Here to help and serve:
Dealing with police
In case of emergency and you must get urgent help, you can call the Dubai Police who will assist you in every possible way. The presence of the law is quite abundant with marked police cars often cruising the streets to keep everyone happy and safe. But if you are on the other side of the stick, they will arrest you for breaking the laws, being intoxicated, fighting or being loud, being threatful to the community and many other things because their first and foremost objective is to keep Dubai safe for everyone. Indecent behaviour is also clamped down on without any questions asked. The ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, said “My objective is that a woman can feel safe even walking alone at night in any part of Dubai”. There are no reasons to be afraid anywhere, day or night, but if you are looking for trouble, trouble will find you in the shape of the honourable Dubai Police.
If you need to report a crime, suspicious behaviour, harassment or anything like that, in a more formal way, there are several SPS (Smart Police Station) around town. How that works is that, if you need to make a formal complaint, you go to these stations, which are open 24/7, and register your identity. Then after a while you will be allocated a private booth to register your complaint and if needed a video link will be established with a police officer that can help you in the procedure. Very easy and convenient. Make sure you have all the documents and evidence you need before filing the complaint.
If you think you haven’t gotten the right help from the police officer you can even make a complaint and the matter will be investigated.
Useful phone numbers:
Emergencies only
- 999 Dubai Police
- 998 Ambulance
- 997 Fire Department (Civil Defence)
- 996 Coast Guard
- 995 Find and Rescue
General:
- 901 Dubai Tourism Police
Street haggling:
Hone your haggling skills
Depending on where you come from in the world, haggling is either a part of daily life or just too embarrassing to even try. In Dubai you are expected to haggle with the street vendors and in the souks. One general rule however is not to haggle in restaurants or branded shops. If you think the bag or the shoes are too expensive, then find another store (or buy at the requested asking price)
Haggle is an art and it gets better with some practice. Realise that no matter how good you get at the “game”, you will still pay more than the locals. That is just the way it is. Haggling is done in a respectful manner with both parties engaging in a “dance” where both parties enjoy all the steps and to find mutual grounds on when the price is right or not. You should never be offended by the small business owners shouting at you, trying to engage in a conversation or even grabbing you by the arm and trying to pull you into their store. That’s what they do to get customers. Just be polite and say “no” if you are not looking for spices that day and keep walking. A friendly word in Hindi or Arabic goes a long way too.
Another aspect of haggling is not to offend the store owner, or his family. Let’s say they want you to come inside their shop to look at some kashmir shawls. They pull out 20-30 shawls for you to look at but that doesn’t mean you have to buy any of them, just to be polite. Simply, if you don’t like them, just say so and the 30 more shawls will be presented, without any expectations for you to buy. And then maybe you find a really nice one and you ask for the price. The price “only for you, my friend” is, let’s say, 500 dirhams. You are now supposed to come with a counter offer. But one sure way to complicate the process is to lowball the shopkeeper and say you can pay 50 dirhams. That will be considered an insult and the haggling will be more complicated. Start at 50-60% off and go from there.
Once the price is agreed, the shopkeeper will now pull out even more shawls for you and give you a “special price”. It’s now up to you what you want to do. Buy more or just say “thank you”, pay and leave.
Our recommendation:
We strongly recommend NEVER to buy from any freelancer in the street. They will offer you watches, bags, clothes and shoes…all fake copies which are illegal in the UAE.. And even the latest model of smart phones at a ridiculous low price. Never buy from these, mostly guys. The market for fake electronics is huge and the sellers target mainly visitors and tourists. Also they might try to get you into a back alley and into a seedy apartment, full of fake goods. It is illegal in Dubai to sell or even buy and going with one of these guys might get you into a lot of trouble. Just stay away and you will not get a surprise of a lifetime.
Tipping:
Where is my tip?
The universal, unspoken question is “how much shall I tip”? In Dubai, tipping is appreciated but not really necessary. Usually you get exceptional service anyway but if you really appreciated the effort and service, give them a tip.
