Omán

Eat

Omani food tends to be simple but rewarding and filling. Rice is the main staple and so is bread. The national dish is called " Qabuli", consisting of; spiced rice, lamb or chicken, split peas and caramelized onions. It can be found in many restaurants across the country. Another popular dish is "shuwa" which consists of a whole roasted lamb wrapped around banana or palm leaves and marinated in a plethora of different spices, before being buried underground and cooked for an overnight. Shuwa is often served with plain rice but in some upscale restaurants it can be served as a sandwich with fries and ketchup. You have to try harees whenever possible, which is a porridge-like dish of cracked wheat, ghee, chicken or beef and some spices. With a long coastline, Oman has a rich seafood culture and freshly caught fish served with a salad and rice is not unheard of for lunch.

Street food is now becoming a trend. Make sure to try shawarma- strips of chicken or lamb grilled on a rotating spit, shaved and served in a wrap with an abundance of pickles, vegetables, tahini sauce (if lamb) or garlic sauce (if chicken) and French fries or deep fried chickpeas and beans balls called "falafel". They can be found in many street corner cafeterias for a very cheap price. For an authentic delicacy try barbecued meat marinated in tamarind and chili called "mishakeek". It can be bought from the stalls along just about any beach in Oman.

Omani sweets are well known throughout the region, with the …

Drink

Alcohol is available only in some restaurants and large hotels and is usually very expensive (ranging from 1.5 rials for a 500 ml Carlsberg to 4 rials). Drinking alcohol in public is prohibited, but you can get your own drinks and enjoy at public areas but in privacy such as camping by beaches, sands, mountains, or actually in any remote areas. Only foreign residents can buy alcohol from alcohol shops and with certain limits. But an alcohol black market is widely spread around the cities and alcohol can be found easily.

Foreigner travellers are allowed 2 litres of spirits as duty free baggage allowance. Visitors can buy spirits at the duty-free shop in the arrival lounge.

During Ramadan, drinking anything in public is prohibited, even for foreigners. Take care to drink in the privacy of your room.

Sleep

Oman has the full spectrum of accommodation - from ultra-luxurious hotels to extremely rustic huts in the desert constructed from date palm leaves.

Oman has been attempting to turn itself into something of a five-star destination for the well-heeled traveller, there are five five-star hotels in the capital. This does not pose a problem to the budget-minded in Muscat, and even outside of the capital there is still a range of budget options. In some parts of the country, however, accommodation may be limited to higher-end hotels and resorts.

Stay safe

Homosexuality is illegal in Oman. LGBT tourists should be self-aware.

Driving in Muscat can sometimes be a problem, although this is due more to congestion than bad driving on the part of the locals. Outside of the major cities, a common driving risk is falling asleep at the wheel due to the long stretches of featureless desert. Driving in Oman calls for attention to the unexpected. It has 85.3 road fatalities per 100,000 motor vehicles, which is more than double the UAE and much higher than most European countries.

Omani drivers outside of the cities tend to drive very fast and pass with impunity. Driving at night is especially hazardous as many drivers fail to turn their headlights on, or are unaware of people crossing the road on foot for example on the road from Sohar to Muscat. Camels will walk into the road even if they see cars approaching, and collisions are often fatal for both camel and driver.

See the above section on driving in wadis for off-road safety.

Female travellers should be careful to dress modestly, as not to offend local customs.

Visiting gambling and adult sites is also a crime in Oman. Internet censorship in Oman is very serious, so you need to be careful to stay safe online.

Stay healthy

thumb|In the hot climate, drinking enough water is essential Bottled drinking (mineral) water is easily available at most stores. Tap water is generally safe; however, most Omanis drink bottled water and to be safe, you should too. 500ml bottles of water will generally cost 100bz in the majority of shops with a 1.5l bottle costing only 200bz.

thumb|right|300px|Wahiba Sands Oman is warm year-round and summers can be extremely hot. Always carry drinking water with you and be wary of de-hydration in high temperatures. If you're not used to the heat it can sneak up on you and cause serious health problems.

Several people have tried to cross stretches of the Omani desert on their own in a rented 4WD. Some of these people have died or got rescued just in time.

Travelling through a desert requires proper preparation. It looks easy from a modern air-conditioned 4WD, but if that fails you are suddenly back to basics.

Never go off-road alone. A minimum of two to three cars (of the same make) is the rule. Leave your itinerary with a friend with clear instructions if you do not return in time. Take at least: recovery tools: spades, rope (and attachments), sand mats or ladders two spare tires and all required equipment a good air pump (high capacity) sufficient water (at least 25 litres more than you think you will need for drinking) sufficient petrol: there are no petrol stations in the middle of nowhere.

If you have – or can get – a satellite phone, take it. (Mobile pho…

Respect

Before he died in 2020, Sultan Qaboos did more to develop the nation than any Arab leader, or most world leaders in recent history for that matter. Qaboos is held in the highest regard — even revered — by the vast majority of Omanis. Visitors should refrain from making any comments or statements that could be construed as disrespectful.

The Omanis are generally humble and down-to-earth people. The usual rules of respect when travelling in a Muslim country should be followed in Oman, even when locals appear to be a little less "uptight" than their neighbours. Homosexuality is illegal due to Islamic law but is practised with discretion; however, as elsewhere in the Gulf, it is taboo to discuss such topics.

While Omanis may not say anything to foreigners who dress in tight or revealing clothing, it is considered to be very disrespectful. Yes, some visitors push the goodwill of the Omanis in choosing their attire, but a little sensitivity goes a long way. A rule of thumb is that women should always keep shoulders, knees, and midriff covered, and avoid tight or revealing clothing. For men, shorts should be worn only for outdoor activities; longer shorts (i.e. at or below the knee) are fine in the city.

Staring is quite common in Oman; children, men and women are likely to stare at you simply for being a foreigner, especially if you travel off-season and in out-of-the-way places. This is not meant as an insult; it rather shows an interest, and a friendly smile will leave childre…