It’s a dream come true for anyone traveling in Dubai. Dubai has an area of 3900 sq km and is the second largest of the seven emirates which make up the United Arab Emirates. Dubai has an established population of 695,000 (1996). Just 20 percent of the economics production is contributed by oil and the other 80 percent is contributed by manufacturing and services, trading including tourism.
Climate and Population
Situated on the Eastern Coast of the Arabian Peninsula, Dubai is located in the South West corner of the Arabian Gulf. Dubai enjoys cooler evenings and a full year of warm sunshine. Occasional showers can be seen during the months between November and March. The entire UAE including Dubai has an arid, sub-tropical climate with irregular and infrequent rainfall, which amounts to less than thirteen centimeters a year. Temperatures in Dubai vary from a minimum of 10 degrees Celsius to a maximum temperature of 48 degrees. The local time of Dubai is GMT+4 which means that it is 4 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time.
Dubai is home to approximately 1,321,453 residents, a major portion of who are employed. Because of the wide range of foreign enterprises located in Dubai, over 80% of the population constitutes expats from around the world and the city has almost 200 nationalities. Dubai is one of the world’s wealthiest cities and the entire UAE’s GDP was 378,761 Million Dirhams in 2004. It has the 3rd largest proven oil reserves in the world. Dubai currently is widening its range of activities to include tourism, manufacturing, real estate and trading.
Economy, Dress code, Religion and Language of Dubai
From the 1960s the UAE has seen massive growth. It has progressed from being a largely subsistence economy comprising occupations such as fishing, farming, and pearl harvesting to a highly developed one that renders its people a high standard of living. The petroleum sector has been the main reason for the stupendous development and growth of the economy even though the non-oil trade too has played a key role in contributing to its growth.
Tourists and visitors to Dubai can dress as per their choice. While visiting Dubai, it pays to dress sensibly, without wearing revealing clothes in places of worship or public places. Skirts and shorts can also be worn by ladies. Most locals comprising the Emirati women and men prefer wearing the traditional national dress. Cotton clothing can be worn for the major part of the year but at nights the temperature can fall quite sharply.
The official religion of UAE is Islam and many mosques dot the entire city. However, due respect is also given to other religions. While Arabic is the official language of Dubai, English is also spoken largely.
Restaurants
Dubai is home to an array of luxurious and rich hotels. Tasty fare and multi cuisine is served in these restaurants. While restaurants located in hotels serve alcohol it can also be bought in Dubai International Airport at the Arrival Duty Free store or by means of a special permit applicable to non-Muslim residents only. A zero tolerance policy to drunken driving exists in Dubai.
While traveling in Dubai, you can see that most leading hotels have networks such as Star TV, Showtime and Orbit that transmit a range of programs such as BBC world and CNN. There are four channels locally namely Dubai 2, 10 and 41 that relay Arabic programs. Dubai 33 broadcasts English programs too. Emirates Dubai Television also is a major broadcaster to many parts of the world where programs can be viewed in English and Arabic. Program details can be seen in the local press and one can view such programs in Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Ajman and Qatar.
Getting Around in Dubai
Public bus service is operated by the Dubai Municipality from 06:00-23:00. The fares depends on the destination traveled to and have to be paid while boarding . It pays to have the exact change while traveling in Dubai by bus. Those planning to extend their stay in Dubai can avail bus passes also. Smart cards can be bought while visiting Dubai which allows you to have Dh22 worth of rides for Dh20. Monthly passes or taufee can be bought for Dh75, for traveling on one side of the creek. For Dh120, you can enjoy unlimited travel in Dubai city. The bus stations in Bur Dubai and Deira display maps, passes and timetables. Routes and bus numbers are posted in both English and Arabic.
The abras or wooden boats can also be chosen for traveling in Dubai. These help passengers to cross the creek from Bur Dubai to the Textile Souk area in Deira from 06:00-24:00. The travel takes about five minutes and is a nice way to enjoy the scenic beauty of Dubai.
Air-conditioned taxis can also be pre booked over phone or flagged on the streets. Cream colored metered taxis are reasonably priced which belong to the Dubai Transport Corporation and have uniformed drivers. At times the driver may ask you for directions as he many not have sufficient knowledge about the city.
You can also visit Dubai using metered taxis, the pick up cost of which is Dh 3 to 3.50. Per km charge is then added on at the rate of Dh1.25 per kilometre. Fixed fares are applicable only for travel outside the city limits.
Non-metered taxis are slightly more expensive and charge about 5 Dh for short journeys and Dh 10-15 for longer travel in Dubai city. For a fixed fee of Dh 500, you can hire a taxi for 12 hours. Limousines can also be hired from all big car hire companies and the Dubai Transport Corporation. Rates into Deira or city hub from the airport will cost you about Dh 60, and Dh1000 for daily hire.
