Staying at Raffles Dubai in the UAE
A quick five-minute trip from the airport, this is an especially handy spot for anyone traveling on business. Here’s my review of staying at Raffles Dubai!
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The United Arab Emirates (or UAE) has quickly begun to top many bucket lists. The country consists of seven independent city-states, which are Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ajman, Fujairah, Ras al Khaimah, Sharjah, and Umm al Quwain.
While many people may have only heard of Abu Dhabi and Dubai, the five other Emirates are worth visiting if you get the chance.
The cities are a combination of modern and traditional and desert and sea. Highlights include The Louvre (the sister museum of the one in Paris), the world’s largest carpet, diving for pearls, the world’s longest zipline, the Warner Brothers amusement park, and more!
The UAE can get very hot, so the best time to visit is between October and April—perfect for moderate temperatures, but also the high season for tourism! Be sure to plan ahead of time and book your accommodation in advance.
The summer months, May to September, in the United Arab Emirates bring the highest temperatures, causing all of the locals to move their activities indoors. If you love shopping or want to visit UAE for scuba diving, these are the best months to do so. Just don’t plan on having a vacation full of outdoor adventures!
Language: The official and national language of the UAE is Arabic, but English is used as a second language.
Currency: The currency of the UAE is the United Arab Emirates dirham (AED), sometimes called Emirati dirham.
Credit Cards & ATMs: Credit card use is on the rise in UAE so you shouldn’t come across any issues if you plan on using one during your visit. Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted with American Express being less likely to be accepted. Smaller stores and grocery stores may not accept cards, so it’s best to keep small amounts of cash on you if needed. ATMs are found on almost every corner in big cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Plugs: In the United Arab Emirates, the power plugs are types C, D, and G, the standard voltage is 220 V, and the standard frequency is 50 Hz. I recommend buying a universal adapter (make sure it has surge protection) and using a converter for hairdryers and hot tools.
Safety: UAE was listed as the 31st safest country in the world. Violent crime is low, and tourists typically won’t face anything worse than some pickpocketing. If you’re a solo female traveler, be mindful of how you act or dress in public to prevent breaking local rules.
A quick five-minute trip from the airport, this is an especially handy spot for anyone traveling on business. Here’s my review of staying at Raffles Dubai!
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