The United Arab Emirates is a union of seven emirates spread across the Arabian Peninsula. The UAE is a very modern, economically developed and strong country with a diversified economy and developed service, tourism, construction and trade sectors.
The official religion is Islam, which is in many ways connected with local culture, its customs and traditions. Despite this, the Emirates are cosmopolitan and a relatively liberal society with a high degree of globalization. The domestic population makes up only 15% of the total population. The rest are foreign immigrants, approximately 8.5 million, who are the dominant component of the workforce across all sectors.
In the last three decades, the UAE has undergone rapid economic development. There is a huge boom in tourism and the construction and aviation sectors. However, the oil industry remains an important economic sector. The largest city is Dubai, which is today considered a "global" city of world importance.
Climate conditions
In the United Arab Emirates, there is a tropical dry climate. In winter it is warm and sunny and in the summer months hot and humid. The best temperatures for visiting the Emirates are in the months from September to May. Ideal air and water temperatures are in the months March, April, May and then October and November. Average humidity ranges from 50 to 60%.
In the winter months, average temperatures reach pleasant 26 degrees. However, it is cooler at night, 15 to 16 degrees. Cold air from the sea brings gusty winds towards the coast shamal. On the contrary, the hottest are the summer months July and August, when average daily temperatures reach 42 to 45 degrees. During this period, there is also the highest humidity, sometimes up to 90%. Rainfall in the Emirates occurs rarely. The most rainfall is in the months February and March.
Travel documents and visas
With validity from March 22, 2014, the Slovak Republic together with other EU member countries was included in the preferential visa regime called "visa on arrival" or visas upon arrival. Holders of a Slovak Republic passport are granted a free visa upon entry into the UAE allowing a stay of 30 days.
The condition for granting "visa on arrival" is a passport with a minimum validity of 6 months from entry into the United Arab Emirates.
Local time
Time difference:
winter time +3 hours, summer time +2 hours
Healthcare
Citizens of the Slovak Republic pay for medical treatment in full from their own resources. There is no agreement on the provision of free healthcare between the UAE and Slovakia.
We recommend getting insurance before the trip.
Vaccination
For regular tourist visits to the UAE, no mandatory vaccination is prescribed. Consult possible health risks with your doctor or in our hospitals in the departments of foreign diseases, or look for necessary information on the website www.ockovanie.sk.
Electrical voltage
In the UAE, it is 220 V with English-type sockets with three pins. An adapter is usually needed to connect devices. Free is available at the hotel reception. Chargers for cameras, mobile phones and razors can be used without problems.
Currency and money
The local currency of the UAE is Dirham (Dhs / AED). Currency exchange can be carried out without restriction in hotels, exchange offices or banks. The most favorable rate is in banks. The most well-known exchangeable currency is USD, with which direct payments can also be made in shops. However, it is recommended to pay in local currency. Other currencies such as EUR are also exchanged, but the rate changes daily.
International payment and credit cards are accepted (American Express, MasterCard, Diner's Club, Visa). Visa Electron cards can also be used for payment in shops. When asking in which currency the card payment should be made, we always recommend choosing the option to convert to the domestic currency Dirham.
When negotiating discounts, it is more advantageous to pay in cash and in Dirhams.
Approximate rate in USD, 1 USD = 3.65 Dhs
Approximate rate in EUR, 1 EUR = 3.80 Dhs
Customs regulations
The customs regime is liberal. It is allowed to bring cigarettes, 1 liter of alcoholic beverage and 2 liters of wine for personal consumption. This does not apply to visitors of the Muslim religion. Strict prohibitions and restrictions apply to the import of drugs, weapons, erotic and pornographic literature. The listed items are subject to prohibition and in case of violation are subject to confiscation with penalty (fine, expulsion).
Clothing
Summer clothing is suitable for visitors throughout the year. In the winter months, we recommend bringing a warmer sweater or windbreaker for cooler nights. The UAE is a Muslim country and therefore it is expected that visitors will dress more conservatively in public. Beach clothing and swimsuits are accepted in hotels and on beaches. Nudism or sunbathing topless is prohibited. In luxury hotels, you should have formal clothing for dinner (men long pants and shirt, ladies longer skirt, pants or dress).
Local residents can be easily recognized by their traditional clothing, which they wear as a sign of pride. Men dress in white dishdash with a white scarf around their head, secured with two black rings. Women wear black abaya with a veil to hide their figure and hair. Some women wear niqab, which also covers their entire face. Men holding high positions in government wear dishdash in various color variations, such as blue, gold or red, or wear a massive black cloak with decorative trims.
