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General
Information
The Sultanate of Oman is a
fascinating and beautiful country
situated at the far eastern edge
of the exotic Arabian Peninsula.
The diving in Oman is the best
in the Gulf, with intact coral
and plenty of big fish. Dolphins
can be seen in the hundreds following
tuna and you can also see whales
and whale sharks depending on
the season. There are many wrecks
and opportunities for drift and
other specialised dives. Oman
is nothing like Egypt's Red Sea
resorts of Sharm el Sheikh or
Hurghada as you will not find
throngs of tourists.
The diving in Oman is not spoiled
the by thousands of divers, the
corals are intact and fresh. Underwater
you will see turtles and big morays,
depending on the dive site, Black
tip reef sharks and other types
can be seen. There are some nice
big devil rays at 8ft (2.5m) and
there is a full range of small
fish like groupers, lion fish,
golden cardinals and if you are
observant you can spot frog fish
and sea horses. There are even
occasional sightings of whale
sharks.
Oman has just recently opened
its doors to tourism. Good roads
stretch for thousands of kilometers
and are very well maintained,
the hospitals and schools and
food outlets are very clean and
safe. The government has a strong
hold over environmental marine
issues for industry and enforces
them. More new marine and land
reserves are to be formed to protect
turtles and birds. The first thing
you will think about Oman is how
clean, how calm and friendly the
people are.
Climate Muscat 66-100F 19-38C
Interior areas can reach 130F
54C
Water Temps Average 80F 26C
Visibility 65+ ft 20+ m
Getting
There
Seeb International Airport, located
in Muscat, is served by many international
airlines such as British Airways,
KLM, Kuwait Airways, Swiss Air and
Emirates. The national carrier is
Oman Air which flies to the United
Arab Emirates (UAE), India, Pakistan,
Qatar, Egypt, and Sri Lanka as well
as performing domestic flights to
Salalah, Masirah Island and Musandam.
Entry
PASSPORTS: Passport valid for at
least 6 months required by all except
the following:
(a) nationals of Bahrain, Kuwait,
Qatar and the UAE holding national
identity cards;
(b) holders of Macau (SAR) Travel
Permit.
Visa Procedure
Visa regulations and procedures
have recently been streamlined.
Full details are available at Embassies
and Consulates throughout the world.
Or you may contact the Royal Oman
Police through their website, www.rop.gov.om
or email them at ropnet@omantel.net.om
Citizens of most countries can benefit
from these new procedures and can
obtain tourist visas for $13.00
(15 Euro). The visa can be obtained
on arrival at Seeb International
Airport, at sea ports and land borders.
Tourism Office
MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY,
DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF TOURISM
P.O. Box 550, Muscat, Postal Code
113, Sultanate of Oman
Tel: (00968) 771-7085 / 774-331
/ 774-329
Fax (00968) 771-4213 / 771-4436
Email:dgt@mocioman.gov.om
Travel
Tips
Getting Around
There are many Travel Agencies and
Tourist Guides who will arrange
sightseeing tours around the cities,
visits to historical sites and activities
like wadi-bashing and diving. These
agencies can arrange for car rentals,
bus tours for large parties and
overnight trips into the interior.
The Directorate General of Tourism
has appointed special guides to
help ensure the visitor's every
interest is catered for.
Taxis or cars can be hired at the
airport, or hotels will arrange
for transport.
Rental Agencies
Avis
Offices at Al Falaj Hotel (tel 702311);
Al Bustan Palace Hotel (799666 ext
487); Muscat InterContenetal Hotel
(600500 ext 8399); Salalah (291145);
Seeb International Airport (519176);
Sheraton Oman Hotel (799899)
Budget Rent-A-Car
Offices at Ruwi Novotel (794721);
Salalah Holiday Inn (235160); Seeb
International Airport (510816 -
24hrs)
Europcar
Offices at mutrah Buisiness District
(700190); Muscat Holiday inn (697123
ext 563)
Toyota Rant-A-Car
Offices at Gulf Hotel (560100 ext
820); Seeb International Airport
(510224)
Road Services
Well maintained highways link every
major city in Oman. Information
relating to Car Rental facilities
(International Driving License required)
and Bus Tours is available at Travel
Agencies and through Tourist Guides.
