What to take with you to Oman: short

Featured items:

• Documents: a passport that is valid for at least 6 months upon arrival and an online and/or offline copy.
• Money: Omani rials are useful or you can use your debit card.
• Care: sunscreen or sunscreen with a high SPF, because the sun is very intense.
• Outdoor and practical: hat, travel cap or cap and sunglasses with good UV protection if you want to enjoy yourself without being blinded. Raincoat or umbrella.
• Clothing: light, solid and loose clothing - cotton and linen are ideal. In the summer it can get extremely hot! Long sleeves and trousers are nice, want to protect against the sun and mosquitoes. In the winter it is a bit cooler, so warm layer for the cooler evenings and a warm jacket for mountainous areas. Only Dhofar has a rainy season, so it can cool down and rain gear can be useful.
• Shoes: comfortable (walking) shoes and sandals or slippers.
• Medicines and travel kit: a small first aid kit with plasters, painkillers and ORS (dehydration is a thing) and mosquito repellent.
• Technique and equipment: world plug type G.
• Woman: scarf or light shawl – handy if you want to visit a mosque. Swimsuit and something to cover up at public beaches.

What are some other options for packing as well?

• Reusable water bottles (with filter if you go to remote places). 
• Driver's license permit if you want to drive around.
• A small dry bag for all the Wadi swimming!
• Quick-drying travel towel.
• Headlamp or flashlight for when you go hiking.
• When you go in the wintertime - a light raincoat and a backpack rain cover.
• Possible mountain boots or trekking boots.

What should you keep in mind when traveling to Oman with your belongings?

• Cultural customs, differences between men and women and per location.
• Where you go and when. Temperatures can vary greatly between summer and winter and locations.

Are there mosquitoes in Oman?

• Mosquitoes are present in Oman, especially in areas with stagnant water and during the warmer months.
• The risk of mosquito bites is highest during the evening and night and shortly after the summer months.
• Mosquitoes can transmit various diseases in Oman.

Are there sandflies in Oman?

• Sand flies are an annoying problem throughout Oman.
• They can transmit leishmaniasis, which is no fun. 

Can you buy DEET, or other mosquito repellents, in Oman?

• Whether DEET and insect repellent are necessary depends on the time of year and where you are going.
• Insect repellents are available in Oman, both in physical stores (drugstores/pharmacies) and online. 
• Bodyguard, Parasidose, Segura, and Jungle Formula are used brands, but Cool & Cool is the most popular mosquito repellent in Oman.

Can you buy a beer or wine in Oman, or take it with you to Oman?

• Let’s get the party started, because yes you can! But only at locations with a license. These include some hotels, restaurants and clubs.
• You must also be at least 21 years old to buy beer or wine.
• By applying for a government license, you can live in Oman as a foreigner and buy alcohol at certain shops.
• Public drunkenness and public drinking are illegal.
• As a non-Muslim, you are allowed to bring alcohol, but no more than 2 liters of wine, and 48 cans of beer.

Can you buy a joint or weed in Oman, or take it with you to Oman?

• Better to leave that joint alone, because cannabis is strictly illegal in Oman.
• Possession, use and sale of cannabis can come at a high price… Think of long term prison sentences and high fines.
• Better not to take a joint or weed with you to Oman either.