A well sign posted road network exists in Dubai. The roads have mostly 2-4 lanes. Due to the speeding traffic and some drivers’ erratic driving, accidents are quite common and people are asked to drive with caution. Traffic is on the right side in Dubai and you should make a note of this while visiting Dubai.
The international banks and local banks have a significant presence in Dubai which have their branches and provide the common commercial banking services. As Dubai has no exchange control, transfers can be made easily and the local currency Dirham is freely convertible. Each Dirham is segregated into 100 fils which is kept constant against the US Dollar at an average of 3.67. The banks function between 8.00 am and 1.00 pm, Saturday through Wednesday and 8.00 am to 12.00 noon on Thursdays. Till late in the evening you can see the functioning of the currency exchange houses. All international debit and credit cards are easily accepted.
Other Useful Tips
Dubai has some of the most spectacular architectural marvels and photography of sights and buildings are allowed while traveling to Dubai. However, local women and people do not prefer to be photographed without their permission. It is advisable to avoid taking photographs of any person in his or her National Dress. In Dubai, the tipping practices are just like in any other part of the world. Some hotels include service; otherwise adequate tipping will be about 10 per cent. Dubai is famous for its rich cultural heritage and warm hospitality and the Emirati people welcome the visitors from foreign countries.
The merchants in Dubai follow the metric system officially even though they understand the American and British standard weights and measures. Rarely local weights and measures are also used but not for purposes of international trade.
Office Hours/Electricity
During your travel to Dubai, you’ll see that some of the business establishments close on Friday and Saturday. However, traditionally, the weekends are considered to be between Thursday afternoon and Friday. Some of the government offices are open between 7.30am and 1.30pm. Office hours for private establishments vary, which are generally from 8.00am–1.00pm. After a short break they re-open at 3.00pm or 4.00pm and close at 6.00pm or 7.00pm.
As far as opening times are concerned, shop hours are similar and they remain open till 9.00–10.00pm. Boutiques, souks, department stores, and many food shops remain open on a Friday, except for prayer times (between 11.30am and 1.30pm). While visiting Dubai, you will notice that bigger shops and establishments re-open on a Friday afternoon at around 4.00–5.00pm.
As far as electricity is concerned, the supply is 220/240 volts at 50 cycles. US-made appliances may require a transformer.
Radio/Telecommunication
The English-language service of UAE Radio Dubai broadcasts daily on 92MHz FM 24 hours a day. Another channel functioning 24 hrs a day is on 104.8MHz. Dubai boasts of a world-class infrastructure with modern telecommunications, dedicated sector specific environments, emerging financial markets, modern health care facilities and international schools. It also offers luxurious accommodation, great shopping facilities, leisure facilities, exotic cuisine which all together make a great Dubai lifestyle
Water
UAE has no rivers or lakes however, underground water deposits can be seen at many desert oases. Wells help to provide drinking water and irrigate crops by tapping the natural aquifers. Processed wastewater is also mostly used for irrigation purpose. In Dubai, the ocean desalination plants help to change the saltwater to fresh water which is mainly used for agricultural, drinking and industrial uses in these areas.
Medical care and facilities for the Handicapped
Citizens need not have to pay taxes in UAE owing to the place’s oil wealth. However they can get large social welfare benefits and also free medical care. Health centers and modern hospitals are mainly seen in the larger cities, although many people in Dubai City can gain access to at least basic care.
While traveling to Dubai, you’ll notice that the place has made lot of amenities for the handicapped. Located in the prestigious Al Jaber multipurpose complex, the five-star Shangri-La Dubai overlooks the sea. This beautiful complex is in the center of Dubai’s commercial and business districts. Each guest room has a grand décor and also superior service is the hall mark of the Shangrila Hotels and Resorts. The hotel also offers handicap facilities comprising one handicap room having shower and bars and near toilet.
You’ll notice during your travel to Dubai that most of the restaurants are accessible by wheelchair. Dubai also hosted the conference namely “Rehab 2004” whose goal is to improve the quality of life for disabled people of the Middle East region. Dubai also aims to become the tourism and aviation hub of the Middle East and has designed a modern and more accessible airport having facilities for improving accessibility to public buildings and hotels. A large rehabilitation complex is also under construction on land which has been donated by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai. Reputed hotels in Dubai also give shuttle bus services for guests. All these make travel to Dubai a wonderful experience in itself.
Roads and Infrastructure
During your visit to Dubai, you can also see how the city has an impressive network of first-class roads that connects major parts of the city and surrounding areas. Two main bridges and a tunnel link the two important districts of Deira and Dubai on either side of the Creek. The roads and other infrastructure to all important villages and towns are superb and a multi-lane highway heads southwards from the city to Abu Dhabi. Traveling in Dubai is a superb experience by all means.