Our recommendation:
Most service jobs are low paid (AED ~1.000/month) and the people working here have families in their home countries to support. So give a little extra support where it’s earned but don’t overdo it. Tipping someone 100 dirhams (USD 30) is considered an insult and might be rejected, leaving you feeling uncomfortable. On the other hand, people who ask for the tip, just ignore them. This is not acceptable behaviour. Just leave it and enjoy your holiday.
Nice doing business with you:
Not your business
Let’s say you come to Dubai for the first time and that guy you just met in the lobby in your beautiful hotel also seems to be in Dubai for the same reasons. However, don’t be surprised if he, after some time, will ask you to do him a favour. Something has happened and he needs your help. Can you hold on to some money or send money or go and exchange money for him. NEVER, EVER DO!
Our recommendation:
There are some very shady people sometimes in Dubai that need innocent holiday makers’ help to do financial transactions because they themselves cannot do it, for whatever reason. And this also goes for any business propositions. Just leave it and enjoy your holiday.
Getting a haircut and a shave:
You have pretty hair today
Every now and then you need to get that hair a once over. In Dubai there are an abundance of hairdressers and barbers. Depending on the district you live in or stay in, they cater mostly to the local population. So if you are staying in the Mankhool area, there are great places if you want an Indian style haircut.
Our recommendation:
Most places are open until late, usually midnight. No need to book an appointment, just pop in and ask. A quick cut can be as low as 5 dirhams. Add a shave and a face mask and you will feel rejuvenated and ready to face the day, or night.
Chaiwala:
Street food Dubai style
The Dubai version of street food on the go is called chaiwala, or tea stand. In almost every block you can find these tiny places and people hovering outside waiting for their daily dose of tea and maybe also a small snack to go along with it. For only a few dirhams you can have a snack and a chat with the people still waiting.
Our recommendation:
In a heated cabinet there are some specialities to enjoy. It differs from stand to stand so ask what they have and don’t be afraid to try something new. Sometimes these places are so busy it takes some wrestling to get to order but it’s all in a good mood and cheap so just join in the craziness and enjoy a snack on your way.
Parks and recreation:
City oasis for all
It might be that Dubai is located in a dry and arid country but due to advanced techniques and landscaping all over town there are many “green lungs” for the public to enjoy and relax in. Most are for free or just a small fee.
After a long day you can visit one of these green oases and relax and look at other people exercising, having a snack and kids playing. Some parks allow barbequing and provide fixed barbeque stands so you just bring charcoal and the food and you are good to go.
There are also children’s playgrounds or activity zones. While the parents rest in the shade, the kids go wild on swings and seesaws, climbing towers and slides.
Our recommendation:
Most parks are run by Dubai Community and are very well maintained. Also fully accessible for people with determination. If ever in doubt, there are signs with guidelines about what’s not allowed to do like smoking, camping and things like that. It’s not to make you uncomfortable, just so that everyone can enjoy the peace and tranquility like all the others.
Doctors/pharmacy:
Feeling under the weather
Sometimes you can feel “under the weather” and need some help to get back in shape. Dubai has everything on offer and you really don’t need to worry. There are many companies that offer “doctor on call” that will come to your apartment or even hotel to help you get better. These are licensed doctors or paramedics that take a look at you and evaluate what’s wrong and prescribe treatments or medicine for you. Also pharmacies are everywhere and they are of course open 24/7. They have a trained staff for the more common illnesses like the flu or a common cold, pain relief or indigestion.
Our recommendation:
The big apps like Careem also have online pharmacies that will deliver medication to your doorstep at your convenience. Therefore we recommend taking care of your health and wellbeing in a proper manner by consulting a doctor or a paramedic before trying any self medication. And don’t buy any medicine from small, independent “hole in the wall”-pharmacies. There is simply no reason and the medicine can be counterfeit or even illegal and will do more harm than good.
