It is the New Year which means that it is time for New Year’s resolutions and decisions. We all know how difficult it can be sticking with those choices and making a drastic change in our lives. However, we are not going to tell you how to reach your goals, instead, we are going to focus on something more fun and exciting.
Yes, we are talking about traveling! Who doesn’t love planning a new adventure? Nowadays, going to some faraway land is not as impossible as it used to be, money-wise. There are numerous online pages where you can find and book the accommodation according to your budget, many low-cost companies where you can be a cheap plane ticket, and so on.
When it comes to planning trips, people are usually attracted to some exotic countries. Clearly, generally speaking, some people want to spend their vacation sunbathing on a beach while others want to climb Kilimanjaro.
Still, there are those that want to visit a country that is completely different from their own, explore the culture and meet new people. In this article, we are going to introduce you to Oman, and help you plan your first trip to this Arab country.
7What are the Visa requirements?
First things first, you have to find out whether you need Visa, and if you do, how to get it. If you come from a country that is a member state of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) i.e. a visa-exempt country, you do not require this document.
Then, you have to check if you are eligible for getting eVisa. If you are, you can simply get it online via Oman-eVisa website. All you have to do is to fill out a form online, make a payment, and soon, you will get a copy of the approved visa via email.
On the other hand, if this isn’t possible for you, you will have to go to the embassy. If this is the case, conduct online research to learn about all the requirements before you apply for it.
6Is it safe to go there?
If you have been wondering about this, there is only one thing that you have to know and that is that Oman is one of the safest countries. In fact, it is a terrorism-free country which means that there is no reason for you to be worried. Plus, locals take great care of tourists and they are going to meet your every need so not only are you going to feel welcome, but you are going to be able to relax and enjoy your stay.
5When to visit?
As you can imagine, Oman is a hot country, like really hot. Even if you are a fan of summer and heat, you still might want to reconsider going there during this season. If you want to explore the entire country than you should definitely avoid the period between May and October.
Why? Well, the temperatures and humidity in the coastal area can get really high and they can have a bad effect on your health. Understandably, since there are not many tourists during this time, the prices are pretty low. Also, this is a monsoon season in Salalah.
On the other hand, you should plan your visit between November and April. Not only is the weather pleasant, but there are numerous social events and festivals that you can visit during this period. The only downside is that prices can be quiet high.
4Transportation
We have to be honest with you – the transportation service in Oman is not that great. Since this is an important aspect of planning a holiday, because you want to be able to move around the area, you have to get informed about it.
When it comes to the capital city, Muscat, our advice is to use the bus lines. You can find all the info you need online such as prices and bus schedules.
If you want to have a little more freedom, then you can opt for a more expensive option and that is the Mwasalat cabs. These are basically their version of Uber which means that you will have to download to app. However, you have to know that their services are only available in the city.
If you are going to stay in some other part of the country, another option you have is a regular taxi service. Still, the price of a ride mainly depends on the driver, so make sure to always negotiate the price before starting the ride. Otherwise, you might be shocked by the cost they present you with.
Finally, if you want to have complete freedom to go whenever and wherever you want, then you should definitely rent a car. Investigate some companies online before your trip or go visit some locals one in-person to inquire about the fee.
3Is it expensive?
The national currency is the Omani Rial and one Omani Rial equals 2.60 US dollars or 2.22 euros. When it comes to prices, it is all individual. Yes, there are multiple fancy restaurants where you can stop for dinner, but there are also numerous street food corners if you want to stay within your budget.
The fact is that you are going to spend most of the money on transportation and accommodation. As already discussed, you have a few options when it comes to transportation, so you should do research and decided whether you are going to rent a vehicle or use a bus service.
2The Internet Service
As it is to be expected, the Internet is really expensive in Oman so you can only find the Wi-Fi connection in hotels and western coffee shops. What’s more, you are probably going to need to buy a SIM card because you won’t be able to connect to the Wi-Fi without a local number.
1Where to stay?
Lastly, another thing that you should be aware of is that when it comes to accommodation you can only choose between different types of hotels. You can opt for a 5-star one, or on the other note, if you want to travel to different cities, budget hotels are probably the best choice for you.
