Adventurous Camel
Adventure starts here....
Travel Advice
Adventurous Camel would love you to have a great time in UAE. Like every country, also here there are some laws and customs that you should be aware of to make the best out of your journey. We are sure you have a lot of questions regarding not only the cultural nuances but also practical matters like currency, power outlets, public transportation, and more. This guide is intended to provide a comprehensive overview, ensuring you're well-prepared for your adventure. Let’s dive deep to make your stay in the UAE smooth and memorable.
What will you find here?
How to Behave in Public without getting into Trouble
The UAE is now geared up for year-round travel with many indoor activities to see you through the heat of the summer, but the tourist season runs from November to April when the weather allows you to take advantage of the vast array of outdoor physical and cultural activities. The daytime temperature ranges from around 25 – 35°C and the humidity is fine.
Outside this period, the temperature and humidity makes outdoor activities less inviting, and downright impossible in mid-Summer. The pools are generally chilled and waterparks operate year round, however the heat is extreme and it can be an unpleasant experience for most, particularly from June to August. However the country is setup for this climate and is fully airconditioned with plenty of indoor theme parks, malls, and venues to fill a holiday with, if that’s your type of thing.
For additional information, please see our page on weather.
How to get here?
To get to RAK you are most likely to use a plane (although recently also cruises started arriving at our port). RAK has its own airport, there are however no direct flights from Poland or Israel. Currently the closest airport with direct flights is Dubai International Airport (DXB). Flight into the country also arrive at Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH).
Good place to look for flights to compare the prices or check out indirect routs are:
Poznan (POZ)– Dubai (DXD) 3 times a week (from end of October 2023) on Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday at 12:40.
Warsaw (WAW) – Dubai (DXB) Every from end of October till end of April at 7:40.
Katowice (KTW) – Abu Dhabi (AUH) 5 times a week on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at 11:35 and Sunday at 12:35.
EXIM Tours charter flights directly to Ras Al Khaimah every Sunday.
From November 2023 Qatar Airways has flights to RAK from Doha. This connection enables anyone to flight straight to RAK.
Tel Aviv (TLV) – Dubai (DXB) Every day except Saturday, 2-3 times a day.
WIZZAir
Tel Aviv – Abu Dhabi (AUH) Every day.
Tel Aviv (TLV) – Dubai (DXB) Every day except Saturday, 1 time a day.
Tel Aviv (TLV) – Dubai (DXB) Every day except Saturday, 1-2 times a day.
Tel Aviv – Abu Dhabi (AUH) Every day, 1 flight.
We offer airport pick ups and drop offs. Get in touch and we will arrange a smooth journey for you!
Taxis:
There are plenty of airport taxis available at DXB. They are metered and will take you directly to Ras Al Khaimah. The fare would generally range depending on the time of day and the specific location in Ras Al Khaimah. The trip should cost 250-300 AED. It's worth noting that there might be an additional surcharge for trips that cross emirate boundaries. Please be sure that when you catch the airport taxi you get into a Public Taxi (one beige with red, blue, green or pink roof).
There will be plenty of people offering taxi services in privet cars, those however are quite a lot more expensive (but safe). You can also prebook a taxi service with . All forms of payment are accepted in taxis: credit cards, apple pay, samsung pay and google pay. Of course in every case you can pay with cash!
Car Rentals:
Multiple international and local car rental companies operate at DXB. Renting a car might be a good option if you plan on moving around a lot during your stay. Remember to check local driving rules and requirements before hitting the road.
(Europecar, Thrifty, Sixt, Herz, Alamo, Budget, Avis, Dollar, Enterprise, Autostrad, Car Rental Dubai)
Hotel Shuttle Services:
Most of hotels and resorts in Ras Al Khaimah offer shuttle services for their guests. It's worth checking with your accommodation to see if this is an option. When choosing a transfer method, consider factors like your budget, number of people, amount of luggage, and how much time you have.
Family-Friendly Stays
Many hotels in Ras Al Khaimah are family-friendly and offer facilities such as kid's clubs,
multiple bedroom suites, and child-friendly pools. The DoubleTree by Hilton Resort & Spa Marjan Island, Movenpick Resort Marjan Island, Rixos Bab Al Bahr, Radisson Resort Ras Al Khaimah Marjan Island, Hampton by Hilton Marjan Island, BM Beach Resort, The Cove Rotana Resort for example, is known for its family-oriented amenities.
Adventure Lodging
If you're up for something different, the Bedouin Oasis Desert Camp, The Dunes, Smoky Arabia, RAK Glamping and Longbeach Campground provide an authentic desert or camoing experience. It's a great way to immerse yourself in the local culture and enjoy activities like camel riding and star-gazing, all while staying in a traditional simple tent or luxorous hut.
