Tag Archive for: Travel Tips

How to Pack for a Trip to UAE

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Packing for a trip to UAE is a daunting and time-consuming task. However, you can avoid the hassle by following the tips and tricks in this post!

How to Pack for a Trip to UAE

The United Arab Emirates is one of the best places to visit in the Middle East. It offers peace, security, and tranquility you won’t find anywhere else in the world. The services provided in the UAE are second-to-none, allowing tourists to get the most out of their trip. In addition, the UAE has a diverse culture, enabling you to make friends from different countries and create memories.

The UAE has gloriously warm weather, rich Islamic and Arab culture, and stunning modern tourist attractions. That’s why people from different countries visit this country all year round. The question is: what to pack for a trip to UAE? Today’s article will answer this question and give you some practical tips. Read on!

1. Focus on Essential Items

Traveling to the UAE requires careful planning and preparation. Experts recommend loading copies of documents, music, and photos to your cloud storage space and saving contact details or information in a Google document. Ensure you get essential information about your flight, weight restrictions, food, and entertainment.

In addition, it is crucial to arrange pick-up services at the airport to ensure everything goes smoothly without any problems. If you want to bring your phone, make sure you download a video conferencing tool to connect with your family and friends via Wi-Fi. Similarly, make your luggage identifiable and get organized to streamline your trip.

2. Clothing to Pack for UAE during summer

Although the UAE is the most relaxed place in the world for tourists, we recommend dressing modestly. The country has beautiful beaches with picturesque views. However, you can wear beach clothes but make sure they are according to the rules.

On the other hand, you must wear loose clothing and cover your arms and legs, especially when visiting restaurants, mosques, and other public places. The UAE has hot and humid weather because of the desert climate.

During the summer, the temperature reaches over 100 degrees. Bear in mind that May, June, July, August, and September are the hottest months in the UAE. Therefore, when packing items for a trip to the UAE, make sure you add sunscreens, hats, lip balms, and sunglasses to the bag.

You will need sandals to prevent your feet from burning on the hot sandy beaches. You can also purchase these items in the UAE. We recommend bringing swimsuits if you want to play at the beach, local water parks, and hotel pools.

Moreover, bring a waterproof camera to capture underwater moments and wet days in the UAE. Pack light-colored clothing to deflect the sun’s rays. You can also pack a sun umbrella to protect yourself from the heat.

3. Clothing to Pack for UAE during winter

Winter in the UAE is the best time to visit the country with your family and friends. During the cold winter months, the temperature drops, particularly at night. December and January are the coldest months in the UAE. Therefore, we recommend packing a light sweater or jacket. In addition, we recommend a shawl or Pashmina for women.

Moreover, the daytime temperature is not very different from summer. So, pack as you would like for the summer season as the UAE is hot, warm, and humid throughout the winter at daytime.

We recommend packing underwear, socks, bras, t-shirts, sleepwear, dress shirts, jeans, shorts, pants, skirts, dresses, sweaters, suits, cover-ups, hats, coats, gloves, scarves, leisure shoes, boots, sneakers, dress shoes, ties, belts, sandals, purses, and jewelry.

4. Other Things to Pack for UAE

If you want to prevent yourself from the dry and hot air in the desert, make sure you pack a moisturizer and apply it a few times a day. You can also bring a portable fan to keep yourself calm and relaxed on hot summer days.

In addition, you will have opportunities to hike the massive dunes. Therefore, packing hiking boots for the desert climate is essential. Similarly, bring a small backpack to hold water bottles, extra pair of comfortable clothes, and other necessary items.

Clothes take longer to dry due to the high humidity in the UAE. So, it is best to pack extra socks and underwear to avoid frequent shopping trips in the UAE. Bear in mind that bringing toiletries, such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, dental floss, shampoos, conditioners, deodorants, hairbrushes, sunscreens, shaving supplies, and makeup will help you save time and avoid shopping for these products in the UAE.

Final Words

The UAE is the most beautiful country in the Middle East and is famous for its beaches, romantic Arabian sands, shopping, luxury spas, skyscraper buildings, and modern luxuries. Follow the tips above to streamline the entire packing process. Good Luck!

  • Article based on personal opinion, experience and research.
  • Photos from Unsplash & canva.

What Currency is Used in UAE?

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If you want to spend money responsibly and get the most out of your trip to the UAE, make sure you get essential information about currency. Read Here!

Currencies Used in UAE

Traveling to another country is pretty challenging and daunting. The primary reason is unfamiliarity with the country’s culture, climate, rules, laws, language, and currency. UAE, particularly Abu Dhabi and Dubai, are shoppers’ paradise. These big cities house top brands in gigantic shopping malls.

