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# Before Your Trip

## Dubai

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
Dubai
(Updated Jul 2023)
Thank you for choosing RITZ TOURS!!!
Our experienced staff of Dubai specialists takes pride in providing you with the very best in service and planning. We offer the best quality tours at the most affordable prices. We hope you will have a wonderful trip!
PLEASE FIND ENCLOSED THE FOLLOWING TOUR DOCUMENTS:
1. E-ticket copies of International Airline tickets and US Domestic Tickets (if applicable)
2. Day-by-day Itinerary with Hotel Information and Emergency Contact Phone Numbers
3. Vouchers (if applicable)
4. Ritz Tours Badge
5. Luggage Tag
6. A copy of “Dubai Trips--Things to Know Before You Go”
Upon arrival in Dubai, please go through Customs and Immigration on your own. After exiting the Customs area, please look for a Ritz Tours representative who will be holding a “Ritz Tours” sign. Please make sure that you wear your Ritz Tours’ badge for easy identification.
AN IMPORTANT NOTE ON TIPPING
Please note that gratuities are not included in your tour cost. They are customary, and their purpose is to encourage and reward quality service. Our tour conductors, local guides, drivers, hotel porters and other service personnel do their utmost to make your trip smooth and pleasant. Gratuities are a way of showing your appreciation and also constitute a large part of their monthly income. However, tips are NEVER mandatory.
Ritz Tours suggests tipping in the following manner (US dollars):
● $7 per person per day to guide
● $3 per person per day to local driver
Again, thank you for choosing Ritz Tours as your Partner-in-Travel. We are confident that your trip will be happy and rewarding. If you need further information, please contact your travel agent or Ritz Tours. And please provide your invaluable comments at www.ritztours.com/feedback after your trip.
We wish you Bon Voyage!
Travel Documentation
● Passports must be valid for at least 6 months from the return date of your trip.
● No entry visa is required for US passport holders visiting the United Arab Emirates for personal travel of 30 days or fewer. US citizens holding valid tourist passports may obtain visitor visas at the port of entry for no fee.
● For detailed passport and entry requirements, all travelers are advised to visit www.uae-embassy.org to check with their embassy or consulate.
Health & Medical Matters
All passengers traveling to Dubai are no longer required to present a COVID‑19 vaccination certificate or perform PCR tests.
Customs Procedures
Dubai: In addition to personal effects, foreign visitors are allowed to import gifts whose value does not exceed AED3,000, 400 cigarettes, 50 cigars, 500g of tobacco, 4 liters of alcoholic beverages or 2 cartons of beer (passengers must be above 18 years of age), video cameras, foreign currency less than AED40,000. There are no restrictions on importing the following items for personal use: cell phone, radio system, computers or laptops, baby strollers, wheelchairs, portable TV sets, telescopes, portable music equipment. For detailed customs information, please visit www.dubaicustoms.gov.ae and www.dubaiairport.com.
Money Matters
The unit of Dubai currency is the Arab Emirate Dirham (AED or Dh), which is divided into 100 fils. The Dirhams come in denominations of 5,10,20,50,100 and 500. Exchange currency at authorized changers only. These are available in all airports, most hotels and large shopping areas. The current exchange rate 1AED = 0.27 USD (updated on Aug 12, 2021).
● Credit Cards: Most credit cards are accepted at a growing number of shops, restaurants and hotels in Dubai
● Banks & ATMs: All major banks have branches and ATMs in Dubai.
Baggage
● Ritz Tours welcomes each passenger to bring one suitcase and one carry-on bag. Due to the limited capacity for luggage storage on the vehicle. Ritz Tours does not accept more than one suitcase per person in order to avoid any additional charges for excessive luggage.
● Baggage allowance for international flights may vary by airline and is subject to change at any time. For up to date baggage allowance, please check the airlines’ websites at: https://www.emirates.com/ae/english/before-you-fly/baggage/checked-baggage/
● Emirates: International Economy Class customers can check in two pieces of luggage, up to 50 lbs (23 kg) each. Total dimensions (length + width + height) of each piece must not exceed 150 cm (59 inches). Carry-on baggage is restricted to one piece of luggage, up to 15 lbs (7 kg) and the dimensions of 22” x 15” x 8”. Please check Emirates baggage allowance calculator for restrictions and to find out which applies to you.
● Emirates: Business class customers can check in two pieces of luggage, up to 70 lbs(32 kgs) each .
● Emirates carry-on luggage policy: First Class and Business Class customers are permitted two pieces of carry-on baggage: one briefcase plus either one handbag or one garment bag. The briefcase may not exceed 45 x 35 x 20 cm (18 x 14 x 8 in.); the handbag may not exceed 55 x 38 x 20 cm (22 x 15 x 8 in.); the garment bag can be no more than 20 cm (8 in.) thick when folded. The weight of each piece must not exceed 7 kg (15 lbs). Economy Class customers are permitted one (1) piece of carry-on baggage that should not exceed 22 x 15 x 8 inches (55 x 38 x 20 cm) and must weigh no more than 7 kg (15 lbs).
● Note: For customers boarding in India, carry-on baggage may not exceed 115 cm (45 in.) in total dimensions (length + width + height).
● It is recommended that all checked luggage has a lock (combination locks are recommended) and a luggage tag showing the name and contact information of the owner. (Please use Ritz Tours tags for easy identification by our airport staff.)
● Consider packing one change of clothing, one set of underwear and toiletry in your carry on bag to avoid inconvenience caused by delayed or lost luggage.
● DO NOT pack medicine, valuables and other personal necessities in checked luggage. Keep them in your carry on bag.
● Important note: Ritz Tours representatives cannot enter the luggage claim area. Luggage carts are available, free of charge, at all airports. Collect your luggage and exit, our local representatives will be waiting for you outside. All luggage from the group will be collected for transport to your hotel in a separate vehicle.
● Please consult www.tsa.gov for USA baggage and carry-on restrictions.
Shopping
Although Ritz Tours’ national guides will be happy to assist you with any shopping requirements, Ritz Tours does not assume responsibility for any items purchased at shops while on tour. You are never required to purchase any items while on tour and must be responsible for your own purchases. Any after sales correspondence must be between the passenger and the shop in question.
Food & Drinks
Dubai is a city that offers rare opportunities to experience local and ethnic cuisine from almost every region in the world for those who enjoy good food and a great dining experience. Alcohol is available in hotel restaurants and bars. However, restaurants outside hotels are not permitted to serve alcoholic beverages. It is generally recommended to drink bottled or distilled water.
Language
English is commonly used in all business transactions in Dubai. The country’s official language in Dubai is Arabic.
Clothing
● We suggest you bring comfortable, casual clothing and good walking shoes for the trip.
● Google the weather conditions before you go, and pack accordingly.
● It is not necessary to bring formal clothing.
● Special note for Women

