Oman - Oman

Oman is lying in near East in the south of the Arabian Peninsula.

Regions

From an administrative point of view, Oman is divided into 11 governorates:

• Ad Dachiliyah
• Az Zahirah
• Shamal al-Batinah
• Janub al-Batinah
• Al Buraimi
• Al Wusta
• Shamal al-Sharqiyah
• Janub al-Sharqiyah
• Dhofar
• Muscat
• Musandam

Cities

The capital is Muscat. Other smaller cities are:

• Falaj al Qabail
• Ibra (city)
• Nizwa
• Salalah
• Zohar
• Ibri
• Sur
• Barka
• Dibbah
• Chasab

Other goals

• Jebel Shams
• Sayq plateau
• Musandam
• Ras al Jinz
• Wahiba desert
• Wadi Bani Khalid
• Wadi Shab
• Masirah (island)

background

getting there

Entry requirements

There has not been any since February 2019 visa on arrival more. Since then one is for all citizens of the EU, EFTA and European miniature states Visa to be applied for electronically required. Applications must be made at least one week before the planned arrival date.

The fee is 20 OMR (approx. € 46.50). The visa can still be obtained from the embassy in Berlin.

If you arrive by car from the UAE, please note that when leaving the UAE, 35 AED exit tax is payable per vehicle. There are no taxes when leaving the Musandam area and at the airport.

In addition to their boarding pass, cruise ship passengers only need a shore leave card, which they receive when leaving the ship; the passport can remain on board the ship.

Special regulation from Dubai

Who to Dubai (not the other sheikdoms of the UAE) via the airport or by Ferry from Iran enters the local Port Rashid and when entering the country that he also wants to visit Oman, he receives an additional sticker on the “visa waiver”, stating that he can travel to Oman within three weeks without having to pay a visa fee. On the return journey, the receipt for the UAE exit tax of 35 dirhams must be presented again.
From Oman, the same rule applies if you enter via Muscat Airport or the land border at Hatta. However, since Europeans do not have to pay a fee when entering the UAE, nothing is saved.

These Regulation only applies to citizens of 21 states, essentially the core EU before the eastward expansion, Switzerland but not Liechtenstein.

Special regulation from Qatar

A similar special regulation also applies to visitors who have a valid residence permit that is valid for at least one month Qatar to have.

The list of eligible nationalities is similar to that for the special Dubai regulation, but Liechtensteiners are included here.

By plane

Oman can be reached daily from D / CH / A by plane with many major international airlines. The destination is Muscat International Airport (formerly Seeb International Airport), Airport Code MCT [1] - about 25 km west of Muscat.

From Frankfurt there is a continuous connection to Muscat (http://www.lufthansa.de). Lufthansa flies 6 times a week from Frankfurt with a stopover in Abu Dhabi to Muscat, Swiss flies daily with a stopover in Dubai from Zurich. The national airline Oman Air (http://www.omanair.com/) has two non-stop connections a week from Frankfurt and four times a week from Zurich to Muscat. There is also a direct flight from Munich. Otherwise there are various connections via Abu Dhabi (http://www.etihadairways.com), Doha (http://www.qatarairways.com/de) or Dubai (http://www.emirates.de).

By train

There is no rail traffic to Oman.

By bus

From the United Arab Emirates buses run the Oman National Transport Company with destination Muscat. There are also bus connections to the individual cities in Oman and within Muscat. The bus station is in Ruwi, across from KFC. From there the air-conditioned buses also go to Salalah (journey time approx. 12 hours), to Abu Dhabi and Dubai as well as to Al Buraimi and other cities in the Sultanate.

Car / motorcycle / bicycle

All major and national car rental companies offer rental cars. Right-hand traffic applies. European drivers will find their way around quickly without any major problems. One liter of unleaded petrol costs around 0.31 euros (as of December 2012). Top speed 120 km / h. You should drive between 80 and 100 times on the Muscat city motorway, as shared taxis occasionally brake abruptly or drive onto the motorway from the hard shoulder. The latest road map is the one from Reise Know How Verlag, January 3rd 2011 edition. You can find your way around Oman with navigation systems. Street names are very rarely given. The road network has been greatly expanded in recent years. Many traffic routes that were recently slopes are now paved and in very good condition. Motorways exist between the northern border at Sohar via Muscat to Sur and from the border at Al Ain from the Emirates via Nizwa to the capital area. The construction of unpaved roads was also promoted in the remote areas in the mountains.

By boat

Sometimes cruise ships dock in Muscat and in Salalah at. Otherwise there are no regular boat connections or ferries.

mobility

Railways are still unknown in Oman, but there are plans (meanwhile seriously) a connection to Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

Bus travel between major cities in Oman is operated by the Oman National Transport Company offered.

There is a dense network of relatively inexpensive long-distance taxis across the country. Is inexpensive, but usually only for people with strong nerves!

The country can also be easily traveled with a rental car, as the roads are getting better and better.

