Oman is the oldest independent state in the Arab world. By the 18th century, the Omani Empire stretched from present-day Oman down the east coast of Africa. A new era began in 1970 when Sultan Qaboos bin Said changed the name of the country from the Sultanate of Muscat and Oman to simply Oman
• Oman is an Arab country on the southeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula
• The official name of the country is the Sultanate of Oman
• It is bordered by the United Arab Emirates to the northwest, Saudi Arabia to the west, and Yemen to the southwest
• The official language is Arabic.
Muscat is the capital and largest city of Oman. It is the seat of the Governorate of Muscat.
Colors of the flag are symbolic, with green representing fertility, white represents peace, and this shade of red is common on many regional flags. The national emblem, a Khanjar Dagger, is displayed upper-left. The dagger and its sheath are superimposed on two crossed swords in scabbards.
Oman has developed its own subsect of Islam, known as Ibadhism, however other strands of Islam such as Sunni and Shi'a are also practiced. With this in mind, the Islamic month of fasting, Ramadan, and other Islamic festivities are very important events in the Omani culture.
November and mid-March is the best time to travel to Oman. It is when the temperature is pleasant and there is still plenty of sunshine. This is the peak season in travelling to Oman. So if you want quieter time, you can travel during summer, but be prepared for hot weather.
Do you need visa to travel to Oman?
British and EU citizens can obtain visa on arrival, for 10 or 30 days at a cost of 5 to 20 Omani rials. One can pay for visas at the Travelex Foreign Exchange desk, located in the airport's immigration arrivals hall. Most currencies are accepted as well as most credit cards. The short stay visa, up to 10 days, costs R.O. 5 while the one-month combined tourist-business visa costs R.O. 20. The one-month visa can be extended by a further month for the same price. All visitors must show proof of onward or return ticket upon applying for their visa.
Is there any special dress code to be followed during visiting religious sites in Oman?
There is no special dress code to be put on while walking in the streets, but modest dress is recommended, especially during visiting religious sites (Shoulders and legs should be covered).
Oman is the 70th-largest country in the world by area (309,500 total sq. km).
From 1973 to 1986, the rial was pegged to the U.S. dollar at 1 Omani rial = US$2.895. The rate was changed in 1986 to 1 Omani rial = US$2.6008, which translates to approximately US$1 = 0.384497 rial.
The reason the rial was initially set to such a high value was that the rial was subdivided into 1000 baisa. The reason for this peg is because oil is valued in US dollars, so the currency's value remains stable relative to the price of oil.
The Omani rial.
Oman is not cheap, but well worth a visit if you like to travel off the normal tourist route and experience something different, no matter how you travel and how hard you try to save money.
The local currency is the Omani rial. However, one can easily exchange U.S. dollars at banks and with money changers. Probably, you will get a slightly better rate from the latter. There are plenty of ATMs in Oman. Major credit cards and debit cards are accepted throughout the country.
Travel in Muscat, Oman, is considered safe, with no current reports or incidents of terrorist activity, though sleeping giants sometimes awaken. The crime rate is low in Oman compared to the west. Even so, avoid travel in deserted places and after dark, and leave valuables at home or in a secure place.
Oman is termed as one of the safest countries to travel for solo female travellers in the Middle East. The crime rate in Oman is almost non-existent due to strict legal penalties and punishments.
Oman is a relatively safe country and serious crime is rare. The Royal Oman Police is notably efficient and honest, driving in Oman calls for attention to the unexpected, It has the second-highest death rate from traffic accidents in the world
Oman is the safest country in the world to live in. Oman has been ranked first in the world due to its having the fewest incidences of terrorism, a new report has found, the report reflects the absence of terrorist attacks, thanks to the security and political stability that Oman enjoys.
Omani men usually wear the dishdasha which is a long piece of white or colored cloth that covers them, slippers and kumah, which is their traditional cap. Women wear a colorful dress with a matching scarf, and put a black abaya on top.
Visitors are welcome to wear the Omani traditional outfits, but they don't have to.
Basically, you should wear pants and shirts that cover your ankles all the way to your shoulders, there are some situations where less can be acceptable, women generally should be more covered.
Short tops, short skirts/shorts, tight or body-revealing clothes should be avoided entirely. Cotton or other natural fiber shirts or t-shirts, with cotton pants or an ankle-length skirt, are good and do cover your shoulders.
While tap water is generally safe to drink, most Omanis drink bottled water which is widely available
Here is a list of the most delicious and traditional Omani food:
• Majboos, also named Kabsa, this dish is rice mixed with saffron cooked with spicy red or white meat.
• Mashuai
• Mushaltat
• Dates
• Shawarma
• Halwa
• Kahwa
• Harees
Some persons were bitten by snakes and other poisonous reptiles in 2014 in Oman, according to the Ministry of Health. There are 22 species of snakes in Oman and most of them are not dangerous. Cobra, vipers and the sea snakes are the most venomous snakes in Oman.
There is no distinction in Omani law between soft and hard drugs, both are treated with equal severity. Licensed hotels and restaurants sell alcohol. If you live in Oman,you can get a licence to drink alcohol at home from the Royal Oman police. It's an offence to drink, or be drunk, in public.
The time required for the arrival of the Oman visa can vary depending on the visa type. The Oman Embassy takes from 2 to 15 days or so to process the visa.
The country is a diverse destination, with plenty of cultural and historical sites in its magnificent cities Muscat and Nizwa. Oman also has a number of beautiful beaches, spectacular deserts and nature reserves. In Muscat, there are a lot of forts you want to pay a visit to, besides the museums. The Muscat Gate Museum is good for giving you an overview of Omani history. Desert trips can include camping, sandboarding, camel trekking and hiking. Oman is famous for the fresh, sea air of breathing. Muscat is famous for dazzling souks and superb seafood does not miss the famous Omani sweets known as Omani Halva. Gum or Omani bread is not easily found outside Oman. But Oman terrain brings the biggest thrills Whether you are looking for fun or adrenaline-pumping adventure, there is no dearth of things to do. You can spend a fun day with dolphins or turtles, or opt for retail therapy in the popular souks. The more adventurous can choose from off-roading, camping, diving, and Wadi-bashing, among other activities. Enjoy Wadi Al Arbiyeen’s Al-Sharqiyah and Al-Hajar Mountains and its deep pools. Have a glimpse of Wadi Ad Dayqah, which is popular for its water flows year-round. Enjoy watching the blind Garra Baremiae fish swim the lake within Al-Hoota cave. Enjoy Wadi Al Ta’iyeen, an idyllic valley dotted with acacia trees and small hills.
Oman's official language is Arabic. However, most people will understand English, particularly in urban and tourist areas. The country also has a number of minority cultures so languages such as Swahili, Urdu and Hindi can also be heard. professionals, who work in the tourism sector, are accustomed to visitors who cannot speak Arabic and they will speak enough English and other languages to fulfil the needs of most travellers.
One thing you must know about Oman is that the weather is almost perfectly predictable, it is always the same: sunny, hot and arid. The summer temperatures are very high, up to 49 C, the winters are enjoyably moderate. Nights are sultry, it feels as if there is no air to breathe. The rainfall is low, about 100mm (4 inches). Locals say it only rains twice a year.
The check out and in rules vary according to the country you’re in and the policies of hotel you’re staying in. Mostly check-ins start either at 11:00 and 12:00 or 12:00 and 14:00 PM. Usually check-outs start at 11:00 or 12:00 Naturally is possible other arrangements can be arranged with the place of accommodation