Travel to Oman - FAQs
Anyone reading this probably already thinks about visiting Oman. Undoubtedly, there could be a certain level of anxiety when traveling to the Middle East for the first time. But we could confidently say that Oman will surely surprise you (in a good way). Oman is all about easy travel. Peace and tranquility should be the tagline for their tourism ministry. Still a relatively undiscovered destination, we had plenty of questions ourselves during our trip planning process.
The Friday Vegetable Market at Nizwa Souq.
Our Bradt guidebook served us well but did not provide all our sought answers. Other online resources, such as Beyond the Route or Oman Trippers, are invaluable. For those who are more adventurous, the Oman Off-Road by Explorer Publishing is a bible among off-road enthusiasts. At $35, it is a pricey but worthwhile investment if you decide to spend more than two weeks in Oman.
Here are some frequently asked questions regarding our recent trip to Oman. Please feel free to comment below and let us know if you have other questions we could help answer (and hopefully add to the list). We hope that you will find the information here helpful. Happy travel and have fun in the sultanate!
General Questions
-
This is perhaps the most frequently asked question we have about Oman, and the answer is YES! Oman has no record of any terrorist attack in modern memory. Petty crimes such as pickpocket and vandalism are nearly unheard of. Many locals would be quick to point out if you left something behind and are very friendly to provide helpful directions. Oman is sometimes called the "Switzerland of the Middle East" and remains friendly with all its neighbors in an otherwise tumultuous corner of the globe. Oman is also one of the easiest Arab countries for solo female travelers. There is little risk for women using taxis, buses, and hired cars. Omanis are some of the kindest, most talkative, and gentlest people in the world.
-
Yes! It is surprisingly easy to travel around the country without knowing any Arabic. Thanks to its large ex-pat population from the Indian subcontinent and Western professional class in Muscat, Oman is surprisingly bilingual. Nearly all street signs are in both Arabic and English. Even the smallest shops in remote villages will likely have simple English translations on the signage. Of course, visitors should still equip themselves with basic Arabic phrases as a sign of respect for Omanis. A simple "as-salaam 'alaykum" is always welcomed anywhere in Oman.
-
We would recommend a minimum of seven days to get a true understanding of this fascinating country. This would allow at least two full days in Muscat and four to five days for the interior. You would find out that Oman is largely an outdoor destination. Outside of Muscat, relatively few museums or art galleries warrant specific detours for first-time visitors. Popular day trips from Muscat include the Al Rustaq Loop, Nizwa, Jebel Shams, or Jebel Adkher. For anyone staying longer than a week, the exclave of Musandam to the north or Dhofar region to the south is worthwhile for a short plane ride.
-
According to the latest statistics, Germans account for more than 70% of all foreign visitors to the Sultanate. German is undoubtedly the most spoken language at tourist hotspots in Oman. During our two-week-long travel, we met very few Americans or British tourists. However, you should consider that a blessing because the locals are generally very excited about meeting Americans. A good percentage of Americans you would encounter in Oman are likely ex-pats residing in other GCC Countries such as U.A.E., Qatar, or Saudi Arabia. In some regions such as Musandam, you would see a large number of Emirati tourists given the proximity to the border.
-
Omani took pride in its efficient and fair law enforcement. Royal Oman Police (ROP) is both the local police and national paramilitary force. It is generally agreed that ROP is reliable and honest in its conduct and law enforcement. The ROP station is likely the largest building complex in almost every town. It would only take you a day or two to recognize their compound from afar. Despite having one of the highest military spending in the region, the police presence was never apparent or overwhelming. Even in the capital district of Old Muscat, the police seem to be fairly laid back and friendly to visitors.
-
It is undisputed that winter is the best time to visit Oman or the rest of the Middle East. During our visit at the beginning of January, the daytime temperature hovered around 70 to 75°F with low to modest humidity. Over two weeks, we only encountered two cloudy mornings, which quickly cleared by the early afternoon. We wished it was a little warmer, particularly on a few of our wadi days.
Cost & Budget
-
Oman is not a budget destination by any means. It is a country of relative affluence thanks to its decent petroleum and mineral reserves. The residents have decent disposable income because Omanis do not pay income tax and receive free healthcare and education from the state. You would be surprised how many Lexus and BMWs you would come across outside Muscat. That said, you could eat cheaply in Oman if you could forgo alcohol. A decent meal for two could cost anywhere between 4 to 10 OMR. Fortunately, because Oman is an outdoor destination, most sights are either free or only for a nominal fee.
-
The best way to save some serious money is to do away with the hotel stays and just camp in the wild. Outside of Muscat, it is difficult to find a good-value mid-range hotel. Across the country, wild camping is permitted as long as it is outside of established townships. Western-style campsites with services and amenities would be hard to come by. But the joy of wild camping would be worthwhile. The second-largest expense is likely car rental. Depending on where you go, foregoing a 4WD is another option for reducing a high cost. For more about car rental, please see the Transportation section below.