A speed ferry runs between Musandam and Masirah, but only once a week to Musandam. In addition to the speed ferry, the traditional car ferry from Sannah to Hilf runs several times a day to the island of Masirah.

language

The official language and mother tongue of the Omani is Arabic.
English is widely used as a first foreign language in cities. The guest workers from the Indian subcontinent speak their mother tongues depending on their origin (including Hindi, Urdu, Bengali, Punjabi, Telugu etc.). On the Musandam Peninsula, some residents still speak Kumzari, a Persian dialect.

to buy

Typical souvenirs are:

• incense - is offered everywhere

• Khanjars (curved daggers) - are the highest adornment of men in Oman

• Gold and silver jewelry - available at the current gold and silver prices; they can be experienced in the local newspapers. In addition, there is a surcharge for "work", which also applies to imported goods from e.g. Italy, e.g. simple necklaces. It is usually at least 10% and is negotiable.

The shopping opportunities in Oman are - compared to those in the United Arab Emirates - nowhere near as pronounced. Nevertheless, you can also find interesting shopping opportunities in Oman, especially in the Muscat area (Matrah-Suq). Another well-known market is the souq in Nizwa[2]. In Salalah, too, it can be worthwhile to browse the souq.

• Al Fair is a widespread grocery chain with a good range and belongs to Spinneys group, also "Carrefour" (http://www.carrefour.com/) - both also with a good range of European products for everyday needs. The largest (and cheapest) supermarkets in the country are the "LuLu Markets" (http://www.luluhypermarket.com/) with a wide range for the local population (also Indians etc.), but also for Europeans (e.g. whole grain bread !!).

The "first address" for the European shopper (with many international labels - if you need that there) is the large shopping center near the airport "MUSCAT CITY CENTER" [3]. A traditional shopping atmosphere can be found especially in the souk of Mutrah. Another large shopping mall is currently under construction (Muscat-Grand-Mall, Al Khuwair). Some shops are already open.

kitchen

A hybrid of Arabic and Indian cuisine has now established itself in Oman. A good tip are the various starters that are typically known from Lebanon, Egypt and the North African countries. In addition, shawarma (known in Germany as 'kebab') and other meat dishes (usually lamb or chicken, rarely beef or camel, never pork!), A range of very good fish dishes (especially in the coastal cities on the fish-rich Indian Ocean) and various medium to very hot curries. Small 'coffee shops', in which Indian chefs offer delicious sandwiches, wraps or filled fried dumplings for little money, are widespread, especially near the petrol stations. Highly recommended, as it is always very clean. Also recommendable are the numerous small shops or stalls where freshly squeezed fruit juices of your choice are offered. The 'original' Omani cuisine would mean Bedouin cuisine and is practically nowhere else in its purest form.

nightlife

Tips can be found in the English-language publication Muscat Dailywhich is "a must" for the tourist (available in many Omani shops). The 'nightlife' is very limited, at least outside of the luxury hotels.

accommodation

There are now enough hotels in various price ranges in Oman. There are some very large and mostly luxurious hotel complexes run by international hotel chains or Arab consortia, which are usually well booked by the major tour operators in the European winter months. Newer, smaller hotels may even be unknown to taxi drivers (so it's better to have the exact address or telephone number of the reception with you). In the summer, when the temperatures in Oman rise well above 40 degrees, rooms in the high standard hotels are easily available and at quite reasonable prices. There are a few smaller hotels, especially in the capital area around Muscat, which, however, have a different standard (Noise level, bathroom, cleanliness etc.). Therefore, always have the room shown before renting. A highly recommended address in this category is Villa Shams [4] - Small but nice hotel in Qurum (Muscat Area), under German management. There are some nice little guesthouses on the edge of the desert (Wahiba Sands) and in the desert meanwhile numerous Bedouin camps, which are sometimes still very authentic. Here especially the 'Nomadic Desert Camp' of Rashid bin Mohamed al Mughairy and his father Mohamed (http://www.nomadicdesertcamp.com/start.htm).

Work

Finding a well-paying job in Oman is not easy. However, there are good opportunities with the oil and gas companies. The big hotel chains offer job offers on their respective homepages. The salaries are relatively low compared to Germany! Tip: It is best to apply to companies from Europe and insist on a European employment contract. Then it can be worth it! It is generally very difficult for foreigners to work there. Work permits are very rarely issued, as all jobs should be filled with Omani nationals as far as possible. And there are now - especially for qualified positions - a large number of well-trained young people in the country!

