“Leaving that sea, we were briefly in sight of Muscat, the most important city of the area. I admired its strange appearance, among the black rocks that surround it, on which the white of the houses and forts stands out. I also noticed the domes of the mosques, the elegant tips of the minarets, the fresh and green terraces.”
Jules Verne – Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea

Located in the eastern part of the Arabian Peninsula, Oman is characterized by a varied nature ranging from the vast golden sandy beaches facing the Indian Ocean, where turtles lay their eggs, to the majestic Hajar mountain range.

In between shine the Sharqiya Sands and Rub al Khali deserts, inhabited by Bedouins and crossed by explorers, the small mountain villages nestled among the rocks, the fjords of the Musandam Peninsula and the Arabian Sea, the incense trees of Salalah, and the modern capital, Muscat, calm and charming.

A country rich in landscapes and scenes of rare beauty, where hospitality is at home: even among the desert dunes, Omanis will always be honored to welcome you and offer you a good cup of Arabic coffee accompanied by dates.

“In the desert, at times we came across scenes of sublime grandeur, an immense and noble plastic architecture, an exquisite purity of color, antique rose and red, beneath a clear and bright sky.”

Bertram Thomas – Arabia Felix

The Sultanate of Oman surprises for the variety of its landscapes, including spectacular mountains, deserts, valleys and an endless coastline. From the point of view of flora, Oman owes much to the date palm, which has allowed the sustenance of local populations since prehistoric times.

Even the Bedouin have always used dates when they cross the desert: 15 are enough to provide the body with the vitamins and minerals needed for the day. Another symbol of Oman is the incense tree which, with its precious resin, has opened the door to commerce for Europe.

Considered a gift of God by the people of southern Arabia, incense plays a fundamental role in personal perfumery and environments. To the finer qualities are given healing powers: often the drops of resin are pulverized and ingested to fight stomach pains, colitis or bronchial asthma.

Many species of animals live in Oman but, to spot them, you have to know how to observe! When night falls, the desert is populated with hares, foxes and hawks, while the Arab wolf, the Arab leopard and gazelles roam the mountains.

Symbol of the country is the oryx, the only animal in the world that adapts to life in the desert more than the camel. Reduced to a population of only three specimens in 1972, today there are more than 200, to be admired at the Yaluni Shrine.

Even the seas around the Sultanate are full of life: to date 20 species of whales have been identified, including humpback whales and sperm whales. Dolphins often accompany fishing boats and enjoy playing with tourist boats.

Finally, the Sultanate plays a key role in the protection of marine green turtles, which every year choose the Omani coasts to reproduce and deposit their eggs. Today there are 100,000 specimens per year.

Safety

The Sultanate of Oman has recently been praised for its ability to distance itself from the political and social unrest that has affected other Arab states. It is widely believed that this attitude is due to Ibadi Islam, a form of Islam characterized by tolerance towards other religions.
Crime is uncommon in cities, but it is still advisable to follow common-sense behavior as you would in any other country.

Documents and Visas

A passport with at least six months of validity remaining at the time of arrival in the country is required. Entry into Oman is allowed for foreign residents and tourists from any country. Italian citizens are exempt from the visa requirement for stays up to 14 days, non-renewable.
On the Royal Oman Police portal https://evisa.rop.gov.om/en/home it is possible to apply for a visa for stays up to 30 days, renewable once (Type 26B).

Health and Vaccinations

Medical assistance for foreigners is subject to payment for services not covered by insurance. For this reason, we recommend that anyone wishing to visit the country take out health insurance before departure.
The Sultanate of Oman, however, has a widespread healthcare system comparable to that of Europe.

Currency

The national currency of the Sultanate is the Omani Rial (OMR), divided into 1000 Baiza.
The banknotes used are 100 Baiza, 200 Baiza, 500 Baiza, 1 OMR, 5 OMR, 10 OMR, 20 OMR, and 50 OMR.
Coins are 5, 10, 25, and 50 Baiza.

ATM services are available in all cities, and all major credit cards are accepted except American Express, which is not always usable.
All currencies can be exchanged at banks, exchange offices, and major hotels.

Duty free

Visitors can purchase up to 2 bottles of alcohol, tobacco in a reasonable amount (up to two packs per person), and 225 milliliters of perfume without incurring customs duties.