Cards on the ground:
Hey, you dropped something
For many years there has been a phenomenon in Dubai regarding small business cards appearing from out of nowhere, it seems. Usually with a phone number and a photo of a woman offering massages in every way. Just some years ago, these cards would be stuck onto the car window, between the glass and the weatherstripping, by shady persons roaming the streets. It would not take many hours to have the window filled with these cards. The car owner would simply just clear the window and drop the cards on the ground.
This practice stopped some years ago but the card guys instead started dropping these cards on the sidewalk as they casually walked past you. The pavements would be littered with these cards even if the janitor would clean them up daily.
Our recommendation:
Lately this practice of dropping these cards has been decreasing a lot due to a targeted action from the Government and Police on the print shops and distributors. If, and this is a big if, you happen to see these cards on the sidewalk, we strongly advise you to not pick them up. It is illegal to have these cards in your possession and they will only get you into trouble.
Buying alcohol:
Buying beverages with a buzz
In every sense Dubai is both a Muslim city but with some adaptations. One of the biggest misconceptions is that alcoholic beverages are not available at all. This is simply not true. Dubai is such a cosmopolitan city that it has adapted the selling of alcohol along the lines that it is under strict control and only specific companies can operate within this segment. This can make it a little bit tricky to find out where to go and what’s required of you as a customer. Well, it used to be anyways.
The stores are not that many and are not advertised in any way. Walking down Sheik Zayed Road you can pass one of the biggest liquor stores in town without knowing it. Well inside the store, they offer a pretty standard inventory to be honest but there are other shops with more diversity and inventory so shop around and find the shop that fits your needs.
Our recommendation:
As a resident in UAE you must acquire a special license to buy alcohol even for private use only. But you can do that either online or directly in the shop, just show your Emirati ID and you are good to go. As a visitor, just bring your passport and the registration will be at the checkout counter without any delay or questions. Easy enough, right.
But please remember that alcohol can make you want to do crazy things and then it’s not fun anymore. Drinking or being intoxicated in public is a very serious crime. And driving under the influence is not accepted at all and punishable with jail time. So take it easy.
Cash or card and exchange:
Cat-shing or not to cat-ching
When coming to Dubai there are a couple of things you might need to understand. UAE is a cash driven society and a stash of cash makes life a little bit easier. Almost everywhere card payments are available although some supermarkets have a minimum spend limit of 5 dirhams. So buying some fruit and bread might keep you under that limit and cash is the only option.
Cards are accepted almost everywhere and the security is nothing to worry about. As a fact, fiddling with the card machine and “accidentally” overcharging is a serious criminal offence. However, keep your cards safe and use common sense.
ATMs are also very accessible. Some ATMs only accept that specific branch’s card and the process can be quite tedious to find an ATM that works with your card. Even if it says the machine accepts all major debit/credit cards, that is not always the case. So find an ATM that works with your card and withdraw the amount you need, and a little bit more because the bank will charge you fees every single time for using the card. And the conversion rate is not that good anyway.
Our recommendation:
Should you exchange money to local currency before coming to Dubai? It depends, actually. We suggest you bring some local cash to be able to maybe eat something on arrival or for the taxi to your destination. ATMs are available in the airports but the conversion rate is not good. The convenience of it is very costly. Please note that your best advice is to bring smaller denominations like 100 dirham bills. There are also 500 and 1.000 dirham bills but many places don’t accept these. Not because they are not good, they are just too much to break for a smaller shop or a taxi.
There are many exchange offices around Dubai. If you bring US dollars as your main stash of cash, go to either one of these places and get dirhams. Here you can also transfer and receive money if you need to top up your finances. A piece of good advice, some hotels offer exchange service but the rate is a joke and with fees, you are on the losing end.
