UAE was founded in 1971, when the seven Emirates joined forces. It is one of the world’s largest oil producers and one of the world’s richest countries. Since the discovery of oil, the country has become very modern with a high standard of living. Here you will find a “melting pot” of cultures the large population of expats. Even if you only spend 1 to 2 days here, you can cover a lot of ground as the Dubai International Airport is close to the city. If you have enough time, visit the capital, Abu Dhabi, as well as Dubai.

When To Visit

The winter months are when you want to visit as the climate is dry and very enjoyable with temperatures between 20-30°C. November to February is when you should plan a trip as the summer months can regularly get into the 40-50°C range.

Getting There

There are direct flights to Dubai from both Canada and the US. Air Canada flies direct from Vancouver (15 hours) 3 times a week (Mon/Thurs/Sat) and Toronto (13 hours) daily. Emirates also flies direct from Toronto and Montreal daily. From the US there are direct flights from New York, LA, Seattle, Washington DC, SF, Dallas, Boston, Houston, Miami, Orlando and Chicago.

Before You Go

• The currency used is United Arab Emirates Dirham (DH or AED). At the time of writing this article (Jan 2024) $1USD was equivalent to DH3.67.
• Almost everywhere takes credit card but it’s always good to have some cash for tips, street stands, and the local water taxi.
• You will need to pack a type G converter as the electrical sockets are different. It has three rectangular pins in a triangular pattern.
• Alcohol is only sold at hotels but many of the better restaurants are located in hotels.
• Although many residents speak English, the official language of the UAE is Modern Standard Arabic.
• Immigration gives you a free sim card upon entry to the country so there is no need to worry about roaming or a data plan.

DUBAI

Dubai is a city that was built for tourism. You could spend 2 days here or 5 days here depending on how many attractions you want to see and how much you want to spend. Dubai isn’t cheap. It is like Vegas on steroids, but with no casinos. Dubai is currently the fastest developing city in the world and has been home to one third of the world’s cranes for the past 10 years. It is also home to the tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa.

Getting Around

There are a few ways to get around the city depending on where you want to go.

• Metro – the red line goes directly from the airport through downtown and ends just past the Jumeriah Beach Residence (JBR), with stops near many of the main attractions. It costs DH4 to DH6 per ride (depending on zones). You can purchase a Nol pass which is a card you can refill or even day, week or month long passes if you plan to use the metro a lot. There is also the option to upgrade to the Gold Card (for double the price) which will give you a great view of the skyline while riding and a less crowded experience.
• Taxi/Careem – There are many taxis in the city, all which take credit card. This is the easiest way to get somewhere but depending on how far you are going and the traffic, it can get expensive. There also is a local taxi hailing app called Careem that you can download to order taxis. They give you DH20 off your first 3 rides with the code 3FREE so for a short ride, you could get it at no cost!
• Uber – They also have Uber here and it’s usually more expensive than Taxis, but if you are traveling a far distance and could experience traffic, this might be the better option as it’s a flat rate.
• Scooter – Lime scooters can be found lying around the city and if you already have an account, can be a quick and easy way to get somewhere nearby. One thing to note is that the big roads and highways aren’t easy to cross so make sure you find a suitable route before taking off.
• Bike – If you decide to stay or visit JBR, this is a great option to see the area. Careem has bike stands all over the area and it only costs DH20 for the full day.

Where To Stay

There are a few main areas around the city, but the area you choose will depend on what you want to do.

• Jumeriah Palm – here you will find a beach resort vibe. Every hotel is massive and has its own private beach. There is a tram that stops throughout the Palm but if you stay out here, you will likely be taking taxis everywhere. It is also about a 30 to 40 minute drive to the Burj Khalifa.
  • Sofitel The Palm
  • Atlantis The Royal
  • St. Regis Dubai The Palm (this hotel doesn’t have it’s own beach but has a great view of the entire Palm)
• Downtown Dubai – if you want to spend most of your time at the main sites and museums, this is where you will want to stay. If you plan to go downtown every day, or are in town for a quick trip, it will save you a lot of time staying in the area.
  • Sofitel Downtown Dubai
  • Waldorf Astoria Dubai International Financial Center
  • Address Sky View Dubai
  • Taj Dubai
  • Armani Hotel Dubai
• Jumeriah Beach Residence (JBR)/Dubai Marina – this is a great walkable area with restaurants and bars by the beach. It gets very busy but is a great option for those who want to enjoy the beach but also can get to the downtown area easily by metro. In this area you can also find a lot of reasonable Airbnb options.
  • Sofitel JBR
  • Hilton Dubai Jumeriah
  • Movenpick Jumeriah Beach

What To Do

This city offers so many activities that you won’t know what you will want to experience. Dubai offers a Go City Pass which could be worth it depending on what you want to do and how long you are in the city. Explore the website to see what activities are included. This also gives you a good idea of what the city has to offer.

