- Police 9999 or 112
- OMR 1 = approx $3 CAD
- No visa req for Canadians for 14 day tourist entry
- best time to visit October to March when temps are 20-30 degrees
- weekends are Fri and Sat
- use Uber instead of taxi
- Google maps worked great for me, especially using CarPlay with the rental vehicle. Took a couple weird routes but was able to sort it out
- respectful to cover shoulders and wear loose shorts/skirts over knees. Arms, ankles and head must be covered when visiting mosques
- DO NOT initiate a handshake with members of opposite sex! Wait for them to offer their hand first.
- if invited for coffee, do accept! Omanis are very friendly and welcoming. Your cup will be refilled each time it’s returned to host so if done, indicate this by tilting your cup gently from side to side before handing it back.
- traditional way of eating is seated on floor using the fingers of right hand. Wait for the host to begin and then follow their example.
- take shoes off before entering Omani home. Host will appreciate small gift such as dates, nuts or sweets from souq
SIM CARDS
- Omantel has most extensive data network. 8G data for 1 week is approx $18 CAD
- Or can order e-sim card from Airalo, Nomad or SimOptions for $5-10 CAD. I purchased ESIM from Airalo that’s good for 124 countries and it worked great while in Dubai and Oman.
PHOTOGRAPHY
- Ask permission before photographing people or their homes! A greeting in Arabic will break the ice. Generally the men will oblige. Refrain from photographing women, especially those in traditional long black robe unless you’ve received explicit permission
- DO NOT photograph gov’t buildings or military checkpoints
GREETINGS
- As salam alaykum (Walaykum as salam in reply)
- Sabah al khayr (good morning)
- Misa al Khayr (good evening)
- Shukran (thank you)
- Kaif harluk (How are you?)
- Humdala (Everything is good)
- Argug (please, help?)
- Afwan (You’re welcome)
- Inshallah (God willing)
FOOD
- Brunch is a way of life and on Fridays you’ll struggle to get a table anywhere
- Shuwa: grilled meat (usually lamb) wrapped in banana leaves and cooked in underground sand oven
- Harees: mix of dried wheat kernels and meat, cooked together until consistency of porridge (not great)
- Mishkak: most popular street food. Marinated meat grilled on wooden sticks
- Dates
- Halwa: dessert. Mix of sugar, honey, rose water, eggs, spices and nuts to form a gluttonous, paste-like consistency
- Chai Karak: strong tea made with green cardamon, saffron and evaporated milk
- Khubz Omani (a.k.a. khubz ragag): thin, flaky bread filled with cheese and honey
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MUSCAT
- Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque (open to non-Muslims everyday 8-11am except Fri)
- Mutrah Corniche (good for sunset)
- Muscat Fish Market (next to Corniche)
- Muttrah Fort (climb 250 steps for views)
- Muttrah Souq (parts of souq closed on Fri & Sat)
- Sur Al-Lawatia, next to Muttrah Souq, where wealthy merchants live. Ask at gate if ok to go in and look around
- Al Jalali Fort (not much to see inside so save the money)
- Al Mirani Fort (view from across water at Al Jalali Fort)
- Shari Al Qurum Beach (can visit Old Fort while there)
- Bait Al Zubair Museum
- Royal Opera House
- The National Museum (beautiful building)
- Mohammed Al Ameen Mosque
- Al Alam Palace
EATS:
- Al Haikal Bakery: cheap Pakistani style stuffed paratha
- Qaha (mediterranean food w/ good service for breaky)
- Dukanah: near Sultan Qaboos Mosque. Great breaky spot after visiting the mosque
- Ramssa: in Qurum, near the mosque. Try qeliah (slow-cooked lamb served with paper thin Omani bread and honey)
- Tea House (cheap breakfasts). Try the rkhal or rgag bread or the chapati w/ egg, potato and cheese
- Huqqa: huge sharing breakfasts
- Nana’s: most popular in Muscat. Service hit & miss but has great sea view
- Mani’s: all day breakfast right on the marina
- Karak Gholam: serves samosas, chapati wraps and karak chai (affordable lunch option)
- Lunch at Kargeen (middle of the city)
- Ali Thani: near Muttrah Corniche. Looks like an Omani home from the outside with intricately carved door.
- Twins Turkish is on the beachfront at Shatti Al Qurum serving fresh fish and Turkish appetizers
- Al Bustan Palace for afternoon tea: beautiful setting and excellant service at Muscat’s most luxurious hotel. One portion is 12.50OMR and is plenty for two peopel to share. Must book ahead. Dress smart.
- Dinner at Mumtaz Mahal Indian restaurant (on hill overlooking Muscat)
- Turkish House: great dinner spot. Three options all next to each other. Cafe on the right is best for shawarma, while the original dining room at the back is best for fish. Try the muhammara (spicy Turkish red pepper & walnut dip) and cheese borek.
