mdolla: Useful Tips for Traveling in UAE

When you want to travel anywhere in the world, you have to find useful information and learn about the place carefully to avoid trouble or bad situations. The post will show you useful tips and rules for traveling to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which is famous for strict regulations in daily life for all people who live there or want to visit. Therefore, before deciding to visit the UAE, you should read the post below for some tips on how to have a wonderful trip.

Drinking alcohol

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Tourists cannot buy alcoholic drinks in supermarkets or grocery stores. Therefore, if you want to drink alcohol, you have to visit bars, restaurants, and clubs, because these places are licensed to sell these beverages. Furthermore, the legal drinking age is 21 in the United Arab Emirates, so if you are under 21, you should not attempt to purchase an alcoholic drink. If you do not obey this law, you will get in trouble with the local police. Drinking alcohol in public places can lead to imprisonment. In case guests are invited to visit native residents at home, homeowners should ensure that they have an alcohol license for the home.

Driving

UAE laws are absolutely uncompromising when it comes to acts of drinking and driving. You will be fined and imprisoned if police discover any alcohol in your blood, even the smallest quantity. The fines for drinking and driving are very harsh, including confiscation of the vehicle. Furthermore, cameras and laser guns are installed in most streets and highways. The driver is required to wear a seat belt. If you cross the street and do not follow the proper markings, it is considered an illegal action, especially in Abu Dhabi. Guests may be fined if they do not know and obey the rules.

Medications and narcotics

Purchase, sale or possession of narcotics is a serious crime that carries a life sentence or the death penalty in the UAE. If an illegal drug is detected in your blood, you’ll face four years in a prison (at minimum) and deportation. This provision also applies to medicines containing sedatives or analgesics.

Smoking

Smoking is prohibited in government buildings, offices, and shopping centers. Therefore, if you want to smoke, you should find an area reserved for smokers to do it.

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Clothing

Men have to wear long pants and women have to wear long skirts and avoid revealing body parts, especially a spot with a tattoo in public areas such as a shopping mall, restaurant or park. Displaying the nude form is prohibited, including sunbathing. You only wear swimsuits on the beach and not in the public sector, including on the way from the beach to the hotel.

In addition, tourists should not eat with the left hand, because in the Muslim conception, the left hand is not clean. You also should leave a little food on the plate after a meal because it is said to be more polite.

Dancing

Dancing in public areas is considered an impolite act, so tourists can only dance in a home or a club that is licensed for dancing.

Marriage relationships

UAE prohibits couples from living together before marriage; extramarital relations are prohibited as well. Living together, even in a hotel, is seen as illegal. Therefore, almost all hotels in Dubai prohibit couples from staying together before marriage. For this reason, when checking into the hotel, you should indicate “husband/wife” rather than “boyfriend/fiancé” to prevent any problems that may occur.

Showing affection in public

You cannot hug or kiss in public areas. Holding hands is allowed only for a couple. Additionally, same-sex love is banned and regarded as a criminal offense; if this expression is seen, it could lead to sentencing.

Although UAE has a lot of rules, it is still a wonderful and attractive place where tourists can enjoy special and interesting cuisine and culture. You should spend the time to visit at least once, and don’t forget to follow the above rules to avoid unexpected circumstances and have an unforgettable trip.

Featured photo credit: L N via pixabay.com

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