A Guide to Dubai
It took me a lot longer to get here than I would have liked, but better late than never. If I had to quickly sum up what it reminds me of, I would say imagine that New York, Las Vegas and Miami had a baby and that baby took steroids. That’s Dubai. It’s a very over the top city with loads of things to do. Due to immense amount of activities, nightlife and shopping, one would need at least 4 days here to enjoy the city without feeling rushed. I flew into Dubai from NYC with Delta Airlines with a quick layover (1 hour) in Paris for $600 round trip. If you’ve been searching for Dubai flights, this is considered a steal. Flight deals here are far and few in between but they do arise occasionally.
Things to Know:
Entry (US Citizens): There are currently no visa requirements for American citizens to enter Dubai. If you are not vaccinated against Covid-19, you are required to take a CPR test 48 hours prior to arrival.
Currency: The local currency here is the AED (durham). Be prepared to exchange your currency as US dollars are not widely accepted. Some places may accept it but this isn’t a requirement.
Dress Code: There are a lot of misconceptions when it comes to Dubai especially around the dress code. As it is a predominantly muslim city, it is preferred that you dress modestly. However you can wear shorts, tank tops, dresses, etc. You are only expected to be covered if you are entering a mosque. Additionally, swimwear is only to be worn on beaches or swimming pools.
Getting Around: Dubai is metro city so there is a transit system. The trains seem to be pretty efficient however I found Ubers to be pretty affordable (between $6-$15) depending on where you’re going so I decided to stick with this way of getting around.
Laws: People tend to forget to research laws and regulations when visiting other countries. It’s important that we don’t forget this before you end up with a fine or possibly worse, arrested. Something perfectly normal to you could be illegal somewhere else. Ex: cursing in public is illegal in Dubai as well as loud music in public areas. Another law that would be useful to know is you are not allowed to show blatant displays of drunk behavior in public areas (excludes night clubs, hotels, etc).
Weekends: In the US, our weekends start on Friday and end on Sunday. However in the UAE, Sunday is a working day and the weekend is Thursday - Saturday.
Weather: Summer in Dubai can get intense. By intense I mean folks barely come outside because the heat is unbearable and unsafe. During the summer most people will spend time indoors doing things such as shopping or anything that involves air conditioning. Summer months in Dubai are June - August and Winter is from November - March. I visited in November and it was very warm during the day (90 degrees) and dropped to about 75 at night. April-May and September - October are transition months.
Language: Dubai’s official language is Arabic however many people speak English so there was no language barrier.
Where to Stay:
I split my Dubai stay in half with two hotels.
Canal Central Hotel: The perfect blend of affordable luxury with a rooftop pool overlooking Burj Khalifa and stellar customer service to top it off. It was centrally located and pretty close to downtown area (around 12 minutes by car) was a very affordable price ($130 per night). I stayed here for 3 nights.
The Palace Downtown: Dubai is the land of luxury so it was only right I did a luxury stay. After tons of choices we decided to go with the Palace Hotel. What was the deciding factor? The jaw dropping entrance with a water walk way with Burj Khalifa in the back. It’s located right next to the Dubai Mall and loads of restaurants. The hotel ran about $600/night and was worth every penny. I stayed here for 2 nights.
The Address: A runner up in my luxury hotel list because of its amazing views from the rooftop pool. I ended up going with the Palace Downtown because the rooms were much larger and had balconies.
The Four Seasons: They are a leading luxury hotel brand for a reason. With two locations in Dubai (downtown and Jumeirah beach), your luxury stay will always exceed your expectations.
Some other affordable options that were in the running were Millennium Central Downtown, Mövenpick Hotel & Apartments Dubai and Carlton Downtown Hotel.
Where to Eat:
Little Bangkok: One of my mottos is you can never go wrong with Thai food. Dubai can get expensive so finding some affordable restaurants was a must. I came across this one doing a random google search and it did not disappoint. We sat outside because it was a nice night. I had the green pad Thai and it was delicious. Dinner for two came to 321 durham which is about $87.
Mina Brassiere (The Four Seasons): I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t pick a restaurant that makes me feel rich. The Four Seasons is always known to go above and beyond for customers so I had high expectations that were all exceeded. Some of my favorites were the salmon, lasagna, tomato soup, and burrata caprese. I barely was able to finish all of this but after some time, I had the tiramisu for dessert which was excellent. I recommend putting on your good clothes and making a reservation here.
Najd Palace & Restaurant: You can’t come to the Middle East and not have local food. This place came recommended from a friend on social media and we loved every thing. The portions were very large and it was authentic to the culture. There are no tables here. You will have your own section and sit on the floor with a television (our particular TV was broken that night). We had two dishes one with chicken and rice and another with shrimp and rice. We were also given different sauces to try with our food along with pita bread. We came in the evening and got a table while walking in. Reservations aren’t needed but they are recommended.