Dress code:
Dressed for success
When coming to Dubai there are a couple of things you need to think about when it comes to clothes. As it is a Muslim country, it is in your best interest to respect the local dress code and not be disrespectful. Women don’t have to wear a veil or cover their hair. Nor dress in dress niqab or hijab. You can see the local women dress in the traditional Muslim attire but as a visitor you are not expected to. However, respect the traditions and local culture and don’t wear too provocative clothes and cleavage. People might not tell you up front that it’s inappropriate, but they will let you know you are not dressing correctly. At least cover your shoulders and have a decent length if you are wearing a skirt. And wearing swimsuits/bikinis or bathing trunks is not the way to go either. Restaurants, bars, hotels and shopping malls might even not let you enter without proper clothes. If it’s just a t-shirt, that’s fine but not a bare chest. That’s a big no-no.
Our recommendation:
And please, if you are not a native, don’t wear any traditional clothing because some pushy vendor in a souk dragged you in and made you buy a headscarf and all that. Among the locals it’s considered disrespectful and frowned upon. Even if you might think you look cool in traditional Arabic attire, it is actually an offence if you try to impose yourself as a local. After all, you are here for vacation and not a fancy dress party.
If you are going clubbing and must have your skimpy, racy outfit on, you can always get an abaya, a local robe to cover up yourself when being out and about. You can leave the abaya at the entrance when you enter and collect it when leaving. But just walking around showing off more than people would like to see is not acceptable.
When you go to visit a mosque, which is a great experience, you must pay strict attention to what the dress code is. In particular, females must wear covering clothes and have a veil all the time to show respect. And don’t argue about it, that will not make you any friends.
Food options #1:
All you can eat and then some
Dubai has many different nationalities and cultural backgrounds even when it comes to food.The U.A.E is a Muslim country where for example pork is not common simply because pork is not eaten by Muslims due to religious beliefs, and that’s OK.
The primary source of protein is chicken and mutton prepared in every possible way. Beef is also readily available at most restaurants and it’s really good.
The Indian community don’t eat beef and if they serve it in a restaurant, it is most likely buffalo, which is permitted in the Hindu community. But not everywhere so look at the menu and see what they have on offer before entering.
So just take it easy and take your time to choose what you like and don’t be afraid of trying that small Nepali restaurant on the corner for some “killer” momo (Nepali dumplings with fillings), chatpati (tasty salad), aloo nimki (a potato based, cold salad with red sauce, gilo, and bread curls) or home made pani puri (small crusty, dough bowls filled with vegetables and a sauce to pour over it)
Our recommendation:
Chicken based meals are the most common in every religion so that is available everywhere.
And hey, let’s be adventurous and try something local from the menu. If you don’t know what it is, ask the waiter. Sometimes they speak English, sometimes they don’t but you will get a good laugh out of it and also a tasty meal, for sure.
You will come across restaurants offering dishes with mutton. Some think that mutton sometimes tastes like your grandmother’s cardigan, but rest assured, it is very tasty and often it’s lamb and not the adult, woolly creature on the plate.
Food options #2:
Shopping for food
Many of the international fast food chains are well established in Dubai, like Burger King, McDonalds, SubWay, Hardey’s, Pizza Hut and so on. However, if you don’t have a “food crisis” on your hands, be adventurous and explore the local food first. It is really nice and at a fraction of the cost for a trip to Mickey Dee’s. Also some local fast food chains are pretty nice so give them a try before going to Donken.
Our recommendation:
If you are planning to cook yourself, go to a supermarket for groceries and get fully stocked. Some super markets even offer a special section in the store, well marked as “non-muslim food”. Here you can find products made from pork and other food items too. Pork is mostly frozen and pretty high prized, for obvious reasons.
Gold and jewellery:
Surviving the Gold Souk
As one of the main tourist attractions, most end up in the Gold Souk at some time. OK, let’s give you a glimpse of what to expect. First of all you have to be mentally prepared to get so much attention you don’t know which way is up or down. But in all honesty, the scouts that work the alleys and streets here, it’s their job to get you into the shops they work for. Nothing personal, just business.
