Are you planning a trip to Oman? Here is everything you need to know
The Arabian Peninsula's coast is graced by the jewel-like nation of Oman. My Oman Guide will walk you through the top attractions in Oman, when it is best to go, what to wear while visiting Oman, and much more.
Although I had done a lot of research before the trip, there was still a lot to learn when I spent a week in Oman. This is my attempt to compile everything into a comprehensive guide to traveling to Oman.
Best time to visit Oman
Compared to the other Gulf nations, Oman enjoys favorable meteorological conditions. While some regions experience extremely hot summers, others, like Jebel Akhdar or Jebel Shams, have mild winters and summers. At the same time, while you'd like to avoid the coast in regions with peak monsoons like Salala, it's best to visit at that time. This Oman guide offers a seasonal break that includes the best places to visit during that season to help you plan better.
High season: From September to April, when temperatures range from 13 to 35 degrees Celsius, is thought of as the high season. Turtle watching on the beaches of Ras Al Jinz and Raz Al Had is best from September to November. January through February tend to be the coldest months, with occasional, unpredictable showers. The New Year period is very busy, so it is better to book your hotels in advance. The Salalah coastline is stunning during the monsoon, and it is the best time to visit. The month of May brings the harvest of apricots—a beautiful sight if you ask me! In March, you'll start to notice olive trees sprouting from the trees.
Low season: June to August are the peak summer months, and most regions of the country will be very hot. exposing some areas around the high elevations of Jebel Shams and Jebel Akhdar. Salalah receives rain during this period, making it a nice respite from the summer. All of these areas are also packed with domestic tourists, so book early.
Is there a dress code in Oman?
Omanis follow a modest dress code that remains valid for both men and women. while men wear dishdasha, a top-down garment. The women cover themselves with an abaya and hijab. When traveling to another country, it's a good idea to be aware of the local dress code, if there is one. This is especially important if you plan to visit beaches and wadis, as in Oman. I discovered several facts that were at odds with the Instagram posts as I was making travel arrangements. So I decided to talk to my friends who reside in Muscat to find out the dress code.
How should I dress to travel to Oman?
It is advised that you dress modestly when going to public places like public beaches, malls, restaurants, and even outlying areas. That means avoiding sleeveless clothing and anything above the knee.
In the wadis, swimwear is permitted, but it must be covered when leaving the parking lot. Avoid wearing bikinis in the Bimmah sinkhole; it is best to swim in shorts and a T-shirt or bathing suit. The same goes for most of the wadis on the weekends, as the locals frequent them.
Resorts have no dress code, and you can wear bikinis or swimsuits on a resort's private beach.
At the Sultan Qaboos Mosque, women must cover their heads and avoid wearing anything too transparent.
Why should you follow the dress code in Oman?
Omanis in general are extremely accommodating and welcoming; they won't care what you're wearing and will politely ask you to follow the code at best. However, out of respect, it is always good to follow the traditions of the country you are visiting.
As a general rule, avoid wearing anything revealing when in Oman and stick to your bathing suits at the resorts and Wadi Shab.
How do I access the Internet in Oman?
Local SIM card in Oman
The two big providers are Oregon and Omantel. If you are flying into Oman, you will find a store for both providers at the airport. The representative will activate it and give it to you. Both have very similar offers and the same cost. I ended up choosing Omantel.
The package I got was OMR 5 (Rs 1000 or $13) and was d valid for 7 days; it included 7 GB of data, 1 GB of social networks, and 50 minutes for calls to Oman, India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan.
It took a couple of minutes to activate, and Sim highly recommends doing so. I have also attached all the plans that Omantel has to offer for your reference.
WI-FI in Oman
All hostels in Oman have Wi-Fi, as do most shopping malls and cafes. Most of the taxi drivers were happy to share Wi-Fi with me. But it is always good to have a working SIM card to access data or make calls in remote areas.
