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Muscat, Sultanate of Oman

Travel facts and figures of Oman

What you should know before visiting Muscat, Sultanate of Oman

What you should know before visiting Muscat, Oman

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Sultanate of Oman

Travel facts & figures

Location

Oman is the second largest country in the Arabian Peninsula with the United Arab Emirates dividing a small section in the northernmost tip. The country's entire East Coast is fringed by the Indian Ocean and its land neighbours include Yemen to the south, and Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates on its western border.
for more information visit the Map of Oman

Government

monarchy, Sultanate since 1744.

Geographic coordinates

21 00 N, 57 00 E

Area

309, 500 sq km

Highest point

Jabal Shams 2, 980 m

Population

3, 204, 897; includes 577, 293 non-nationals (July 2007 est.)

Capital

Muscat

Geographic coordinates 23 37 N, 58 35 E
Population: 620, 000 (census 2003).

Muscat city map

Local Time

GMT + 4 hours
Life expectancy: 74 years

GDP - per capita: $14, 400 (2006 est.)

Visa

Visitor visas valid for a one month stay may be obtained on arrival for citizens of over 60 countries including European Union, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Japan. For latest information please go to Ministry of Tourism Further information can be obtained from the Oman Embassy.

Safety

Oman is one of the most stable, safe and peaceful countries in the Arabian Gulf - as rated by the 2007 Global Peace Index. Oman is also the 22nd most peaceful country in the world.
visit: Oman Emergency Guide

Currency

The rial (RO) is the Omani currency and is divided into 1000 baisas. The rate of conversion is 1 = RO 0.64., $1 = RO 0.385. Banks and exchange bureaux are found throughout Muscat.
visit: Currency of Oman

Language

Arabic is the official language, but English is widely spoken.
Listen to some Arabic useful words and phrases

Customs

No customs duty is levied on personal effects brought into Oman. It is forbidden to import drugs and pornographic material. Videos, books and magazines are occasionally checked.

Climate

The best time to visit Oman is between October and April with temperatures averaging between 25C and 35C during the day and between 17C and 19C at night. Summer is between April and September when the weather is hot and humid. Mild weather is experienced in the mountains and in Salalah - the Dhofar region all year round, which also enjoys a regular monsoon between June and October every year. Oman encompasses a diverse range of topography, including monsoonal coastlines, mountain ranges, arid deserts and fertile plains. Air-conditioning is the norm in vehicles and most buildings including hotels, conference centres, exhibition halls and shopping malls.
visit: Oman Weather

Clothing

Lightweight summer clothing in cottons or blends is ideal for most of the year. Sweaters, a light jacket or a shawl may be needed for the cooler evenings. The dress code in Oman is comparatively relaxed, but extremely revealing and inappropriate clothing may be considered offensive.
visit: Muscat Shopping Guide

Religion

Islam is the official religion; other religions are also respected.

Ramadan

Ramadan is the holy month of fasting when Muslims abstain from eating, drinking and smoking during daylight hours. As a sign of respect, visitors are also required to refrain from these activities in public between sunrise and sunset.

Alcohol

Alcohol is served in hotels, club restaurants, bars and international restaurants.
The Oman Government announced in 2007, that tourists staying at selected hotels can now purchase and consume alcohol after sunset from 7pm 2am in allocated restaurants. The following hotels have been granted permission to serve alcohol during Ramadan; Radisson SAS, Grand Hyatt, Shangri-la Barr AI Jissa, The Chedi, Intercontinental Hotel, Crowne Plaza and AI Bustan Palace.
visit: Muscat, Oman Restaurant Guide

Public Holidays in 2011
1 January New Year's Day
15 February Mouloud (Birth of the Prophet)
31 August Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan)
7 November Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice)
18 November National Day and birthday of HM Sultan Qaboos
26 November Islamic New Year

Friday is the general day of worship and a public holiday. This is not the best day for cruise calls in Muscat & Salalah as it is a public holiday and also a day of prayers. Individual & Groups will have to note certain sightseeing that may be closed.

Electricity

The electrical system is based on 220/240 AC volts with British type plugs.

Credit cards

All major credit cards are accepted in main hotels, stores and larger shops, but in traditional souks, cash is mostly used and bargaining power is increased with the ready availability of currency. ATM machines are available.

Business hours

The weekend starts on Thursday afternoon and Friday although government offices are closed the whole of Thursday and Friday. Most shops and malls open from 9am to 1pm and 4pm to 9pm. During Ramadan shops close later at night. Banks, embassies and consulates are open from 8am to noon, Saturday to Thursday.