Hunter & Barrel: Another recommendation where I loved almost every thing I had. The appetizers were great however I did not enjoy my entree which was salmon skewers. However my friend had the chicken skewers that I liked a lot better. Overall I would still recommend a visit since every thing else was very good.
Asia Asia: I came here for an impromptu lunch and throughly enjoyed it. It’s an Asian Fusion restaurant with an indoor/outdoor seating area. They have a very affordable lunch menu where 3 courses for about $30.
Forever Rose Cafe: You’ve probably seen this cafe on Pinterest or Instagram with its soldi white background with black Lines creating a 2D scenery. I tried to get here but unfortunately ran out of time however I recommend you visit.
Things to Do:
Sky Views Conservatory: If you want panoramic views of Dubai, this is the place you want to visit. It’s located inside of the Address hotel. You can purchase your tickets at the counter in the lobby and you’ll have access to the top floor with unobstructed views as well as the slide. The slide is a bit misleading because it isn’t steep, fast or long. Admission is 75 durham ($20) and you can pay in cash or using a credit card.
Dubai Miracle Garden: I didn’t think I would enjoy this garden as much as I did. It’s very colorful and picturesque. I arrived early around noon and was able to beat most of the crowd. Entry fee is 75 AED ($20) for adults 12 and up and 60 AED for children 3 - 12. Any child below the age of 3 is free.
Light & Water Shows at Burj Khalifa: Burj Khalifa hosts light shows just outside the Dubai Mall. Luckily during my stay at The Palace Downtown I was able to walk 5 minutes from the entrance an have perfect view of the show. It lasts about 15 minutes and it happens every hour in the evening.
Global Village UAE: A world where over 90 cultures come together and celebrate. With tourists and locals alike, this melting pot is worth a visit if you’re into flavors, colors, music, and art. Not to mention it’s only 25 minutes away from Dubai by car. Global Village is open from October - April so be mindful when planning your trip. There is a modest dress code to follow upon entering. It’s not as strict at the mosque but try to wear pants and a loose fitting top. Opening hours are from 4pm-Midnight Sunday through Wednesday and 4pm-1am Thursday through Saturday. Entry fee is AED 25 ($7).
Burj Park: If you aren’t staying close to Burj Khalifa, you can come to this park and see it up close and personal. It’s completely free and has a bridge to walk over and places to sit. Be mindful that this is a popular photo spot especially for engagement / wedding photos (I saw 3 in the time that I visited).
Dubai Mall: It’s not typical for me to include a mall as an activity but when you’re referring to the largest mall in the world, you just might have to. This Mall is beyond massive and this is coming from a mall rat. One can easily spend an entire day here and still not conquer it all. Every single store you can think of exists here and more so grab your comfy walking shoes and check it out.
Old Dubai Gold Souk: Bring your comfortable shoes and your haggling skills for some shopping. The souk is a very busy area selling all kinds of trinkets and gifts you can think of. You can shop for spices, clothing, shoes, decor, jewelry and many more. It’s important that you negotiate your prices especially if you are buying more than one item.
Abu Dhabi Grand Mosque: If you are interested in architecture, this place is a must. It’s about an hour away from Dubai and should be visited in the morning to avoid crowds. The Mosque opens at 9am and I strongly suggest getting there around that time because tour buses tend to show at around 11. It’s free to enter and they have a very strict dress code. Women are to be dressed fully covered including their head. If you don’t have the proper attire at home, there is a store you can go into upon entering to buy the necessary clothing. Reserve your spot at the mosque for free here
Beach Day: Some folks may not like my honesty but as a beach snob I must say I did not enjoy the beaches in Dubai. The city is completely man made so don’t expect beaches you would see in the Caribbean or South East Asia. I scheduled time at Jumeirah beach and when I got there I stayed for only about 15 minutes. It was underwhelming in my opinion. However I visited Kite Beach and thought it was a little better.
Dubai Desert Day Tour: If you haven’t had a desert experience I would recommend this tour. I booked online with GetYourGuide and it was $40 per person. It included transportation to/from my hotel, ATV’s camel riding (I skipped this portion), and sand boarding. There are other tours which include lunch, dinner and other activities at higher prices.
Nightlife/Day Parties: Although it’s a modest city, it’s no strange to the turn up. Brunch parties are big deal in Dubai and a few you should check out if you’re interested is Saffron, Miss Lily’s, Cé La Vi and O Dubai (AfroPop Wednesdays)
Dubai is a very rich city with an immense culture and plenty of things to do. It’s perfect for families, couples, friends and solo travel. I found Dubai to be very safe especially since the crime rates are fairly low compared to other metro cities (fun fact: guns are also illegal in Dubai). Regardless of what you’re into, Dubai has something for you to enjoy.