About Oman

Located on the eastern edge of the Arabian Peninsula, the Sultanate of Oman is bordered by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the West, and the Republic of Yemen to the South. The United Arab Emirates lies on the North West, and to the East lies the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman.

General Information:

Population: 2.4 million

Official language: Arabic

Other spoken languages: English, Baluchi, Urdu, Indian dialects

Religion: Ibadhi Muslim 75%, Sunni Muslim, Shi'a Muslim, Hindu

Area: 309,500 sqkm

Coastline: 2092 km

Climate: dry desert; hot, humid along coast; hot, dry interior; strong southwest summer monsoon (May to September) in far south

Capital: Muscat

Government type: Monarchy

National day: 18 November (Birthday of Sultan Qaboos)

Local time: GMT + 4 hours

Day off: Friday

Official Holidays: National Day is on 18th November every year although National Day holidays are usually taken the week after. Dates vary for the rest of the official holidays as they follow the lunar year. Eid Al-Fitr (1st Shawal), Eid Al-Adha (10th Dhul-Hijja), Islamic New Year around 1st Muharram. The Prophet Mohammed's birthday (12th Rabi Al Awal), Ascension Day (27th Rajab). Local newspapers announce the actual dates of holidays as they occur

Practical Information:

Money. Oman's unit of currency is the Omani Rial, divided into 1000 Baizas. Notes come in denominations of Rials 50, 20, 10, 5, 1, 1/2 and 1/4, 200 and 100 Baiza notes are also available. One Rial is equivalent to approximately US$ 2.6 • Payment cards: All major credit cards are accepted in Oman, including Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Diners Club etc. Most retail outlets, hotels and restaurants accept major credit cards as form of payment. In the traditional souqs, cash is the most preferred means for transaction • Automatic bank tellers: Withdrawal can be made from any automatic bank teller found in any region of the country • Traveler's checks: they can be exchanged mainly at the airport, in banks and exchange shops.

Health. Hospitals, pharmacies and health clinics are available throughout Oman. Modern hospitals with state-of-the-art equipment can handle any kind of emergency. Most hotels have medical help available. Doctors are just a phone call away.

Security. Sultanate of Oman is a quite secure & safe country for the tourists.

Bargaining. Bargaining is expected in the souk and it’s not quite usual elsewhere.

Food. All the hotels and restaurants serve international cuisine, from continental and haute cuisine dining to fast-food items. There are Arabic restaurants offering a great variety of dishes.

Alcohol. Alcohol is served only in hotels and licensed restaurants and clubs. Drinking alcohol in public is strictly prohibited. It is also illegal to carry alcohol in the car. Drinking and driving is heavily penalised.

Tipping. In hotels and restaurants a service charge is included in the bill. However, it is customary to tip for attentive service.

Weather. Summer is between April to September and the weather is hot and humid. Winter begins around October and continues till April and the weather is cool and pleasant. Also there is The Khareef season (Monsoon) in Dhofar Governorate which is characterized by its lovely climate and periodic rain. This season usually starts in July and ends in September.

Languages. Arabic is the official language, but English is widely spoken. German and French are spoken by hotel staff in addition to Balushi, Urdu and Indian dialects.

Water. Although tap water is clean, it is advisable to drink bottled water.

Clothing. For most of the year light, loose-fitting clothes, preferably cotton, are best suited for the Omani climate. At night, light woolens should be comfortable. In the short winter season (December to February), some warm clothing is advisable. To respect Omani traditions, women are requested to wear tops covering the shoulders and non-revealing apparel in public. Beachwear is acceptable only at the beach, as well as in hotel and club premises.

Photography. Oman is a photographer’s delight. Photographers will find an enormous choice of subjects in the Sultanate. However, photographing at the border or at military installations and embassies is not permitted. It is considered non-customary to photograph Muslim women. Please ask for permission before taking photographs of people and their property. Always observe 'No Photography' signs.

Telephone. Telephone cards are readily available from shops and supermarkets. International telephone calls are cheaper during late evening till early morning (check for local time of country) and the whole day on Fridays and Public Holidays. All local telephone booths can be used for international dialing. No collect calls are possible in Oman. Oman has an extensive GSM network. Visitors can avoid roaming charges by purchasing a prepaid HAYYAK SIM card at Muscat airport or at Omantel counters.

Post. It is essential to use postal codes for all mail. Stamps are available at all post offices and other designated outlets.

Internet. Internet service is available in Cyber Cafes and major hotels.

Electricity. The electrical system is based on 220 volts - 240 volts, 50 Hz with 3-pin British type plugs. US-made electrical appliances may require an adaptor.

Transportation. Buses travel throughout the country. The main bus station is in Ruwi, off Al Jama'a Street, where a timetable is posted. Taxis are plentiful; orange and white saloon cars or mini-buses with an orange light on the front. Taxi fares are reasonable and are a fixed rate. The mini-buses are shared taxis and the rate is extremely cheap. Ask for the fare before boarding. Some of them might not be air-conditioned. Driving - Highways within Muscat and linking major towns make driving a pleasure in Oman. Vehicles are driven on the right side of the road, so left hand drives are used. The maximum speed limit on open road is 120 km per hour. Seat belts are compulsory. Residents require a valid Omani license but visitors can use an International license. Residents of Britain may use their British license. Always carry your documentation with you as all accidents have to be reported to the police.

Business days. All Government offices are closed on Thursday & Friday from 7.30 am to 2.30 pm. The private sector companies work from Saturday through Thursday from 8.00 am till 1.00 pm and from 4.00 pm till 7.00 pm. Some work half day on Thursdays but Friday is a public holiday in Oman. As for the banks, they open from Saturday through Wednesday from 8.00 am to 12 pm and Thursday from 8.00 am to 11.30 am

Good to know:

Customs duty is not levied on personal effects brought into Oman. However, it is forbidden to import drugs, arms, narcotics and pornographic material. Such materials are summarily confiscated. Non-Muslim nationals are permitted to bring two liters of alcohol per adult person into the country when traveling by air. The import of alcohol via overland routes is not permitted.

Social Courtesy: The people of Oman are extremely hospitable and offer a very warm welcome to guests. It is considered good manners to exchange greetings and these courtesies should be observed wherever possible.

Etiquette: Littering is prohibited. Particularly when hiking and camping, be sure that you do not leave any trash. Polluting a falaj (water source) is not permitted at all. Make sure when traveling to interior villages, you are courteous to all locals. Don't enter a home without being invited.

During the holy month of Ramadhan fixed hours of prayer are observed and all Muslims fast during daylight hours. As a sign of respect, visitors are requested to avoid eating, drinking and smoking in public between sunrise and sunset. Coffee shops in hotels remain open, but bars do not serve alcohol. However, alcohol can be ordered through room service.