Internet and mobile telephony

The two main Omani telephone companies are Omantel and Ooredoo: by registering your number with them, it is possible to roam with an international number.
A simpler alternative is to purchase a prepaid SIM card upon arrival at the airport.
Internet connection is possible for every mobile device. Most hotels are equipped with wireless connection.

Wi-Fi

In Oman, Wi-Fi is widely available in major cities, hotels, cafes, shopping centers, and airports. However, connection speed and quality may vary depending on the area. Most hotels offer free Wi-Fi, although in some cases it may only be available in common areas. Connectivity issues may occur in the country’s desert areas (poor connection in Wahiba Sands and no connection in the Rub Al Khali area). For a more stable and secure connection, it is possible to purchase a local SIM with a data plan from one of the main operators in the country (Omantel, Ooredoo, or Vodafone Oman).

Climate

Climate conditions in Oman vary significantly by region. The climate in the coastal belt is characterized by high humidity and hot but breezy summer temperatures. Generally, the climate is semi-desert in the center, with periodic rains in the north. The climate is mild and steady throughout the year. In the mountainous area, there are two rainy seasons (possible rains in November-December, thunderstorms in July-August). In the desert, the climate is dry during the day and humid at night, with a notable temperature range. On the coast facing the Indian Ocean, the climate becomes more humid. During the summer, the climate is scorching, with temperatures exceeding 40° Celsius. The southern part of the country is affected in summer (roughly from mid-June to mid-September) by the rainy khareef monsoon.

CLOTHING

Traditional men’s clothing

• Dishdasha: long white tunic (but can also be beige or gray). It is a national symbol and is worn with pride.
• Kumma or Massar: embroidered cap (kumma) or wrapped turban (massar).
• In official contexts, it is also possible to wear an embroidered cloak (bisht) and carry a khanjar (decorative dagger) at the waist: a symbol of honor and status.

Traditional women’s clothing

• Omani women often wear an abaya (black cloak) over their clothes and a hijab (veil) to cover their hair.
• Traditional women’s clothing, especially during festivals and ceremonies, is very colorful and richly decorated.
• In some rural areas, traditional facial masks (Omani burqa), symbols of tribal identity, can still be found. Tourists are not required to wear traditional clothes but are advised to dress respectfully.

TIME ZONE

In Oman: Standard time: Italy GMT+1 / Oman GMT+4. For example: Italy 12:00 / Oman 15:00.
Daylight saving time: Italy GMT+2 / Oman GMT+4. For example: Italy 12:00 / Oman 14:00.
Therefore, during the period of standard time, the difference is +3 hours while, during daylight saving time, it is +2 hours.
Oman follows standard time throughout the year.

CURRENCY

The legal currency in Oman is the Omani Rial (OMR), divided into 1000 baiza. Please check the exchange rate before your departure. USD and EURO are widely accepted. Note that dollars issued before 2004 are no longer accepted or exchanged due to numerous counterfeits. There are no restrictions on exporting the Rial, and for significant amounts, if the exchange is documented, conversion back to foreign currency is possible. It is advisable to exchange only the necessary amount each time. Exchange services are available at banks and sometimes hotels; occasionally, they may accept payment balances in Euro. Credit cards are quite commonly accepted in hotels and major cities, with Visa and MasterCard being the most widely used; Amex, however, may be refused.

CUSTOMS REGULATIONS

Normally, no checks are carried out either upon entering or leaving the country. The importation of alcoholic beverages is prohibited (only two bottles are allowed for non-Muslim passengers), as well as weapons, replicas of weapons (including toy guns), flammable items, dates of all kinds including date palm roots, ornamental palms, and coconuts. Please note that books, audio or video cassettes, and DVDs may be held by customs for content inspection, and their import may be prohibited. An import permit is required for all meats and derived products; such import must be accompanied by a certificate confirming that the meat is “Halal.” Since January 2006, the importation of khanjar (traditional daggers) produced abroad is prohibited. The export of jewelry, furniture, and antique handicrafts of particular historical value is prohibited. Visitors are advised to check with shopkeepers before making such purchases. It is forbidden to collect corals and turtle eggs on the beaches; therefore, they cannot be exported.

VOLTAGE

The voltage in use is 220-240 V. It is recommended to bring a universal plug adapter since the sockets are of different types; they are generally available locally and in hotels.