Things to do in Dubai??
- Thread starter YogiNole
- Start date
Go out to the Burj Al Arab (the one that looks like a sail - Jumeirah Beach is right there and there are some cool seaside shops to walk around), and to the Burj Al Kaleefa (the tallest - really cool fountain at its base, too). There's also a Bedouin museum that you can get through in an hour or so that's pretty informative on how Dubai was settled. Oh, and the Gold Souk - you can walk around down there and get a sense of things for an hour or so (all the guys trying to sell you knock-off watches).
Maybe go out and check out the local ankle talent?
I don't think you need one at all, but check. I always went over there on business, so a lot of the details were handled by our travel agent (but, again, I don't think you need a visa).
Make sure you report to the consulate your arrival and travel plans plus enroll in STEP. I assume it's only a matter of time for IsIs to target moderate countries esp UAE as I just watched a video of them targeting Turkish college kids where they planted a bomb at a peace rally Killing 30+ In Turkey.
https://step.state.gov/step/
Plus be aware that it's become a "game" amongst local kids in Dubai apparently to target western esp Mericuhn pedestrians with their cars and will ever off road and repeatedly run over people.
Also read up on the list of banned items for which you could be jailed including poppy seeds even in baked goods. Also clear your browser history on all devices including phones I immediately upon landing as they can and will do so to check for what they consider pornography and at a min might seize your electronics if not arrest you.
http://dubai.ae/en/Lists/HowToGuide/DispForm.aspx?ID=6.
https://step.state.gov/step/
Plus be aware that it's become a "game" amongst local kids in Dubai apparently to target western esp Mericuhn pedestrians with their cars and will ever off road and repeatedly run over people.
Also read up on the list of banned items for which you could be jailed including poppy seeds even in baked goods. Also clear your browser history on all devices including phones I immediately upon landing as they can and will do so to check for what they consider pornography and at a min might seize your electronics if not arrest you.
http://dubai.ae/en/Lists/HowToGuide/DispForm.aspx?ID=6.
It's funny to me how you claim to be this great world traveler, but freak out if someone mentions going to a place where there might be non-caucasians. Dubai is the f'n Disney world of the mideast. As to the OP, you'll be fine, and no, US citizens do not need visas. We work with Etisalat pretty frequently, but it's tough to really get a feel for Dubai in 12 hours. By the way, you must have gotten the $800 Expedia sale flight to Singapore, as that's a horrible "layover"
Yeah! How dare I put commonsense travel suggestions to a tiny foreign country with a harsh legal system and surrounded by radical terrorists who would love nothing better than getting ahold of an Mericuhn. I mean it's not like some 16 year old boy was arrested and sentenced to two years in jail when his Indian mother packed a half pound of poppy seeds and other spices in his backpack. Oh wait, that DID happen.
http://m.thenational.ae/uae/governm...eds-after-16yearold-arrested-at-dubai-airport
But hey, feel free to carry on the Ugly American tourist tradition and ignore all local laws and safety precautions. Bring in your Monster Drink loaded with prohibited chemicals, your poppy seed bagels and your phone loaded up with pornsites and just SEE what happens....I dare you.
Besides, show me where I said anything even remotely claiming to be a "great world traveler". I go out of the country about two or three times a year and only to English speaking countries or in tour groups with a local translator. So I'm more seasoned than "great", F4 has probably spent as much time out of the country as I've been alive.
But I did work for the Department of State Office of International Affairs and had to spend a lot of time with various consulates and embassies getting our citizens out of the dumb#*% trouble like I'm sure you will cause when traveling.
It has been a while since I was last in Dubai (2006?), but no visa was needed for my 3 trips that were 2-4 days each. I was on business and working most of the time, so did not get to do a lot outside of hit up some good restaurants and a few tourist spots. Burj Al Arab is pretty cool. There also was a mall with an indoor ski slope. You can go snow skiing when it is 115 degrees out. Crazy. The Burj Khalifa had not been completed, but I definitely would go see that on my next trip. There are a lot of markets (Souks) that are pretty cool. We also did a desert safari, which is basically just taking a souped up SUV out into the sand dunes for a roller coaster like ride, with a desert BBQ.
I wouldn't go overboard or get paranoid about getting in trouble for violations of law/culture, just be respectful. The hotels especially are Western friendly. Hell, I drank a lot while I was there and even ate bacon during Ramadan.
Yeah, we did the safari thing, too, which was pretty fun. The drivers airing down the tires right before going off road - they were quite skilled driving in those dunes... We probably did the same one - the BBQ out in the middle of nowhere, several big tents set up where you could lounge about and feast and swill Heinekens, belly dancers (Russian chicks) in the center of it all, and of course guys selling fake Rolexes... I didn't mention it since he said he only had 12 hours. The last time I was there was about 5 years ago and I think you could go to the top of Burj Khalifa for about $100-120 - not worth it to me but my colleague wanted to do it (but didn't).
Bought the tickets from the Emirates website. It was an 8 hour layover or 14 hour layover or more. I chose the 14 hour so I can at least get some sight seeing in.
Emirates Airlines is a big step up from the American airlines. That is a great deal.
Indeed. We have direct flights to Dubai from here in Orlando. Since I travel to South and South East Asia often, this seems to be the best option
it is, the only disclaimer is you have to publicly shame them and kill them afterwards.
These kids?
or these kids?
maybe he's talking about these kids... this actually looks fun, I'm guessing the highways have a thin coat of sand like a shuffle board table.
Went there a couple months ago.
1. Ignore Tribe. I felt safer there than I do in some parts of the US.
2. You don't need a Visa, you get it on arrival.
3. For 12 hours, I would go to the Mall, where the Burj Khalifa is. Also, splurge on tickets for "sky" as opposed to "At the Top". Sky is floor 148, while the normal experience is floor 125. If you are going to do it, go to the very top. In addition, you get a fast pass, and I remember passing hundreds of people who were waiting to go down from 125 because I had a fast pass, and they paid for the cheaper version. At the mall you can also see the aquarium, fountains, and just general excess with all the cars parked outside and inside.
4. If it is overnight, definitely do the safari. Got one on Groupon for like 20 bucks, and they picked us up, went through the dunes, fed everyone, and you got a show. There are dozens of tour groups, and literally, HUNDREDS of cars out on the dunes every day doing these safaris.
5. Use local cabs or car services. Uber is more expensive tan the normal regulated cabs.
6. Also look into the Souks. I was only there for a few days, and missed out on doing this.
1. Ignore Tribe. I felt safer there than I do in some parts of the US.
2. You don't need a Visa, you get it on arrival.
3. For 12 hours, I would go to the Mall, where the Burj Khalifa is. Also, splurge on tickets for "sky" as opposed to "At the Top". Sky is floor 148, while the normal experience is floor 125. If you are going to do it, go to the very top. In addition, you get a fast pass, and I remember passing hundreds of people who were waiting to go down from 125 because I had a fast pass, and they paid for the cheaper version. At the mall you can also see the aquarium, fountains, and just general excess with all the cars parked outside and inside.
4. If it is overnight, definitely do the safari. Got one on Groupon for like 20 bucks, and they picked us up, went through the dunes, fed everyone, and you got a show. There are dozens of tour groups, and literally, HUNDREDS of cars out on the dunes every day doing these safaris.
5. Use local cabs or car services. Uber is more expensive tan the normal regulated cabs.
6. Also look into the Souks. I was only there for a few days, and missed out on doing this.
