Travel to the United Arab Emirates is one of the fastest growing trends in the travel market. The country, in particular Dubai, is a leading destination for holidays as well as expats moving into the country seeking to be part of the massively growing economy. Getting the most out of your vacation is the most important thing to truly enjoy travel to the United Arab Emirates. With certain things taken care of, you can be free to enjoy all of the attractions without any worry at all. With a brief overview of Islamic culture under your belt, a good idea of the best time to go, and few other hints and tips, you’ll be well on your way to a fulfilling holiday in one of the most exciting destinations in the world.

You’ll first want to decide when your UAE travels will take place. Holidays and festivals, especially of religious nature, can interfere with vacations. The most important religious holiday in Islamic culture is Ramadan. You will likely want to avoid all UAE travels during this time. Ramadan usually falls sometime around October and November, decided exactly by the Islamic calender. Each day there is a twelve-hour fasting period that occurs between 5am and 5pm. The downfall is that between these times, no one is permitted to drink, eat or smoke in any public establishments. ‘No one’ means tourists and locals alike. This will seriously affect your holiday and is not a very desirable time to visit.

There are other holidays in Islamic culture including the second most popular, Id Al Adha. Id Al Adha celebrates the end of the Haj, the pilgrimage to Mecca. Each person is required to make the pilgrimage as long as they are financially and physically able. Id Al Adha is celebrated in the first week of December and may mark another time to avoid. One of the most important celebrations you will not want to miss is the month-long Dubai Shopping Festival between January 15 and February 15. Though shopping malls, like the Mall of the Emirates, can get really crazy, this is a time where the best sales take place all over Dubai.

UAE Map

Weather is another contributing factor for travel to the United Arab Emirates. There is very little rainfall in the UAE making it an excellent holiday destination. Rainfall occurs between November and March and is minimal. Between May and September temperatures can be scorching. Throughout the rest of the year it’s very warm and pleasant. During the summertime temperatures soar and humidity skyrockets along the coastline. Inland you should be prepared to keep cool and take in plenty of water to avoid heat exhaustion and heatstroke. Many believe the best time for UAE travels is between October and May when the average temperatures is a pleasant 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Dubai beaches get extremely busy in the summer months. Popular Dubai beach hotels can fill up months prior to this time. Make sure to plan well ahead, book Dubai hotels in advance and try to book popular UAE tours in advance as well.

If you’re planning on working ,the UAE Embassy will be able to assist you with many details. People traveling from certain countries must get a visa through the UAE Embassy prior to arrival. Countries such as the United States, Australia, Canada and the UK receive visas upon arrival. You may also want to consider registering your name at the UAE Embassy in case of an emergency. There are a few other things to consider before embarking on UAE travels. Islamic culture is one that is very conservative. Men wear the kandora and women wear a black cloak called the abbaya. Since emirati make up less than 20% of the population, the influx of tourists and expats has created a sort of social experiment. The emirati are very tolerant of Western behavior but it is important to always remain respectful of Islamic culture. With these things in mind, it will be time to embark on an exotic journey full of Arabian adventures creating one of the most memorable and eye-opening holidays you may have ever had.