Oman with Kids

Important facts and information to know when visiting Oman

A destination with a little bit of everything from mountains to desert, oceans to sinkholes, even waterfalls! Yes you read that right!

What defines Oman from most of its neighbours is its stringent efforts to retain its original character. Strict building codes have prevented any high-rise development and give the country a feeling of a land that time forgot – in a wonderful, characterful way!

Musnadam Peninsula aerial view of costal drive to Khasab, Oman | Family Travel Destinations in the Middle East

Visiting Oman Important Facts

Official NameSultanate of Oman
CapitalMuscat
CurrencyOmani Rial | 1OR=1000biasa 1OR =2.6USD
LanguageArabic (English widely spoken as is Baluchi, Urdu, Hindi)
ReligionIslam
LeadershipSultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said - Monarch & Head of State
Important DatesNational Day 18 November, 23 July Renaissance Day & islamic Holidays
ClimateSubtropical - varies across regions
ElectricsType G British
VisasVisit Visa online, fees payable
SafetyExercise normal precautions
Oman Map

Oman Visa Information

  • Since 17 March 2018, you should now apply for an eVisa in advance
  • 30-day tourist visas cost 20OR ($52USD). The 10-day visit Visa has recently been re-introduced 5OR
  • You can use an online visa service such as iVisa to help you with your Oman Visa requirements
  • GCC residents can apply at the lower rate of 5OR (note the main household sponsor must be present to avail this discount)
  • If you are crossing the border by land from the UAE note, there is also an exit fee from the UAE (35AED) – this applies to air travel too but is included in your flight ticket, so you don’t notice it!

Click here to find out more about Oman Visas


Points for Family Visitors to be Aware of in Oman

  • Ladies are not required to be covered but should dress conservatively to avoid unwanted attention. You should dress more conservatively than you would in Dubai, for example. Read our full guide on what to wear for children, women & men here.
  • Beyond the bigger towns, supplies of Western-brand baby products are more difficult to get. Stock up on anything you need whilst in Muscat, Sohar or Nizwa, where there are big supermarkets like Carrefour. Khasab on the Musandam Peninsular has a large Lulus for supplies.

General Travel Tips for Visiting Oman

  • In some places such as the Musandam Peninsula, UAE Dirhams are accepted at a 10:1 rate to the Omani Riyal – a small downside in the exchange, but it may well save you trying to find an ATM if you are only in Oman for a day or two.
  • Outside of major cities, don’t expect there to be ATMs and credit card facilities everywhere.
  • Driving in Oman is on the right side; the steering wheel is on the left. Roads are easy to navigate, and self-driving is straightforward, making it an excellent country for road trips.
  • Remote areas of the country will not have cell services; if you are self-driving, make sure you have downloaded maps too.

See our regional guide to culture and religion for more – coming soon


When is it Best to Visit Oman

Oman is best visited during the cooler winter months of the year where daytime temperatures are pleasant – October through to May.  It can rain in the winter and spring, be warned of the risk of flash flooding risks, particular under mountains.

During the summer months of July through to September, the southern city of Salalah benefits from the Khareef – monsoonal weather that makes temperatures much cooler than elsewhere on the Arabian Peninsula.  The hottest month of the year is June, though not as hot as other parts of the Middle East.

Read our full guide on the best time to visit Oman here


Most Popular Attractions in Oman

Oman is a geographically fascinating country which brings with it many interesting features that families will love.

It is difficult to see everything the country has to offer on one trip as the major points of interest are so spread out, but we recommend you try and visit these at some point during your time in the Middle East:

  • Muscat – The historic city capital, which in stark contrast to the rest of the Middle East, has no skyscrapers, so much of the city’s original charm and architecture remains
  • Daymaniyat Islands – a protected coastal area with stunning white sand beaches and great snorkelling
  • Ras Al Jinz – catch the turtle migration and hatching season May to September
  • Jebel Shams – scale the country’s tallest peak in the Northeast, close to the UAE border
  • The Beautiful Wadis of Oman – mountainous ravines are a huge feature of Oman’s eastern regions (see Oman’s best Wadi locations!)
  • Sinkholes – there are a few sinkholes that visitors can swim in, but the most famous is the Bimmah Sinkhole
  • Musandam Peninsula – the mountainous Northern enclave separated from the mainland of Oman by the UAE.
  • Nizwa – visit the historical capital of Oman and see the wonderfully restored fort along with the bustling souq and UNESCO-listed falaj systems
  • Al Hoota Cave – in the mountains beyond Nizwa, you’ll find these amazing naturally-formed limestone caverns and underground lakes
  • Wahiba Sands – beautiful desert sands to the west of Muscat
  • Salalah – the oasis city of the southern coast

We summarise the 10 Best places to visit in Oman here


Oman with Kids – Our Travel Stories

We have some great Oman travel stories with kids on our site and shared by our community; check out these resources to help you plan your trip to Oman with kids:

Places to visit with Kids in Oman

View from Bahla Fort

Route Planning in Oman

Use these handy guides to plot your itinerary between major points of interest in Oman:

Best Places to Stay with Kids in Oman

More helpful Oman guides

Oman Tours & Guides

When looking for tours in Oman, we suggested using the online booking platform Get Your Guide. With generous cancellation policies, great customer service and immediate confirmation with vouchers to your phone, they are a reliable online booking platform taking you to local operators.

Check out some of their most popular tour options around Oman here:

Contribute to this section

Have you been to Oman with or without kids? Do you live in Oman? We are looking for more contributors to this category, can you help?  Pop over and see our contributors page and find out how you can get involved in building our resource library for fellow visitors to Oman.


Further reading and resources on Oman

Blogs & Social channels

Do you have any local Omani blogs or travel resources to recommend?

Resources

  • Experience Oman – Official tourism website
  • Oman Observer – Oman’s leading English newspaper often has up-to-date travel guides and inspiration for weekenders

We cannot live without our Explorer guidebooks when tackling road trips on the Arabian Peninsula. You may also want to check out these handy guidebooks to accompany you on your trip to Oman:

Movies and literature on Oman

  • The Turtle of Oman – A moving novel based on a child who must leave his Muscat home to immigrate to the US
  • A History of Modern Oman – A local back as far as the 18th century, ushering in the era of oil, Islamic culture and the country’s role as a moderate in the region

Kids Resources

Sorry, nothing in this category (yet!)  Can you help recommend something?


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Oman Family Visitor Guide. A detailed guide to what you need to know before planning a family vacation to Oman, including culture & customs, safety and religion. Also includes the most popular sites to visit and other practical resources.

NB please check visa and arrival facts with the appropriate authorities before travelling. Information is correct to the best of our knowledge as of January 2023. This page contains affiliate links that earn us a commission if a qualifying purchase is made.