Travel Essentials › Oman
Travel Essentials
Plugs: Type G, 240 V. Emergency: One number for everything 9999. Tipping: Not obligatory; around 10% in restaurants and small amounts for porters and drivers are appreciated. Tap water: Drink bottled or treated water.
Type G, 240 V
| One number for everything | 9999 |
Not obligatory; around 10% in restaurants and small amounts for porters and drivers are appreciated.
Greetings and right hand. A handshake is common between men; wait for a woman to offer her hand first. Use the right hand for eating, greeting and giving/receiving items.
Dress modestly. Both men and women should dress conservatively in public: men avoid sleeveless shirts, women cover shoulders and knees; more modest dress (including a headscarf) is required at mosques.
Respect prayer times and Ramadan. Avoid eating, drinking or smoking in public during Ramadan daylight hours, and be mindful around prayer times.
Oman is one of the safest countries in the Middle East for travelers, with very low levels of street crime and violent crime rare even for tourists; the calm public atmosphere makes it a popular and low-stress destination.
Unofficial 'guides' at souqs. Self-appointed guides at Mutrah Souq and other sites may start an unsolicited tour and then expect a large tip; agree on a price upfront or use guides with official ID.
Overcharging / wrong change. Some taxi drivers or market sellers may overcharge tourists or give incorrect change; count change and agree on taxi fares before the ride.
Altered expiration dates. Rare reports of extended expiration labels on packaged food in some shops; check dates carefully.
Women travelers. Solo women travelers generally report Oman as safe and welcoming with low harassment levels; modest dress and cultural respect are expected and appreciated, and solo female driving is common and considered safe.
Criminalized
Same-sex sexual activity is illegal in Oman under the 2018 Penal Code, punishable by up to three years' imprisonment, and gender-affirming care and cross-dressing are also criminalized; while enforcement against tourists is rare, LGBTQ+ travelers should be discreet as there is no legal recognition or protection.
| Coffee (café) | OMR 1.5 | $3.90 |
| Local bus or metro ride | OMR 0.3-0.5 | $0.80-1.30 |
| Mid-range restaurant meal | OMR 8-12 | $21-31 |
| Hostel bed / budget room (night) | OMR 11 | $29 |
| Mid-range hotel (night) | OMR 25 | $65 |
| Daily budget, mid-range traveler | OMR 55-60 | $140-155 |
2026-09
October to April is best, with December to March offering the mildest, most pleasant temperatures; summer (May-September) is extremely hot inland, though Dhofar (Salalah) has a cooler monsoon season (khareef) from June to September.