-
Like much of the Middle East, tipping culture is less prevalent than it is in the United States and could highly depend on the establishments and locations. At local or roadside eateries, running up the bill to the next rial could be sufficient. At more formal restaurants, a 5-10% tip is customary although they would not give you an attitude if you go below that range. But generally, we tend to tip at the higher range when traveling abroad, because it does take more effort for them to serve us foreigners than the local clientele. Tipping your guide or drivers 1-3 OMR a day is good practice. While we did not take any taxis in Oman, it is said that tipping is not necessary unless the taxi driver goes above and beyond in service.
-
Outside of traditional souq, prices are generally well-marked and final. Nearly all restaurants and roadside eateries would have a printed menu in English and Arabic, so we did not feel ripped off during our time in Oman. As a good practice, always ask if you are uncertain. Sometimes, the table-side bread is complimentary, but not always. But generally, we found those little extras such as meze, water, or bread reasonably priced across the board.
Transportation
-
The roads and highways across Oman are excellent! With a population of only 4.4 million, Oman is sparsely populated, and you are unlikely to encounter traffic outside of rush hours in Muscat. In the country's interior, wide carriageways are connected to bigger towns such as Nizwa, Ibri, Ibra, Sur, Sohar, and Dibba. However, this is not to say that you could avoid unpaved gravel roads altogether. One of the most cited statistics Omanis would tell you is that there were fewer than 10 miles of paved road in all of Oman before 1970 (Sultan Qaboos ascended to power). Given that fact, it is remarkable just how much Oman has come along.
-
This is perhaps the second most asked question! And the answer would depend on your specific itinerary. A 4WD is required by law if you drive to Jebel Akhdar or the Wahiba Sands. Jebel Shams is doable with a saloon car except for the final 10-minute drive to the start of the popular "Balcony Walk.” If you also plan on visiting some of the less frequented wadis, such as Wadi Tiwi, Wadi Damm, or Wadi Bani Awf, having a 4WD is a must. Given the cost of renting such a vehicle (approximately 35 OMR per day), hiring a driver with 4WD might make sense only for the days you need it. Our Hyundai Tuscan AWD from Europcar served us well for our itinerary. However, many popular tourist spots such as the Bimmah Sinkhole, Wadi Shab, Nizwa, Al Rustaq Loop, and Wadi Bani Khalid, would not require a 4WD. If you can afford it, a 4WD buys you peace of mind and the freedom to explore the wilder side of Oman.
-
We found driving in Oman a bliss, simply because there was never much traffic there. Most drivers are relatively courteous and obey traffic laws. The road navigation is rather straightforward. But given the ever-ongoing road construction in the sultanate, be prepared for detours when relying on your GPS. Driving through smaller villages could be tricky for those of us from North America, given the narrow lanes and unpredictable terrain. Don't be overly reliant on the GPS or Google directions since they often take you through the middle of a medieval village rather than major bypass roads. Roundabouts are ubiquitous in Oman, and some out-of-the-blue speed pumps could seriously damage your vehicle.
-
It is illegal to drive a 'dirty' vehicle in Oman. This is an interesting rule we have yet to encounter in any other country. Keeping your car clean may be challenging if you occasionally drive on unpaved roads. Fortunately, there are plenty of car washes even in smaller towns, and they generally charge between 1-3 OMR per wash. From our understanding, the Royal Oman Police does not prioritize enforcement, and it is unlikely that tourists will get fined if stopped for the violation. Some ex-pats have warned that road rage could often lead to legal troubles. Cursing and showing offensive gestures are unwise in a country where hospitality and courtesy are prized.
-
No. Finding convenient parking does not seem to be an issue anywhere in the country, which is surprising given how reliant people are on automobiles. Even in popular tourist sites such as the Muttrah Corniche, paid and free parking is abundant most of the day. You need smaller bills (such as 100 baisa or even smaller coins) to pay for automated parking machines.
-
After much research, we ended up renting from Europcar. On our visit, it was the only rental agency in Oman that offered unlimited mileage. While you might find cheaper rates from other agencies such as Budget or Hertz, their mileage cap could cost you a lot more at the end of your trip. Please also note that it is more than likely that the agency would prohibit you from taking the car into the U.A.E. or on the ferry to Musandam or Masirah Island. So do factor that into your trip planning ahead of time.
Culture & Respect
-
Oman is a Muslim country that is deeply conservative yet tolerant and respectful of others. Omanis of all ages tend to dress conservatively with knees and shoulders covered. Almost all Omani men would wear dishdasha daily with either muzzar or kuma as headgear. Women often wear a loose dress called abaya, which could also be brightly colored like their counterparts in Pakistan. Within Muscat, seeing Westerns in shorts or tank tops is not difficult. However, it would be wrong to equate that to tacit acceptance.