Dining
Hotels and restaurants in the Emirates are renowned for their top cuisine and excellent food. Breakfast and dinner are served buffet-style in hotels. The emirate of Dubai in particular is famous for its gastronomic scene. You will find restaurants of every kind, especially Asian, Indian, Arabic, Lebanese but also Italian, French, American and modern fusion establishments. During the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, you should refrain from consuming food and drink in public as a sign of respect and solidarity with the locals.
Among the traditional foods, drinks and dishes that you should try in the Emirates are hummus (chickpea paste), Arabic bread, shawarma meat, which is similar to Turkish kebab, dates and date desserts, camel milk, camel milk products and of course strong Arabic coffee.
Consumption of pork is forbidden to Muslims from the point of view of Islam. Despite this, pork is available in some shops and you can also find it in the offer of restaurants and hotels.
Alcohol
Alcohol is served only in hotels, licensed restaurants and bars. Alcohol cannot be purchased normally in grocery stores, only at the airport in Duty Free zones or in specialized stores (bottle shop), where alcohol is sold only to holders of a special permit (residents).
Alcohol is also replenished daily in minibars in rooms (for a fee).
Drinking water
Tap water is utility water and is produced by desalination of seawater. It is not recommended to consume it. Drinking water is bottled in plastic bottles, available to buy in restaurants or shops.
Tips
Taxes and fees are already included in the price of services. A small tip of 5 to 10% of the consumption or service price is always welcome.
Local transport
Most beach hotels provide shuttle bus, free transport for their clients to Dubai center and back. Transport by taxi is also very accessible and at acceptable price ranges. Taxi services in the Emirates are state-owned. Public transport is used mainly by immigrants from Asia. The metro was officially put into operation on 09.09.2009. Its largest part, from the total length of 52 km, operates above ground and in the old part of Dubai underground. All stations and trains are fully air-conditioned. Shuttle bus transport operates between metro stations and important places.
Within the urban areas of Dubai Marina, Jumeirah, Umm Sequem and Al Sofouh, you can use the new modern tram. Large water taxis are also popular, which have stops in Dubai Marina, on the palm island Palm Jumeirah, in the Business Bay urban area (Downtown) and on the shores of Dubai Creek.
Transport services UBER and Careem are also available in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Just download the apps and have a valid credit card registered.
Swimming and beaches
In the Emirates, you will encounter three categories of beaches: private hotel, public paid and public free. Private hotel beaches have beach resorts and are accessible only to hotel guests or guests from city hotels that have a contract with one of the beach resorts.
Public paid and free beaches are used by guests of city hotels. City hotels usually provide once daily round-trip transfer to one of the beaches. On the beach, it is possible to rent sunbeds, umbrellas and towels (for a fee). The largest public beach in Dubai Marina is additionally equipped with sports facilities, changing rooms, lockers and showers.
Photography
Regular photography is accepted. You should not photograph Muslim women, palaces, government institutions, military and industrial facilities. You should only photograph local men and children with their permission.
Telephoning, Roaming and Internet
Mobile signal is practically available throughout the UAE. Two state telecommunications operators operate in the Emirates, Etisalat (entire UAE) and du (only in Dubai). Phone calls from landline to landline within one emirate are free. Calls abroad are paid. It is most suitable to call between 21:00 and 06:00, when the tariff is cheapest. Telephoning from the hotel is quite expensive except for local calls. Slovak mobile operators have roaming agreements signed with local operators. Check the tariffs with your operator.
Shopping
The United Arab Emirates and especially Dubai are among the most popular shopping destinations in the world. You will find countless shopping centers and almost every brand you can think of has its representation here. The largest shopping center in the world is The Dubai Mall. Other popular shopping centers include Mall of the Emirates and Marina Mall in Dubai and Yas Mall, Abu Dhabi Mall and Marina Mall in Abu Dhabi.
An unforgettable experience is a visit to Dubai's gold souk, where approximately 1 ton of gold jewelry is sold daily. You will find many oriental products from Middle Eastern countries and South Asia.
Safety
The United Arab Emirates is among the safest countries in the world. Due to strict punishments and effective police, the Emirates enjoy very low crime rates. In 2017, the Emirates were declared the second safest country in the world after Finland (World Economic Forum).
Representative office for UAE
Embassy of the Slovak Republic in the UAE
Embassy of the Slovak Republic
Al Mataf Street, No. 16, Villa 2
Al Bateen, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Tel: +971 2 681 7705
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.mzv.sk/abudhabi
Working hours: 09:00 to 17:00