Mid-Range Hotels
If you want comfort without the hefty price tag, mid-range hotels like Hilton Garden Inn, Citymax, Mangrove Hotel and BM Beach Hotel are excellent options. These establishments offer a good balance of comfort and affordability, often including amenities like swimming pools, gyms, and on-site dining.
Romantic Getaways
For couples seeking a romantic retreat, resorts like The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah Al Wadi Desert, Anantara Mina Al Arab and The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah Al Hamra Beachoffer private villas complete with your own pool, making for an intimate and secluded experience.
Budget Options
Budget-conscious travelers need not worry as Ras Al Khaimah has an array of economical options as well. Hotels such as the Tulip Inn, City Stay, Royal View, Action or RAK Hotel are straightforward, offering clean and functional rooms at very reasonable rates.
Airbnb
For travelers seeking a more personalized experience, Airbnb offers various options ranging from entire homes to private rooms and even shared spaces. Staying in an Airbnb can provide you with a home-like atmosphere and often allows you to explore lesser-known neighborhoods. We have some tested Hosts on our website, we know you can trust them!
Remember, availability can vary depending on the season and local events, so it's advisable to book in advance. Wherever you decide to stay, Ras Al Khaimah offers a variety of accommodations to make your visit comfortable and memorable.
Where to stay?
When it comes to accommodations in Ras Al Khaimah, visitors are spoilt for choice, as
the emirate offers a diverse range of lodging options that suit every budget and
preference. Whether you're on a family vacation, a romantic getaway, or a solo adventure, Ras Al Khaimah has something to offer for everyone. For detail informationa bout accomodation avaliable visit our Where to Stay page.
Luxury Hotels
For those looking for an opulent experience, luxury hotels like the Waldorf Astoria Ras
Al Khaimah, InterContinental Ras Al Khaimah Resort and Spa, The Ritz-Carlton Ras
Al Khaimah Al Wadi Desert, Anantara Mina Al Arab, Hilton Ras Al Khaimah Beach Resort and The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah Al Hamra Beach provide an extravagant stay. These hotels often come with stunning beachfront locations, multiple dining options, and a plethora of amenities such as spa services, fitness centers, and private beaches.
Power connections
The UAE uses plug type ‘G’ and operates on a 230V supply voltage at 50Hz. International power adapters will let you connect into local power sockets so it’s recommended to bring these with you, to avoid searching for them upon arrival. You can also ask your hotel if they can loan you an adapter, however frequently they cannot.
If your electrical devices run on a different voltage in your home country, you may need a suitable voltage converter or transformer which you can bring with you or buy locally.
Currency and Financial Things
The official currency is the dirham (AED) which is pegged directly to the US dollar, so 1.00 USD = 3.67 AED. There are plenty of banks and money exchanges around the UAE and in the Airport where you can change currency.
1 Dirham is equal 100 fills and it has its own coin. Fills are coins and they can be quite confusing as they only have Arabic writing on them. Fills come in: 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1 nominals. It is very unlikely you will ever encounter the 1, 5 and 10 fills coins and the change will be rounded and given in 25 or 50 fills coins.
Dirham notes come in: 5, 10, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1000 nominals. The minimum you can withdraw from an ATM is 100 AED or multiples of it.
UAE has gone through a redesign of their notes recently, so you will be dealing with 2 designs for most of notes.
Most shops and venues allow payment by credit and debit cards displaying the Visa or Mastercard symbols, however other credit cards (e.g. Amex, Diners Club etc.) are less common. You should also have cash on you for things like taxi fares, shopping in the local markets (known as souqs), or tips.
When withdrawing money from ATM’s or paying for items with cards, always choose the local UAE currency to pay in when given the option, to avoid being higher fees for selecting your home-country currency.
Do I need to tip?
You are not obliged to tip in the UAE, and service charges are built into charges in most restaurants and hotels. That being said, the service charges generally go to the establishment, and frequently the service staff are not earning high wages and so tipping a bit extra directly to staff when you get some good service is generally welcome and encouraged. This may be in the range of 10 to 100 dirhams, depending on the situation, service, and bill amount.
Additionally, UAE is very much integrated into the global economy. There are many labour level employees here performing basic jobs here like washing cars, or carrying groceries, or delivering food, or cleaning the streets. The salaries of these people are very low and if you find the opportunity to give them 5 or 10 dirhams for any service rendered, it is likely going to mean a lot more to them than it does to you. This is a personal choice however, and again, not required.
