Oman

Overview

Visa & Entry

Health

While there are no required vaccinations for entry into Oman, consult your doctor about vaccinations and other preventative medicine recommended by the Center for Disease Control. There is no risk of malaria or yellow fever.

Weather

Temperatures range from a low of about 20° C to a high of 50° C in the summer. The best time to visit Oman is during the winter months, November-March. April and May are still pleasant, although it will be warming up. Summers are hot and humid.

Dressing

Men should avoid tank tops and make sure to wear T-shirts to cover their shoulders. If possible, they should also wear long pants. Shorts are usually tolerated, but long pants are preferred. If heat is a problem, linen clothing is a good option.
When visiting a mosque, men should always wear T-shirts and long pants. Shorts are not permitted in a mosque.
Swimming shorts are most of the time acceptable for men. However, in some places like Wadi Bani Khalid, there are signs asking men to cover their upper body and swim in a T-shirt.
Women visiting Oman should preferably wear loose clothing. It is essential to have arms and shoulders covered at all times. Strapless shirts and dresses are not acceptable. In addition, skirts should reach at least beneath the knee. Long skirts and dresses comply perfectly with the local dress code. Wearing pants is also a good option. It is always helpful to carry a shawl to cover hair, especially in more conservative areas.

Credit Cards & Money

Hotels and big stores accept credit cards (Visa or MasterCard only). However, for “street shopping” you will need local currency or U.S. Dollars. Hotels, banks and foreign exchange bureaus will be able to exchange cash to local currency.
For small purchases, we recommend that you use the ATM machines to get cash in local currency

Shopping

Muscat has several shopping Malls, it is a true shopper's paradise. Low customs duties make luxury goods less expensive than in most countries

Electricity & Power

220/240 volts. You will most likely need a voltage converter and plug adapter in order to use U.S. appliances, even though some outlets will correspond to American plug types and voltages. We recommend getting a universal adapter and converter kit.

Cell Phones & Internet

Want to take your cell phone, tablet or laptop, but not sure how to get cell service or wifi? Check in google world connections before

Photography

Cameras and video recorders are permitted, and photography is generally permitted everywhere except at airports and military installations. Memory cards for digital cameras will be available in major shopping malls.

For your info

With the spread of Islam and Mazin Bin Gadhubah joining Islam as the first person in Oman and his emigration to Medina to meet the Prophet, Peace be upon Him, the first mosque was built in Oman. This is Al Midhmar Mosque that still stands to this day in Wilayt Samail . These events paved the way for the two kings of Oman at that time, Jua’fer and Abd Ibni Al Jalandi, to enter Islam wholeheartedly and with utter conviction after receiving a letter from the Prophet, Peace be upon Him. A Hadith mentions that the Prophet, Peace be upon Him, said “God’s mercy be on the people of Al Ghubaira” (i.e. the people of Oman). “They have believed in me although they had not seen me”.
Also stated in the sermon our Master Abu Bakr Al-Sidiq, the caliph of the Prophet, Peace be upon Him, to the people of Oman: “People of Oman you, you have entered Islam voluntarily although the Prophet has not come to your land on foot or on horse. You have not opposed him as other Arabs opposed him, and you have not called for separation or dispersion. May God unite you in benevolence.”
With the election of Ibn Masood, the first imam, in 751 AD, the Imamate era began in Oman and lasted four centuries until 1154. Several attempts were made to restore the rule of the Imamate in Oman in the mid-fifteenth century, but did not succeed.
During the period 1498-1507 AD, the Portuguese tried to control Oman. Omani history tells the story of the Omani people who expelled the Portuguese with their struggle and heroism. Nasser bin Murshid was elected Imam in 1624.