Ra's al Khaymah Travel Guide

Full Name

Ra's al Khaymah

Capital City

Ra's al Khaymah

Government Type

federation with specified powers delegated to the UAE federal government and other powers reserved

Area Size

the emirate covers 1,700 km, which is 2,2% of all of the UAE.

Time Zone

GMT +4 hours

Climate

The summer is hot and humid, a climatic feature prevailing in the Gulf region in general and the coastal Zone in particular. The winter is mild, cooler and less humid.

Geography

The coastlines of the emirate extend to miles along the Arabian Gulf, on the far eastern part of the Arab World. Ras Al Khaimah emirate borders Umm Al Quwain, Fujairah and Sharjah emirates as well as the Sultanate of Oman. RAK is the first emirate that overlooks the approaches to the Arabian Gulf.

Languages

The official language is Arabic. English is widely understood and ranks alongside Arabic as the language of commerce.

Travel Information

Travel to the UAE has never been easier since it is now one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. Most of the leading airlines of the world fly into the UAE, but you can also travel by road or sea. The vast majority of visitors take advantage of the excellent deals on offer through a number of tour operators. The national airlines Etihad Airways and Emirates offer a comprehensive air service to the UAE international airport at Ra's al-Khaimah. Road access to the UAE from Saudi Arabia and Oman is excellent. Connections can be made with the Trans-Arabian Highway on the overland route to Europe. Daily bus service runs between Muscat and Abu Dhabi via Al Ain. There is a twice daily bus service between Oman and Dubai via Hatta. There are also bus services between Abu Dhabi and Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.

Accommodation

Accommodation in the UAE is of a very high standard and many of the worlds top hotel chains run five-star hotels in the major emirates, the piece de resistance being the seven-star Burj al-Arab in Dubai. There are also a number of excellent locally run properties suitable for both tourists and business travellers. Several of the hotels are outstanding examples of modern architecture. Swimming pools, tennis courts and fully equipped health centres are the norm. Most waterfront hotels have excellent beaches and extensive watersports facilities. If your budget does not extend to a five-star hotel, there are alternatives, most also of a high standard. There are a number of youth hostels for which a HI card is required, however you can buy a yearly membership for Dh75 if you do not have a card.

Visa Requirements

Citizens of the following countries will be issued with a free-of-charge VISIT VISA on entry to the UAE: UK, France, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Austria, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Portugal, Ireland, Greece, Cyprus, Finland, Malta, Spain, Monaco, Vatican, Iceland, Andorra, San Marino, Liechtenstein, United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Brunei, Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong. /Citizens of other countries should apply to their nearest UAE embassy.

Getting Around

Most tourists visiting the UAE on all-inclusive package tours will base themselves at one or more hotels in the UAE, using the ubiquitous and inexpensive taxis for sightseeing and shopping and local tour companies for more extended trips. However, it is worth remembering that cars and four-wheel drives are readily available for hire, the road network is excellent and there are intriguing places to visit far from the cosmopolitan cities.

Health & Safety

Remarkably, the UAE was one of only two countries with no reported cases of holiday illnesses recorded in a survey by the leading British consumer magazine, Holiday Which? This is a tribute to the success of government immunization programmes, the provision of adequate clean water and high standards of cleanliness in hotels and restaurants. No special immunizations are required, however it would be wise to check beforehand if you are travelling from a health-risk area. The sun can be fierce throughout the year so heatstroke and heat exhaustion are always a risk. Adequate sunglasses, hats and high factor sun creams are essential, especially for children. Hospitals in the UAE provide a high standard of care. It would be wise to take out medical insurance to cover all eventualities, especially if you need to attend a private hospital or clinic where treatment can be quite expensive. In all instances, medical procedures, including the use of sterilized needles and the provision of blood transfusions are very reliable. If you need a doctor, ask at your hotel, or ring your embassy for recommendations. If you need emergency treatment and are unable to contact a doctor, try one of the major hospitals. The UAE is one of the safest places in the world to visit. In fact, it has been designated the world

National Holidays

Fixed dates: 1 Jan (New Year's Day) 1 Jan (Eid al Adha/Feast of Sacrifice) 2 Jan (Eid al Adah Holiday) 20 Jan ( Islamic New Year) 31 Mar (The Prophet's Birthday) 6 Aug (Sheikh Zayed's Accession, Regional) 10 Aug (The Prophet's Ascension) 13 Oct (Eid al Fitr/End of Ramadan) 15 Oct (Eid al Fitr Holiday) 2 Dec (National Day) 19 Dec (Eid al Adha/Feast of Sacrifice) 22 Dec (Eid al Adha Holiday)

Currency

UAE Dirham (AED)

Electricity

220V G

Working Hours

There are no set business hours in the United Arab Emirates. Companies will either work "straight" which is between 08hrs and 17hrs, or "shift" which is anytime between 08hrs and 13hrs, and then again between 16h00 and 21hrs or even 22hrs. Government departments are open from 07hrs until 14hrs, Saturdays to Wednesdays. Banks are open from 09hrs to 13hrs Sundays to Wednesdays and from 09hrs to 12hrs on Thursdays. Shops Normal shopping hours are from 9.00 a.m.

Emergency Numbers

ambulance/fire/police 998/999