Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The best time to travel in Oman is from October until April. The temperature average is around 30 C during the day and 20 C during night. The summer month from May until September are hot (35-45 C) and can get very humid sometimes
As of now (November 2018) tourist visas can still be bought on arrival at Muscat airport, despite of what some books say. The online visa still has some problems and therefor they continue to issue on arrival. To be sure, just check with the local embassy.
We recommend to change money anywhere in Muscat at an exchange bureau. The rates are usually the same. We don’t recommend the exchange office at Muscat airport because the rate is very bad. You can also find ATM’s everywhere throughout the country without problem
Oman is one of the safest countries in the world. You don’t have to worry much about theft or robbery. There is almost no crime in the country. Also camping is safe. Woman can also travel around alone the country or even go camping. We had many solo woman travelers in our Guesthouse Lana Villa, and they felt very safe and had a great time in Oman
Generally for woman in moslem countries it is recommended to cover knees and shoulders. However, Muscat is quite modern and you will see some woman in skirts and shoulder free top’s. In the interior the people are more conservative. But then again on some mountain trails and some Wadis, woman can wear outdoor clothing, including shorts
Muscat has no proper public transport yet. The city is spread out very long and you need a car to get around. If not, then you have to rely on taxis. For that we recommend to download one of the taxi apps available in Oman. Their price is considerably cheaper then waiving a taxi down in the street. The most popular Apps we recommend are: MapsMe, Waze, HereWeGo
Tap water is very clean but has some chlorine taste. It is produced in desalination factories and therefor drinkable. Mineral water is available everywhere throughout the country. It is cheap and that is what everyone drinks
Camping is allowed everywhere in Oman and a great way to explore. Just rent a car and get some camping gear and off you go. If you plan to camp near by a village, you maybe better check with the locals if it is ok to camp there
Swimming is safe anywhere in Oman. The waters are not deep and there is not much current. Woman can go in bikinis in Muscat on most beaches. In the interiour it depends on the area. When there are locals around we recommend to put on a t-shirt and shorts for swimming
Small shops are usually open from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm and from 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm. The shopping malls are open from 10:00 am until 10:00 pm. Friday is the off-day in the middle east. Offices and some shops are closed but most shops open up again around 4:00 pm. The shopping malls are open on Friday from 10:00 am to 11:00 pm