Useful Information
General Information
Time Zone: +4 GMT (+3BST)
Currency: Omani Rial (OMR) – divided into 1000 baisa
Exchange Rates: 1 OMR = 1.60 Pound = 2.6 USD = 2 Euro – estimated
Reverse: 1 Pound = 600 baisa, 1 USD = 380 baisa, 1 Euro = 500 baisa
International Dialling Code: +968
Language
Arabic is the national language of Oman, but English is predominantly used for business and widely spoken.
Food
Omani cuisine revolves around rice and thick soup. The main meal of the day is lunch, usually taking place in early to mid-afternoon. It is generally a dish of rice with a thick, often tomato-based sauce, with meat, fish or chicken. Supper tends to be light, sometimes consisting only of fruit or bread and tea. The influence of Indian cooking is strong and a wide array of Indian restaurants can be found in Muscat. There are many western, far eastern, and fast food restaurant chains.
Islam prohibits pork, but it is available in major supermarkets in separate areas.
Drinking Water
It is recommended to always drink bottled water
Useful Contacts
- Police: 9999
- Ambulance Service: 9999
- Fire Service: 9999
- Municipality: 800 77222
Web Access
Internet is available at the Millennium Resort Mussanah free of charge for guests, and Wi-Fi access codes will be provided at check-in. However a number of websites are blocked here in Oman such as Skype.
For further Information please visit the Oman Tourism website.
Alcohol Policy
- Omanis understand that many expatriates drink alcohol. Alcohol is served at most hotels and some clubs and restaurants with licences.
- If you are over 21, you may bring two (2) bottles of Duty Free alcohol into the country.
- Discretion is advised, and drunken, disorderly behaviour is not acceptable and may be punishable by law.
Dress
- The national dress for Omani men is a simple, ankle-length, collarless robe with long sleeves called the dishdasha. The colour most frequently worn is white, although a variety of other colours such as black, blue, brown and lilac can also be seen.
- Oman is a Muslim country but does not require foreign female or visitors to cover their heads or wear an abaya (black gown). However, women are required to dress more conservatively than they may be accustomed to in their home countries.
- Hotel restaurants and bars are places where the rules are more relaxed, and swimwear is perfectly acceptable at pools and beaches.