- On The Wood: great Lebanese food. Try smooth hummus topped with marinated beef
- *Rozna Restaurant: unique castle structure with private carpets rooms and cushions to eat Omani style
ACCOMODATION:
Qurum area is near Grand Mosque, Royal Opera House and the beach.
Mutrah area is near old city, souq, fish market and corniche
Centre area is near palaces, forts and museums
- *Crowne Plaza Muscat (on the Gulf of Oman, breaky incl, near Mutrah area and Qurum, need vehicle to get around or do day tours)
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RAS AL JINZ
- Hawiyat Nahum Park
- Bimmah Sinkhole (swimming spot 90 mins from Muscat)
- Wadi Shab (45 min walk to swimming spot). 1 OMR for entry.
- Wadi Tiwi (9 villages, date plantations)
- Wadi Bani Canyon (45 min walk to swimming spot)
- Difficult to navigate to Wadi Tiwi and Wadi Shab without a guide to get the full experience. Highly recommend Juma, with Wadi Shab Adventures. Had the absolute best 2 days with him. Book at: Shab Tours – Custom Tours and Experiences – Oman Tour Operator
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SUR
- tranquil seaside town to relax
- lots of old architecture (visit lighthouse and fort)
- Al Ayjah Watchtower for sunset (short climb up hill behind Al Ayhah Plaza Hotel)
- Sunaysilah Castle
- Turtle reserve
- *Unesco site Qalhat (35 mins from Sur). Renovating at time of my visit so double check it’s open
- Dhow Factory & dhow yards along Corniche. Fatah Al Khair (restored dhow)
ACCOMODATION
- Al Ayhah Plaza Hotel (great sunset/night view)
- *Sama Al Ras Jinz (outside of Sur. Very quiet eco-lodge w/ separate cabins. Breaky & dinner incl)
EATS
- Zaki Restaurant (take food to beach for sunset)
*stop at Bimmah Sinkhole, Wadi Shab, Wadi Bani Khalid and Fins beach when driving from Muscat to Sur
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WAHIBA SANDS a.k.a. Sharqiya Sands
- Wadi Bani Khalid (swimming spot). Surround by villages & plantations. Arrive early, especially on weekends. Short walk to pools. Bathroom & cafe around main pool. Further in wadi the scenery is more dramatic
- Muqil Cave
- Wahiba Sands (desert camps)
- camel trek (hire Bedouin guide to lead you thru dunes)
DESERT ACCOMODATION:
- *Sama al Wasil Camp (separate cabins, meals incl, if driving an SUV you can drive thru desert roads yourself to resort). samaalwasil@samaresorts.com https://samaresorts.com/AlWasilDesertCamp.html or Hotels.com to book
- Contact Amur if you want to stay with his family in the desert. He offers trips across the desert with camping at the seaside, sunset dune bashing and camel rides. Contact him through Instagram (amur_ali99006122)
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NIZWA
- Al Qala Mosque (lit up at night)
- Nizwa Fort (Oman’s oldest fort)
- Nizwa Souq (livestock market on Fridays)
Surrounding Area
- *Jibreen Castle (30 min from Nizwa on Route 15). This is a must-see!
- *Unesco site Bahla Fort (10 mins from Jibreen)
- I didn’t have time to visit but recommended by others. Ancient Tombs of Bat and Al-Ayn (gravel roads). Visit Bat first and look for side trail w/ sign “Archaelogical Site (short drive there to stone domes). Backtrack towards Nizwa 22km to Al-Ayn. Tricky to find. May have to park and walk between farm plots and cross dry riverbed. These domes in much better condition that Bat. Take Route 21 back to Nizwa.
ACCOMODATION
- *Antique Inn (central, fort views from roof terrace, pool, breaky incl, ask for poolside room if you want your own bathroom)
*if renting car, this is a good place to stay for a few days while taking day trips. Lots of tour guides found in Nizwa that can help plan excursions
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AL HAMRA, AL ABRIYYIN & JEBEL SHAMS
- old part of Al Hamra is interesting to walk around. Pathways through date plantations along the falaj
- Misfat Al Abriyyin (farming village). Can do day trip from Nizwa or overnight in traditional guesthouse. I opted for overnight (see below) and really glad I did as it’s a unique little village. The accommodation was basic but quaint with just 5 rooms, amazing terrace views and breaky/dinner incl.
- Hajar Mountains
- Jebel Shams (Grand Canyon of Oman). Balcony Walk is 4km w/ 200 m elevation. Begins at village of Khateem. Google maps will take you to parking area. Look for rock near cliff edge with yellow, white and red flags painted on it for the trailhead. Go to hanging village of As Sab. 3 hr hike. Need proper footwear and lots of water/food.
