Located in the Middle East, Dubai is surrounded by deserts on one side and the Gulf coast on the other. The outcome is a very hot and dry climate unbearable to foreign tourists coming from the west.

November to May is the best season to travel to Dubai when the weather is pleasant. Consequently, Dubai tourist activities like camel & horse racing, shopping festivals, desert safaris and other outdoor activities are held during this period. But be prepared for cold nights and carry some winter wear during your travel. Summer temperatures in Dubai hover around 40 °C, dipping around 30 °C in the night. Winters are quite warm with an average high of 23 °C and a low of 14 °C.

If you are traveling during the summer season, get ready to face the blazing sun spouting flames at 42 degree Celsius. Attractions and activities are limited within malls, hotels, and places with air conditioning facilities. Do not dream of tanning at Jumeirah beach when Dubai is suffering from the summer season.

An extremely important point to be kept in mind is the Ramadan fasting period (around August-September), the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. Dubai prominently being a Muslim state, most of Arab localities fast for 29-30 days until Eid, the day of the lunar sighting. During this month, Muslims refrain from any food or drink, from sunrise to sunset. These beliefs are expected to be observed and followed even by tourists, irrespective of their religious followings. Bars, nightclubs, supermarkets, cafes are mostly closed during the day. If caught, breaking any of the rules, it is most probable that you will land up in jail.

Considering you follow all the norms and traditions Dubai has to offer, the place could turn out to be your best vacation ever.

Dubai Skyline at Night

1. Official language of Dubai is Arabic and English.
2. Dialling code is +971
3. Local and International Codes:
   Abu Dhabi + 9712 02
   Ajman + 9716 06
   Al Ain + 9713 03
   Dubai +9714 04
   Fujairah + 9719 09
   Khor Fakkan + 9719 09
   Raï al-Khaimah + 9717 07
   Sharjah + 9716 06
   Umm al-Qaiwain + 9716 06
4. Internet code is .ae
5. Currency is AED i.e. Emirati Dirham
6. UAE is 4 hours ahead of GMT
7. Telephone network in Dubai is operated by ETISALAT where Telephone calls within Dubai are free and direct dialing is available to over 150 countries.
8. Happy Hours for international calls is between 9 pm to 7 am
9. Card and coin operated pay phones are available throughout Dubai and cards are available at ETISALAT offices, supermarkets, pharmacies etc. for about Dh.30 to Dh. 45)
10. Fax can be set via ETISALAT offices 24 hours a day
11. ETISALAT head office is located on Baniyas Street, Deira, Opening Hours: Saturday to Wednesday 7 a.m.- 3 p.m
12. Mobile code within Dubai is +50
13. You can post letter in red post boxes and mail is collected regularly in morning and evening. Post can be mailed from the hotel also.
14. Post Office opening hours: Saturday to Wednesday 8 a.m.- 1 p.m and 4 p.m.- 7 p.m, On Public Holidays: 8 a.m. – 12 noon, Closed on Thursday, Friday and first day of Eid.
15. All government offices are closed on Thursday and Friday
16. Shops and supermarkets remain open seven days a week
17. Bank hours: Saturday to Wednesday is from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm, and 8:00 am to 12:00 pm on Thursday.
18. Currency Exchange houses are open from 8.30am–1.00pm and 4.30–8.30pm.
19. Mode of transportation: Taxis and cars. Please Visit Road Transports Authority for more details
20. You can obtain a temporary driving license as long as you have a valid driving license from the following countries: Germany, Spain, Belgium, Austria, Italy, Netherlands, Ireland, France, Switzerland, Greece, Turkey, UK, Poland, Portugal, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Cyprus, Luxembourg, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Iceland, USA, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand.
21. Dubai follows right hand side driving
22. You can travel between Dubai and Deira using water taxis or fully air conditioned water buses
23. Minimum fare for taxis: Dh.5 to Dh.10
24. For medicines prohibited in Dubai, Please visit site: Ministry of Health Controlled Medicines
25. Summer clothing is the norm for most parts of the year, but winter clothes may be needed during the winter months, especially in the evenings.
26. Use photo chromatic lenses for those with spectacles
27. As temperature is high, head gear like scarves, hats and sunscreens are a must to avoid sunstroke
28. Due to a relaxed dress code in Dubai, bikinis, short dresses, trunks and swim suits are allowed on beaches.
29. Don’t photograph women without permission and be polite enough to take permission before photographing Arabic men. Don’t drink alcohol in public.
30. Clicking images of government buildings and military institutions is not allowed.
31. Tap water is safe to drink but tourists generally prefer bottled mineral water.
32. Public hospitals offer good treatment free of charge, but treatment at private hospitals can be quite expensive, so it’s necessary that you take out an insurance to cover your medical expenses.
33. US made electrical appliances may need a transformer to work in Dubai.
34. Alcohol is available in hotels but restaurants are not permitted to serve alcoholic beverages.
35. Tipping is not expected in hotels but you can do as an act of gratitude towards the hotel staff. Hotels and restaurant add service charges to their bills. Abu Dhabi 16 %; Sharjah %; Dubai 10 %. If not added , expect to add 10% to your bills. Taxi drivers do not expect to be tipped.