4 things I wish I’d known before I went to Dubai

by Shawn Mack Content Writer

Dubai’s travellers’ graph is going up every year now. Many of them are first timers while others have grown a habit of visiting Dubai once in a while. No doubt it has got some serious attractions that you start to miss as soon as you land back home. The problem for newcomers is that there are many things they do not know how to deal with. Of course, some things are learned through experience. But the experience does not have to be yours. It is always better to research a lot before going to an unknown place in hope to get a grasp on something nobody else ever mentioned.

Today, we are here to let you in on some secrets about Dubai that are based on the experiences of many Dubai tourists. If you want your trip to be great, keep reading!

1. Pre-booking the tickets to famous tourist destinations!

Yes. Pre-book your tickets to every famous tourist place, whichever offers online booking. It will save you the queue time. You can just get into the place without facing the hassle of buying tickets. You feel so good about it when you pass hundreds of tourists just by making the right decision at the right time.

For instance, it is hard to miss the iconic Burj Khalifa while in Dubai. It is Dubai’s most attractive monument which can be seen from far away since it is the highest building in the World. At 829.8 meters, this building is enjoying the status of World’s tallest building for many years. You obviously do not want to miss seeing it. Hence, it is highly recommended that you pre-book your tickets to the Burj Khalifa. They have made the process really easy; you can also pick your time slot (choose the sunset one, Dubai looks miraculous in those hours). You can now go straight in without facing any hurdles.

2. Skiing anyone?

If you are a sucker for skiing, you must be wishing if you could do it in Dubai somehow. Well, good news! You can go skiing in Dubai as well. No, we are not kidding. We know Dubai is standing in the middle of a desert and there is no way you can find snow there. But the management of Dubai knows how to keep its tourists busy. You cannot complain of boredom in Dubai at any moment. Pack your bags and go skiing at the huge Mall of the Emirates. There is a whole ski setup inside a gigantic refrigerated glass box with a twenty-five-story black rated ski run. They will also provide you with everything you need on rent. You can do snowboarding and toboggan as well. Everything is accessible through a lift. But if you do not plan to do any of this but your fellow traveller does, you can sit in the café and watch the show while sipping something delicious.

3. No swearing peoples!

It is more of a responsible tourism tip. While in Dubai, try avoiding swearing at all. Dubai is an Islamic city. Most of its citizens are Muslim and live under Islamic law which they strictly follow. As they say, “while in Rome, do as Romans do!” Always try to be respectful of the culture and religion of the country you are in as tourists. It not only shows your cultural values but also has a huge impact on your country’s image. Quoting the official statement from Dubai Government “Dubai is tolerant and cosmopolitan, and all visitors are welcome. However, Islam is a way of life in the city, and therefore, tourists should adopt a certain level of cultural and religious sensitivity for the duration of their stay”.

This is a clear hint on how one should behave during the stay in Dubai. This does not mean that you have to watch your mouth only in public but swearing is also prohibited online. This implies that you cannot swear on social media at all. One of the statements issued by the Emirates 24/7 News says, “People swearing online at others could be fined Dh 250,000 and jailed, while expatriates could also be deported from the UAE under a new federal law governing internet users”.

So if you want to really enjoy your trip and not will like at all to be thrown out by the Dubai officials, it is just better to think before you speak.

4. Dubai and Summer: No go!

Do not visit Dubai in the summer months. It is the straightaway rule. Specially if you belong from the colder regions of Earth. It is better to avoid Dubai completely from June to September. It is no news that Dubai is hot, it is standing in the middle of a desert. Of course, it will be hot. But during the summer months, it becomes unbearable. Forget about any activity that has an outdoor part. No hitting the beach or the day safari tours. Unless you want to be barbequed, no chances of barbeque as well. When we say, Dubai is maddening hot, people take it normal hot as in +10 to 15 degrees hot. But keep in mind that Dubai is excruciating hot which means forty-five degrees and above. There is no way you can go outside. All the activities are taken indoors.

In such weather, the 5-star hotels start giving attractive budgeted packages to attract the tourists which are great for people who only visit Dubai for shopping and lavish stays at luxurious hotels. Since the malls are completely air-conditioned, shopping can still be enjoyed. But it’s a strong no for people who are more of an adventure kind of soul.

The best time to visit Dubai is from October to May when the weather is not that hot. All the outdoor activities including adventure parks are open for the public. You can also enjoy the Morning desert safari in these months too, without getting roasted or sun burnt.