• Go to the top of the Burj Khalifa – there are two ticket options, one that allows you to go to the 124/125 floor for 179AED (~$50USD) and another that includes the 148 floor, the sky lounge for 399AED (~$110USD) if you go after sunset, otherwise it costs 553AED to go anytime during the day. Make sure you book your visit ahead of time as prime times can fill up quickly. If you visit during the sunset hours, the prices increases to 259AED. To avoid crowds, its best to go first thing in the morning or after sunset.
• Shop at the Dubai Mall and watch the Dubai Fountain show – designed by the same company as the Bellagio fountains in Las Vegas, this 5-minute show runs during the day only at 1pm and 1:30pm on weekdays and 1:30pm and 2pm on weekends, but in the evening, it runs every half hour from 6pm to 11pm. It is the world’s tallest performing fountain. Watch the show outside on the bridge between the Apple Store and the Time Out Market with the Burj Khalifa as the backdrop and then again from the top of the Burj Khalifa for a different perspective.
• Explore the JBR – rent bikes and bike around the marina and along the beach.
• Visit the Souks in Old Dubai – take the Abra boat from Bur Dubai to Deira (or the other way) for DH1. Make sure you have cash to pay for the water taxi. While there, you can stroll through the Spice Souk and Gold Souk.
• Museum of the Future – although this museum wasn’t as informative as I expected, it was still a unique experience that includes many interactive elements and a nice viewing platform. Tickets do sell out quickly so make sure to book in advance. It costs 149AED (~$40USD) per person.
• Dubai Aquarium – features an underwater tunnel and many different species of fish and reptiles. If you are planning to visit the aquarium and the Burj Khalifa, there is a bundle ticket to visit the same day. 245AED for the 124/125 floor of the Burj (you can’t go at sunset though) and admission to the aquarium.
• Dive in the deepest pool in the world with Deep Dive Dubai – here you can scuba dive, free dive or snorkel. This state-of-the-art facility opened in July 2021 and has brand new gear. It isn’t cheap to scuba dive here but it’s worth it for any avid diver. It costs 1200AED (~$330USD) for one dive.
• Ski in the Mall of the Emirates – this is one of the largest indoor ski slopes in the world, in one of the hottest countries, and something you likely won’t see or experience again. Tickets start at 220AED (~$60USD).
• Visit one of the many Theme Parks – IMG World, Legoland, Motiongate, & Marvel Theme Parks are only just a few in the area. The Go City pass includes most of the theme parks, including a 1-Day 2 Park hopper pass at Dubai Parks.
• Go on a Desert Adventure – you can book one on your own (Viator has many options) or through the Go City pass where you can ATV, dune buggy, camel ride or quadbike in the dunes and have lunch or dinner. It takes about an hour to get to the dunes from the city.  
• Rent a yacht and cruise around the city – if you are visiting with a bigger group, it might be fun to rent a 40-50ft yacht and cruise around. It is a minimum of 3 hours and prices start at 1200AED per hour. If you want a shorter, less expensive ocean experience, you can rent jet skis, water camels, kayaks, paddle boards and much more.

Where to Eat & Drink

[Just a reminder that the only places that serve alcohol are in Hotels so some of the places listed below do not serve alcohol].

• Allo Beirut – here you can get great Lebanese street food for a reasonable price. Make sure to try their shawarma. They have five locations in around the city.
• Al Baik – local fast food chain in the Middle East located in the Dubai Mall food court. It’s known for its fried chicken.
• Ossiano – if you are not on a budget and want a once in a lifetime dinner experience, book a table at this restaurant that is built into the Atlantis Aquarium. This Michelin Star restaurant, located in Atlantis, The Palm, offers an 11-course tasting menu for 1,250AED per person. Try to book as early as possible to get a table right next to the tank.
• Time Out Market – located in the Dubai Mall, the Time Out Market offers many different food stalls to choose from for reasonable prices.
• Attiko – a rooftop bar located in the W Hotel in the Dubai Marina with a great view of the city. A perfect spot for sunset or a late-night drink. It has Asian nightclub vibes and
• Monkey Bar – a rooftop bar located in the Trade Center next to the Museum of the Future with tiki vibes and Latin American influenced menu.
• Bla Bla – a beach club in JBR open all day with multiple areas to hang out in, all with different vibes. They host events including concerts and DJs. You can come here for a sit-down meal, a casual drink, or a party at night.