How to get around in Oman
Most people only visit Muscat when traveling to Oman, in which case public taxis would do the job. However, if you want to get around, it is best to rent a self-driving car or a taxi with a driver. Although there are local buses, they are not as well connected or have frequent schedules.
Rent a self-driving car
Smooth roads, helpful locals, and beautiful scenery: are the perfect recipe for a good trip. Affordable fuel prices are the icing on the cake! There is a wide variety of vehicles on offer, from a basic car to a 4x4 to a motorhome. There are plenty of local companies to choose from, and if you want to do it online, visit https://mountainvalleyholidays.com/
Rent a taxi with a driver
Although I would have liked to drive around Oman, I opted to hire a taxi with a driver to take us there. This is for two main reasons: The first is that Oman is a left-hand drive country, and I wasn't sure which one I was in. The second is that I needed an SUV in some regions, like the desert and Jebel Akhdar, and again, I wasn't sure if I would drive one.
You can now contact the driver with your itinerary or ask him to create one for you. If you book one through a tour agent, the guide will be located in the same hotel as yours. I found mine by word of mouth; he booked my hotels himself and was always available on call.
These guides charge a daily fee that ranges from OMR 120 to OMR 80, depending on the routes. Needless to say, I highly recommend my guide; if you would like to connect with him, please contact me via LinkedIn.
Movers for Muscat
I think my biggest concern was how to get around Muscat. He was not interested in hiring a taxi full-time and paying him more than 60 OMR for short distances in Muscat. If you want the luxury of having your taxi on call, do so. Instead, I decided to reply on O-Taxi.
To go from the airport to the city, you have 3 options: airport taxi, taxi, or public bus. The public bus is the cheapest option, but it is not the cheapest. First, you need to find out which bus runs the route to your hotel; it also drops you off on the main road. This means that you will have to walk to your hotel or take a taxi, depending on the distance and your luggage. Both Airport Taxis and O-Taxis are metered, with O-Taxi being the cheapest option.
O-taxi was also my point of reference to move around Muscat. Just download the app and start booking; they also have kiosks at the mall and airport to help you book one. Other local taxis run on a shared basis (pay per seat), and unless you tell them to "get involved," they will pick up and drop off passengers along the way.
Stay away from the so-called taxi service, the Marhaba taxis, which are not metered and also cost double or triple the cost of booking an O-taxi.
Food in Oman
Those of you who know me are aware that I make an effort to eat as vegan a diet as I can, even in nations where vegan food options are limited. I'm looking for delicious vegetarian food. When it came to my diet, Oman was a simple place to navigate. Most restaurants had one or two vegetarian options; if not, they were willing to make me something.
The vegetarian menus at many Indian restaurants were extensive. It was simple to have a passing thought about Muscat. Other remote areas, like Wahiba Sands or Ras Al Jinz, were prepared to cook me something.
Also, since Oman has a decent Indian population, many times the owner or chef turns out to be Indian. For this reason, it was easy to customize the dishes during the trip.
The best experiences in Oman:
- Snorkeling and dolphin watching on Daymaniyat Island.
- Visit the mud village and explore the alleys.
- Practice dune bashing and enjoy a sunset cruise at a desert camp.
- Explore Oman's many wadis.
- Visit the Sultan Qaboos Mosque.
- Shopping at Muttrah Souq or Nizwa Souq.
- Learn about Omani culture at Nizwa Fort.
Oman is a great place to explore the culture of the Middle East. an ideal place for adventurers and tourists. Are you planning a trip? Comment below to ask any questions.
Those who are willing to apply for an Oman tourist visa can find the necessary visa information at Mountain Valley Travel & Tourism LLC. Talk to our travel consultants at +968-92333677, 24562230, or info@mountainvalleyholidays.com to discuss options and plan your ideal trip to Oman.
The following lists the prerequisites for an Oman tourist visa, which mainly concern the necessary paperwork and qualifications. When submitting the necessary documents for an Oman tourist visa, The Mountain Valley Holidays provides all necessary information and general instructions. For further visa consultation, you can contact Mountain Valley Holidays Visa Executives.