Within seconds of entering the gate to the souk you will be hammered with a lot of scouts wanting your attention and money. Just be patient and friendly. If you are not looking for a master copy of Rolex that day, just keep walking. And if you didn’t bring your sharpest haggling skills, you are a lost soul. These guys are professionals with many years of haggling experience so just accept you will always be on the losing end, price wise. But rest assured, once the scouts see that you turn every offer down, they go for their next target and leave you alone. Then you can go and gaze at the magnificent gold and jewelry on display. Window shopping is fine but if you want to go inside you must be prepared to meet sales staff with the only objective to sell you something to reach their sales targets. Don’t be offended with their sometimes aggressive style of selling. Again, it’s nothing personal, just business.
Expect no price tags on any item, if you decide to buy something; a simple ring or a full chestplate in pure gold, there are no fixed prices. If you want to buy it, they weigh it first and then calculate the price of gold that day. So if you buy something really heavy when gold prices are low, you might make a really good profit in the future. Or the other way around.
Our recommendation:
To be clear, the Gold Souk is mostly for tourists and photo opportunities. Take the abra (taxi boat) across Dubai River to BurDubai (Old Town) where there are more jewellery shops. They go by the same gold tariff (daily trade rates) but they are less pushy.
Security and weapons:
Security in Dubai
Dubai is one of the safest cities in the world. There are CCTV everywhere and security guards and police patrolling so safety is not a problem.
We would argue that Dubai is one of the safest places in the world, anytime of day. Yes, there are some rough neighbourhoods, but you can feel safe as long as you don’t involve yourself in any suspicious activities. Trouble will not find you if you are not looking for it.
Our recommendation:
H.R.H Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Prime Minister, Vice President of the U.A.E and ruler of Dubai said “If a woman wanders alone at any hour of the day or night without fear, know that she is in the Emirates.”
Any kind of firearms or weapons are not available to the general public which brings the level of security to a new level. But if your trigger finger tells you another thing, there are many places and shooting ranges where you can go and in a controlled environment, shoot away.
Churches, mosques, synagogues, temples:
Living on a prayer
If you want to attend any religious place of worship, UAE has it all. No matter if you are Christian, Catholic, Jew or Hindu, there is a welcoming place for every belief.
The UAE has always been open to welcoming other religions than Islam because the society is a great mix of people of different beliefs and that is what makes the UAE so diverse. The religion in the U.A.E is Muslim and mosques are present everywhere too and all over town you hear the prayers being called out.
Our recommendation:
We would strongly suggest that no matter what religious beliefs you might have, a visit to a mosque is a very unique experience. You might not understand all the ongoings but it is for sure a place of peace and tranquility. Be nice and respectful and look how others do, like taking off their shoes before entering. There are separate entrances for men and women and women must cover themselves. But it’s no drama, just ask and you will learn how to do it.
Nightlife:
Be safe and have a ball
Dubai has one of the world’s most amazing night life to offer. Restaurants, bars, clubs, discos are everywhere. Some districts are targeting the Indian/Pakistani clientele. Some attract Nepali, some Philippino, some Russian and so on. There are some pointers to consider before going to a place for an evening of partying.
Restaurants are mostly very decent and nice. You can find the very high end with an abundance of different foods and drinks. That can be nice but we strongly recommend finding a smaller, family run restaurant because you will get home cooking and a friendly atmosphere like nowhere else. Even if you don’t understand the menu, the staff will make sure to explain and recommend their own favourite dish. Just be open and friendly and it will be like you’re invited into someone’s home for dinner. A really great experience.
Bars are also everywhere. It’s like the locals living room where you meet friends and socialize over a drink or a game of pool. Take your time to find your favourite place and soon you will have friends from places you didn’t even know existed. But, and this is a big but, alcohol is available and at reasonable prices but intoxication is not seen with gracious eyes. And being drunk in public, being rude, fighting and being loud or even relieving yourself in public will guarantee you get in a lot of trouble by the Police. So take it easy on the drinks but still have a good time.
