Dubai

As a relatively new tourist destination, the city of Dubai boasts to be a superstar in the making. Over the years, what used to be a fishing village is now a bustling city, full of promise, beauty and wonders.

Being just five hours away from Europe, as well as three hours away from most parts of Asia, the city of Dubai has become a great tourist attraction, ideal for partying, shopping, fine dining, sunbathing, and sporting events. Situated on a coastal strip, the city of Dubai is bordered by deserts making its overall climate very hot and humid, though from the last weeks of September until the start of May, more pleasant cooler weather prevail. May, June, July August and the start of September temperatures can touch up to 50 degrees Celsius in the city, and even go higher in the desert.

As the city of Dubai is one defined for its superlatives, it boasts the fastest, the highest, and the tallest in infrastructure, as well as overall fun under the sun. The official weekly day off in the city of Dubai is Friday, while most multi-national offices are off on Fridays and Saturdays.

There are a lot of things that would keep a tourist busy in the city of Dubai.

Dubai is a shopper’s haven, with shops opening as early as 9 am, staying open until 11 pm. With its innumerable shopping centers, the city of Dubai has enough shopping spots in keeping shoppers happy.

From small town to bustling city, the entertainment in the city of Dubai stands to be unique, as well as special, with countless music and sporting events. The city’s Dubai Shopping Festival, as well as Dubai Summer Surprises, has entertained guests to the city countless times. The city’s after-dark entertainment strips provide entertainment more geared for night owls and dance enthusiasts, with the city’s nightclubs and dance halls.

A-list musical celebrities and now adding the city of Dubai in their tour date lists, as world class DJ’s frequent the city’s nightclubs.

Being a desert city doesn’t necessarily mean Dubai is one without beaches. In fact, Dubai has some of the most beautiful white sand beaches in the world. With some of the best diving spots, ideal for top class diving excursions, Dubai’s beaches are pristine, calm, and simply beautiful.

All in all, the city of Dubai boasts a lot of thrills for one and all. It ideally fits the bill, which defines the makings of a perfect tourist destination.

Handy Dubai Facts for Travelers to Dubai

Dubai is among the 7 emirates that compose the United Arab Emirates or UAE located on the Arabian Gulf, Dubai being on the south shore. The city of Dubai is a modern metropolis but the rest of the Dubai emirate is thinly populated and typically inhabited only by desert wildlife and vegetation.

Dubai Facts: The Ruler and the People

Dubai is ruled by the crown prince HH Sheikh Maktoum Bin Rashid Al Maktoum. He is also the Prime Minister of the UAE federation. Currently, the population of Dubai is close to 1.7 million, which is expected to grow to more than 3 million by the end of the decade. Eighty percent of the population is expatriates including Arabs, Europeans and Asians. Arabic is Dubai’s official language but businesses are commonly bi-lingual using both Arabic and English. The Urdu and Hindi languages are also common.

Dubai Facts: Banking

It is easy to exchange most currencies in Dubai and one will find many establishments in the city offering money exchange services. Their business hours are usually from 8:30 am to 1pm and from 4:30 pm to 8:30 pm. Most establishments in Dubai accept credit card payments using any of the major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Diner’s Club, American Express, etc.) although there are certain places like some shops in souks where you can get lower prices by paying in cash. Most banks in other countries have operations in Dubai so it is easy to make bank or wire transfers. Banks are open from 8:00 am to 1pm, Saturdays to Wednesdays, and from 8am to 12 noon on Thursdays. You can also find banks that are open from 4:30pm to 6:30 pm.

Dubai Facts: Business Hours

There is no work in government offices during Thursday and Friday while for most private companies, the weekend is Friday and Saturday. On the other hand, supermarkets and shopping malls are open daily but they start late in the day on Fridays, after the prayers in the afternoon.

Dubai Facts: Accommodation and Attractions

There are plenty of accommodation options in Dubai, offering world-class amenities and service. You can find luxury hotels close to the beach but all hotels are near the major attractions. Among the favorite places of tourists are the souks, shopping malls, beaches, and of course the Creek.

Dubai Facts: Transportation

People in Dubai mainly use cars to get around but for tourists staying in major hotels, they can take advantage of the typical shuttle services provided to guests. There is a public bus service operating from 6 am to 11pm. Upon boarding the bus, pay your fare to the bus driver. It is better to carry the exact fare amount.