Abu Dhabi
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
CLIMATE
Abu Dhabi has a subtropical, arid climate. Sunny blue skies can be expected most of the year. Rainfall is infrequent and irregular falling mainly during the winter. Temperatures range from a minimum of 24° Centigrade (75°F) during the day to a maximum of 43° Centigrade (110°F) from June to September. October to May is cooler with temperatures ranging from a minimum of 14° Centigrade (57 °F) to a maximum of 37° Centigrade (99°F).
LOCAL TIME
The UAE is 4 hours ahead of GMT.
LANGUAGE
The official language is Arabic although English is widely spoken and understood.
RELIGION
Islam is the official religion of the UAE. Other religions are respected. Non-Muslims are not allowed to enter mosques.
CURRENCY
The local currency is the UAE Dirham divided into 100 fils. In addition to banks and hotels, there are many licensed moneychangers in the major shopping centres and souks.
CREDIT CARDS
Most retail outlets, hotels and car rental companies accept internationally recognized credit cards.
HOURS OF BUSINESS
Offices:
Saturday/Wednesday, 8:00am to 1:00pm. and 4pm. to 7:00pm.
Thursday 8:00am to 1:00pm.
Friday closed.
Banks:
Saturday/Thursday, 8:00am to 1:00pm.
ELECTRICITY
The voltage in Abu Dhabi is 220/240v. Most sockets are three pin, although adapters for two pin plugs are available at most hotels.
MEDICAL SERVICES
Most hotels have in-house nurses or doctors on call and medical treatment is also available at private and government hospitals.
DRINKING WATER
Tap water is safe to use although bottled water, which is served in hotels and restaurants, is recommended for drinking.
DRESS CODE
Abu Dhabi is an Islamic country and clothing should be modest. During the winter months light sweaters are recommended. Beachwear is acceptable at beach clubs, hotels and public beaches. During the daytime, the dress code is fairly casual although more exclusive restaurants may expect guests to dress more formally during the evening.
TRANSPORTATION
Taxis are readily available and reasonably priced. Metered taxis are recommended over private taxis whose rates are negotiable.
SHOPPING
Shopping is something of a national past time in the UAE and one of the major attractions for visitors. Glitzy state-of-the-art malls abound, but have not replaced traditional souks (markets). The result is a thrilling mix of old and new where the very latest twenty-first century retail delights co-exist with ancient family run businesses that trade as they have done for centuries. Shopping in the UAE really does offer something for everyone.
Traditionally souks were as much meeting places as trading centres; a hotchpotch of sandy alleys crammed with individual stalls interspersed with tea and coffee houses where men would gather to discuss the day's events over a shisha pipe or cup of tea or gahwa, Arabic coffee. Throughout the country souks have been preserved and refurbished carefully so that they retain their traditional charm. In some emirates it is possible to buy anything in the souk, from a bag of frankincense, to a gold necklace or a camel.
A visit to the souk is one of the quickest ways to immerse yourself in the country's cultural heritage. In recent years the range of goods sold has increased dramatically to include everything from electrical goods to spare car parts. Generally souks are divided into areas selling similar items and many are colloquially known by what they sell - such as the spice souk, the fabric souk and the plant souk.
Shopping malls offer an incredible array of international brands - American, European and Asian. The shopping capital of the country is undoubtedly Dubai, hailed as 'the shopping capital of the Middle East', but Abu Dhabi is catching up fast and Sharjah, Ajman and Ra's al-Khaimah have recently opened new malls. Many malls include multi-screen cinema complexes, all have numerous coffee shops and many have childcare facilities. In twenty-first century Gulf living, the shopping mall is becoming a social centre in the same way that the souk has always been.
Prices are generally competitive, the key being to bargain wherever possible for the lowest price. In souks prices can drop dramatically and bargaining is expected, but increasingly major outlets in shopping malls quote 'fixed prices' and bargaining is no longer possible. That said, it is still worth asking for the 'best' or 'last' price as some outlets will offer discount without hesitation - all you have to do is ask. Gold, electronic goods, textiles and carpets are most likely to be extremely good value. But beware, some branded items are more expensive than elsewhere, books tend to be expensive.
VISAS
For Canadian and US citizens, visas can be obtained on arrival in Abu Dhabi. Passports must be valid for at least 3 months from the date of entry into Abu Dhabi.
RAMADAN
During the Holy Month of Ramadan all Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset, and eating, drinking and smoking in public areas during daylight hours is strictly prohibited. Alcohol will not be served during this time; however, alcohol is served in restaurants and bars after sunset for non-Muslims. Live entertainment, loud music and dancing are prohibited during this period. Most businesses and shops are open only for a few hours in the morning and re-open after sunset until well after midnight.
All Goway's featured hotels make concessions for their clients and keep a restaurant open during the day for resident guests only. Sunset marks the start of Iftar, which is the breaking of the fast. This begins with a traditional meal of dates, dry fruits and fresh juices, followed by a lavish feast of grilled meats, flavoured rice and other typical Arab fare including sweetmeats. Throughout Ramadan conservative dress should be worn in public.