General Information
Electricity
220 Volts - 240 Volts at 50 cycles
Communication
International direct telephone dialling,
telex and fax facilities are available
in all major cities in Oman. Telephone
booths (phone cards) are available
in abundance for international and
local calls. Internet access is
provided at hotels and various cyber
cafes in the main cities.
Health and Medical Facilities
Hospitals, pharmacies and health
clinics are available throughout
Oman. Modern hospitals with state-of-the-art
equipment can contend with any emergency.
Credit Cards
Credit Cards such as American Express,
Visa, Mastercard and Diners Club
are widely accepted in shopping
areas.
Climate
Oman is a relatively small but has
a surprisingly diverse climate -
and therefore, a varied natural
landscape - as you move from the
North of the country to the South.
The Omani summer runs from April
to September and, for the most part
is hot (averaging 40 C). and very
humid in certain areas. From July
to September the Dhofar region in
the South enjoys rain and cooler
temperatures.
Local Time
GMT + 4 hours. Daylight Savings
Time is not observed.
Language
Arabic is the official language,
but English is widely spoken. German
and French are spoken by hotel staff.
Religion
The official religion of Oman is
Islam. Mosques are found almost
everywhere for Muslims with the
accompanied facilities. Other worshippers
can perform their religions in several
churches and temples mainly in Muscat.
Entertainment
Nightclubs and discotheques are
found in the larger hotels, and
alcoholic beverages are served in
licensed hotels and restaurants
only.
Attire
For most of the year, light, loose-fitting
clothes, preferably cotton, are
best suited to Oman's climate. To
comply with Omani traditions, it
is advised not to wear revealing
dresses or swimsuits in residential
areas. From December to March a
light wrap or jacket may be required
in the evening.
Restaurants
International restaurants are found
all over Oman, from fast-food outlets
to fusion cooking, haute cuisine
dining to hamburgers. Prices range,
and a three course meal can be found
to suit any budget. Most hotels
will have a number of international
restaurants providing food from
the likes of Mexico, France, Thailand,
Japan and Indonesia.
Traditional Omani Food is fairly
simple, but by using various marinades
and impregnating meat with spices,
the result is a mouth-watering concoction
which stimulates the tastebuds.
Chicken, fish and mutton are regularly
used in dishes. A favourite drink
is laban, a salty buttermilk. Yoghurt
drinks, flavoured with cardamom
and pistachio nuts are also very
popular. Alcohol may be purchased
in the hotel bars and restaurants
and certain independent restaurants.
Official Hours
* Ministries and government establishments:
7:30 am to 2:30 pm (Sat-Wed, week-end
is Thr. and Fri )
* Private sector companies: 8:00am
to 1:00pm; 4:00pm to 7:00pm (SAt-Wed)
8:00am to 1:00pm on Thursdays.
* Markets: 8:00am to 1:00pm; 4:00pm
to 9:00pm except Mutrah souq which
closes at 7:30pm.
* Banks: 8:00 am to 12 noon.
* Museums: 7:30 am to 2:00pm except
Thr/Fr and official holidays.
Things to do in Oman
The Sultanate of Oman has much to
offer outdoor enthusiasts, It is
paradise for scuba divers, enchanting
to the eye for photo enthusiasts
and film buffs, and its diverse
natural beauty makes it an ideal
place for camping and rock climbing.
Scuba Diving
Oman boasts a wild and varied coastline.
There is a wealth of scenery, wildlife
an pleasure awaiting the underwater
explorer. The Oman Dive Center (ODC),
located on one of Oman most beautiful
and rich sites of natural heritage,
offers a complete range of diving
courses. Diving equipment is available
on dive excursions, which include
overnight diving and camping trips.
Also, Bandar Al-Rawdah Marina, Diving
Centers, OmanDiving.com, Scuba Diving
in Oman.
Photography and Filming
Oman provides tremendous opportunities
for serious and casual photographers.
Graded tracks wind along picturesque
mountains, together with serene
sandy beaches and lush green plains.
An occasional burst of wildlife
can be seen in the form of a white
onyx, or even a mountain fox racing
across the horizon against a breathtaking
sunset.
