Oman
From World travel guide
| Flag | |
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| Quick Facts | |
| Capital | Muscat |
| Government | monarchy |
| Currency | Omani rial (OMR) |
| Area | total: 212,460 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 212,460 sq km |
| Population | 2,713,462 note: includes 527,078 non-nationals (July 2002 est.) |
| Language | Arabic (official), English, Baluchi, Urdu, Indian dialects |
| Religion | Ibadhi Muslim 75%, Sunni Muslim, Shi'a Muslim, Hindu |
Oman is a country in the Middle East.
Contents |
Regions
Cities
The main city of Oman is the capital Muscat. However there are several smaller cities.
Understand
Until the ascension of Sultan Qaboos bin Said in 1970, Oman was a very underdeveloped nation. In the 35 years since that time, education, public works and tourism have taken off throughout the country, although outside of Muscat there are many regions which still remain true to their Bedouin roots.
Omanis are quite proud of their country's rapid progress, and locals will often point out to tourists that the road they are driving on is only 10 years old and that the journey used to take much longer.
Get in
Oman issues a visa on arrival to citizens of the US, Canada, UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. The price is 5 Omani rial.
Air
Virtually all international flights arrive at Seeb International Airport (MCT) in Muscat. There are also a small number of regional international flights to Salalah (SLL). Purchasing a visa on arrival in Salalah can be quite difficult, as the airport is very small and immigration officials tend not to have change for larger notes.
Sea
Rail
There are no railways in Oman
Road
There are some border crossings from the United Arab Emirates into Oman. Roads are excellent and the border crossing is quite easy. Don't forget to bring along some cash as you have to pay to leave the UAE and to enter Oman.
Additionally, make sure that your passport is stamped with the relevant entry and exit stamps. This should go without saying, but some border officials will forget part of the procedure and cause administrative hassles later.
Get around
Air
Bus
There are regular, daily bus services connecting the bigger cities within Oman (Muscat, Salalah, Sohar, Sur and Nizwa). There are several, daily bus services from Muscat to Dubai. There is one bus a day from Muscat to Abu Dhabi.
Taxi
Taxi's are cheap and easy to find. There are no meters and a rate should be agreed upfront the ride. A trip within Muscat should not cost you more than 2 - 3 OMR. From the airport to capital area should be around 5 - 8 OMR. It is also possible to take a taxi to and from Dubai, current price is around 40 OMR.
There are also taxi buses/cars (Baisa buses), the principle is you share the bus or car with others and only pay several hundred Bhaisa per trip. Please try to sit in the middle of the bus as the drivers are renown for there special "driving skills".
Car
Driving around Oman in your own (rented) car is quite easy. Main roads are excellent. If you intend to drive in wadis (unsealed valley roads in river beads) a 4x4 is highly recommended, though experienced drivers will usually manage with a normal car quite well. But you can never be sure how the road will be and if it starts raining the wadis will turn into rivers quickly.
Be aware: In heavy rain even main roads get floaded, though usually the floadways only. Every ten years or so there are heavy rainfalls in Oman which causes many roads to be impassable. Wadis will be filled with water and driving will be difficult and only possible with proper 4x4 with high clearance.
Talk
Arabic is the most common language, however most Omanis will speak good to excellent English, particularly in major tourist areas. In the southern Dhofar region, Swahili is sometimes spoken, and the historical presence of Indian traders has meant that Hindi is understood in urban areas. An English-speaking traveller should have no difficulties seeing most of the country unless he or she really travels "off the beaten track".
Be aware, however, that in some situations an enthusiastic willingness to use English does not always equate to communicating accurately. Even in five-star hotels, there will probably be moments where what is being said does not match reality.
Buy
The currency in Muscat is the Omani rial (OMR). One rial is made of one thousand Baisa. There are US$2.598 to the rial (20 Jan 2006).
There is an ATM at the airport and plenty of them in Muscat and every main city. You can use major credit card as well as Maestro cards.
You can change dollars at the counters inside the airport.
The Omani national symbol is the silver-sheathed dagger known as the khanjar. These vary widely in quality and cost, but almost every shop will stock several different models. Most of the modern ones are at least made by Indian or Pakistani craftsmen under Omani direction, if not actually made in India or Pakistan.