security

Oman is generally very safe, crime against foreigners is almost unknown. When driving into the desert, you should always take enough water with you; Caution is advised when driving on slopes, it should only be attempted with all-wheel drive vehicles! Never drive on slopes in and in the desert alone, only in a convoy - the cellular network for any emergency calls runs out there very quickly! The immediate border region to Yemen (south of Salalah) is no longer safe, so only go there in exceptional cases and then Only drive with a companion from one of the local Bedouin tribes. The consumption of alcoholic beverages is only permitted in the hotel area or on private hotel beaches, but is prohibited in public, and the presence of intoxicated persons in public can lead to provisional arrest. Practicing homosexuality is illegal in Oman and constitutes a criminal offense, it should not be assumed that tourists will not be prosecuted for minor reasons. Men should also not book a shared double room, as this can lead to conflicts. During the calls to prayer, which can also be heard in public over loudspeakers, even non-Muslims should keep quiet, not listen to music and not speak to other people, including at their workplaces. Men are not allowed to speak to strangers in public, with the exception of women at workplaces with customer traffic, police officers or public transport employees.

climate

Muscat	Jan	Feb	March	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Mean highest air temperature in ° C	25.1	26.4	29.5	34.7	39.6	40.0	38.0	35.60	35.6	34.6	30.3	26.8	O	33
Mean lowest air temperature in ° C	16.7	17.8	20.3	24.2	28.7	30.3	30.1	28.2	26.8	24.2	20.8	18.3	O	23.9
Precipitation in mm	13.2	14.0	16.4	11.3	0.0	10.9	3.4	1.6	0.0	0.8	1.6	16.5	Σ	89.7
Rainy days in the month	3.2	2.7	1.9	1.4	0.1	0.1	0.3	0.6	0.0	0.2	0.7	1.4	Σ	12.6
WMO World Weather Information Service Official Forecasts

health

Medical care in EMERGENCIES is free of charge in the state health facilities in the Sultanate of Oman. If you go to a private clinic, the costs have to be paid and later submitted to the health insurance company for reimbursement. If you have minor problems, you can also contact any pharmacy. There you will also get a hint as to whether you absolutely have to see a doctor. As a rule, there is also a so-called clinic next to most pharmacies. A "treatment fee" is charged at a flat rate of approx. 7 euros. Communication in English is possible everywhere there. In some state and private clinics, especially in the Capital Area, there are also German-speaking doctors.

behaviour rules

Tourists can now be seen frequently in Oman, at least in the winter months, especially outside the big cities and especially as tour groups. Nevertheless, consideration for the local population is required, especially when it comes to clothing. People (and especially women) should dress cautiously. Short and tight pants and skirts are inappropriate, as are sleeveless and cropped clothing. As a rule of thumb for women: shoulders and knees should at least be covered, headscarves are not necessary - unless as sun protection. Men please bear in mind that someone with shorts makes themselves very ridiculous (even if this is not normally shown to strangers out of hospitality), as well as by wearing the "Dishdasha", which is common among the male population! For visiting the 'Great Mosque' In Muscat (very worth seeing!) the ankles and ankles of women must be covered and a headscarf must be worn, which also covers the neckline! You can cover yourself with scarves or shawls. T-shirts, sweaters or cardigans are not accepted as substitutes for scarfs. For men, long trousers and at least short shirt sleeves apply here! There are no exceptions here !!!

Post and Telecommunications

Oman is so far the only landline provider Omantel. Fixed line penetration is very high, at least in metropolitan areas. Network quality, also for international calls, ok and affordable.

There are two mobile network providers:

1) Oman Mobile: The network quality sometimes leaves a lot to be desired, but sufficient network coverage is also provided in rural areas.

2) Nawras: The still somewhat poor network coverage is compensated for by a national roaming agreement with Oman Mobile.

As a foreigner without a place of residence in Oman, you can purchase a prepaid card very cheaply from both providers. Calls to D / A / CH are always cheaper than roaming with your own D / A / CH SIM card. For international calls, Nawras depends on the Oman Mobile Gateway, which now hardly leads to quality problems.

Internet access is possible in numerous Internet cafés and in almost all hotels. No usual websites are affected by censorship, only a few with scantily clad women, depictions of violence, etc.

literature

• 'OMAN' by Georg Popp, not so much a travel guide (but that too), more an entertaining and very well researched collection of travel and background information that makes traveling there easier and a lot more interesting than usual travel guides.

• 'OMAN' by Peter Franzisky and Kirstin Kabasci published by 'Reise Know How', an often updated travel guide with good route descriptions

• 'Oman Explorer' (English)
• 'Oman Off Road' (English), 26 suggested routes with GPS coordinates
• Oman Resident's Guide (English), background information for those who work, want to or have to live in Oman.

All three were published by the Explorer Group, Dubai - available through Amazon.de

• 'The Wells of the Desert' by Wilfred Thesiger, a wonderful book about the author's travels in the 30s and 40s of the 20th century with Bedouins through the deserts of the Arabian Peninsula, especially in Oman, Yemen and Saudi Arabia (with many photos ). A very good introduction to meeting the Bedouins today.

• Oman - The Sultanate, Michael Teupel, Reiseliteratur Verlag Hamburg
• Oman - Muscat, Michael Teupel, BoD, 2007 (hotel guide)

Web links

• Ministry of Tourism
• Country Info Oman from the Federal Foreign Office (D)
• Oman Times News page