Mountain ToursIf my first trip to Dubai recently is any indication, it is that Dubai is one of the best places to visit and that there’s so much to see and do there. I’m definitely planning a return visit soon but in this travel guide to Dubai for beginners 2022, I’ll share the things I did during my time in Dubai and some tips for those interested in traveling to Dubai, especially as first-timers.
About Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Dubai is a very popular tourist destination with travelers all over the world flocking there. It is the most populous city in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and actually started off as a small fishing village which eventually blossomed into the metropolitan, vibrant city that it is today. The currency of use in the UAE is the dirhams (AED) and the official language is Arabic, even though English is very widely spoken.
Before I go into the things to do, places to stay, etc, I wanted to share some mistakes to avoid when visiting Dubai, especially as a first-timer. Hopefully, you can avoid these mistakes and learn a few things before your trip to Dubai.
Michel Clarck
Dubai for first-timers
With so much to do in Dubai, it can get very overwhelming to figure out your itinerary. In fact, the fear of missing out may well and truly kick in as it is so tempting to want to try to do everything. Visiting Dubai is like being a kid in a candy shop – there’s just so much good stuff to do. However, it is important to unravel Dubai piece by piece, after all, some things deserve to be saved for later.
Traveling to Dubai in 2022 – The travel restrictions and requirements
I visited Dubai in March of 2022 and the travel restrictions were pretty straightforward. Actually, only a few days before I landed in the Dubai International Airport (DXB) did they remove any COVID test requirements. Essentially, starting February 25, fully vaccinated travelers can now visit Dubai without a PCR test. I had no issues at all getting into Dubai and everything went smoothly with immigration and customs.
Mistakes to avoid and things to know when visiting Dubai
Before I go into the things to do, places to stay, etc, I wanted to share some mistakes to avoid when visiting Dubai, especially as a first-timer. Hopefully, you can avoid these mistakes and learn a few things before your trip to Dubai.
1.) Transportation in Dubai. Uber is expensive. For the first four days in Dubai, I was using the Uber app. Not only was it convenient, but it was also familiar as this is an app I use back home. Little did I know that I was spending more money than I should have. On the fifth day, I learned about the Careem app which was more than half the price of Uber. While the app wasn’t as quick and efficient as Uber, with proper advance planning (i.e booking the ride 10 minutes before you have to leave), it definitely worked and saved me some money in the long run. I definitely recommend downloading the Careem app and using it while on your trip to Dubai.
2.) Not booking things in advance. There are certain things you can purchase right on the spot. Things like the tickets to the Dubai Miracle Garden. However, there are certain activities that require advance reservation. Wisdom is knowing the difference. My husband and I really wanted to do the Museum of the Future but were unable to get a spot due to tickets being sold out for our date. I definitely recommend checking the availability of the activities you want to do before you actually book your Dubai dates as this will save you the hassle or disappointment of activities being sold out.
3.)Â Not haggling properly.ÂDubai has so many shops and markets (called souks) and it is not unheard of that prices differ based on where you purchase things from. I recommend haggling properly for items you want when shopping, also recommend is going into a local market for your purchases as boutiques generally tend to have a higher cost. I loved shopping at the Grand Souq Bur Dubai located in Old Dubai. They had some of the best items for the best prices.
Essential apps you need for Dubai
By my second day in Dubai, there were certain apps I knew I needed right away. If you are visiting Dubai, make sure to have the following apps on your phone:
- Dubai Metro – If you plan to use public transport.
- Careem – Like Uber but much more affordable.
- The Dubai Mall – Helps you navigate the mall very easily.
- Talabat – A really good food delivery app for those late night cravings.
- Dubai Calendar – To see the latest events happening in Dubai.