- To be respectful of the UAE culture, it is best to remain covered from shoulder at least to the knees. For instance, although t-shirts (preferably with sleeves covering at least the upper arm) are fine, spaghetti tops for women may not be appreciated in public areas. Also, very tight and/or low-cut t-shirts are also considered offensive. Females wearing strappy tops may be in for a warning at Dubai shopping malls, or shopping centers. Women do not have to cover their heads, faces and hair with a scarf or something similar when in public, although Muslim women, particularly Gulf Arabs, do cover their hair, faces, heads with scarf for cultural and religious reasons. But, when visiting a Mosque, women have to cover their hair, bodies and legs, although covering the face is not a must.
- It is best to not keep the skirt length above the knee level. As skirts get shorter in length, there is higher risk of male attention, police arrest and fine.
- In more traditional areas such as villages and souks, markets and such other areas, short skirts are not considered appropriate for women, and long-skirts below knee length are preferred. Western tops with deep neck lines are strictly prohibited.

● Special note for Men

- Men wearing shorts, although may be considered odd, are unlikely to get into trouble. However, cycling shorts that reveal certain contours or boxer shorts may result in warning from the authorities. Wearing cycling shorts when cycling should be fine.
- Sports clothing appropriate for the sport being played is allowed at the sports venue. However, any combination of t-shirts and shorts are not a problem, even if worn elsewhere on the way from a sports location. At the beach, a swimsuit is acceptable.
- When visiting a Mosque, men are required to be dressed in long trousers.
- T-shirts with offensive slogans or pictures, gestures, or obscene language that might cause religious or cultural offence are not acceptable in Dubai.

Time Differentials
Dubai is based on Standard Time Zone (UTC) which is 4 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time). Dubai is 12 hours ahead of Los Angeles and 9 hours ahead of New York.
Electrical Requirement
Dubai’s electrical system operates at 240 volts. You will need a voltage converter if you are carrying a device that does not accept 240 Volts at 50 Hertz. Please bring your own voltage converter and adapter.
Weather
Dubai
Dubai has a sub-tropical, arid climate. Sunny, blue skies can be expected most of the year. Rainfall is infrequent and irregular, falling mainly in winter. Summer temperatures in July and August can reach highs of around 45˚C (113˚ F) with high humidity, making this the least comfortable time of year to visit in terms of climate. However, Dubai is well geared up for high temperatures, and public transport, shopping malls, hotels, restaurants and visitor attractions are all air conditioned.

| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec
High | 75 | 76 | 82 | 90 | 98 | 102 | 106 | 105 | 102 | 95 | 86 | 79
Low | 56 | 58 | 62 | 68 | 74 | 79 | 84 | 84 | 79 | 72 | 64 | 59

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