There was a time when people who have heard of the UAE barely know what the acronym stands for. Today, the country is considered as one of the most sought-after destinations for both tourists and business travelers alike.
Known for the contrasting views of its glistening sandy desert and ultramodern cityscape, the United Arab Emirates is home to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and five other territories. Most of the people who live there are expatriates, which means about 85 to 90 percent of the people you’ll encounter are born outside the country.
With many residents — whether temporary or permanent — originating from China, India, Iran, Korea, the Philippines, South America, Australia, and Europe, it’s safe to say that the UAE has definitely become a popular travel destination.
If you’re visiting the country for the first time, it is normal to feel overwhelmed when planning the trip. To make it bearable, below are eight tips from insiders you should heed:
1. Pre-book a Tour of the Burj Khalifa
One of the best attractions to include in your visit to the UAE is the Burj Khalifa. After all, it’s not every day that you get to see the tallest building in the world.
If you plan to tour the iconic skyscraper in Dubai, it would be better to book your ticket online before you travel to the city. This way, you can secure your own time slot, avoid long lines in the ticket counter, and head straight inside.
When pre-booking, remember to aim for the sunset time slot. This will give you a chance to behold the majestic view of the Dubai skyline while the sun showers it with golden light.
2. Enjoy the Beach
Despite being a modern city with towering skyscrapers that rise higher than the clouds, the UAE still has plenty of natural attractions that appeal to both tourists and locals. One of the best examples of this is the beaches.
Believe it or not, the United Arab Emirates is home to several wonderful beaches that offer a much-needed break from busy city living. From the Kite and Marina beaches in Dubai to the Saadiyat public beach in Abu Dhabi, there are plenty of seaside destinations for you to visit on your first trip to the country.
Just remember to schedule your trip right around the time when exciting beach club events are rampant to make the most out of your experience.
3. Start the Weekend Right
If you’re from anywhere in the West, you’re probably accustomed to a Saturday-Sunday weekend. But unlike other parts of the world, weekends begin on Friday in the UAE. This is because natives in the country – mostly composed of Muslims – consider Friday as the day of worship.
4. Eat Like a Local
Aside from starting earlier in the week, the beginning of the Emirati weekend is also marked by a specific meal time right in between breakfast and lunch – brunch.
Both locals and tourists enjoy Friday brunches in the UAE. This is because the meal, which usually consists of poached eggs, waffles, avocado, and pancakes in some places, is equivalent to something a bit more different in the country.
In the UAE’s capital, you’ll find that brunches may come in the form of seafood, Chinese, or even steak. It can even be composed of a helping of sushi and other delectable Japanese foods.
5. Mind How You Speak
Even though it looks a lot like other modern cities in countries in the West, the UAE still maintains its conservative culture. Take the city of Dubai, for example. Many of the residents in the city are Muslims and live under the same Islamic Law that prevents swearing and other acts that can be deemed lascivious.
In fact, the Dubai government reiterated that while the place is a cosmopolitan and tolerant city, Islam remains at the very core of the lives of those who live there. This means that tourists should respect the culture and take up a certain level of sensitivity to the country’s religious practices during their stay.
6. Avoid Scheduling Your Visit in the Summer
A visit during the summer may work for places like the Maldives or the Caribbean, but not for trips to the UAE.
Since the country is surrounded mostly by deserts, you should expect the summer months to be excruciatingly hot there. From June to September, the UAE is expected to have a temperature of 45 degrees Celsius or higher, which means you’ll have to stay indoors for the duration of your visit.
While swimming pools are cooled during this time of year, everywhere else is scorchingly hot, especially the sea and the beach. In fact, the seas can reach temperatures of 36 to 38 degrees while the beach is a smoldering 50 degrees. So, unless you’re planning to stick to shopping in air-conditioned malls in Dubai, you should reconsider the timing of your UAE trip.
7. Visit the Desert
While it might seem a bit contradictory with the previous tip, visiting the desert is an Emirati experience you don’t want to miss. So long as you schedule your trip to the desert during the cooler hours of the day — avoiding summer months, of course — and wear weather-appropriate clothing, you should do just fine.
From Dubai, you can reach the desert in no time at all. In fact, you can visit the glittering towers of the UAE’s most populous city and head to desert dunes in just 45 minutes. You can also take to the skies on a seaplane tour for a better perspective of the city or seek out hidden verdant oases across the country.
8. Go Shopping Like an Emirati
Aside from the desert and tall skyscrapers, the UAE is also popular for one more thing: shopping. You see, Emiratis take shopping quite seriously. Why else would they have the Dubai Mall or the City Walk?
Even if you’re not quite fond of shopping, you’ll still find yourself basking in the splendor of these destinations as they offer not only luxury shops but wonderful experiences as well.
The Dubai Mall, for example, has the amazing Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo. There, you can get a close encounter with creatures of the deep.
The Mall is also the second-best place to behold the awesomeness of the Burj Khalifa. Next to being inside the building itself, of course.
Make Your First Time the Best Time
The first time you visit the UAE should be the best experience you’ll have in the country. Consider using this article as a guide on your trip to make it the best one ever.
