Visit Oman
Visit Oman
WELCOME
AHLAN WA SAHLAN
Welcome to the Sultanate of Oman, a country of breathtaking natural beauty interwoven with a kaleidoscope of history, legends and adventures.
Welcome to the enchanting Sultanate of Oman! The country will hypnotize you with its fragrant ancient souks, mesmerize you with dramatic landscapes, and leave you spellbound with its stories. Home to numerous UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Oman is steeped in history and has inspired some of literature’s most famous tales.
Muscat, the vibrant capital, is full of memorable sites and experiences. Head out of the city and Oman becomes even more captivating with its small towns nestled between mountains, Bedouin villages, and the incense route.
Visitors are invited to explore unique experiences like visiting the date farms, witnessing the harvesting of the roses that cover the hills with delicate hues of pink and fill the air with an enchanting fragrance, spending a night under the stars in a desert camp, and swimming in the wadis – stunning natural pools that offer respite from the heat.
A journey of discovery awaits visitors to this welcoming land at the crossroads between Asia, Africa, and Western civilization. Enjoy all of the marvels of this unique place, the ideal gateway to Southern Arabia.
TRAVEL TIPS
BANKS: Oman has several local and international banks that provide a range of financial services. Major banks include Bank Muscat, NBO, and HSBC Oman.
BUSINESS HOURS: Business hours in Oman typically follow a Sunday to Thursday workweek, with government offices and many private businesses opening from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Some businesses may reopen for evening hours.
CREDIT CARDS: Credit cards like Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants, and larger shops. However, it’s advisable to carry cash for smaller establishments and local markets.
CURRENCY: The currency used in Oman is the Omani Rial (OMR), which is further divided into 1,000 baisa.
DRESS CODE: While dress codes are fairly liberal, consideration should be given not to offend the sensibilities of others. Swimwear should be worn only on beaches or at swimming pools. When visiting shopping malls and other attractions, tourists should wear clothing that is not too tight or revealing. Certain attractions such as mosques or religious sites usually have stricter dress codes, requiring both men and women to cover up bare shoulders, arms and legs, and women to wear headscarves.
DRINKING WATER: While tap water is generally considered safe for consumption in Oman, many people, including visitors, prefer to drink bottled water.
ELECTRICITY: 220/240 Volts, alternating at 50 cycles per second. Standard British-type 13-amp square three-pin plugs are used throughout the country. European or US-made appliances may need a plug adapter.
EMERGENCY SERVICES: The emergency contact number for police, fire, or medical assistance in Oman is 9999.
GREETING: A common Omani greeting is “As-salamu alaykum” (peace be upon you), to which the response is “Wa alaykum as-salam” (and upon you be peace). A friendly handshake is customary.
LANGUAGE: Arabic is the official language, but English is widely spoken and understood, especially in urban areas and the tourism industry.
MEDICAL SERVICES: Oman provides excellent healthcare services, and major cities have modern hospitals and clinics. It’s advisable to have travel insurance.
PERSONAL CONDUCT AND ETIQUETTE: Omani culture emphasizes hospitality and respect. Visitors should be polite and avoid public displays of affection. It’s also customary to accept offers of food and drink.
PHOTOGRAPHY: In Oman, avoid taking pictures of military facilities, government buildings, and people without their permission. Always ask before taking photos.
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION: Oman has a growing public transportation network, including buses and taxis. Major cities like Muscat have modern public transport systems.
TELECOMMUNICATIONS: Oman has a well-developed telecommunications infrastructure. Mobile networks, including OmanTel and Ooredoo, provide good coverage.
TIME: Oman Standard Time (GMT+4) is the standard time zone observed throughout the year.
WEATHER: The Climate of Oman can be described as subtropical dry, hot desert climate with low annual rainfall, very high temperatures in summer and a big difference between maximum and minimum temperatures, especially in the inland areas. Summer (June to September) is very low rainfall. Daily maximum temperatures can reach easily 40°C or more. Winter is cooler with occasional rainfall.
WIFI: Most hotels, restaurants, and cafes in urban areas provide free Wi-Fi for customers. Additionally, Oman offers free public Wi-Fi in some public spaces.
Here’s some useful vocabulary:
Marhaba – Hello | As-salamu alaykum – Peace be upon you (common greeting) | Wa alaykum as-salam – And upon you be peace (response to greeting) | Shukran – Thank you | Min fadlik – Please | Na’am – Yes | La – No | Ma’a as-salama – Goodbye