Introduction
Oman has broken the seal and emerged into the world. Oman has emerged from its hermit shell, revealing a land of friendly people and dramatic landscapes peppered with forts. Although it remains, in many ways, the most traditional country in the region, it's often more outward looking than it's given credit for.
Destination Facts
Capital: Muscat
Sultan: Qaboos bin Said Al Said
Government: monarchy
Time zone: GMT +4
Area: 212500
Population: 2800000
Languages: Ibadi Muslim (75%), Sunni Muslim, Shiite Muslim, Hindu
Currency: Rial Omani (OR)
Country Dialing Code: 968
Getting there
The best time to visit Oman is between November and mid-March, when the cooler air brings the mountain scenery sharply into focus and daytime temperatures average 25 ° C (77 ° F). During this time, you can reduce your costs by sharing local tours with other visitors. For the rest of the year, much of Oman is oppressively hot and hazy, particularly between May and August. Avoid the June to September rainy season in the south (though this is peak season for Emirati visitors to Dhofar who come specially to see the spectacle of green mountains in the desert).
Getting there and away
Europe has good air access to Oman, with flights available on most larger carriers between Oman and European capitals and other major cities. There's a departure tax of around US$5 included in the ticket price. Entering or leaving by land means travelling between Oman and the UAE as the border with Yemen is not easily negotiated by travellers. There's a daily bus service between Muscat and Dubai.
Getting around
Oman Air has daily flights between Muscat and Salalah, and regular services to Khasab. Intercity buses serve most main provincial towns daily. Renting a car in the Sultanate is easy but not cheap. Oman has a comprehensive system of service taxis and microbuses. Drivers depart when they have a few passengers, expecting to pick up and drop off other passengers along the way; it's a very cheap way to get around providing you're in no particular hurry. You can also take a taxi or microbus 'engaged' (ie privately) by paying for all of the seats in it. Only the larger towns have a has a local bus system. Muscat's Seeb International Airport is 40km (25mi) west of the city. There are car rental agencies at the airport and taxis run on fixed meters from the terminal building or cheaper buses can be caught from the highway, 0.5km from the airport building.
Visa:
In an effort to encourage tourism, Oman relaxed its visa regulations in late 2001. Visas are still required (except for citizens of other Gulf countries) but it is now possible for many foreign nationals (including those from the EU, the Americas, Australia and New Zealand) to obtain a visa at Muscat's Seeb Internationa Airport, or at border crossings. These visas are valid for two weeks. Tourist visas obtained through the Sultanate's embassies abroad are valid for three weeks. Visas are still obtainable through Oman's bigger hotels and tour companies. One-week extensions are available from the Immigration & Passports Directorate in Al-Khuwair in Muscat. A nominal fee is payable to cross into the Musandam peninsula from UAE and a road pass is necessary if you plan to travel by car from Muscat. If your passport shows any evidence of travel to Israel you will be denied entry to Oman. As always, check with authorities for any changes.
Weather
Its varied geography means Oman has a wide variety of climatic conditions. Muscat is fiercely hot and humid from mid-March until October and pleasantly warm from October to March. Indeed, during June unwavering humidity and average day-to-day 31-38° C (88-100° F) temperatures make for seriously dangerous conditions. In the Dhofar region in the south of the country, the weather is more temperate with temperatures of 30° C (90° F) all year round. The Salalah area is affected by the khareef, a drizzling rain, from June to September which turns the local mountains green.
Oman has broken the seal and emerged into the world. Oman has emerged from its hermit shell, revealing a land of friendly people and dramatic landscapes peppered with forts. Although it remains, in many ways, the most traditional country in the region, it's often more outward looking than it's given credit for.
Destination Facts
Capital: Muscat
Sultan: Qaboos bin Said Al Said
Government: monarchy
Time zone: GMT +4
Area: 212500
Population: 2800000
Languages: Ibadi Muslim (75%), Sunni Muslim, Shiite Muslim, Hindu
Currency: Rial Omani (OR)
Country Dialing Code: 968
Getting there
The best time to visit Oman is between November and mid-March, when the cooler air brings the mountain scenery sharply into focus and daytime temperatures average 25 ° C (77 ° F). During this time, you can reduce your costs by sharing local tours with other visitors. For the rest of the year, much of Oman is oppressively hot and hazy, particularly between May and August. Avoid the June to September rainy season in the south (though this is peak season for Emirati visitors to Dhofar who come specially to see the spectacle of green mountains in the desert).
Getting there and away
Europe has good air access to Oman, with flights available on most larger carriers between Oman and European capitals and other major cities. There's a departure tax of around US$5 included in the ticket price. Entering or leaving by land means travelling between Oman and the UAE as the border with Yemen is not easily negotiated by travellers. There's a daily bus service between Muscat and Dubai.
Getting around
Oman Air has daily flights between Muscat and Salalah, and regular services to Khasab. Intercity buses serve most main provincial towns daily. Renting a car in the Sultanate is easy but not cheap. Oman has a comprehensive system of service taxis and microbuses. Drivers depart when they have a few passengers, expecting to pick up and drop off other passengers along the way; it's a very cheap way to get around providing you're in no particular hurry. You can also take a taxi or microbus 'engaged' (ie privately) by paying for all of the seats in it. Only the larger towns have a has a local bus system. Muscat's Seeb International Airport is 40km (25mi) west of the city. There are car rental agencies at the airport and taxis run on fixed meters from the terminal building or cheaper buses can be caught from the highway, 0.5km from the airport building.
Visa:
In an effort to encourage tourism, Oman relaxed its visa regulations in late 2001. Visas are still required (except for citizens of other Gulf countries) but it is now possible for many foreign nationals (including those from the EU, the Americas, Australia and New Zealand) to obtain a visa at Muscat's Seeb Internationa Airport, or at border crossings. These visas are valid for two weeks. Tourist visas obtained through the Sultanate's embassies abroad are valid for three weeks. Visas are still obtainable through Oman's bigger hotels and tour companies. One-week extensions are available from the Immigration & Passports Directorate in Al-Khuwair in Muscat. A nominal fee is payable to cross into the Musandam peninsula from UAE and a road pass is necessary if you plan to travel by car from Muscat. If your passport shows any evidence of travel to Israel you will be denied entry to Oman. As always, check with authorities for any changes.
Weather
Its varied geography means Oman has a wide variety of climatic conditions. Muscat is fiercely hot and humid from mid-March until October and pleasantly warm from October to March. Indeed, during June unwavering humidity and average day-to-day 31-38° C (88-100° F) temperatures make for seriously dangerous conditions. In the Dhofar region in the south of the country, the weather is more temperate with temperatures of 30° C (90° F) all year round. The Salalah area is affected by the khareef, a drizzling rain, from June to September which turns the local mountains green.
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