It goes without saying that you should act in a way that pays respect to the local culture of the country you are travelling to. The UAE is fairly free and open with people from all over the world making it their home, however the laws are strict for people stepping outside of them, so it pays to know what is and is not acceptable.
Public displays of drunkenness, swearing, and rude or abusive behaviour toward anybody in public is not accepted in the UAE as it may be in many other countries, and can carry the risk of running into problems with the law if you offend the wrong person.
There is every type of religion and culture in the world mixing in Dubai, and the local population welcome curiosity about their culture. It can however be difficult for outsiders to understand the integrated nature of religion and life and you can cause offence without meaning to.
It is recommended to approach this subject with caution and sensitivity and avoid religious debate.
Respect always should be shown for the local systems and ways of life. After a while, you discover these aspects of life really don’t define a person and great friendships can be formed without needing to dig into and debate the personal belief system any single person may live by.
Men interacting with Women
Open displays of sexuality including passionate kissing is generally not acceptable in public areas and should be avoided, however walking holding hands or hugging is fairly common especially in tourist areas.
If you see a women dressed in the local clothing, do not attempt to shake hands or make physical contact. If a woman is with a man or husband, or is wearing a niqab (i.e. the veil covering the face), then it is best not to initiate any type of contact or conversation.
The role of women in society is respected in the UAE and the universities and businesses are producing many qualified professional and confident women. You will meet the local citizens in all sorts of roles and places on your holiday. In these situations, you can interact with local men or women as the setting befits. You will find the local population gracious, respectful, and charming.
Alcohol, Cigarettes and the UAE Night Life
The UAE has a thriving bars and club scene, particularly in Dubai however also in other Emirates. In fact, Sharjah is the only “dry” Emirate that does not allow the sale of alcohol in venues, or from shops. All other Emirates have many licensed restaurants, bars, and clubs to choose from however drinks are very expensive so you should be prepared for an expensive night out if you plan to drink. The option is to buy alcohol from off-license alcohol shops which are significantly cheaper, however note that you cannot drink that alcohol anywhere except in private settings. You can seek out off-license alcohol shop locations online or by asking your friendly Adventurous Camel coordinator, or at your hotel.
Venues licensed to serve alcohol are generally attached to hotels. There are sports bars, live music venues, jazz bars, salsa clubs, dance clubs (EDM/house/rave/mainstream), and the list goes on. These venues
are generally safe to let loose a little, and be surrounded by people of similar interests, but always play safe and don’t enter any altercations or violent situations, that risk putting yourself in the hands of the local police. This should be avoided at all cost if you want to continue your awesome UAE holiday!!!
Smoking is generally prohibited in indoor public areas, however there is still indoor smoking areas in many bars and even restaurants. Considering the hospitality industry needs to function indoors during the hottest parts of the year, it still often chooses to cater to smokers with indoor designated areas.
Buying cigarettes is no problem in the UAE. There is a wide selection of international brands which are relatively affordable.
TABU Subjects
Except alcohol and cigarettes, the UAE laws around recreational drug use or possession are
clear and the penalties are extreme and those laws scream ‘NO DRUGS!’. As a result,
there is no obvious illegal drug use or ways to purchase it in the local social scene.
We strongly recommend you do not seek out illegal drugs, as you are much more
likely to find trouble than anything else. Even marijuana and poppy seeds are illegal here
and can land you in as much trouble as any other type of illegal drug.
Prostitution is illegal but plentiful in the UAE, and most obviously in Dubai. There are
numerous bars that fill up after 10pm with girls offering you their time in exchange for money,
and different bars even specialise in girls from specific parts of the world. Many of these bars
are in the older Bur Dubai area, however it is increasingly common to find single girls sitting
in most bars around the city who can be approached. It is no effort for men to strike up
conversations and spend some time getting to know a girl before ‘coming to terms’ on night
ahead. While this age-old industry is active in the UAE, we repeat that it is illegal,
and therefore each individual is taking some kind of risk if they participate.
Officially, intercourse out of wedlock is still illegal in the UAE. Some years ago, wedding certificates or a shared last name were frequently required in some Emirates as evidence of wedlock when booking accommodation. These laws have now been relaxed and it is generally acceptable for people 18 years and above to participate in consensual sex (as long as they are not Muslim). In all cases, any sexual or passionate activity should be kept strictly behind closed doors and away from areas exposed to the public Islamic based culture to avoid offense to others.
Homosexuality is illegal in the UAE. Local gay communities exist in unofficially organised ways however these are low key and may be difficult to find if you are not living in the region. Public displays of affection should be avoid
Photographs and Social Media
There is plenty to photograph in the UAE, from the sensational futuristic cityscapes of Dubai to the dramatic mountain landscapes of Ras al Khaimah. You should take care when photographing any local citizens or Muslim women, whether directly for cultural interest, or indirectly when they may be within a larger context photograph you are taking. This should be avoided, or consent first requested to the relevant people.