As foreign tourists, it is worthwhile to dress conservatively since it puts the locals at ease. In many cases, Omanis could be acceptable but are insistent on their cultural norms. While it is unlikely that an 'inappropriately dressed' tourist would be refused service outright, it is simply not respectful of the host. In particular, visitors should be considerate of their appearance when visiting rural villages.
-
That is quite a complicated question, and I suppose this partly depends on one's attitude and general demeanor. To a casual visitor like ourselves, we would advise against it as it might accidentally elicit negative reactions. The worst thing a foreigner could do is to wear dishdasha without behaving accordingly. I do have to admit that it was tempting as the dishdasha was climatically appropriate and comfortable. One final curious observation, though... you would not see any ex-pat, including practicing Pakistanis, wearing dishdasha. Perhaps that is saying something.
-
Much like synagogues or Mormon temples, most mosques in Oman are only open for visitation to practicing Muslims. Fortunately, some of the most impressive mosques in the country are open to non-Muslims at a specific time. The Sultan Qaboos Mosques, often the grandest of each major town, are generally open to visitors from 8 am to 11 am from Saturday to Thursday. However, the dress code for modesty must be followed.
-
Like all but one country in the Middle East, homosexuality is technically illegal in Oman. So, just how worried should a gay traveler be when in Oman? You might ask why I would allow myself to be discriminated against. But it is helpful to put things from a different perspective. Public display of affection is not advised for both gay and heterosexual couples. The standard of behavior in public is the same, disregarding your sexual orientation. There is no known case of foreign visitors being prosecuted for homosexuality in Oman. Regarding accommodation, we did not experience the issue of getting a single bed at hotels of various price points. A few receptionists did ask whether we wanted to share a bed, but they did not give us difficulty.
Travelers’ Needs
-
Yes, there are plenty of laundromats in almost every town in Oman. While there are a couple of franchised laundromats, such as Snow White, 98% of the laundromats in Oman are not listed in online directories or Google Maps. Most are small, independent, and operated by Indian and Pakistani immigrants. We did not encounter a self-service laundromat, but 24-hour drop-off service is the norm. A load of laundry anywhere between 2 to 4 OMR.
-
Pocket wifi rental is not a great option in Oman. The cheapest option is about 75 OMR for two weeks and no in-town or airport pickup/return. We got a SIM card with Omantel, Oman's state-run telecom company. Their coverage is excellent, and we could not recommend them enough. The SIM card costs 4 OMR and could be recharged via Omantel's prepaid Hayyak plan. The recharge scratch card could be purchased at their own kiosks and various retail outlets such as Lulu Hypermarket. Their 10 OMR recharge card buys you 6 GB of data. The other major provider is Ooredoo, which is said to have superior coverage within Muscat but less so in the interior.
-
Credit cards are surprisingly widespread, even in smaller restaurants outside Muscat. It doesn't mean it is preferable, and cash is still the king. Much like Europe and elsewhere outside North America, Oman does not allow adding gratuities to credit cards. So it is still important to carry some cash. Omani Rial is one of the most valuable currencies in the world, so it may be wise to hoard some half rial or 100 baisa bills.
-
Short answer: Yes! But alcohol could only be found mostly within four or five-star hotels or exclusive private clubs. If you read that a certain restaurant is "licensed,” the establishment holds an alcohol license and would attract an international client base. Because of the scarcity, it is certainly pricey, to say the least. You could expect to pay anywhere between 4.5 to 10 OMR for a glass of Italian red. Yikes!
To save on your alcohol, each non-Muslim visitor to Oman could, by law, legally bring in two liters of alcohol in Oman. However, this is permitted only for international arrival at Muscat International Airport. It is prohibited to carry any amount of alcohol through land crossing with the United Arab Emirates. Please check the latest custom regulation posted by the Royal Oman Police.
-
Like Eastern Europe, local cuisine is cooked at home and not widely available in restaurants. Several 'Omani restaurants' around Muscat are tourist-oriented and not of very good value. We found that Indian and Turkish food accounts for most restaurant choices. Outside of Muscat, it might be tough to find decent Western cooking. Don't let that deter you; we rarely have a bad meal in Oman. For those of you who can't live without American fast food, big cities like Muscat and Sur have plenty of fixes.
-
Short answer: No! As a country with an arid climate, Oman gets most of its municipal water supply from desalinated seawater. Even in larger cities like Sur, many households and businesses rely on water trucks for regular deliveries. Luckily, drinking water comes cheap, especially if you purchase in bulk from retailers like Lulu Hypermarket. A six-pack of one-liter bottles costs as little as 400 baisas. That said, I must admit that it is not an environmentally friendly drink from bottled water.