Our recommendation:
Clubs are another deal. We strongly recommend you stay away if you are not street smart enough. The staff will serve you even if you didn’t order anything and charge you with a hefty bill to pay. How about a non-alcoholic beverage for AED 50 (USD 20) and up? And, also, you cannot just walk in and sit with a cup of coffee or tea. The bouncer will kick you out within 2 minutes if you don’t order something stronger. And the staff will haunt you like you are their only guest, pushing for drinks or food orders. That’s the way the club makes money and “deadbeats” who don’t spend enough will be dealt with accordingly. In some clubs there will be individuals approaching you for drinks and dates. It is illegal and you will soon be in so much trouble so just stay away from these places. How would you know that the club you just ventured into for some social encounters is one of these places? All these clubs have major sound systems playing music at max blast that you cannot hear anything and that makes the opportunity to serve you something you didn’t order. Disputing the bill is futile. The staff who has been communicating in good English, now no-one understands what you are saying.
Code of conduct:
Say what! You did what?
In Dubai it’s a criminal offense to even scream and shout and disturb the peace. Heavy fines, even jail time and deportation, are imposed. The Police don’t take these matters lightly and will enforce the law on you if you use obscene language and giving someone the finger or two. Never argue in public, never take your anger management problems public. Yes, sometimes you can see people being loud and using bad language but never interfere or get involved. If you are feeling annoyed or offended, first just ask them to be quiet (they will most of the time realise that they are breaking the peace and shut up) or if it’s someone being obnoxious to you directly, the Police is always close to help you. And any physical acts of anger is of course absolutely not tolerated. Even a slight touch can be considered an act of violence so control any anger issues you might have or there will be big problems ahead.
This also applies for any comments on social media. Posting something detrimental, even if it is your own personal opinion, is not allowed. Taking photos of people in public and posting without their consent is not allowed. Taking photos of Government buildings, Government officials, Police officers, military installments and personnel and so on is not allowed. This is a small price to pay to keep the peace, harmony and personal privacy of everyone.
Renting a car:
Rented wheels to your door
Only really brave, or crazy, people will try the challenge of maneuvering around town in a rented car. Dubai’s traffic can be terrible and very challenging in many ways. During rush hour, nothing moves for hours, and the pace of traffic, whether on the central roads or the back alleys, is very fast moving with people whizzing in and out of traffic and at a neck breaking speed.
However, the rules, speed limits and laws are strict and enforced and the road quality is good so no issues there. And the Government is improving the network of roads continuously so no issues there either. But again, if you are the least inexperienced with the fast and sometimes aggressive driving, we recommend you take a taxi or the Metro instead.
But if you want to try your luck anyway (don’t say we didn’t warn you) there are plenty of car rentals around town. Some have offers where you can get a rental car for a day for free, including distance and gas, and it will be delivered to your door on agreement. That’s nice but don’t expect a Ferrari or Rolls Royce. You will get a budget car but no need to worry. They are clean and well maintained so just jump behind the wheel and away you go.
For more adventures you can rent supercars like Lamborghini, Ferrari, McLaren, Rolls Royce or Bentley too if you want to be flashy for a day. Not really cheap but it can be fun. The saying in Dubai about flashy, expensive cars (since there are so many already) is “100% rental, 99% tourist” so don’t expect any head turns just because you are driving an exotic, multimillion dirham car.
And then there is everything in between. Audi, Toyota, Mercedes and brands like that can be rented at a reasonable cost.
Our recommendation:
We strongly advise you to check the car before driving away. Like so many other car rental companies, you are liable for any damage to the car once you have gotten the keys to it. Like this; you have decided to splash out for a day and rent a Ferrari to cruise in. When you return the car, the rental company might claim you have damaged the tires or rims and there is a nick in the door. Of course they will claim that you caused the damage and will write you a hefty bill that takes all the fun out of your experience. So take your time to inspect the vehicle BEFORE getting the keys and driving away.
