Dubai Travel Info
Traveling
En route to PHL
By Justin August on 2009-02-13 04:00:43
Dubai Holidays: Useful information on Dubai before coming to this Emirate to avoid (unpleasant) surprises.
In this section the following topics will be discussed:
* Dubai Public Holidays
* Time in Dubai
* Dubai Currency: How much is my money in AED or Dirham?
* Dubai Maps
* Banks in Dubai
* Hospitals
* Education in Dubai
* Dubai Visa Information
* Useful addresses and phone numbers
* Dubai Insurance
* Do’s and don’ts
* Dress code
* Weather in Dubai
* Learn Arabic
* Crime in Dubai
* Electricity and Water
* Television in Dubai
* Shipping goods
* Mail / Postal service
Dubai Public Holidays, Dubai Holidays, Dubai Ramadan, Dubai New Year:
Dubai public holidays are in 2008:
1 Jan New Year’s Day.
10 Jan Al-Hijra (Islamic New Year).
20 Mar Mouloud (Birth of the Prophet).
30 Jul Leilat al-Meiraj (Ascension of the Prophet).
2 Oct Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan).
2 Dec National Day.
9 Dec Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice).
29 Dec Al-Hijra (Islamic New Year).
Dubai Currency, how much is your money in AED or Dirham?
The official abbreviation AED is often written as DH or Dhs in many shops but that is incorrect and unofficial. The dirham was introduced in 1973 And is sub devided into 100 fils. It has been pegged to the U.S. Dollar since November 1997: 1 U.S.Dollar = 3.67290 dirhams, Or 1 dirham = 0.272264 dollar (rate of may 10, 2008).
The banknotes are 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000 dirhams and the coins are in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 25, 50 fils, and 1 dirham. The 1, 5 and 10 fils are struck in bronze, with the higher denominations in cupro-nickel.
Visa For Dubai:
A visa for Dubai is not always required. There are several types of visas for visitors. Citizens of the Arab Gulf Co-operation Council(AGCC) memberstates (Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia) do not need one just like nationals of the following Countries: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany ,Greece, Netherlands, Hong Kong, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States of America, Vatican City.
Weather in Dubai, the Climate of Dubai and Dubai Weather Forecast:
The weather in Dubai can be definitely described as hot. The Dubai weather is most pleasant between November and March.The temperatures in the winter
Varies around 23 degrees Celsius during the day. In the summer the temperature is between 40-50 degrees celsius.
Annual Weather Dubai with minimum and maximum average temperature ( in degrees C) per month:
January (14/24degrees C), February (15/25 degrees C), March (18/28 degrees C), April (21/33 degrees C), May (25/38 degrees C), June (27/40 degrees C),July (30/41 degrees C), August (30/41 degrees C), September (28/40 degrees C), October (24/35 degrees C), November (20/31 degrees C), December (16/26 degrees C).
The sea temperature during the year is between 21 and 33 degrees C. The number of hours that the sun shines varies from 8 to 11.5 hours per day while the Humidity is between 80 and 90%. So the humidity remains high during winter.In the summer both high humidity and high temperatures make the climate of Dubai a very uncomfortable one.
Electricity and Water of Dubai Rental Properties:
Electricity and Water are handled by DEWA, the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, which was formed in 1992 as a merger of Dubai Electric Company And Dubai Water Department. Utility bills are settled directly on a monthly base with the DEWA when renting an apartment or other property.
Voltage: The voltage in Dubai is 220v. Most sockets are three pin (exactly the same as in the UK), although adapters for two pin plugs are available at most hotels. Those using US appliances will require an adapter to handle the difference in voltage. Appliances purchased in the UAE will generally have two-pin plugs attached.
Drinking water: Tap water is safe to use although bottled water, which is served in hotels and restaurants, is recommended for drinking. Water and electricity prices in Dubai. Residents pay 3 fils (1 UAE dirham=100 fils) per gallon and will continue to do so as long they do not use more Than 6,000 gallons, the price will then go up to 3.5 fils per gallon, and even 4 fils per gallon for consumers who sap more than 12,001 gallons from the tap.
Electricity fees will range from 20 fils to 33 fils per kilowatt hour depending if usage exceeds 2,000 or 10,001 kilowatt hours. There is no mains gas supply, so gas appliances must be fed by canisters connected via a tap outside your property. Address: Dubai Electricity and Water Authority Building, Al Karghout Street, P.O. Box 564, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
