Are you heading to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates? Here are my Top 5 Travel Tips for foreigners while traveling in Dubai! 1. Haggling at Al Seef SoukHaggling at the Al Seef Souk in Dubai can be a delightful experience if you approach it with a mix of charm and strategy. Start by engaging with the vendors in a friendly manner; building rapport can make them more inclined to offer you a better price. It’s helpful to express genuine interest in the items you’re considering, as this shows you’re not just browsing. Begin the negotiation by making an offer of 50% lower than the asking price, but do so in a respectful way. Vendors often expect some back-and-forth, so be prepared for a bit of negotiation. If the initial counteroffer is still high, try to find common ground by suggesting a price that’s reasonable for both parties. Consider meeting somewhere about 65% of the marked price. This may seem like you are low-balling the seller, but the prices are often greatly inflated for the purpose of the haggle. Another effective strategy is to buy multiple items from the same vendor. This can often result in a better overall deal or additional discounts. If you’re hesitant or the vendor isn’t budging on price, don’t be afraid to walk away; sometimes, this act can prompt a last-minute offer to seal the deal. An example of one of our haggling deals is for a Dubai tote bag from an Al Seef vendor. The tote was marked 80 Dirhams (about $22 USD) and my partner offered 20 Dirhams (aboute $5.50 USD). The shop owner countered back at 30 Dirhams (about $8 USD). I didn't really need to tote bag, so we said no thank you and walked away. The shop owner chased after us and accepted the 20 Dirhams offer. Keep in mind that haggling is part of the souk’s culture and is generally expected, so enjoy the process and don’t be discouraged if the first offer isn’t ideal. The key is to remain polite and patient, making the experience enjoyable for both you and the vendor. Note that not all the souks welcome haggling. For instance, it is expected in the Spice Souk, but not in the Gold Souk as the gold is sold by weight. Although I have heard that some diehard hagglers will try to haggle for the fee associated with the jewelry maker'/artist's fee that gets added onto the gold weight price. 2. Free Water Socks at Atlantis AquaventureAre you headed to Atlantis Aquaventure park? Then leave your water shoes at home! When you arrive at the water park, head on over to the Customer Service booths. There are 2 located just outside the main changing rooms. At these booths you can pick up free water socks to use while you're in the park! They even come in different sizes. Not only will this save you some room in your luggage, but it'll also provide relief to your feet in this extremely hot desert! What's the best activity to do at Atlantis Aquaventure? We highly recommend the Shark Safari. It's a helmet-dive into the shark tank where you spend 20 minutes walking amongst the sharks! No previous scuba or diving experience necessary. I have never done anything like this before and was quite nervous, but our amazing guides were very understanding and walked me through the process with kindness and patience. 3. Electrolytes & WaterElectrolytes are essential minerals in the body that carry an electric charge, playing a crucial role in maintaining various physiological functions. These include sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium. Electrolytes help regulate fluid balance, muscle contractions, nerve signaling, and pH levels in the body. When you’re in a hot, arid environment like the desert of Dubai, you lose electrolytes through sweat as your body works to cool down. This loss can lead to imbalances that disrupt bodily functions and lead to dehydration, muscle cramps, and fatigue. Often times, you do not even realize that you are sweating out electrolytes, as the sweat evaporates before it beads. Drinking water alone might not be sufficient to maintain optimal electrolyte levels, especially in extreme heat. In the desert, where temperatures can soar and physical exertion can be high, you need to replenish both fluids and electrolytes to stay hydrated and healthy. Electrolyte beverages, which contain a balanced mix of sodium, potassium, and other essential minerals, can help restore the electrolytes lost through sweating. These beverages are particularly beneficial because they provide both hydration and a necessary electrolyte balance, helping to prevent dehydration and its associated symptoms. We strongly recommend - based on living in the desert Southwest ourselves and spending a lot of time outside in the desert here, as well as in Dubai - to travel with electrolyte drink mix sachets that you can mix in your bottle of water yourself. Whether you carry a reusable water bottle or buy disposable ones, you'll always have access to electrolytes if you carry the drink mix sachets. Additionally, we recommend the electrolyte chewable tablets. Having one of these a day will also help keep the minerals necessary in your body replenished. 4. Wear Closed Toe Shoes for SafarisA desert safari from Dubai offers an exhilarating array of experiences that showcase the stark beauty and adventure of the Arabian desert. You might begin with an adrenaline-pumping dune bashing session in a 4x4 vehicle, navigating the undulating sand dunes with thrilling precision. This is often followed by a serene camel ride, allowing you to savor the tranquil expanse of the desert at a more leisurely pace. As the sun sets, you can enjoy a traditional Arabian barbecue dinner in a desert camp, complete with cultural performances like belly dancing and tanoura shows. The evening might conclude with stargazing under a clear, expansive sky, providing a serene end to an action-packed day amidst the desert's natural splendor. The desert safaris are an absolute blast and worth the long day out in the desert! From the dune bashing, the sand boarding, and camel rides to the entertainment and dinner at dusk, it is hours and hours packed with fun.. under the hot, dry sun! So not only should you definitely heed tip #3 and carry extra electrolytes and water, but you should definitely wear closed-toe shoes during the safari. The sand is VERY hot and it is very easy to burn your feet on it. Make sure you're able to enjoy all of the activities by wearing the proper footwear for the environment. 5. Visit Burj Khalifa in the Early MorningThe Burj Khalifa, standing at a staggering 828 meters (2,717 feet), is the tallest building in the world and an iconic symbol of Dubai’s architectural ambition. Completed in 2010, this marvel of modern engineering boasts 163 floors above ground and is celebrated for its sleek, tapering design inspired by Islamic architecture and the Hymenocallis flower. Its facade, composed of reflective glass and aluminum, not only enhances its aesthetic appeal but also contributes to energy efficiency. Visitors can experience breathtaking panoramic views of Dubai and the surrounding desert from its observation decks on the 124th and 148th floors, offering an unparalleled perspective of the city’s skyline and landscape.
But... the queues to get to the elevator to take you to the top? They can be over an hour long! So our final tip? Go early! In fact, visit Burj Khalifa before 10am to avoid lines. The earlier the better. We visited at 8am and there were so few people that there was was NO LINE at all downstairs in the queue... we got right on the elevator! At the top there were hardly any people, therefore there were no crowds of people to wade through to try to see the views or get the best photos. It's definitely worth getting up early to go to the top! PS - There's no need to add in the trip to the 148th floor. The views from the 124th and 125th floors are spectacular.. I can't imagine there being any difference 20 more floors higher.
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