Packing List for United Arab Emirates, travel Insurance for United Arab Emirates, and taking your belongings

What to bring to United Arab Emirates: highlighted

Featured items:

• Documents: passport valid for at least 6 months upon arrival. An online and/or offline copy of your passport is always useful.
• Money: cash in dirham (AED) for the first few days – you can withdraw money almost everywhere, so bring your credit card too, but cash is handy for taxis or tips.
• Care: high factor sunscreen – the sun is merciless.
• Outdoor and practical: cap or hat and sunglasses. You will definitely need them.
• Clothing: light clothing that covers shoulders and knees (for cultural locations and the sun). In winter you can bring an extra layer, but even then it is usually still 24 degrees. Also bring sweaters or cardigans for indoors, because sometimes it really is like walking into a freezer.
• Shoes: sandals/flip-flops for the beach and closed shoes for desert trips (the sand is HOT!).
• Reusable water bottle, because you will need to drink a lot of water!
• Medication and travel kit: a small first aid kit with plasters, painkillers and ORS (dehydration is a thing).
• Safety: Moneybelt or fanny pack for your valuables.
• Technology and equipment: world plug type G – you can try whatever you want, but your Dutch plug won't fit...
• Woman: scarf or light shawl – handy if you want to visit a mosque.

What else can you take with you?

• Reusable water bottle with filter, because tap water is technically drinkable, but often tastes strange.
• Quick-drying towel and swimwear for the beach or pool. In terms of swimwear, what people wear varies - from bikini to burkini.
• Dustproof cover or packing cubes - desert dust is really everywhere.
• E-reader or offline entertainment - because there is wifi (or alcohol) not everywhere.
• If you go in winter - a light raincoat.
• International driving license, if you want to rent a car.

What knowledge is useful if you go to United Arab Emirates?

• Learn about local norms and values, such as: no public displays of affection, no eating/drinking in public during Ramadan, and dress appropriately.
• Know the traffic rules.
• Know the differences between what men and women are allowed and able to do.
• Friday is Sunday – weekends are Friday and Saturday.

Are there mosquitoes in United Arab Emirates?

• Yes, but not that many. You will mainly find them around stagnant water or in the suburbs.
• No malaria or dengue, so don't panic.
• You will rarely have problems with them in the city, but take some anti-mosquito spray with you just in case if you are very sensitive to mosquito bites.

Are there sand flies in United Arab Emirates?

• Less in the city, but they can certainly be annoying in the desert and coastal areas.
• If you are camping in the desert or near mangroves: take a mosquito spray with DEET or Picaridin.
• In the winter, mosquitoes and sand flies are more of a problem.

Can you buy DEET or other mosquito repellents in United Arab Emirates?

• Yes, at drugstores such as Boots, Life Pharmacy and some supermarkets such as Carrefour.
• It can be more expensive to buy it there, and the concentration of DEET is often lower than in Europe.
• So just bring your favourite mosquito spray from home if you trust it.
• You can also find natural remedies in United Arab Emirates with citronella or eucalyptus, if you want something mild and more natural.

Where can you get your food and drink in United Arab Emirates?

• Supermarkets such as Carrefour, Spinneys, Lulu and Waitrose – range from affordable to luxury.
• Malls: huge food courts with everything from sushi to biryani.
• Restaurants are plentiful – from Michelin to hummus on a plastic chair.
• Street food is limited, but there are food trucks and lively markets.

Can you buy a beer or wine in United Arab Emirates, or take it with you to United Arab Emirates?

• Yes, but only in specific places:
  • Hotels, clubs and a few licensed restaurants.
  • You can buy alcohol from official outlets (such as African + Eastern or MMI), but only with a tourist permit (online or upon arrival).
• You are allowed to bring: up to 4 litres of alcohol per adult (21+).
• Drinking in public is prohibited, including on the beach or in the park. This can lead to a fine or worse.

Can you buy a joint or weed in United Arab Emirates, or take it to United Arab Emirates?

• No. Just no.
• No soft drugs, no medicinal cannabis, no CBD oil with traces of THC – everything is strictly prohibited.
• Fines, imprisonment or deportation are lurking and even residues in your urine or luggage can cause problems. No joke.