Another reminder of the country's tribal past is the walking stick known as arsaa. This is a cane with a concealed sword in it, which can prove quite a talking point at home. Unfortunately, in many countries it will prove a talking point with customs officials rather than friends and family.
Omani silver is also a popular souvenir, often made into rosewater shakers and small "Nizwa boxes" (named for the town from which they first came). Silver "message holders", often referred to in souks as "old time fax machines" are often for sale as well. Many silver products will be stamped with "Oman" on them, which is a guarantee of authenticity. Others will not, and will be the subject of many interesting stories explaining why the government does not in fact require stamping for authenticity.
The distinctive hats worn by Omani men are also commonly sold, particularly in the Matrah Souk in Muscat.
Particularly in the Dhofar region, frankincense is a popular purchase as the region has historically been a centre for production of this item. Myrrh can also be purchased quite cheaply in Oman.
As one might expect, Oman also sells many perfumes made from a great number of traditional ingredients. Indeed, the most expensive perfume in the world (Amouage) is made in Oman from frankincense and other ingredients. It retails at somewhere around the OR50 mark.
Eat
The food is mainly Arabic, Lebanese and Indian. Many Omanis make a distinction between "Arabic" food and "Omani" food, with the former being the description of the standard dishes found throughout the Arabian Peninsula.
Omani food itself tends to be slightly spicier and served in quite large portions - whole fish are not uncommon at lunch in some local restaurants. As befits a country with a long coastline, seafood is quite a common dish, particularly shark, which is surprisingly tasty.
Omani sweets are well-known throughout the region, with the most popular being halwa. This is a hot, semi-solid substance which behaves a little like honey and is eaten with a spoon. The taste is similar to Turkish Delight.
Drink
Bottled drinking (mineral) water is easily available at most stores. Tap water is generally safe, however travellers unused to higher mineral content should stick to the bottled variety.
Alcohol is available only in select restaurants and large hotels and is usually very expensive. Non Muslim Travellers are allowed 2 litres of liquor as duty free baggage allowance. Travellers can pickup liquor at the duty free shop at the arrival lounge.
Sleep
Oman has the full spectrum of accommodation - from ultra-luxurious hotels to extremely rustic huts in the desert constructed from date palm leaves. If you're planning to visit and are looking for places to stay, check out the visitors pages at the locally based website Yalla Oman.
Learn
Work
Working in Oman requires that you hold a residence permit. In common with other Gulf countries, you must be sponsored by an employer to obtain a residence permit. It's not uncommon for people to enter on a tourist visa then look for a job - this is fine. Penalties for the employer are substantial if they are caught employing illegals, although this naturally varies depending on how good their connections are.
Majority of positions are for expats from the sub-continent. Positions for Europeans tend to be restricted to upper management levels or specialised occupations, so don't expect to pick up a position as you pass through unless you are prepared to work for very little!
Stay safe
Oman is a safe country and crimes rarely happen.
Driving in Muscat can sometimes be a problem, although this is due more to congestion than bad driving on the part of the locals. Outside of the major cities, the only driving risk is falling asleep at the wheel due to the long stretches of featureless desert.
Stay healthy
Oman is warm year-round and summers can be extremely hot. Always carry drinking water with you and be wary of de-hydration in high temperatures. If you're not used to the heat it can sneak up on you and cause serious health problems.
Several people have tried to cross stretches of the Omani desert on their own in a rented 4WD. Some of these people have died or got rescued just in time.
Travelling through a desert requires proper preparation. It looks easy from a modern air-conditioned 4WD, but if that fails you are suddenly back to basics.
Never go off-road alone. A minimum of two to three cars (of the same make) is the rule. Leave your itinerary with a friend with clear instructions if you do not return in time. Take at least: - recovery tools: spades, rope (and attachments), sand mats or ladders - two spare tires and all required equipment - a good air pump (high capacity) - sufficient water (at least 25 litres more than you think you will need for drinking) - sufficient petrol: there are no petrol stations in middle of nowhere
If you have -or can get- do take a satellite phone (mobiles work only in limited areas) Check your car before embarking on such a trip.
Respect
Contact
The country code for Oman is 968.
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