The United Arab Emirates is a unique country in the Middle East. To be more specific, it’s an elective monarchy formed from the 7 emirates of UAE, such as Dubai or Abu Dhabi, the capital. This part of the world is most known for its vertigo-inducing skyscrapers, deserts, the distinctive UAE culture and endless opportunities to have fun for all types of travellers.
The most famous places to visit in the United Arab Emirates include the Dubai area, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and more. But, truth be told, nothing can beat the luxury, abundance, architecture and incredible nightlife of Dubai – and that’s something everyone knows about UAE, I’m sure of it. I mean, I’m sure you’ve heard about the Burj Khalifa, right? The tallest tower in the world!
If you’re excited to start planning your UAE itinerary soon, I recommend checking out all my articles about this incredible country below.
If the answer is yes, I recommend checking out all my articles about this unforgettable country here, so you will be fully prepared to visit United Arab Emirates.
Currency
UAE’s currency is the United Arab Emirates Dirham (AED). 1 USD is equivalent to 3.67 UAE dirham.
Visas
There is a UAE visit visa required, but the entire procedure is extremely easy: you just need to enter the country with your passport (valid for at least 6 months) and you’ll receive a free visa for a maximum stay of 30 days. There’s also the UAE Golden Visa if you want long-term residence. More information on The United Arab Emirates' Government portal.
Languages
The official United Arab Emirates languages are Arabic (the one taught in schools) and Gulf Arabic (the dialect of most native Emiratis). But the good news is that English is highly predominant as well!
Vaccines
No vaccines are officially required for entering the UAE. However, for your own health and safety, the following are recommended: routine vaccines (such as chickenpox), hepatitis A, B, rabies, and more.
Electrical Plugs
Power plugs in the United Arab Emirates come in type C, D, and G! Just remember, the voltage is 220 V and frequency is 50 Hz.
SIM Cards
Buying a SIM card upon your arrival at the airport in the UAE is super easy, but also quite expensive. In fact, UAE is one of the most expensive countries in the world when it comes to SIM cards! The best companies are Du (especially inside Dubai) and Etisalat (if you want to venture outside of Dubai). By the way, Dubai has free Wi-Fi literally everywhere and it’s super reliable!
Religions
Islam is the official religion in the entire UAE. Moreover, there are numerous laws against converting from Islam and blasphemy as well.
Best Time to Travel
The best time to visit Dubai or any other part of the UAE is between November and February when the temperature is just right and there are also tons of events happening.
