a vibrant hospitality that can be attributed to the rich diverse culture with over 200 nationalities working and living in the city.
Dubai is a beautiful city that is warm to every visitor, but besides that, you need to have knowledge of the city to be able to navigate effortlessly. 
 

Different countries have varying visa requirements that must be met in order to be allowed entry into Dubai. You need to first check whether your country qualifies for visa on arrival or not.
 If not ensure that you apply for a prepaid visa through a reputable travel agent based in the UAE. 

Gather all the necessary documents and apply for the Dubai visa in time. If you do not have enough time to apply for the regular visa, you can opt for Dubai express visa at an extra fee and you will get your visa in 4 to 8 hours. 

To apply for a visa to Dubai, your passport must be valid for at least 6 months. Also find out the other requirements to apply for visa such as the passport photos and birth certificates if the applicant is a minor.

Dubai weather gets extremely hot with the temperatures rising to 50 degrees Celsius. The summer seasons starts from May to October and during this season the city is hot throughout. 
Between November to April is the winter and spring period. This is usually the ideal time to visit for outdoor exploration. During the winter season the weather is a bit cool and more pleasant with increase in outdoor activities. 

Some of the popular events that happen during this period include the Dubai design week and Dubai shopping festival. If you are visiting during this season, ensure that you carry light jacket or a sweater since the evenings becomes mildly cold.

Dubai city has a beautiful skyline and other different places to explore within the city. However, there are other beautiful attractions you can explore beyond the city and they are worthy every minute spent.  

You can visit the Hatta mountains and enjoy hiking trails, kayaking among other activities.

You can book a day’s desert tour which is about an hour away from the bustling city life. At the desert you can enjoy some fun activities such as camel riding desert safari in a 4X4, quad biking, sandboarding and also a BBQ diner under the starts later in the evening. 

Dubai receives a lot of visitors and most famous areas such as restaurants and hotels may get fully booked especially during peak seasons. It is therefore advisable to book in advance to secure a spot. 

If you are planning to take part in activities such as desert tours, always make reservations prior to the actual date.

A reservation will enable the management to plan and booking for activities such as dhow cruises enables you save a lot of waiting time. Some of the restaurants strictly require bookings to avoid overcrowding. 

Dubai is a liberal city compared to the rest of the emirates. However, UAE being a Muslim country modest dressing is considered as the key in respecting the local culture.
As you plan to visit Dubai make sure that you pack some decent clothing to wear when visiting public places such as malls, museums, restaurants among others. When visiting religious and cultural attraction ensure that you put on clothes that cover the shoulders to below the knees. 

Women should also have a scarf to cover their heads when visiting religious places.

Swimsuits and bikinis are acceptable at the beaches and by the pools but not in other public places. Once you leave the beach or the pool, ensure that you have something to cover yourself.

Dubai is a multi-faced city with varying cultures, with a touch of both modern and traditional worlds. There are many activities to engage in, and iconic places to visits such as the Burj Khalifa, Dubai mall, the museum of the future. 

You can also opt for hikes in the mountains, desert tours, beaches among others. Considering wide range of activities to choose from and places to visit, it is advisable to always plan from at least 5 days in Dubai.

This will give you enough time to explore the major iconic places and engage in the popular activities.

The official language in Dubai is Arabic. However, English is widely spoken in Dubai and especially around the tourist areas. It is therefore important to be learn a little bit of either of the languages so as to easily converse with the locals. 

If you speak a different language you can always get an app that can translate the language for you. Maps and signage are written in both English and Arabic.

Dubai is Muslim city and therefore alcohol consumption is highly restricted. Alcohol is reserved in licensed restaurants, bars and hotels. 

It is illegal to be publicly intoxicated or to take alcohol in public places. To avoid getting into trouble with local authorities always ensure you take alcohol in places that are licensed.

Dubai has some of the best Arabic cuisines such as machboos, shawarmas along with a wide range of international cuisines. You can always check on the restaurants that serves your favorite cuisines. If you want to indulge in local cuisines for the experience always check on the best and get one that suites your budget and preferences.

There is a wide range of options for the transport in Dubai. The choice may be informed by various factors such as comfort, cost or convenience.