- Al-Khutm (most intact necropolis in world). I didn’t have a chance to visit but recommended.
ACCOMODATION:
- *Sama Heights Resort (separate cabins, central, views, meals incl). Book at https://www.samaresorts.com/or Hotels.com
- *Harit Al Misfah Inn a.k.a Al Misfah Hospitality Inn in Al Abriyyin
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SEEB
- fishing village on outer suburbs of Muscat w/ lively corniche and fish market.
- Look for bbq skewer stalls on Dama St near fish market that serve mishkak, marinated meats & seafood skewered and cooked over coals.
ACCOMODATION:
- Barceló Mussanah Resort (splurge)
- Behlys Boutique (good value, pool, friendly)
- Al Hail Waves Hotel (mid-range, close to beach, pool, ocean view)
- * Mysk Al Mouj Muscat (mid-range, breaky incl, close to airport)
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SALALAH
- road trip is great option from Muscat. Mostly flat and straight along the coast through Sur and Duqm via Route 31 (4×4 isn’t required). Approx 1400km.
- can stop at Dagmar Beach or Hidden Beach along the way
- coffee ships at Al Aktkiah Oman Oil Service and Al Faris Restaurant
- to break up journey, overnight in Duqm
- Important note! Outside of Muscat don’t expect gas stations to take credit card. Will need to refill a couple of times
- bring lots of snacks to avoid gas station food
- flight option from Muscat is quickest option (approx 1.5 hrs). Oman Air and Salam Air service this route. This is the option I chose due to time constraints.
- will need vehicle to explore area or take day tours as Taxis overcharge tourists. Be sure to arrange with hotel for pick-up from airport as cheaper option. I paid OMR 15 for one way.
- Sultan Qaboos mosque
- Sultan Qaboos Palace
- Qasr Al-Hosn
- Haffa (old town)
- Empty Quarter, Ubar, Wadi Dawkah (take tour with Beautiful Salalah Tours)
- Tayq Sinkhole
- numerous beaches
ACCOMODATION:
- *Hilton Salalah Resort (pool, breaky incl)
FLIGHTS FROM MUSCAT:
- w/ Oman Air approx $140 CA return. Flight at 0850hrs arriving at 1030hrs.
- Flights from Salalah to Muscat leave at 0445 hrs, 1130 hrs & 1735 hrs
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MASIRAH ISLAND
*I didn’t have time to visit here but it’s supposed to be fantastic
- off the eastern coast w/ shipwrecks & secluded beaches
- regular 1.5 hr ferries make it easy to reach from Shannah Port on mainland
- ferry from Shannah Port (1 hr). OMR20 for 4×4 (need “no-objection letter” from car rental company to board National Ferry Co (NFC) or can take privately owned boat for cheaper that takes 2 hrs and no “letter” is req.
- schedule for NFC ferry from Shannah to Masirah is: Sat-Sun, Wed -Thur 9am, 12pm, 3pm, 5pm. Mon 12pm, 5pm. Tue 9am, 3pm.
- schedule for NFC ferry from Masirah to Shannah is: Sat, Wed – Fri 9am, 12pm, 3pm, 5pm. Sun 9am, 12pm, 3pm. Mon 9am, 3pm, 5pm. Tue 12pm, 5pm.
- Booking ferry @ https://www.nfconline.om/NFCLive/Default.aspx
- privately owned ferry don’t have fixed schedule and depart once full. Start around 6am and end at 4-5pm.
- visit Corniche Mosque
- best beaches are Ras Abu Zabil Beach, Sur Masirah Bay and Masira Resert Beach
- nesting ground for the Loggerhead sea turtle and Green Sea turtle. Can spot them after 11pm until sunrise
- dhow ruins scattered around Masirah
- food isn’t great and only 2 restaurants in Hilf
ACCOMODATION:
- Airbnb options
- Hotel Danat Al Khaleej
- Masira Island Resort
- Samt Guests House
- Al Jood Hotel Apt
- Masirah Hotel
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CAR RENTAL
- book early to ensure vehicle you want & save money (discount for week?)
- sunnycars.nl/en/car-rental/oman or discovercars.com (I used Sunny Cars which I was happy with. The price included all insurance and unlimited mileage)
- be wary of speed cameras! Radar everywhere.
- don’t need International Driving Permit (Canada, US or UK)
- 4×4 with manual shifting option definitely required if traveling to desert, Jebel Shams, Salmah Plateau and small villages in the valleys
- double check authorized milage and pickup location
- must purchase Third Party Liability insurance. Collision and Theft Protection are optional