In addition, UAE has gold souks loaded with high-quality and beautiful jewelry. You can’t resist the exquisite jewelry found in the souks. In addition, UAE is also the best country in the Middle East for adventure activities. Most people visiting the UAE have an uncontrollable shopping impulse.

If you want to streamline shopping experiences and avoid unplanned urges, we recommend learning about the country’s currency and creating a travel budget. That way, you can avoid the hassle and spend money wisely.

So, it is always good to know about the currency before traveling to the UAE. Today’s article will give you essential information about the UAE’s currency. Read on!

The Basics of UAE Currency

The United Arab Emirates is one of the wealthiest countries in the world. The UAE Dirham is the official currency of the Emirates and is made up of 100 fils. You can find dirham in various denominations, including 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, and up to 1,000.

You can also use coins in denominations, such as 1, 25, and 50 fils. Keep in mind that people rarely use coins with a value of less than ten. In addition, the UAE’s central bank controls and issues the banknotes.

The bank uses different watermarks to prevent counterfeiting. The currency has the national emblem that appears on the note. The UAE has strict laws, rules, and regulations. For example, you can’t insult the national emblem. Otherwise, the court will charge you for counterfeiting and send you to jail.

Remember, the emblem appearing on the currency notes is a golden falcon. Each note has a disk surrounded by seven stars in the middle. Likewise, there are seven feathers. Each feather represents the specific emirate of the UAE. Let us now discuss how to exchange currency in the UAE. Continue reading!

How to Exchange Currency in UAE?

Although exchanging currency in the UAE is a streamlined process, you need to consider a few factors. It is crucial to familiarize yourself with the market rate before traveling to the UAE. The mid-market rate refers to the actual exchange rate, meaning no hidden fees.

You can use different online currency converting tools before your trip to the UAE. That way, you can determine what your money is worth and ensure you get a reasonable rate when buying your travel money. Once you are in the UAE and want to withdraw cash, choose dirham from the options.

Otherwise, you will experience hefty conversion rate charges. For example, when you withdraw money from the ATM in your country’s currency, you will pay more fees. Therefore, it is better to use the local currency. In this case, the dirham is your best option whether you use ATMs in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, or any other place in the UAE.

Moreover, experts recommend avoiding changing currency at hotels and airports. Remember, currency exchange services in hotels and airports have significant markup rates. You may also experience hidden fees. So, make sure you avoid exchanging currency at these places and choose a reliable option.

Furthermore, always use a debit card to spend money in the UAE. That way, you can avoid additional fees and hidden costs. Although credit cards and debit cards are widely accepted in the UAE, some hotels and restaurants accept payments in cash. So, in addition to debit cards, always have a few hundred dirhams in cash.

Final Words

If you plan to travel to the UAE anytime soon, make sure you create a thorough plan, including your budget, to streamline the entire process. Although the U.S dollar is widely accepted across UAE, it is advisable to convert your currency into dirham. That way, you can travel easily and save money. Follow the tips and tricks in this article to get the best exchange rates and avoid the hassle. Until Next Time!

  • Article based on personal opinion, experience and research.
  • Photos from Unsplash & canva.

What Languages do People Speak in UAE [Updated]

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Do you want to know about the languages people speak in the United Arab Emirates? Check out this post to get essential information about UAE languages!

Languages People Speak in UAE

The United Arab Emirates has many cities and towns. However, Abu Dhabi and Dubai are the most famous and largest cities in the country, driving millions of people for business and tourism purposes.

These two cities are renowned for their sleek skylines and world-class infrastructure.

The UAE is the land of brave, intelligent, sincere, and friendly people. The population in the UAE is made up of citizens from all over the world, each speaking their own native language. While Arabic remains the official language, English is widely used as a common. It has beautiful landscapes, beaches, and mosques. Peace and prosperity are two factors that make the UAE one of the most visited countries in the Middle East.

In addition, the UAE is home to more than 200 nationalities, multi-ethnicities, and cultures. The official language of the UAE is Arabic, but due to its international trading and tourism industry, there are many other languages spoken in the country. Most people ask: What languages do people speak in UAE? Today’s article will answer this question. Read on!

Curious about the languages spoken in the United Arab Emirates? This post will give you a breakdown of the most common languages spoken in the country.

Arabic

Arabic is the official and widely spoken language in the UAE. Therefore, it is spoken by most of the population. It is a Semitic language that has been around for centuries. Arabic is also the language of Islam, so it is often used by Muslims in prayer. There are several variations of the Arabic language prevalent in the country. These include the standard, modernized, and literary Arabic versions. The standard version is used in administrative, governmental, and legal affairs, while the modernized version is used for everyday conversations.

Although spoken Arabic language in the UAE has different versions influenced by geographical regions, most people in the country speak the Khaleeji or Gulf dialect. It is the most commonly used version of spoken Arabic in the country. In addition to this dialect, another common version spoken in the UAE is Masri or Egyptian Arabic.