You should be careful taking photographs of government officials, police officers, or UAE military buildings. If a photograph includes anything that may be considered of interest to the government of another country, for espionage or other reasons, then you may be asked some difficult questions if spotted by law enforcement.
The UAE is an autocracy. Posting any photographs, text commentary or other material, on your social media that is critical, negative, or undermines the local authorities in anyway should just be avoided. There are cases where individuals have been prosecuted in this type of situation.
If you are actively seeking to undertake media related activities to obtain and produce content in some official or semi-official way for your own enterprises, you may be required to get appropriate local approvals. If this is your plan, we recommend you review requirements before you come as if you are caught without the relevant permissions, you can face legal repercussions including fines and even imprisonment.
You can find out more about permits and requirements online at the Media Regulatory Office website.
Public Transport
Ras Al Khaimah's public transport system, though not as extensive as some of its neighboring emirates, has been meticulously planned to cover the key areas of the city and its outskirts. From buses connecting major points of interest to taxis that whisk you to any destination of your choice, RAK's transport infrastructure is continually evolving, ensuring that every journey is a seamless experience.
RAKTA provides public transportation services by buses within the Emirate, there are three lines going around, every day 06:00-23:15.
The bus fare cost 5-10 AED.
Red Line - Al Nakeel ↔Al Jazirah Al Hamra
Blue Line - Al Nakeel ↔ Sha’am area
Green Line - Al Nakeel ↔ RAK Airport
For full route, please visit RAKTA website.
There are buses connecting RAK to the other Emirates - Dubai Union Bus Station (27AED), Sharjah (27AED), Ajman (20AED), UAQ (15AED), Abu Dhabi (47AED) and Al Ain (47AED).
For timing, stations and more information, please RAKTA website.
There are taxis available everywhere, you can find outside hotels, restaurants, attractions and malls. You can also order one with the Careem application. .
Visa and entry conditions
Many countries (like Poland and Israel) receive a free tourist visa on arrival. This visa is valid for 30 or 90 days depending on your passport origin.
To check if you are entitled to the 30 day or 90 day visa on arrival please go here.
To enter the country, you must ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months at the time of entry.
For any other visa information please check here.
How to dress?
Whether you are planning a holiday to Spain, Japan, or the UAE, you will pack pretty much the same suitcase. In the past, the UAE upheld a conservative approach to clothing, emphasizing modesty in line with its cultural and religious traditions. However, in recent years, the nation has adopted a more relaxed stance, especially in cosmopolitan areas. While traditional attire is still prevalent, visitors will now find a broader acceptance of diverse clothing choices, reflecting the UAE's evolution as a global hub. If you want to know more about UAE's traditional clothing visit our page.
Below is a guide to appropriate dressing in the UAE:
Beaches and Pools
The UAE’s many beaches and pools look the same as all over the world with standard bikini and one-piece swimwear being the standard for woman and shorts or speedos for men.
Going topless is not permitted for women, and don’t expect any nude beaches, but otherwise it feels like a beach anywhere in Europe or the America’s.
It’s worth noting that the UAE has many public beaches away from the tourist areas that are common with the labour force in the country on their days off, or with local families for picnics. These beaches can have a high proportion of men and can be an uncomfortable experience for women if visited at a busy time of week. You should be ready to be stared at if you show a lot of skin.
Public Areas
As anywhere, you choose your clothing based on common sense and the occasion.
Woman
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Outside beaches and pools, avoid wearing bikini style tops or bottoms in Malls, or areas where you may come into contact with the more conservative sections of the local population.
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In malls and most public places, sleeveless tops and shorts or skirts (above the knee, but not mini-skirts) are all standard.
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If going out to pubs or nightclubs, then the dress inside the venue is consistent with most clubs in the world. Don’t push boundaries you do not understand or seek out trouble, and you will have as wild and fun a time as anywhere else in the world with a bunch of like-minded party-going individuals.
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Where you may be in personal direct contact with more conservative local populations, say when visiting remote villages or individual families, it is recommended to avoid sleeveless tops, and where long pants.
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If visiting a religious site, such as a mosque, you will be required to wear long pants, long sleeves, and some form of head covering.
Men
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Outside beaches and pools, do not go shirtless.
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In malls and public places, T-shirts and shorts are standard. Sleeveless shirts are not forbidden, however are not popular and should be avoided in restaurants or indoor public areas.
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For the rest of it, the event or venue will determine the level of formality you choose.