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 Name	Sultanate of Oman
Capital	Muscat
Currency	Omani Rial \| 1OR=1000biasa 1OR =2.6USD
Language	Arabic (English widely spoken as is Baluchi, Urdu, Hindi)
Religion	Islam
Leadership	Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said - Monarch & Head of State
Important Dates	National Day 18 November, 23 July Renaissance Day & islamic Holidays
Climate	Subtropical - varies across regions
Electrics	Type G British
Visas	Visit Visa online, fees payable
Safety	Exercise normal precautions

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

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

Spending a Night at Ras al Jinz Eco Reserve – Review by Screen-Free Adventures
Where to stay in Khasab, Musandam
Best Family Hotels and Resorts in Muscat
Best Family Beach Resorts in Salalah

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

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