Bear in mind that Arabic people from other countries, such as Iraq, Sudan, and the Maghreb, also influence the linguistics in UAE. So, Arabic is the primary language spoken and used in the UAE.

English

English is an international language spoken worldwide, including in the UAE. It is the most common language spoken in the Emirates after Arabic. Because UAE has a high number of expats who speak English, we won’t be wrong to say it is the second native language of the region.

In the UAE, you will find road signs, food menus, phone directories, and other things mentioned or written in English, along with the Arabic language. It is mainly used as a business and educational language in many institutions, universities, and companies. Most people working in the UAE are from different countries, and their primary language for communication is English. It is also a very significant language in the UAE and is used for tourism, trade, and the media. So, you can use English to interact with people in the UAE, whether you order, shop, or visit places.

On the other hand, English is not a common language in rural UAE. This language is widely spoken in big cities like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah. So, when you visit the rest of the UAE, make sure you know basic words in Arabic for streamlined communication. You can also use translation apps to ensure everything goes smoothly.

People residing in rural regions of the UAE do not understand, read, or write in English. Children in schools and colleges communicate and learn in the Arabic language. Educational institutions in big cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi have many international schools with English as a primary language for learning.

In addition to the official languages, the UAE also has some minority languages spoken by certain ethnic groups in the region. These include Hindi, Urdu, Tagalog, Malayalam, Punjabi, and Tamil. In some areas of the UAE, you may also find people speaking other languages, such as Spanish, Farsi, and French.

Hindi/Urdu

The United Arab Emirates has experienced a significant increase in the Indian population. Indians initially migrated to the UAE after the discovery of oil resources. Today, Indians dominate every industry and sector in the UAE, including retail, construction, manufacturing, financial services, transportation sectors, tourism, and even information technology (IT) sectors.

About 85% of expats live in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. 71% of people belong to Asian countries, including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Nepal. Hindi and Urdu are two different languages that share the same writing system and mostly speak by these people. These Indian-origin languages are spoken by many people in UAE, particularly in the Indian communities. Many South Asian expats speak these languages in the UAE so you will find a lot of people speaking Hindi/Urdu in the country.

The two languages are very similar; they use the same vocabulary, but Hindi uses more Sanskrit words, while Urdu has a lot of Persian and Arabic influence. Many people in the UAE consider both Hindi and Urdu as a single language, especially those who do not understand either of them. so it is common to hear people saying “Hindi/Urdu” instead of “Hindi and Urdu.” If you ever visit UAE, you will find both languages written in many public places for better communication.

Besides Arabic and English, Hindi and Urdu are other common languages spoken in the UAE. However, you will also find Farsi, Tamil, Bengali, and Malayalam people.

Curious about the languages spoken in the United Arab Emirates? This post will give you a breakdown of the most common languages spoken in the country.

Mandarin

Mandarin is becoming a popular language in the UAE, thanks to hundreds of thousands of Chinese working in different regions of the Emirates. Recent years have seen steady development and the rise of Mandarin in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. There are quite a few Mandarin-speaking Chinese schools, language centers, and communities in these cities. It is also the primary language of many international companies in the UAE. Mandarin is not widely spoken outside of the Chinese population, so it can be quite useful to learn some phrases in this language.

Some educational institutions in the largest cities of the UAE offer Mandarin as an additional language. Similarly, when you visit shopping malls, hotels, and restaurants, you will find people communicating in Mandarin. For example, when you visit the Dubai Mall, different shops feature signage in this language.

Final Words

UAE is one of the most beautiful countries in the gulf region. Most of the population in the UAE are expatriates from different countries. These people come to the country for business, trade, and tourism. In the UAE, people commonly use Arabic, English, Hindi/Urdu, and Mandarin for communication. Although English is widely used in the country, it is important to learn the language of the region and its cultural diversity. Expatriates speak different languages, but the most common ones are English, Hindi, Urdu, Mandarin, Bengali, Farsi, and Malayalam.

FAQs

How many official languages does the UAE have?

The UAE’s official language is Arabic. The other five recognized languages in the legal system are Chinese, English, French, Hindi, and Russian.

How many languages are spoken in UAE?

After Arabic, English is the language of preference among the population, with 75% of residents being foreigners. Hindi, Gujarati, Urdu, and Malayalam are the most widely spoken languages in Dubai as a result of immigrants and laborers from South Asian nations.

How do you say hello in Dubai?

Visitors will most frequently hear the salutations Marhaba (hello) and ma’assalamah while in Dubai (goodbye or with peace).

  • Article based on personal opinion, experience and research.
  • Photos from Unsplash & canva.