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Useful Information for your Stay in Dubai

By Chris Boyle

 WHEN BEST TO GO

The cooler winter months of November to April are the most pleasant times to visit the UAE, when temperatures average around 75°F / 24°C during the day and around 56°F / 13°C at night.

Dubai is dry, with just 12cm of rain per year, concentrated in the winter months.

LOCAL CUSTOMS

Etiquette is an important aspect of UAE culture to which visitors are expected to conform. Smoking is allowed in designated areas. Ramadan falls between 1-29 August, 2011 and during this period it is illegal to eat, drink or smoke in public places. Alcohol is served only in licensed places.

ATTIRE

Western–style dress is widely accepted throughout Dubai but it is advisable to maintain some conservativeness in appropriate places, making sure your shoulders and knees are covered. The UAE has maintained a strict policy of protecting highly public spaces from cultural insensitivity.

LANGUAGE

Arabic, although is English widely spoken.

CURRENCY

United Arab Emirates Dirham (AED)

EXCHANGE RATE

$1 = AED 3.67

£1 = AED 5.90

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€1 = AED 5.14

COUNTRY DIALLING CODE

+971

24 HOUR EMERGENCY CONTACT

Ambulance: 998 or 999 Fire: 997

Police: 999

Coastguard: 04 3450520

Helicopter: 999

EMBASSY CONTACTS

US +971 2 414 2200

UK +971 4 311 6000, +971 50 616 2953 (Abu Dhabi)

TIME ZONE

GMT+4 hours

POPULATION

Approximately 22 million

RELIGIOUS DEMOGRAPHIC

Muslim

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

  • New Year’s Day: January 1
  • Prophet Mohammed’s Birthday: February 15
  • Israa & Miaraj Night: TBA
  • Start of Ramadan: August 1
  • Eid: August 30
  • Hijri New Year’s Day: November 26
  • UAE National Day: December 2-3

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