How to plan your next trip to Oman

Image Credit: Oman Hotels

Oman was never a popular tourist destination in the past. But things have changed drastically and, today it's slowly becoming tourism-oriented which is great news for travellers who like exploring new horizons. Bustling towns, historic mosques, and sandy mountains make this country so special among the rest, and this is why you should consider travelling to Oman during your next tour! So, don't delay your plans, plan it now and explore Oman- it awaits your arrival.

Making your documents ready

You need a valid passport and a visa to enter Oman and that's a must. Those who own passports of the UK, USA, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand can gain on-arrival visas and, these can be purchased from the arrival halls at the airport. If you are someone coming from Dubai or Qatar, they do not need to purchase a separate visa because they share a common visa scheme. However, there are some conditions for this (and they don't usually get applied for general travellers).

Reaching Oman

The most common and the most popular way to reach Oman is by air. Many direct flights operate from different parts of the world to Oman, and its national carrier- Oman Air is also further expanding as the tourism sector of the country is booming. You can cross the border between UAE and Oman by car and, you will need to have your passports ready at this instance as well. There are no scheduled ways to reach Oman by ships (passenger ships), but cruise ships sometimes visit the cities of Muscat and Salalah.

Getting around in Oman

Once you arrive at Muscat International Airport, your immediate question would be 'how do I go to my hotel from here?' Do not worry, to travel from the airport to any of the hotels listed on websites like Oman Hotels, you can use a taxi service available and make sure you discuss the charges before you start your journey (most of the cabs are metered, so this will not be an issue in most of the cases). There are also reliable bus services that operate between the major cities, and if affordability (not compromising on the comfort factor) is what you look for, you may opt for this mode in Oman. When travelling to do outdoor activities in Oman, it's advisable not to use busses because you can't carry your luggage in them and use taxis on these occasions. You will love the looks of the taxis because they are all attractive with orange and white paints on them giving out a highlighting effect.

Health and safety concerns

Oman is a safe country to visit. But why take risks when you have the perfect ways to avoid any possible health or safety threat? Travel with full medical insurance all the time. And even if you fall sick when you are there in Oman, do not worry about the medical services because they do have an efficient medical service network. Every major city has at least one 24*7 operated pharmacy, and they all have an English-speaking pharmacist in them. Ask your hotel staff and be informed about the hospitals nearby because we never know when an accident could happen. When it comes to crimes in Oman, no records have ever mentioned this country in them, and this proves the fact that Oman is one of the safest destinations in the world to travel to. Female travellers need not worry about crimes like rape and abuse, because these are unknown in this precious and untainted destination. However, stay alert when you go outside because being vigilant never goes wrong!