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ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Visas are required by SA passport holders.

VISA INFORMATION
WEATHER
- General Climate: Oman, like much of the Arabian Peninsula, has a tropical desert climate. Summers are intensely hot, while winters are pleasantly warm and dry.
- Regional Variations:
- Coastal Areas: More humid
- Desert Interior: Arid
- Mountain Regions: Cooler with a more Mediterranean climate
- Seasonal Considerations:
- Sunny Days: Oman’s weather features an abundance of warm, sunny days and mild seas, making it an attractive year-round destination.
- Summer Heat: Despite the intense heat in summer, there are options for cooler escapes:
- Mountain Regions: Retreat to the cooler mountainous areas.
- Southern Regions: Experience the refreshing microclimate created by the monsoon, which turns the landscape into a lush, green oasis.
- Note: Minimum 9-10 hrs of sunshine per day throughout the year in Muscat.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Country: | Sultanate of Oman |
Capital City: | Muscat |
International Airports: | Muscat International Airport |
Area: | 309,500 sq km (119,499 sq miles) |
Population: | 2.7 million (2024 est.) |
Time Zone: | GMT/UTC +4 hours |
Religion: | Islam (dominant) |
Language: | Arabic (official), English (widely spoken and understood) |
Currency: | Rial (OMR), Divided into 1000 baisa |
Exchange Rate: | USD 1.00 = OMR 0.39 (approx.) Euro 1.00 = OMR 0.45 (approx.) |
Credit Card Payment Availability: | Yes |
ATM Accessibility: | Yes |
Dialling Code: | +968 |
TRAVEL TIPS
Electricity: | Uses normal three-pin 134 amp British-style plugs, Operating on 220/240 volts |
Water: | Tap water is safe, however, generally people use bottled water for drinking. |
Business Hours: | – Traditional working week: Saturday to Wednesday – Some businesses open on Thursday morning – Friday is the Islamic holy day – Usual business hours: 08:00–17:00; government offices: 08:00–14:00 |
Banking Hours: | Open 08:00–15:00 Saturday to Wednesday Open 08:00–11:00 on Thursday |
Photography Restrictions: | Seek permission before photographing people or property. Observe ‘No Photography’ signs. |
Tipping: | Not obligatory; usually around 10%. Hotel porters and helpers at superstores/malls: OMR 5 |
Vaccination Requirements: | Yellow fever vaccination certificate. |
Dress Code Restrictions: | Women and teenage girls: Avoid strappy sundresses, miniskirts, shorts, or low-necked dresses in public. Suitable attire includes covered shoulders and below-the-knee skirts with a long top. Men: Short or long-sleeved shirts and long trousers. Shorts or beachwear are appropriate only at the beach or pool area. |
Peculiar Customs to Observe: | – Address and Greeting: Formal Address: Use ‘Sayed’ for men and ‘Sayeeda’ for women. Language: Locals appreciate visitors who try to speak a little Arabic, as it shows respect for their culture. – Punctuality: – Conversation Etiquette: – Gender Interaction: |
FESTIVALS
- Oman National Day
- Renaissance Day
- Eid al-Fitr
- Eid al-Adha
- Muscat Festival
MAP
“Oman’s tales of maritime history and the aroma of frankincense in the air invite travellers to embark on a sensory voyage through the pages of antiquity.”
– Unknown