Rock Climbing
To the avid rock climber Oman is
seeming paradise. Rugged mountains,
rising at their highest point to
3,000 meters, stretch for over 300
km. In among the peaks is a maze
of spurs and wadis, deep canyons
and towering cliffs. Getting into
the mountain in four wheel drive
is easy enough; getting up them
is another matter. Also, Caving
& Climbing, Rock Climbing
Camping
Oman is a fascinating place to explore
with its diverse and beautiful landscape.
Overnight camping in wadis or on
sandy beaches and desert safaris
are very popular among outdoor enthusiasts
craving for adventure. Many specialized
tour operators provide complete
camping facilities from vehicles
to drivers, guides, logistical equipment,
and packed meals.
Camel Racing
Camel racing is an extraordinary
sport, with large numbers of camels
and their owners congregating at
the race track. Camels are carefully
bred for the track and reared on
highly nutritious diet. Juvenile
jockeys astride oddly loping mounts
generate tremendous excitement on
these occasions, which are held
mainly during National Day celebrations,
and other public holidays. Seeb
is the center for this unique sport,
which can also be seen in Samail,
Salalah, the Interior and Batinah
region.
Bull Fighting
Bull fighting is yet another popular
sport where two Brahim bulls of
the same size are pitted against
each other without a drop of blood
being spilled. The first to run
always is declared the loser, but
not before a cheering and enthusiastic
audience. The fight lasts just for
a few minutes and the bulls suffer
little or no injury, except for
a few scratches and a bruised ego
on the part of both the losing bull
and its owner.
Sightseeing
Sightseeing in exotic Muscat is
a unique experience. Half and full-day
city tours offered by most tour
operators include visits to the
old walled city of Muscat, the Qurm
museum and other picturesque sea
front Mutrah neighborhood with its
old white buildings and labyrinthine
souq where visitors can buy the
most exquisite silver jewelry. A
permit from the Department of Castles
and Forts at the ministry of National
Heritage and Culture is needed to
visit archeological sites and old
forts. ( Tel 602555)
Shopping
Oman is unquestionably a great place
for shopping. Local craftsmen excel
in arts and handicrafts such as
silver-smithing and weaving. Visitors
can buy intricately carved handmade
daggers, coffee pots, rose-water
sprinklers, incense burners, rugs,
saddles, bags, camel straps, and
fragrant frankincense. Women's jewelry
is perhaps the finest expression
of the silversmiths' art, ranging
from small silver boxes designed
to hold kohl, to bracelets, earrings
and rings, heavy anklets, and huge
belts and necklaces.
Sports
Well, you can not avoid the heat
in the summer time. You may do some
shopping in the many commercial
malls that spread all over Muscat.
Another thing is go skating at Al
Khuwair Skating Center or you may
visit Shatti Al Qurm to enjoy the
ocean breeze. Sport indoor facilities
can be found in club and sport complexes
as well.
Other Activities
Bowling
Al Muhit Recreation Center - Salalah,
211243
Seeb Novotel - 510300 ext. 186
Sheraton Oman Bowling Center - 799899
ext. 5026
Cricket
Oman Cricket Association - alimy@omantel.net.om
Tel 968-79 66 55 / 968-79 87 86
Fax 968-70 63 72 / 968-68 38 66]
British Cricket Club - 600909
Darts
Oman Darts Club 618426
Golf
Al Maha Golf Club - 513706
Flamingo Park Golf Club - 467058
Ghala Wentworth 591248
Ice-Skating
Al Khuwair Center Ice Rink - 696492
Motor Sports
Oman Automobile Association (OAA)
- 510239
Oman Automobile Club - 677750
Muscat Bikers (HD) - 561749
Rugby
Muscat Rugby Football Club - 604890,
clubhouse.
Running
Muscat Hash House Harriers - 614556
Jebel Hash House Harriers - 516370
Muscat Road Runners - 678918
Salalah Hash House Harriers - 235423
Wudam Hash House Harriers 616320
Sailing, Surfing, and Boating
Capital Area Yatch Club (CAYC) -
737712
Civil Aviation Yatch and Beach Club
- 519424
Oman Laser Association - 675148
Shooting
RAFO Salalah Shooting Society -
235205
Softball
Muscat Softball League - 602961
Squash
Muscat Squash League - 701998
Salalah Squash Ladder - 235242
Tennis
Muscat Tennis League - 675210