Travel to UAE


The United Arab Emirates, one of the world's fastest growing tourist destinations, has all the right ingredients for an unforgettable holiday, sun, sand, sea, sports, unbeatable shopping, top-class hotels and restaurants, an intriguing traditional culture, and a safe and welcoming environment.

 

  • Weather

    •  
      The UAE is warm and sunny in winter and hot and humid during the summer months. Winter daytime temperatures average a very pleasant 26°C, although nights can be relatively cool, between 12–15°C on the coast, and less than 5°C in the depths of the desert or high in the mountains.

      Local north-westerly winds (shamal) frequently develop during the winter, bringing cooler windy conditions. Summer temperatures are in the mid-40s, but can be higher inland. Humidity in coastal areas averages between 50 and 60 per cent, touching over 90 per cent in summer and autumn. Inland it is far less humid.

  • When to visit

    •  
      The best time to visit the UAE is from October up until May. 
      In October the weather may still be quite hot (up to 35C), blue skies are the norm and the evenings are warm. At this stage the tourist season is well under way.

      Daytime temperatures are ideal during November, December, January and February (around 24C) although the evenings may be a little cool (13C). North-westerly winds (shamal) sometimes blow during these winter months, bringing choppy seas. Most of the annual rainfall occurs between December and March, but this tends to be in the form of short heavy downpours that rapidly clear away. Indeed some winters are totally dry.

      By March–April, temperatures are beginning to rise during the day (early 30s) but humidity is still low and the evenings are warm. May can be quite hot again (late-30s).

      June–September are to be avoided, especially the July–August period which is very hot (high 40s) and humid (100 per cent). However hotels and golf clubs and other facilities offer very good deals during the summer months and it is worth remembering that hotels, shops, in fact all buildings, cars, buses etc are air-conditioned.

  • Special events


    • You may like to time your trip to coincide with one of the many special events staged in the UAE each year. The following is a list of the more popular events but dates may change from year to year so check before you go.

      World Cup Indoor Trials

       
      January
       
      Dubai Shopping Festival
       
      Dec./Feb.
      Abu Dhabi Golf Championship

       

      January
      Abu Dhabi Film Festival

       

      February
      Al Ain Air Show

       

      February

      Al Ain Classical Music Festival

      February
      Dubai Desert Classic (Golf)

      February
      ATP Men’s Tennis Open & WTA Tournament

      Feb./Mar.
      Abu Dhabi Shopping Festival

      March
      Dubai World Cup (Horse racing)

      March/April
      Dubai to Muscat Sailing Race

      March
      Dubai Pro Beach Soccer Tournament

      April
      Dubai Summer Surprises

      July/August
      UAE Desert Challenge Motor Rally

      November
      Dubai Film Festival

      December
      UIM Formula One Power Boat Championships

      December
      UIM Class One Power Boat Championships

      December
      Dubai International Rugby Sevens

      December
       

  • Customs

    •  
      Customs clearance in the UAE is fast and efficient. No customs duties are applied to personal belongings. However, since the UAE is an Islamic country, religious propaganda, potentially offensive printed matter, CDs videos or films should not be brought into the country. All personal imports of such materials are checked at customs. Since strict copyright laws are being enforced in the UAE, pirated video and audiotapes or illegal computer software will be confiscated.
       
       
      Needless to say controlled substances such as cannabis, opium etc, are banned and the penalties for handling these drugs are severe. If a blood test for illegal drug usage proves positive, you can be charged with a criminal offence – even if you used the drug before arrival in the UAE. The importation of firearms and dangerous weapons is also restricted. 

  • Ramadan


    • You should also consider whether you would like to visit during the Muslim holy month of Ramadam. During Ramadan (the exact dates move forward by approximately 11 days each year), Muslims do not eat or drink between sunrise and sunset. Visitors are requested not to eat, drink or smoke in public places during this time. Most restaurants are closed during the day, although food will be served in your hotel, either in your room or in a secluded area of the hotel. Alcohol is served in some emirates after sunset.

      Despite these restrictions, there are certain advantages in visiting the UAE during at this time. You may be able to obtain discount rates on some hotels and once the daily fast is broken (by the iftar meal after sunset) the streets are a hive of activity, which lends a carnival atmosphere to the towns.
       
UAE and the International Agenda
Energy & Climate
Change
Climate includes patterns of temperature, precipitation, humidity, wind and seasons. “Climate change” affects more than just a change in the weather; it refers to seasonal changes over a long period of time. These climate patterns play a fundamental role in shaping natural ecosystems and the human economies and cultures that depend on them.
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Foreign Aid
Foreign aid is one of the top priorities in the UAE's external relations approach.
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Environment
Conserving environment and the natural resources for sustainable development.
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UAE Nuclear Program
The UAE believes that the most environmentally friendly and most sustainable solution to its energy requirements is electricity generated by nuclear plants.
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Human Rights
The foreign policy of the UAE prides itself with justice, protection and respect of human rights and their implementation by means of regulations that emphasize equality and justice among the people of the country.
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Human Trafficking
In recent years, the most severe test for the country’s human rights record has come from problems associated with labour issues, specifically human trafficking. Some of the temporary contractual workers that the UAE receives every year from throughout the world, unfortunately, are deceived by labour recruiters and become victims of human trafficking.
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