Dubai is the most populous and second-largest emirate of the United Arab Emirates, after Abu Dhabi. Visitors to Dubai will find a land of startling contrasts, from endless stretches of desert to rugged mountains and a modern city with sprawling suburbs.
The city of Dubai itself is situated on the banks of a creek, a natural inlet from the Persian Gulf that divides the city neatly into two. With enormous construction and development in various industries, Dubai attracts world attention through innovative real estate projects, sporting events and conferences.
Plug TypeLanguageArabic; English is also widely spokenPopulation1.1 millionTime ZoneGMT +4 hoursMeasuresMetric / Imperial SystemVoltage220/440 voltsMobile PhonesGSM 900Visas are required by all visitors except nationals of the GCC countries (Gulf Cooperation Council: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia) and citizens of most European and North American countries.
Shangri-La Hotel, Dubai obtains transit visa for guests with confirmed reservations at the Shangri-La Hotel, Dubai. Guests are required to arrive and depart at the Dubai International Airport. Please complete one Transit Visa Application Form for every transit visa required. Click here to download transit visa application form.
Visa Requirements from Department of Tourism and Commerce MarketingThe unit of money the dirham (AED), and is available in 100, 500, 10, and 5 AED banknotes. Credit cards are accepted in major hotels as well as shopping malls.
Cash and travelers cheques can be exchanged in licensed exchange offices and international hotels.Here are the most recent exchange rates for some common currencies.AED 1.00 equals:
.27
US Dollar (USD)
.29
Australian Dollar (AUD)
.18
Euro (EUR)
.16
British Pound (GBP)
2.11
Hong Kong Dollar (HKD)
12.57
Indian Rupee (INR)
24.37
Japanese Yen (JPY)
.37
New Zealand Dollar (NZD)
.38
Singapore Dollar (SGD)
A 10% Service Charge and 10% Municipality Fee apply to all purchases in UAE.Tipping practices are similar to most parts of the world where tipping is common. Service may be included in the bill, otherwise a ten percent tip is appreciated by the service provider.Bank Hours8am to 1pm, Saturday to Wednesday.
4.30pm to 6.30pm, Saturday to Wednesday.
8am to 12pm Thursdays.
The Exchange House is open from 8:30 am to 1 pm, Saturday to Wednesday.Office Hours8am to 1pm, Sunday to Thursday
7.30 am to 2.30 pm, Saturday to Wednesday (government)Shop HoursHours for private businesses and shops vary. Most often, shops are closed from 1pm to 4pm, and generally close at 10 pm or midnight. Shops open doors at 4pm on Fridays after prayers.A health certificate is not required for entry to the Emirates, except for visitors who have been in a cholera or yellow fever infected area in the previous 14 days. However, it's always wise to check health recommendations before departure. International medical services in Dubai are of a high standard and are readily available.Lightweight summer clothing is suitable for most of the year, but sweaters may be needed for the winter months, especially in the evenings.
Compared with certain parts of the Middle East, Dubai has a very relaxed dress code. However, care should be taken not to offend by wearing clothing that may be considered revealing.
At the pool or on the beaches, trunks, swimsuits and bikinis are quite acceptable.The weather in Dubai is mostly hot and dry throughout the year, with temperatures ranging from 27C (75F) to as hot as 48C (119F) during the July and August summer months.