Oman
The oldest independent state in the Arab world
The Arab country of Oman is the gem of the Arabian peninsula, welcoming you into a world of traditions, fortresses, sand dunes, dramatic coastlines and unspoiled landscapes. Oman is an oil-rich but humble country without extravagant buildings and nonsensical monuments. Unlike the United Arab Emirates, Qatar or Kuwait, it has maintained its character and carries a high level of cleanliness and safety.
Living in Abu Dhabi made it easy for us to have weekend trips to explore this wonderful country time and time again, as we love the kind hospitality this country offers.
THE BEST TIME TO VISIT
The best time to visit Oman is between October and April.
The temperatures range between 24°C and 35°C. January and February are the coolest months and in summer, even coastal temperatures can frequently reach 50°C.
Climate:
Oman has a subtropical, dry climate with summer monsoons and hot, dusty winds. The average annual temperature ranges from 10°C to 12°C in the north while ranging from 16°C to 18°C in the south.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Language:
The official language is Arabic, but English and Hindi are widely spoken.
Currency:
The Omani Rial (OMR) is the official currency of Oman.
Banks & ATMs:
The leading banks in Oman are:
Bank Muscat, Bank Dhofar, National Bank of Oman and Alizz Islamic Bank (to name a few). ATMs are widely available.
Plugs and Sockets:
The associated plug type is G, which is the plug that has three rectangular pins in a triangular pattern. Oman operates on a 240V supply voltage and 50Hz.
Consider carrying a universal adapter.
Local Culture:
The culture of Oman is steeped in the religion of Islam, having its unique subsect of Islam, known as Ibadhism; however other strands of Islam, such as Sunni and Shi’a, are also practised.
During the summer, Muslims observe Ramadan, where Muslims fast, calculated according to the local calendar and appointed in its time every year. Please make sure to respect their culture and dress conservatively.
Safety:
Most visits to Oman are trouble-free, but you should maintain a high level of security awareness due to terrorism and armed conflict. Take care in public places, on the roads, and most importantly, avoid large crowds and demonstrations.
Oman Air is the national airline carrier for Oman, but many International airlines also fly here.
Emirates, Etihad Airways, Flydubai, Air Arabia, Royal Jordanian, Lufthansa, KLM, Air France, British Airways, China Southern Airlines, and Qatar Airways (just to name a few).
Check Skyscanner for great airfares.
