Oman - Travel Guide - Tripmasters Travel

Oman – Travel Guide

Oman evokes images of a land steeped in mystique and ancient charm, a realm where history whispers through its rugged landscapes. It’s a place where majestic forts and ornate mosques stand as silent sentinels of its rich cultural heritage, amidst sweeping deserts and towering mountains. Oman is also renowned for its vibrant souqs, where the scents of exotic spices and the sights of traditional crafts transport visitors to another era. The warmth of Omani hospitality, rooted in centuries-old traditions, embraces travelers like a gentle desert breeze.

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All about Oman

Oman FAQ

What is Oman known for?

Oman is known for its mountains which lead to deserts, great places to go hiking, rock climbing, four-wheel driving on rural roads, and even camel riding! Oman, like many nations on the Arabian Peninsula, is well-known for its many castles and forts. It is also well-known for its traditional villages, many of which have been acutely isolated from the outside world and have only recently welcomed outside visitors and influences.

What are the best places to visit in Oman?

Most visitors to Oman go to the capital, Muscat, in the north of the country on the Gulf of Oman; and Salalah, on the Arabian Sea in the country`s southwest.

How many days should I spend in Oman?

We recommend approximately 3-9 days based on what you want to see and do. We offer flexible vacation packages so you can select your number of nights in each city, desired hotel and activities. We suggest a minimum of 3 nights in Muscat and Salalah.

What is the currency of Oman?

The currency of Oman is the Omani rial, of which there are 1,000 baisa. U.S. dollars are not accepted. Be prepared to exchange your dollars for rials upon arrival. There are currency exchange desks at the airport, most high-end hotels and resorts, and at many banks throughout the country.

What is the best way to get around Oman?

We recommend seeing Oman by by air and by private transfer. Fly into Muscat or Salalah and then arrange for a private transfer to take you in late-model, air-conditioned comfort to and from the airport and your hotel.

Do people speak English in Oman?

Many Omanis can speak English, especially in the cities and tourist areas. Omanis learn English from the very earliest grades so you will be able to converse at least in basic terms with most people in Oman. Arabic is the official language, however, and there are rural areas where it may be difficult to locate an English speaker. Be prepared to learn basic Arabic phrases like hello/goodbye, please/thank you, and the numbers from 1-10, 50, 100, and 1,000. To say `How do you speak English`, say `Hal tatahadath al’injilizia?`

Best Time to Visit Oman

Between natural adventures, cultural journeys and holiday escapes, there is a lot to experience in Oman almost all year long. Temperature wise, the most desirable months to visit Oman is between October and April, when temperatures are warm (63°F-95°F). This guide will help you identify the best time to visit Oman for the ultimate vacation getaway.

December – February

The winter months offer fantastic weather (averaging 63-86F) and great opportunities for all adventure seekers who wish to have an extraordinary experience of the Arabian desert, and the bedouin lifestyle. The temperatures are perfect for outside activities such as sand boarding, camel riding and stargazing. The humid weather of Muscat is at its lowest, which allows visitors to enjoy the city’s amazing beaches and fresh waters.

Events and Festivals

-Environment Day – January 8th when the country celebrates its environmental achievements and announces its new projects for environment and sustainability.

-The Muscat Festival – A cultural, musical and natural celebration. The event starts late in January and lasts until mid-February. During the festival, there are several Omani and global musical performances, talk shows, competitions and plays.

-Christmas and New Year is an extremely popular time in Oman, particularly in Muscat. As such, hotels raise their prices accordingly and often impose a compulsory gala dinner on New Year’s Eve.

March – May

Starting in March, the weather is getting warmer, but not too warm – average temperatures fall between 68-86F. That’s why this is the perfect time to go on a desert safari or to visit the amazing golden dunes of Al Wahiba Sands in eastern Oman. April temperatures bring warmer weather when daily average temperatures rise to 98F during the day and 77F at night. May is a transitional month between winter and summer. Temperatures get higher, but humidity levels are still low. It is one of the fruit harvest seasons in Oman,so there are lots of fresh apricots, peaches, pears and figs. This is a perfect time to enjoy the golden beaches of Muscat, the amazing fjords of Musandam or the beautiful beaches and crystal waters of Salalah.

