Ready To Discover some great things to know and to do when traveling to Oman?!
Where is Oman Located? See The Map!
Oman is a country located in the Arabian Peninsula. Its capital is Muscat and comprises a wide diversity of sceneries due to its peculiar position, right on the sea but also extending deep into the desert of the Arabian Peninsula.
For these reasons (and more), Oman is is one of the most popular tourist destinations globally, with thousands of visitors each year, and within reason, considering its special and unique beauty!
Oman : A General Overview Of Things To Know:
Did you know that Muscat was named one of the best cities to visit in the world by The American travel guide publisher? People travel to Oman to enjoy the beach activities because Oman’s coast is lined with endless white-sand beaches.
There are many holiday resorts, hotels, and accommodations in all parts of Oman. Tourists love to do kitesurfing, snorkeling, sunbathing, and booting here. Another reason why people travel to Oman is because of the desert safaris.
On top of the rest, Oman prides itself with its many limestone-rich caves that can be found in the mountains, which attract millions of tourists every year.
Oman is also famous in the world for its beautiful markets, museums, forts, and cultural festivals. Many people travel to Oman to take part in horse and camel racing as well.
Best Time Of The Year To Visit Oman:
The best time to visit Oman is between October and April. The temperature is usually moderate in this season (around 17-35 °C). You can also experience short and sharp showers of rain in this season in January or February. However, you should try not to travel to Oman between June to August because of the highly warm climate. If you can stand the extreme heat, well… go for it but be prepared and cover yourself appropriately!
10 Things Everyone Should Know Before Visiting Oman
As I have mentioned, Oman is a beautiful country for tourists, and you can visit it any time between October to April. However, there are some essential things which you must know about Oman before traveling:
Oman uses the e-Visa system
It’s crucial to remember that Oman uses the electronic visa system, which makes visa handling much easier, you can apply for visa online here: https://oman-evisa.com/ .
All eligible citizens must do is follow three simple steps. Fill the application form online, cover the fees, and wait for the approved travel permit to be delivered to your email box in the form of a PDF file.
Submit your application at least 3 days (72 hours) before the planned trip to receive the approved e-Visa on time!
Oman has a scorching climate
Being a sunny country, Oman’s climate remains hot in almost all seasons, including winter. The temperature variation is between 25°C to 17°C in winter, while 40°C to 30°C in summer.
However, the weather in the mountains like Al Hajar Mountains remains colder than in the surrounding areas.
The climate of Muscat is hot and humid during the daytime. Sometimes you can experience Muscat’s hot and humid conditions at night times as well because it is located around the coast.
On the other hand, the weather of Salalah remains rainy and pleasant during the summer months. So, if you are planning to travel to Oman, don’t forget to check the temperature and weather of the city in which you are going to stay.
Nevertheless, you should pack colorful and light clothes to fight against extreme heat coming from the hot sun. Also, don’t forget to have a head covering!
Oman’s culture is conservative and you should keep it in mind
In Oman, religious traditions are deeply respected. This respect shows in the dressing and public behavior of Omani people. Omani men usually wear a dishdasha and a kummah (typical hat and clothing)
Dishdasha is a long piece of colorful or white cloth covering the body entirely, while kummah is considered a traditional Omani cap. You should not be surprised if you see some men wearing t-shirts and shorts reaching their knees in Oman.
For women, there are colorful dresses with uniquely decorated textiles. Omani women also love to take matching scarves with these dresses.
Although Omani people don’t expect your dressing to be conservative, you should wear clothes that don’t show much skin. So, while staying in Oman, try not to wear swimsuits on public beaches because it will be disrespectful to the local culture.
Make a list of places you want to visit!
Almost all of the Omani cities are rich in charming architecture and natural beauty. Nevertheless, there are many must-see sites in Oman. So, it is good for you to make a list of places you want to visit.
For example, your priority should be the tourist attractions located in temperate climate cities. Then you will move towards some warm climate cities. Starting with Muscat is not a bad idea because it has an annual festival in which shopkeepers from different countries sell Omani and international products.
You should include major museums, parks, mosques, and beaches in your list to make your journey more glorious. Depending on how many days you want to stay in Oman you should create a rough itinerary so you won’t miss any of the wonders this country has to offer!
Money in Oman
Omani Rial is the local currency of Oman. One Omani Rial is equal to 1,000 baisas (a smaller currency in Oman). Presently, 1 Omani Rial is equal to 2.60 US dollars, 2.22 euros, and 1.97 GBP.
The Omani currency is available in both notes and coins form. Coins are 5, 10, and 50 baisas, while paper notes are 100 and 500 baisas and 1, 5, 10, 20, and 50 Rials. You should keep an appropriate amount of money with you according to your needs.
Language in Oman
The official language of Oman is Arabic, while some people speak English as well.
As Oman is a melting pot of several cultures like Arab, Hindi, Pakistani, there are many other languages spoken like Hindi, Baluchi, and Swahili.
Omani Drinks and foods
The primary ingredients in most Omani foods are bread, chicken, tomato, fish, and rice. You can also eat various Omani salads. The standard Omani drinks are kahwa (traditional coffee) with halwa and dates.
The Omani people drink red tea sometimes. Being an Islamic country, finding alcohol is somewhat tricky and only available in licensed international hotels.
Internet and electricity facility
In Oman, the electric plugs are a type G 200V to 240. Internet is freely available in hotels, supermarkets, and shopping centers. So you shouldn’t have any issue in staying connected with the world. Although I always recommend connecting more with nature than with your mobile during a trip 🙂
Safety In Oman
At the present moment, Oman is one of the safest countries in the world, particularly for tourists. Safety in Oman is a combination of police, and the general public’s hard work and effort.
For this reason, the tourists don’t have to worry about their safety. Police are available everywhere for the service of both foreign and domestic tourists.
Covid-19 situation in Oman (Updated June 2021): Please check out these sources before making any travel arrangements:
For US Citizens https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/covid-4/coronavirus-oman
For UK Citizens: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/oman
Oman Air sources: https://www.omanair.com/ca/en/travel-advisory-covid-19-coronavirus-outbreak
Oman is A Great Place For Adventure & Nature Tourism
Due to many natural beauty attractions and landscapes, Oman facilitates all kinds of adventure activities. Visitors can enjoy hiking, camping, and rock climbing, particularly at Al Hajar Mountains in Northern Oman.
It’s also possible to enjoy some snorkeling, boat riding, and diving along seas and beaches in Oman. Not to mention having a true adventure in the desert as well, Oman truly has it all!
Final thoughts
Oman is a beautiful and charming country for tourists. However, before traveling to Oman, you must know some essential things we have discussed in this article.
Plan your trip, pack your bags, and make your journey unforgettable!