Packing list for Saudi Arabia, travel insurance for Saudi Arabia and taking your belongings

What to take to Saudi Arabia: brief

To pack and check

• Documents and money: a passport valid for at least another 6 months. An e-visa is mandatory for many travelers, unless you are traveling for work, study, or the Hajj; different rules apply in those cases. The local currency is the Saudi riyal (SAR). You can use your debit card and contactless payment almost everywhere.
• Clothing: lightweight clothing (for example, linen or cotton) for the heat, but keep local dress codes in mind. Both men and women are advised to cover their shoulders and knees and to avoid tight and revealing clothing. For women, a headscarf is usually not mandatory, except at some religious sites. Also bring a warm cardigan, as the air conditioning is set to cold in many places.
• Shoes: comfortable shoes or walking sandals for cities and archaeological sites. Make sure you have comfortable, closed shoes for hiking in, for example, the Asir Mountains, Al-Ula, or the desert.
• Care and hygiene: sunscreen with a high protection factor. UV radiation is very strong in the desert and at high altitudes.
• Packing and protection: a daypack and possibly a dry bag to protect your belongings from blowing desert sand.
• Medication and travel first aid kit: a first aid kit with ORS, painkillers, and personal medication in their original packaging. Check in advance whether your medications are permitted; some medicines are classified as controlled substances and require a doctor's certificate.
• Outdoor items and handy tools: sunglasses, cap or hat, reusable water bottle, and lip balm.
• Technology and equipment: a universal adapter, mainly for type G sockets, and sometimes A, B, and C.
• Safety and theft: a secure storage place for passport and documents remains advisable. Checkpoints may occur.

To consider

• A lightweight scarf for mosque visits.
• Binoculars for desert and bird areas.
• Snorkel set for the Red Sea.
• Power bank.
• A dust cloth or buff to protect against sand and dust.

Are there mosquitoes in Saudi Arabia?

• Mosquitoes are mainly found in the southwestern provinces, along the Red Sea, near irrigation areas, and in oases.
• Dengue and occasional malaria occur in parts of the southwest. For most tourist destinations, such as Riyadh and Al-Ula, the health risk from mosquitoes is limited.
• More about protection against mosquitoes and insects or malaria.

Are there sandflies in Saudi Arabia?

• Sandflies are quite common in desert areas and rural parts of Saudi Arabia.
• They can cause annoying bites and transmit leishmaniasis in some regions.
• Covering clothing and an insect repellent containing DEET or picaridine are the best protection.
• More about sandflies and sand fleas.

Can you buy DEET, or other insect repellents, in Saudi Arabia?

• Yes. DEET, picaridine, and other insect repellents are readily available at pharmacies, drugstores, and large supermarkets.
• See also DEET mosquito repellents and the percentages.

Can you buy a beer or wine in Saudi Arabia, or bring it into Saudi Arabia?

• No, alcohol is prohibited in Saudi Arabia, and buying, possessing, using, or importing alcohol is a criminal offense.

Can you buy a joint or weed in Saudi Arabia, or bring it into Saudi Arabia?

• No. Saudi Arabia has one of the strictest drug laws in the world.
• Cannabis is completely prohibited. Possession, use, sale, and import carry very heavy penalties.
• Also, carefully check your luggage for traces of cannabis or CBD products; even small amounts can have serious consequences.