Take away/delivery:
Everything on order to your doorstep
Hungry but don’t want to leave the cosy couch? Not a problem! Almost every restaurant has delivery to your doorstep, often free of charge. There are apps like Talabat, Careem and Noon who deliver everything your stomach craves and within 30-60 minutes. Want seafood, burgers, curry, steaks, vegetarian, Nepali, American, pizza, salads, barbeque…It’s all there to choose from. Within a short time there will be a motorcycle captain heading your way and you can follow him racing through Dubai with your order and shortly the food is at your apartment to enjoy.
Our recommendation:
There are always great deals on offer with huge discounts so if you can’t make up your mind if it’s pizza night or burger galore, a great discount might convince you.
But almost every restaurant also has delivery service. So if you know that special place with amazing food, just jump on the phone and send them a WhatsApp and order. They will for sure deliver to settle your cravings.
This is also available for normal grocery shopping. Almost every supermarket offers this service. Jump on and order a head of cauliflower, one jug of milk and some toilet paper and you can expect delivery to your door within the hour. Pretty nice actually. And please give the delivery boy a tip, he has after all taken care of your grocery needs in the comfort of your home.
Drinking water:
Have a drink (of water) on me
You might have noticed that Dubai is located in the desert and temperatures can be scorching in the summer. It is not unusual that the temperature during summer reaches 50 degrees Celsius during daytime. First rule is to always have access to water. You can easily lose many liters of fluid over some hours and you can feel light headed and nauseous, even pass out due to dehydration and heat.
You can buy bottled water everywhere very cheap but if you are on a shoestring budget, the tap water is perfectly fine to drink too. And you can also ask for water in any shop or store and they will happily provide it as a gesture of kindness and hospitality.
Our recommendation:
If you are on your feet exploring Dubai, you come across water filling stations here and there. Usually a tap where you can fill up your water bottle or even a refrigerator with bottled water. These are for free but primary for people that can’t afford to buy water. These fridges are filled daily from members of the public to support the community so don’t take anything from the fridge if you can afford to buy water yourself.
And one more thing. If you are a visitor to Dubai, show some gratitude and put some water bottles into the fridges when you walk by. It is truly appreciated.
A piece of good advice is that you drink “normal water”. Buying water in a store or restaurant you will be asked “normal or chilled?’ No matter how good it feels gulching down a flask of ice cold water, it’s not the best for your body. Non-chilled water (normal) is the best when you are really thirsty.
Surviving the summer:
It’s too much HOT! NOT!
The summer months (July – mid-September) in Dubai can be challenging. With a daytime temperature of 45-55 degrees, this is not a game, it is seriously hot! But if you are prepared and take some small precautions, it is manageable.
Our recommendation:
- Always drink a lot of water before heading out. A well hydrated body is the best way to enjoy the day. Also bring water with you and you can fill the empty bottle up all over town for free.
- Walking during the daytime is not recommended. It might happen that you get lost and then have to endure some time finding your way and in 45 degrees it is not safe.
- Stay inside as much as possible during mid-day hours. Most people do anyway because they think it’s too hot for any outdoor activities.
- Plan your day ahead. Go to a mall or a museum, plan a visit to a landmark or something like that because when you just run around with no plan and getting hotter every minute, you don’t really make the right decisions.
- If you really want to cool off, go to Winterland or Dubai Ice Rink for the day. In a chilling sub-zero environment it can be a great experience for the whole family. But be aware that a 45 degrees furnace is waiting for you once you leave the mall. It can be brutal but just use common sense.
- We suggest you limit your alcohol consumption too and leave it for nighttime adventures. And just eat something light during the day. A full steak meal or buffet will not do you any good.
Dubai Taxi:
Hail a cab and let’s GO!
Getting around town is easy whether you choose to do it by public transport or taxi. Here are some pointers to make the cab ride even better.
Taxis are operated by independent companies but all under Government license. You can choose to either order a taxi on one of the many applications for mobile phones. The most used one is Careem. Download it and register for free. Also register your address to make it easy to manage any trips. Once you have opened the app, go for Hala taxi which is the normal standard taxi but there are options for luxury cars and minivans too. Taxi and driver is rated and once you push the button, the estimated time for arrival, cost and duration and distance to your target is displayed. You will also get information on who your driver is and the licence plate number of the taxi. An interactive map shows where the taxi is in real time.