Oman Property Market (Oman Property Guide)

Oman Real Estate Market - The relaxed Arabian state of Oman, voted 'Destination of the year 2008' by Vogue magazine, has long been a popular holidaying destination for people living within the GCC. With a population of around 2.3m, Oman is being modernised and liberalised culturally and economically by hereditary Sultan, Qaboos Bin Said Al-Said, a forward-thinking leader. Sultan Qaboos strategy for economic growth - Vision 2020 - aims to diversify Oman's economic dependency on oil, and focus on other industries, such as property and tourism. Demand for property in Oman is primarily being driven by the Sultan's decision to introduce legislation in 2004 - ratified in 2006 - permitting foreigners to buy freehold property and land in designated tourist areas, most notably Muscat. These projects are referred to as Integrated Tourism Complexes (ITC). Furthermore, foreign homeowners can now apply for residency visas.
A number of luxurious developments are being erected across Oman including, The Chedi, Azaiba, Wadi Kabi, The Wave, Barr Al Jissah Residences, Jebel Sifah, Salalah Beach, The Malkai, Muscat Hills, Al Madina A'Zarqa, Jebel Sifah, and Salalah Beach.
The fact that Oman appeals to end-users - not just investors - means that the medium to long-term prospect for Oman Property Market growth looks good.
visit: Oman Property Guide

Health

While tap water is safe for drinking, a variety of locally bottled mineral water is widely available. Most hotels have medical help available and there is a modern medical infrastructure in terms of private and government medical facilities.

Hotels

Oman currently offers over 6, 000 rooms including many four, five and a six-star properties. This is set to increase to 10, 000 by 2010.
Facilities for the physically challenged: Most hotels and public places provide facilities and make special arrangements for physically challenged visitors
visit: Muscat, Oman Hotels Guide

Social Conventions

Shaking hands is the usual form of greeting. A small gift, either promoting your company or country, is well received. As far as dress is concerned, it is important that women dress modestly beyond the hotel grounds, ie long skirts or dresses (below the knee) with covered shoulders; men should wear trousers and shirts with sleeves. Tight-fitting clothes should be restricted to hotel restaurants to avoid giving offence although this is not strictly followed by some Westerners. Shorts should not be worn in public and beachwear is prohibited anywhere except the beach. Collecting seashells, abalone, corals, crayfish and turtle eggs is also prohibited. Dumping litter is forbidden. It is polite not to smoke in public, but generally no-smoking signs are posted where appropriate.

Photography

Oman is a photographer's delight. Photographers will find an enormous choice of subjects here. Please do not take photographs of locals without their permission. Women in particular do not like being photographed. It is forbidden to take pictures of military facilities, borders and airports.
Observe "No Photography" signs.
For Oman Photos click to Oman Photo Gallery

Traffic System

Vehicles are driven on the right side of the road. There is a great network of surface trunk roads joining the main towns and main roads in the capital and Salalah. Holders of international driving licenses are allowed to drive in the Sultanate of Oman (min. 25 years only). Driving under alcoholic influence is strictly prohibited.

Taxis

Taxis are white and orange and have the taxi sign. (Moderate bargaining is needed).

Getting around

Oman has a modern network of roads and motorways. Several car hire companies can provide the car of your choice including four-wheel drives. Taxis are the best way of getting around Muscat. It is recommended to agree on the fare beforehand, as taxis are not metered. Most hotels also arrange transport for guests including limousines and bus services for larger groups.
visit: Oman Car Hire / Rental Guide

Getting there

Muscat International Airport (former: Seeb International Airport) is located 40km from Muscat city centre and also serves domestic flights. From 26 November 2007 Oman Air operates a non stop direct daily service from London Gatwick to Muscat with just over a seven hour flight time. Further new routes to Paris, Frankfurt and Bangkok will start operation as part of the airline's expansion plans.
Qatar Airways akci

Oman Air also operates direct flights to Abu Dhabi, AI Ain, Doha, Dubai (six flights a day), Jeddah, Kuwait, Cairo, Colombo, Karachi, Mombassa, Dar Es-Salaam, Zanzibar, Beirut and four destinations in India. In addition Oman Air serves as the domestic airline as well as offering several daily flights to Salalah, and Musandam (Khasab Airport). Many international airlines fly into Muscat including Qatar Airways , Etihad, Lufthansa, Thai, Kuwait Airways, Swiss and Emirates as well as Gulf Air and British Airways which serve Muscat with daily flights via Bahrain and Abu Dhabi respectively.

Oman Airports

Live Flight Information

Muscat International Airport

Flight Information (24 Hours): +968 245 19223; +968 245 19456 Salalah International Airport: Flight Information: +968 232 94237 (Oman Aviation Services)

Internet country code: .om

Telephone dialing code: + 968

Telephone cards are readily available from shops and supermarkets. (Rial Omani 1.500, 3.000 & 5.000). International telephone calls are cheaper during late evening till early morning (check for local time of country) and the whole day on Fridays and Public Holidays. All local telephone booths can be used for international dialing. No collect calls are possible in Oman.
visit: Oman Mobile Guide

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