United Arab Emirates

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Traveling in the United Arab Emirates

Passport and visa service: Emirates Federal government website giving information on visas and other formalities for entry.
Address of the Ministry of Culture and Information on Emirates.
Diplomatic representations: Website of the UAE Embassies abroad
List of diplomatic representations of different countries abroad.

Recommendation: The best means of travelling in the cities of Emirates remain the personal car and the taxi. Taxis are a bit costly, but easy to find and numerous. Majority of them know a sufficient level English to follow directions and journeys. Local transports are still less developed except in Dubai which has an urban bus service. A trip to Dubai, costs between 1 and 3.5 AED and there is a pass system.A metro line is under construction in Dubai since 2006. River taxis enable to cross the Dubai Creek for 12 AED.
Maps of urban networks: Maporama
UT Library on line
Mapblast

Recommendation: Personal vehicle or shared taxis are the best means of travelling between different Emirates. There are buses and minibuses assuring links between Emirates. A monorail project is under consideration between Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Aseaplane service already connects Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Rail companies: There are no trains within Emirates.

Recommendation: The road network is excellent, but the traffic can be dangerous (excess speed, sudden stoppages of taxis in cities). For a tour in the desert, it is imperative to have a 4X4.
Road maps: Website giving access to free cards
Find an itinerary: Portal of via michelin, then choose the country

Historical: -Dubai Museum , mosques and old forts of Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Cultural: Project for partnership with Louvre Museum in Abu Dhabi. This would involve the opening of a branch in this country.
Nature: 4x4 tours of the desert.
Religious: One of the little religious tourism to share can be the huge Sheikh Zayed mosque in Abu Dhabi.
Thermal: Therapeutic spa tourism is less developed.
Beach: Beaches around Dubai are very beautiful and the hotel complexes developed around them are high class. Ladies are formally recommended not to wear bikini on public beaches. Topless and nudism are prohibited on all beaches of the country.
Winter sports: Artificial indoor ski station under in Dubai.
Outdoor activities: It is possible to play golf in Dubai which is a prized destination for followers of this sport. Also, under sea diving is pleasurable to discover the rich marine depths.It is also standard to practise fishing as a sport. Finally, the UAE is reputed for its horse riding.
Shopping: It is possible to take advantage of the gold market and reduced tax trading centres of Dubai.

Top highlights of the capital city
Guide on Dubai
Guide on Abu Dhabi

Top highlights of the country
Main things to do in Emirates.

Health precautions: No requirement for vaccination for international journey. Malaria is almost non existant except in some stagnant water oasis. Prophylaxis is not prevelent among the expatriates. Obtaining residence visa is subject to presentation of a non-seropositivity certificate.
International hospitals: Most of the westerners are treated in private hospitals.
For further information on sanitary conditions: World Health Organisation website
Ministry of Health of Emirates website
For further information on safety conditions: Government website.

Fuseau(x) horaire

Type of climate: There are two seasons: the temperate season from November to April (from 12 deg to 30 deg), the hot and humid season from May to September with temperatures reaching till 50 deg. There are sand storms in the month of March and April.
For further information: Emirates Meteorological department website

Climate

Food specialties: Specialities of the Middle East like the mezzes (assortment of salads and sauces in which the pitas are dipped), grilled meat specialities,matchoub (spicy lamb), mensaf (lamb dish served with a white cheese sauce and rice).
Drinks: Consumption of alcohol is permitted for non Muslims in Emirates except in Sharjah. Consumption of alcohol is prohibited during Muslim festivals as well as offering it to Muslims.
Dietary restrictions: Pork is prohibited. Eating, drinking or smoking in public places during the month of Ramadan are not allowed. Muslims are not served in the restaurants and hotels during hours of fast.

Domestic currency: UAE Dirham
ISO Code: AED
To obtain domestic currency: It is difficult to exchange travellers cheques outside big residential areas. On the contrary the Eurocheques can be exchanged in all the banks. It is more profitable to exchange Euros in Exchange bureaus. It is also possible to directly withdraw cash in various DABs.
Possible means of payment: It is possible most of the time to pay by bank card. However, the trader may take commission on the transaction which can be 2% of the purchase amount.

Official language: Arabic
Other languages spoken: Persian, Urdu and Hindi in relation with expatriate communities.
Business language: English
Getting some knowledge: Cias
Speak 7
Free translation tools: Ectaco -
Im Translator -
Babylon -

To find an accommodation: Hostels
2 - 3 star hotels
5 star hotels
Website on hotels in Emirates.
To find an apartment: Portal giving access to rental agencies

Website for ads. on rentals and joint tenancies
Ads for sale and rental of apartments
Ads for apartment rentals in Dubai
To find a job: Portal of job offers on internet
Offers on Interet
Jof offers in all Emirates
Search engine for jobs in the Emirates

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