Events and Festivals

-Jebel Akkdar Mountains (March and April) – This is the rose-blooming season in the Jebel Akhdar Mountains close to Muscat, providing beautiful scenery.

June – August

June brings the beginning of the hot and humid season in Oman. Overall, temperatures during the day average between 97 to 104F. The summer months also bring an increase in the amount of daylight hours to 11. It is not recommended that you visit the country during the summer months, however, if you do, you’ll find hotel prices across the country are very cheap. The weather at night is not as hot, which creates nice opportunities to go shopping in Oman and enjoy its traditional nightlife.

The summer months is the Khareef (monsoon) period in Salalah which makes the south cooler, but even more humid. Salalah and the surrounding coastline also gets very busy with domestic tourists seeking to escape the heat over summer. The sun is very intense at this time, thus all available precautions to sunburns are needed.

Events and Festivals

-Apricot Harvest (May) – The apricot harvest usually commences in May, followed over the next month or so by other summer fruits like peaches, figs and pears.

September – November

September is still very hot, although temperatures are not quite as high as between June and August. Costs remain lower than they are over the winter months. This is still within the peak turtle viewing time at Ras al Jinz, one of the most exceptional opportunities to witness one of the amazing natural experiences of a rare sea creature.

Travel in October and November is much more pleasant and enjoyable than over the summer months, with temperatures in the mid 80°Fs. November in particular is an ideal month to visit, although the lower temperatures do make the country fairly busy. November also brings the biggest national celebrations in the country. This is the month in which the Sultan Qaboos was born. Each year on November 18th, the whole country gets decorated and festivities take place to celebrate.

Events and Festivals

-Autumn Harvest (September and October) – The autumn harvest reaps pomegranates, walnuts, olives and grapes.

-November 18th – National Day when the entire country decorates and festivities take place to celebrate

Tipping in Oman

Tipping is not customary in Oman, but visitors can do so if they would like to appreciate a good service.

This guide attempts to cover most situations that you, as a tourist, will encounter. Hopefully using these `tips` will provide a smooth experience when interacting with locals in restaurants, bars, hotels, tour operators, and taxis.

Currency: Can I pay in U.S. dollars, or should I use the Omani Rial (OR)?

The local currency in Oman is the Omani Rial (OR). One Rial is split into 1000 baisa (bz), which is another smaller currency. Have the correct currency on hand or be prepared to exchange your dollars for Rials upon arrival. Currency exchange desks are available at the airport, most high-end hotels and resorts, and many other places around the country. ATMs and credit cards are widespread in Oman and many of them, particularly those belonging to HSBC, are tied into international systems.

In Oman, the paper notes are 100 baisas, 500 baisas (which is a 1/2 Rial), 1 Omani Rial, 5 Omani Rials, 10 Omani Rials, 20 Omani Rials and 50 Omani Rials. As for coins, they are 5 baisas, 10 baisas and 50 baisas.

The rial is pegged to the US dollar and rarely fluctuates. For current exchange rates, see www.xe.com.

Restaurants and Bars: When should I tip? How much is customary?

A tip of 10% is considered the norm in restaurants or rounding up to the next Rial and asking them to keep the change is acceptable.

Hotel Staff: Who should I tip?

Hotels OR1 for baggage handling and room service; gratuity for cleaning staff is uncommon and discretionary.

Taxi Drivers: Should I tip?

Tipping taxi drivers is discretionary.

Bargaining: Is it customary?

Discounts are available for most items, in all shops other than supermarkets and Western-style chain stores. It is okay to bargain for taxi fares and souvenirs but don’t expect too much of a discount.

Final Thoughts

Tipping in Oman is not as widespread as it is elsewhere in the region and is uncommon in smaller establishments.