After several sensational arrests and regular fines, many UAE travelers began to ask what are the rules of conduct for tourists in Dubai and what will happen if they are violated? We want to answer this question in our article today, which contains all the norms that are mandatory not only for residents, but also for guests of the country. Read and remember – what can’t you do in the UAE?
Please note! Each emirate of the United Arab Emirates has its own legislation – be sure to check them out before traveling.
Don’t break it!
Dubai Transport Rules of Conduct
- In the metro, buses and taxis of Dubai, it is forbidden to eat (even chewing gum) and drink. For violating this rule, you will have to pay a fine of 100 dirhams.
- Compliance with traffic rules is the key to a relaxing holiday. If you have rented a car, do not exceed the speed limit, do not stop in the wrong places, and even more so do not drive under the influence of alcohol – in this case, the penalty will not be a large fine, but arrest and/or deportation.
- In the UAE, there are special metro cars for women and children, which are forbidden for men to enter – they are easily noticed among the rest, thanks to the pink color and signs. Despite the fact that you will not be fined for violating this rule, but only make an oral remark, do not take any risks and even at the sight of an empty pink car, do not succumb to the temptation to go there.
- If there is no free space for both of you on public transport, just give it to your girlfriend, but do not sit her on her lap – this gesture is considered a serious violation of law and order.
Important! Do not think that the comments are nonsense, after two of these you will be fined about $ 100.
Dress code rules for UAE tourists
- Although there are no laws in Dubai that require foreign women to cover their heads and wear closed outfits, we advise you to dress modestly to show that you respect the moral norms of the host country. Girls who are dressed inappropriately may not be allowed to go to shops and attractions, make comments;
- Do not wear bathing suits outside of beaches or areas with swimming pools;
- On a public beach, tourists should wear modest swimsuits, on a private beach near the hotel you can afford something more open.;
- In the UAE, in no case can you sunbathe topless-for such a violation of the rules, a tourist can be arrested.
Rules of conduct in public places for tourists in Dubai
- The first and most important thing is not to show feelings for your partner in front of other people. Kissing and hugging in the UAE is punishable not by a simple fine, but by arrest from several days to six months.;
- Same-sex relationships are prohibited in Dubai;
- The list of things that tourists should not do in the UAE includes smoking on the street and in public places. There are many special zones for this activity all over the country;
- You should not show disrespect to the citizens of the UAE-laugh, condemn or discuss their actions;
- Dubai residents practice Islam and pray 5 times a day, no matter where they are. If you witness this process, do not pay attention to it, and certainly do not laugh or walk around the praying person;
- On the streets of the United Arab Emirates, it is not allowed to talk loudly on the phone;
- In Dubai and other emirates, there are rules for tourists not to take photos of mosques and people, especially women;
- You can’t fight, use a mat, or make obscene gestures in the UAE. Believe me, the local police know all the Russian swear words, so restrain yourself, especially while driving;
- Another strange rule for us is related to dancing. In Dubai, tourists and locals are not allowed to dance on the street, you can only do it in a hotel or nightclub.;
Alcohol and drugs
- You can not drink alcohol on the streets or in public places, as well as in establishments without an appropriate license. If you want to have a drink in Dubai, do it in a bar, club or in your room;
- Another rule related to alcohol in the UAE is the ban on walking under the influence of alcohol. If you’ve had a drink, go ahead/stay in the hotel;
- In the streets and public places of Dubai, you can not eat or drink during Ramadan – if you break this rule, you will show disrespect for the local foundations, you may even be reprimanded.;
- The rules for tourists and residents of Dubai prohibit any interaction with drugs. Even for simple use, you can be jailed for several years with deportation, and tourists caught distributing, at best, will spend the rest of their days behind bars.
Very important! In any case, do not give a bribe to a police representative, unless, of course, you want to see life in the UAE through the eyes of prisoners.
Rules of communication in the UAE
- When talking, do not raise your voice or shout;
- Touching local residents, even in a friendly way, is not allowed if the initiative does not come from their side;
- Don’t hold your gaze, don’t take pictures, and better yet, don’t talk to local women. Even in the event of an emergency, go in search of male Arabs;
- Flirting and resort romances are not for the UAE. According to the law, even couples who are in a civil marriage cannot live here together, but hotels turn a blind eye to this rule and allow unmarried tourists to stay in the same room.;
- When talking to an Arab, do not ask how his wife is doing, but instead ask if his family is doing well.
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On a visit
- The first rule says-when entering the house of Arabs, take off your shoes;
- When greeting a man, do not interrupt the handshake first (they have it longer than we do) and do not give your hand to a woman unless she does it first;
- When sitting, do not point the soles of your feet in the direction of the owners – this position will offend them;
- Despite the rules of good taste of our country, it is better to come to visit the Arabs empty-handed than with strong alcoholic beverages (including vodka).
- In the UAE, it is customary to treat guests, and you can not refuse this gesture, so as not to offend the host;
- If you will be receiving or passing food and beverages, do so only with your right hand.
Don’t import it!
Along with violations of the rules of conduct, there are bans on the import of certain products. If you want to see something more than the beautiful airports of the UAE, don’t take it with you:
Medicines
Almost all medicines, except psychotropic ones, can be imported into Dubai if they are intended for personal use and their quantity is calculated for a period of up to three months. To the question “what medications can not be taken in the UAE”, there is another answer-everything for which you do not have a prescription from a doctor.
Useful sources! The list of medicines banned for importation into the UAE can be found on the website <url>. www.government.ae/en.
Food products
Only products that do not have factory markings are prohibited from being imported to Dubai (this also includes home-made food). Other restrictions are weight restrictions, and you can carry the maximum number of passengers across the border of the emirate at a time:
- 20 kg of yogurt;
- 10 kg of vegetables and fruits;
- 100 kg of dates;
- 10 kg of sweets and pastries;
- 30 kg of porridge and meat;
- 10 kg of fish and 500 grams of caviar;
- 50 liters of any liquid oil;
- 11 kg of eggs;
- 20 kg of honey and sugar;
- 5 kg of tea, coffee and spices;
- 10 kg of baby food.
As for soft drinks, such as juices and syrups, they can be imported in a volume of up to 20 liters.
They won’t give it away! If you have imported more products than the regulations allow in the UAE, they will be confiscated in full.
Alcohol, tobacco and weapons
You can bring alcohol and cigarettes to Dubai without declaring them, if their quantity does not exceed 4 liters or 2 boxes of 24 cans of beer with a volume of 0.35 liters, and 400 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 500 g of tobacco. Electronic cigarettes and vapes cannot be imported into the country, and drugs, any type of weapons, explosives, and pyrotechnics are also banned.
Please note! All restrictions on the weight and quantity of products are indicated per adult tourist.
Other
Don’t take a vacation in the UAE:
- Products made from ivory and rhino horn;
- Paintings, sculptures, statues;
- Products made in Israel, Qatar, North Korea, Somalia, or Iran;
- Cards, chips, dice, and other gambling attributes;
- Anti-Islamic materials.
In addition, some pets, such as all birds and dogs may not be taken on vacation in Dubai.
Tourists are also required to declare all paper books, magazines, photos and CDs that they take with them on vacation. This list also includes money in the amount of 100 000 AED and gifts that cost more than 3000 dirhams.
The rules of behavior in Dubai for tourists are not just restrictions, but an attempt to maintain a calm atmosphere in the country. Do not take them negatively, because it is thanks to them that you can walk around the night streets of the UAE without fear and be confident in your safety. Have a good trip!
