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DOCUMENTS
EU citizens'll get a visa at the land
borders with United Arab Emirates (UAE) of Buraimi
and Wajaja.
We entered the country in Wajaja, exited in Buraimi
and we didn't paid anything. It seems, anyway, that
the opposite way round you have to pay.
Landing in Muscat will let you get the visa at the
airport.
MONEY
The currency is the Oman Rial (OR) (1€=
0,52OM, 1$= 0,38 OM). US$ seems still to be the most
convenient currency to be changed, but also euros
are well known.
HEALTH
I had the usual vaccinations: ephatite
A, B, typhus and tetanus. Hygienic conditions seemed
quite good but I cannot hide my stomach didn't really
appreciated Oman juices.
GUIDE
BOOK
I used Lonely Planet (in Italian 3rd
ed, translated from 2nd ed, Sept 2007), as usual it's
a good support, although too superficial on the transport
details. (see tips below)
GENERAL
TIPS
Buses schedule:
- It turned out very useful to print
the buses schedule from Oman
National Transport Company, since often there'r
just few buses per day and Lonely Planet lacks of
details
Domestic flights:
-Oman
Air site is very usefull to book or check flight
schedule. Flights are affordable and abundant. For
instance between Muscat and Salalah there'r more
flights (4 per day) than buses (2 per day). In case
you are landing in Dubai, take into consideration
the flight Dubai- Salalah.
Renting a car:
- Renting a car unfortunately is a
must to visit some highlights as the Wadi Shad,
Wadi Dharbat, Turtle-nesting,... unless you don't
have tons of time to hitch hike or tons of money
to get a taxi.
I could rent a car with my non translated Italian
driving license, but the credit card is required.
Prices for a modest 2WD car with 200km included
(not the petrol!) was around 30-32€ with insurance
included.
Don't foget to have your map before leaving!
Wahiba sands:
- On the forum there are lots of discussion
about the real necessity to have your own vehicle
to visit the Wahiba Sands. We didn't have and we
managed without problems.
Call one of the camping the previous day listed
for instance in the Lonely Planet and be sure there
are not all full booked.
On the Muscat- Sur bus, ask to be dropped off at
Al Quabil guesthouse, about 2.5h from the capital.
Here you'll find a telephone from where you can
call the camping. For 2€ ' Discovery tours
camping' came to pick us and took to our tent (20€/
night per person with breakfast and dinner included).
Moreover the camping organizes 4WD trip at the twilight
(10€/ person) or camel ridings.
Shop opening hours:
- If you don't pay attention to the
opening hours of the shops, you risk to waste time
as it happened to us with the car renting. Generally
speaking every commercial activity shut down from
12.30 to 16.00 and then keep opened till 20.00.
Of course Friday to Saturday is holiday
Early morning Muezzin call:
- If you are a weak sleeper (and even
if you aren't), don't underrate the early morning
wake up due to the call of the Muezin at 5.00 am
(The Azan). Having some ear plugs can soften the
torture
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