You also have the opportunity to either call or text the driver if there are any delays or issues while waiting for the cab.
The ride
Every taxi in Dubai is monitored in real time with video and audio from almost every angle. This provides both driver and client with maximum security and if there are any issues, it is all recorded. But we kid you not, if your captain is rude or disrespectful, takes you to the wrong address, overcharge you or anything like that, he has to face an investigation and possibly fines or be taken off duty. But it must not stop you from speaking to him about his family and where he comes from. The ride gets much more pleasant with a little small talk.
Taxameters
All licensed taxis have meters and they are started as soon as your driver takes off for your destination. Meters are well in sight and absolutely no “hanky-panky”. The price is clear on the screen and you will get a receipt once the trip is over. If you have ordered a taxi through Careem for example, the payment is already done and there is no need to find your card or dig for cash. Also by using the application, if anything happens and you would like to complain, they have the ride on record and will deal with the matter within a day or so and, if necessary, refund you.
Security
Dubai taxis are extremely safe. Drivers are monitored in real time and even if you happen to drop your phone or forget your false teeth in the back, they always bring it back to you. There are also special taxis driven by women taxi drivers. Easily detected by the pink roof on the car itself. Men are welcome too but first and foremost it is for women to feel comfortable with a sister behind the wheel.
Our recommendation:
You will for sure find unlicensed taxis offering you a ride. They are called curb cruisers and we can only recommend you to NEVER get in one of those cars. Totally unsupervised, no meter, no security and you might end up in so much trouble since, if stopped by the police, both driver and passenger will face very steep fines. And also there are many stories on how a 15 dirham ride ends in an industrial area not even close to your desired destination and the driver asking you for 400 dirhams instead, just to take you back to your starting point for another 400 dirhams. There are also the white Lexus drivers, mostly hanging around the hotels and shopping malls. They will target mainly foreigners and tourists. They have a license to operate but at a ridiculous high cost. A normal taxi ride can easily be triple what a normal fare would be, just because tourists don’t know what it should cost.
In conclusion, taxis are very affordable, safe and a great way to see Dubai. Just ask the driver for the best restaurants serving food from his country, find you that special gift shop or take you to a nice park off the beaten track.
Pedestrian crossings:
Is it red or green?
Being a visitor in a new city, there are a couple of pitfalls to be aware of. For example, always obey the traffic culture of Dubai. When you are crossing a street, you must do it on a marked zebra crossing. If there are no red/green regulations, you can cross but only after making absolutely sure there are no cars or motorcycles coming. However, they are obligated to stop when people are waiting to cross but don’t take the chance…And if there are lights, never walk on red. It can cost you dearly and the going fine for jaywalking is 400 dirhams.
Our recommendation:
If you are tempted to drive here, you have earned all of our respect. The traffic is super intense and with a lot of contraction going on, it’s a marvel that people reach their destination in one piece. Also, since most of the roads are monitored in real time, just a simple mistake will give you a fine. There are many unwritten rules about what is allowed and what eventually earns you a big fine. But if you want to try, go ahead.
Trash disposal:
Keep it clean
We all enjoy the peace and tranquillity of our surroundings. And hand in hand with that goes cleanliness. Dubai is making every effort to keep the city clean and shiny and for that we shall be grateful. And it’s not rocket science to do your part. Like if you have a take out meal, don’t throw the leftovers and the package it came in on the sidewalk. We are pretty sure there are plenty of trash bins close by to dispose of your trash in.
Smoking is allowed almost everywhere but please don’t just throw the but on the ground. Dispose of it in a proper manner. Spitting is also just nasty. If you have a big and juicy loogie ready, just don’t shoot it anywhere. Dispose of it in a place out of sight and step.
If there is an emergency by the call of nature, you can always walk into a hotel, restaurant or store and ask kindly if you can use their washroom. Just don’t relieve yourself at your convenience anywhere.
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