About Oman

The Switzerland of the Middle East

The Sultanate of Oman

The Sultanate of Oman is a little-known country that, in addition to being an exotic and not a massified destination, is very safe and called “The Switzerland of the Middle East” for its peace and political, social and economic stability. It is located in southwest Asia, bordered by the Sea of Oman and the Arabian Sea to the east, with the desert of Rub Al-Jali to the west, with the Indian Ocean to the south and the Strait of Hormuz to the north. Oman is located in the heart of the northern intertropical zone, as the Tropic of Cancer passes north of the country's capital, near Muscat international airport.

Capital

Muscat

Population

4.52 million (2021)

Surface Area

309,501 km²

Currency

Omani Rial (USD 2.6 / EUR 2.3)

Language

Arabic (Official). Baluchi, Urdu and English.

Dress Code

When visitors first arrive in Oman, they may have the impression that Omani clothing separates them from the locals. However, it is more of a cultural asset than anything else in the country. Western countries have a very lax attitude towards dressing. Oman, on the other hand, has a fairly conservative dress code. Men and women are recommended to wear t-shirts that cover their shoulders and long pants, avoid wearing ripped jeans and shirts with offensive messages.

A common rule for both men and women is to avoid wearing exposed clothing that may attract unwanted attention from others or make them feel uncomfortable talking to visitors.

Men: Dress codes are less strict for men, although Omanis generally do not appreciate men wearing shorts or tank tops. It is advisable to always wear long-sleeved t-shirts and pants when visiting Oman. Swimsuits should be reserved for the beach. Shopping malls in Oman often display signs indicating the expected dress code. In rural areas it is essential to dress conservatively.

Women: Women visiting Oman should preferably wear loose-fitting clothing. It is essential to have arms and shoulders covered at all times. Strapless shirts and dresses are not accepted. Additionally, skirts must reach at least below the knee. Long skirts and dresses perfectly comply with the local dress code. In a mosque, women must wear long-sleeved shirts that cover the wrists and long pants or skirts that cover the ankles. Additionally, in a mosque women must cover their hair with a scarf. The official swimsuit for women varies greatly from place to place. However, it is best to be prepared for swimming in a t-shirt and shorts that reach your knees.

There is a lot of literature about Oman, especially in English, we recommend you read a little before the trip to enjoy it even more, but if you don’t have time to read, we recommend learning more about Oman through the Podcast ¿Que tal Oman? It is a podcast through the voices of its people, there are episodes in Spanish and English. Listen to it for free on spotify and apple podcast and google podcast

For LIST 1 nationals: https://oman-evisa.com/do-you-need-eta/

(Spain is included)

There are two types of visa:

VISA TO APPLY ON ARRIVAL: Free for up to 14 days

VISA PRIOR TO APPLY ONLINE: 20 OMR

https://evisa.rop.gov.om/

Photos are not necessary. Minimum passport validity 3 months. It must not contain stamps from Israel or bordering borders that prove having entered Israel.

The official currency is the Omani Rial. There are numerous banks, ATMs and exchange offices throughout the country, so currency exchange will not be a problem. In small hotels and restaurants, payment by credit card is not usually widespread, so you must pay in cash.

Omanis have developed their own interpretation of Islam, known as Ibadism (75% of the population), although other branches such as Sunnism and Shiism are also practiced. Christianity and Hinduism are also practiced to a lesser extent. Islam is the most predominant religion, the majority being Ibadis. The Catholic Church has four parishes in Oman that belong to the Apostolic Vicariate of South Arabia.”

No vaccine or treatment is required for travelers from Europe. It is a country where no special care is required. Some precautions:

  • It is recommended to drink bottled water
  • Medical assistance for foreigners is not free.
  • If you want more information, visit the Ministry of Health page of your country

It is safe to travel to Oman, in addition to being an exotic and not massified destination, it is very safe and called “The Switzerland of the Middle East” for its peace and political, social and economic stability.

220V in new buildings (sometimes 110V in old buildings). The plugs are English pin type.