The United Arab Emirates is made up of seven states, or emirates, but the two that are most popular as tourist destinations are the emirates of Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Dubai is known for its resorts and shopping malls, and Abu Dhabi is known for Ferrari World and the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. The white mosque looks like something straight out of Aladdin!
Read through this complete UAE and Dubai travel guide for more info on what to expect!
Climate
The climate in the UAE is arid, so it’s hot and dry year round. The coolest months are from November to March, and this is probably the best time to visit the UAE. It can get extremely hot here in the summer. Temperatures can get up to 120 F (49 C) in July-August, and don’t count on having any trees for shade!
Safety
The UAE is a very safe place to travel, with a violent crime rate of only 0.9 per 100k inhabitants (86% lower than the global average). Although it is a Muslim country, terrorism is not an issue here and tourists are welcomed. The only thing to note is that Emirati culture is conservative, so clothing in public should be modest.
Budget
The UAE is a bit harder to visit on a budget, but it can be done. Hostels are available from $18 and private hotels starting from $35. Meals are usually about $10 to $15 depending on location. Cars can be rented or hired, and transportation apps like Uber and Careem are great for short distance trips. The UberEats app can even be used for food delivery in Dubai.
Quick Tips
- Language: Arabic; ‘Thank you’ is ‘shoukran’
- Currency: Emirati Dirham (AED)
- Capital: Abu Dhabi
- Visa: Free 30 or 90 day visa for 60 countries
- Climate: Arid; hot and dry year round. Coolest months are Nov – March
- Apps: Uber, Careem
Destinations
Pick a destination in the UAE and start exploring!
Posts
My latest blog posts about the United Arab Emirates
Dubai Map – Where Is Dubai / UAE Located On The World Map?
The city of Dubai is becoming very popular as a tourist destination in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), but most Americans would probably have a hard time finding… Read More
20 Dubai Pictures That Will Make You Want To Visit The UAE
I visited the United Arab Emirates in 2018 and really enjoyed this tiny Middle Eastern country. Check out these Dubai pictures to see why! The UAE is made… Read More
Sheikh Zayed Mosque – Grand Mosque In Abu Dhabi, UAE
Abu Dhabi may not be as well known as Dubai when it comes to tourism hotspots, but there’s at least one thing you should definitely see here and… Read More
Dubai Visa On Arrival (VOA) Info
Planning a visit to Dubai, or somewhere else in the United Arab Emirates? Hopefully this post clears up any confusion on the immigration process. Almost 60 countries have… Read More