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One of the seven emirates which make up the United Arab Emirates, Dubai has it all... sand, shopping and plenty of sun. Dubai will excite and enthuse.

Dubai offers visitors a multitude of attractions, from the mystery of the desert and its sand dunes and surrounding mountain ranges to the five star beaches and hotels to the original Dubai featuring old houses with the contrasting modern high tech buildings and shopping malls.

The best time of the year to visit Dubai is between November and April, when the weather is coolest. Its a good time to explore the beautiful scenery around the Hajar Mountains and its rock pools or drive through the wadis - dry beds of streams filled with water. Camping is also very popular in the winter months.  If you choose to go in Summer, most of the hotels and restaurants have discounts and there are plenty of activities, especially for children organised in most of the shopping malls every day.

The warm waters of the Arabian Gulf are ideal for sailing, windsurfing, water-skiing, fishing, snorkelling or scuba diving. Many of the beach hotels and specialised beach clubs offer facilities for water sports and lessons or use your own equipment on one of the many stretches of public beaches.

Other activities available include snow skiing, sand-skiing in the desert using a snow board, go-karting, ice-skating, archery, target shooting, bowling, tennis and off-road driving.

Full day and half day tours to Dubai's neighbouring emirates and other places of interest are also available.

"HANDY HINTS"

DUBAI CLIMATE AND WEATHER GUIDE:

Dubai enjoys an arid subtropical climate, with blue skies and sunshine all year round. The hottest months are between June and September, when temperatures can soar to 113°F (45°C) and more during the day and humidity levels are very high. Even the sea temperature touches on 104°F (40°C) during the summer months, and swimming pools at hotels are usually cooled to be refreshing. Temperatures are only slightly more moderate the rest of the year, the coolest time being between December and March. There is very little rainfall in Dubai, but when showers do fall it is mainly in the cooler months.

(This is indended as a guide only)

TRANSPORT:

The most common way of getting around Dubai is by taxi; they are cheap and easy to find. Many hotels offer shuttle bus services for guests as well. Metered taxis are cream coloured, with uniformed drivers. The public bus service covers most areas of the city and its beaches, routes and bus numbers are posted in both Arabic and English. Small wooden motorboats (abras) cross the creek every few minutes between Bur Dubai and Deira. Plans for a Dubai metro are in the works, with completion of the first section expected around 2009

ELECTRICITY:  

220 and 240 volts, 50Hz. The most frequently used plugs are the square 3-pin variety.

MONEY:

The currency of the United Arab Emirates is the Dirham (AED), which is divided into 100 fils

LANGUAGE:

Arabic is the official language of the Emirates, but English is widely used

VISAS:

Australian nationals may stay in the UAE for up to 60 days with a visit visa, which can be obtained on arrival. An extension of a further 30 days is possible. All visitors to the United Arab Emirates must hold a passport that is valid for three months from the date of entry, or six months if visiting for longer than 90 days. All passport photographs are to be recent colour photographs. Visitors must hold documents and tickets needed for their next destination.

TIPPING:

Tipping practices are similar to most parts of the world. Where no service charge is included, 10% is adequate and many hotels and restaurants add a service charge, so it is best to check the bill.

EXTRA INFORMATION:

The Emirates states are all Muslim, therefore alcohol is only served in hotels. It is an offence to drink or be drunk in public and penalties are severe. Dress and behaviour should be modest, particularly during the month of Ramadan when it is disrespectful to smoke, drink or eat in public between sunrise and sunset. Women's clothes should cover the tops of the arms and legs. Cohabiting, adultery and homosexual behaviour are illegal in the UAE, and it is an offence to swear or make rude gestures, or show a public display of affection. In general, the country has a tolerant approach to Western visitors, but please respect the  local laws and customs.