Dubai Travel Forum

In late August, we were thinking of visiting Dubai, but we are a little confused, as our visit fits in the Ramadan. Dubai is a stopover, so we thought it might be a good chance to see the city. We also know that temperatures are high in August – though that does not bother us much. We live in Greece and our summers are really hot with temperatures reaching 40-44 C.

We are wondering , if safari tours will be available during the Ramadan and if we can swim at private or public beaches, visit the Wild Wadi etc.
Is it a could choice, to stay at Burr Dubai (as it seems to be somewhere in the middle) to go sightseeing and visiting Jumeirah beaches ? We will use the bus and taxi for our transportations.

We plan to visit some places at the mornings and evenings and spent some time in a gym and relax at the afternoon to avoid the heat.
Are all gyms unisex ? Are women acceptable, at the free weights room ?
We understand Dubai is a Muslim country, and have to respect their ways, especially during the Ramadan, but some things that we have read, seem to be excessive for tourists - like a couple holding each others hands being unacceptable(as this is something that happens naturally to most couples around the world when they walk side by side)
Your advices will be very helpful.

Yes, UAE is a Muslim country, but with the amount of foreigners that live/work/travel here, do not let Ramadan dissuade you. The Muslims in country will observe, but otherwise it is business as usual. Heavy labor may taper off a bit during Ramadan, but the tourist options will continue to operate (desert safaris, beaches, etc.)

There are mixed gyms, but I cannot speak for them personally.

As for temperatures, I know August will be hotter than it is now. I've been in/out of UAE for the last month and have witnessed everything between 33C and 52C (Abu Dhabi tends to be a bit warmer than Dubai).

Late August is start of Holy month of Ramadhan and Dubai gets in some low activity period. However, tourists can have their normal plans but should avoid eating and drinking in the public from sun dawn to sun set. Wild Wadi and all of the hotels have their business as normal because they cater to tourists so inside their premises one can freely dine and go for swiming. Gyms in most of hotels are unisex and being a guest of one you can use full facilities. Tour and sightseeing companies tend to have most of their activities set for after the sunset.
Well, as far as I know ONLY holding hand by couples is not causing any problem, showing affection in the public such as kissing, etc... is the one which is not acceptable.
Safe trip and good luck.

Hello from Dubai!

Right, here we go:

In Greece it's hot, so it's good that you won't have too much of a shock. But in August we have extremely high Humidity, up to 100% daily to be exact! You walk outside, daytime temperatures are around 46 degrees, and because it's so humid your skin is immediately wet. I would say weather-wise, August & September are the most horrible months in Dubai.

Safari Tours and Wild Wadi continue, but eating & drinking in public won't be possible (also no chewing of gum, no smoking, etc.) so especially in the heat you might find that problematic.
--> For all about Ramadhan, copy & paste this link into your browser:
http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/tp/13ef74/

During Ramadhan there isn't much happening during the day: Offices have shorter working-hours (so rush hour on the roads is between 2pm and 3pm) and the shops in the malls may be open, but because all of the restaurants are closed usually malls are deserted until the evening / after sunset.
Basically, the city comes to LIFE in the evening after "iftar" = the breaking of the fast.

Yes, some restrictions do indeed seem excessive for tourists, but especially if you are visiting during Ramadhan then everything becomes 50% "stricter" and less acceptable. Also keep in mind that some Muslims may complain not because you have necessarily broken some serious law, but just because by late afternoon they are in a bad mood because they are hungry, thirsty, tired and maybe even craving a cigarette! So it's best to just "play along" to the rules and not offend anyone.

Women will also have to adjust their dress code during Ramadhan. Throughout the "normal" year I often wear knee-length skirts and short sleeve tops / blouses. But during Ramadhan it's definitely advisable to cover-up. I've been here for 11 years and although Dubai portrays itself as a "tolerant, tourist-oriented city", much of this tolerance disappears once Ramadhan starts.

In March of this year the UAE Government published a new "Codes of Conduct" in response to the British couple caught "being naughty" on a beach, etc.
Copy & paste this link for the full text:
--> http://www.dubaiinformer.com/2009/03/dubai-code-of-conduct-full-version

As Amir said, usually holding hands isn't a problem, but during Ramadhan I would still not hold hands (my fiance and I have been approached by security guards / policemen in the past during Ramadhan, and told to not hold hands, so we don't anymore).

If all of this seems to restrictive for you (and especially if this were to be your first visit to Dubai) I would seriously reconsider maybe moving your visit until winter / after Ramadhan.


Hope this helps!
Jess :-)

Just to confirm those comments, during Ramadan you cannot eat, drink or smoke in public during daylight hours. Hotel restaurants are open, though, to cater for their guests and some coffee shops around town are also open but screened from public view.

As Jess said, be a little more conservative in dress than at other times of the year. The rules say that unmarried couples should not hold hands but married couples can, but we don't during Ramadan just in case it upsets a nicotine-desperate person!

The gyms are generally unisex, although some may have special ladies only timings which are displayed.

As Jess said, the real problem is not the heat but the humidity.

Although it's quiet during the day the whole place is rocking from sunset until way into the night, so if you take the afternoon siesta you can enjoy Ramadan here.

Desert safaris are available in August but doubt if anyone can take the uncomfortable desert heat without a breeze in the horizon unless you want to go up in flames ,you can fry an egg on your head , it reaches well above 55 C on average from June but never surpasses the 40 + something officially !

All of your replies were very helpful !
I already read carefully the related links you have posted. During the Ramadan some things will be interesting and other restrictive... However, an exclusive visit to Dubai is not included in our future plans (as I said, this is a stopover). Likely, we will make the decision.
I thank you all :)

Just out of interest; as following the law of ramadan does not apply to the very young and/or old and/or sick are they still prohibited from drinking or eating in public?
Do they go into a shop and drink in there (this is still a public place) or do they stay at home until it's dark?
I have always avoided the UAE during ramadan but it may be helpful to others to know the answer(s).

Yep, they are still prohibited from eating/drinking in public.

Also, especially for Muslim women, even if they're not fasting they wouldn't really go to one of the curtained-off restaurants for lunch or coffee, because that would give the very, very obvious message of: "I'm either sick, pregnant or I have my period".

Not something one needs to declare to the public, right?

There's no real problem, however, with small children eating/drinking in public. Nobody will give a mother the 'evil eye' if she is walking outside and gives her toddler his juice/ice tea/water bottle to drink from. That's different.

So an elderly person, no matter how sick they are, will be unable to drink or eat outside?
So what do they do?

discrete is the word Dave ....they can eat discretely in some hidden corner or another with no one in view and without drawing attention if they happen to be outside otherwise no, no one can have a proper meal in public except for little kids as restaurants outside hotels are closed,seldom you`ll find a few outside hotels with premission from the municipality to saty open for dine in or take aways.

by the way did you get to try out that recipe for the dumplings or was it another poster who asked for them lol

Not yet, no. We are going on a cruise in September and I want to get into my tuxedo before we go!
Eating those dumplings and cakes that you and Amir gave the recipes to will not help my waist line!