Organize your stay Oman
Money Oman
The country's currency is the Omani rial, symbol: OMR. The rial is divided into baizas, symbol: bz. 1 OMR is worth 1,000 bz. Euros and dollars are accepted at all banks and exchange offices. 1 rial = approx. 2.38 euros or 2.34 Swiss francs and approx. 3.44 Canadian dollars (variable rates). There are coins of 5, 10, 25 and 50 bz and banknotes of 100 bz, 500 bz, 1, 5, 10, 20 and 50 OMR.
Budget & Tips Oman
Oman has a reputation for being an expensive destination and, indeed, standard hotels and car rentals are quite expensive. Even small guesthouses are never exactly cheap. But more and more of them are springing up in the tourist sections of the sultanate, offering great alternatives to hotels and, above all, a more authentic setting. Another significant advantage for the wallet: camping is free and authorized throughout the country, even on the outskirts of towns. Knowing that the level of safety is one of the best in the world, this is a major advantage. The only downside is that, while they do exist, serviced sites are rare, so we're talking more about wilderness camping without toilets or water.
The price of food varies from one to ten, depending on the standard of the place - from a gargote to a top-of-the-range restaurant in a luxury hotel. But it's perfectly possible to eat for a few euros every day and absolutely anywhere in the country, in the heart of the coffee-shops that are legion. It's worth noting that hygiene regulations are drastic in the Sultanate, and health checks are frequent. So there's absolutely no fear of eating on the go or sipping tons of fresh fruit juice, even on the rocks.
In terms oftransport, on the other hand, there's nothing very practical for backpackers. Neither train nor metro, very few public buses and, in any case, none serving the mountainous and remote areas of the sultanate that are of interest to travellers. As a result, it is often necessary to rent a 4x4 vehicle at a not inconsiderable daily cost (a minimum of 40 OMR per day). This may be partly offset by the cost of fuel, which is much cheaper than in France. To save money, a sedan may even suffice for the classic tour via Nizwa, the surrounding cultural and natural sights, Jebel Al Akdhar, the turtles, the most popular wadis (in this case, park at the entrance and hike), the coastline between Ras al Jinz and Muscat. All you need to do is ask for a transfer to a desert camp, which is often done easily.
If you plan your trip well in advance and opt for camping, you can visit Oman at a very reasonable price.
Passport and visas Oman
In December 2020, the Omani government introduced visa exemption for 103 countries, including France, Belgium, Switzerland and Canada. This measure aims to encourage tourism in Oman, identified as one of the key sectors for future national development. The exemption is valid for stays of less than 14 days, and is conditional on a confirmed hotel reservation, a return air ticket, a passport valid for at least 6 months after the date of return, and health insurance. Please refer to the Sultanate of Oman Tourist Office in France website - www.experienceoman.om, Practical info/Visa section.
Other travelers, especially those staying longer, will need to download an electronic visa from evisa.rop.gov.om. Steps to follow:
- enter the evisa.rop.gov.om website
- click on Apply for Tourist Visa , then on Login as a Tourist
- follow the registration procedure and identify yourself
- click on Apply for visa
A photo and a copy of your passport (scans) must be attached to the form. Do not apply at the very last minute, as validation may take several days, or even longer if something goes wrong. At the same time, since travelers have only one month to enter the country once they've obtained their e-visa, don't apply too early either.
Prices vary according to the length and type of stay (over 14 days, multiple entry, etc.). Please note that this website is designed and managed directly by the Omani police. The Embassy of the Sultanate of Oman in Paris has no control over its content or the online form. Leaving the country cancels the visa, so it's advisable to take out a multiple-entry visa if you wish to travel to the Musandam peninsula by road, for example; by air, on the other hand, there's no problem.
Changes in legislation are always possible, so check with the Omani embassy in Paris before you leave. On arrival, the identity document required is a passport valid for more than 6 months after the date of exit from the country.
Driver's license Oman
A valid French driving licence is recognized by the Omani authorities.
Health Oman
No vaccinations are required to enter the Sultanate. There are no health risks or hygiene problems, although tap water is not considered potable. Catering standards are very strict, and inspections are frequent. The slightest fault and the establishment is closed. The kitchens of local restaurants are therefore well run, and there is generally no risk in eating a quick lunch for a handful of rials in coffee-shops or gas-station gargotes.
The quality of medicine is quite high, and there are many well-equipped public and private clinics and hospitals with ambulances. The same applies to pharmacies, which are ubiquitous, the largest chain being Muscat Pharmacy - www.muscatpharmacy.net. However, the further away you are from the cities, the less reliable the emergency services. In particular, the Sultanate has no high-performance mountain rescue service, so there's no question of taking a bad fall or tempting the devil: don't enter wadis in stormy weather (the water can rise very quickly), never pitch a tent at the bottom of a wadi (only at heights), and always leave with two 4x4s in the desert and high mountains. As in any rocky desert country, be aware that some reptiles and insects are venomous: take the usual precautions, hike with closed shoes, and always inspect down, shoes and clothing when camping in remote areas.
Mandatory vaccination Oman
No vaccinations are required for travel to the Sultanate.
Security Oman
Oman is one of the safest and most secure countries in the world. Political stability is indisputable: 50 years of reign for Sultan Qaboos and a smooth transition, at the beginning of 2020, with the current Sultan Haïtham Ben Tariq, who is committed to continuing the policies of his predecessor. Diplomatic relations with neighboring countries and the world at large are exemplary, and the borders with Yemen are closely guarded. Internally, a discreet police presence is maintained throughout the country, where there is virtually no delinquency or criminal activity, and lawlessness is severely punished. This serenity, both internationally and nationally, is the result of a number of factors: a wide-ranging redistribution of the wealth generated by energy rents; a high-performance, free and compulsory education system, even in the most remote sections of the sultanate; a tolerant and moderate form of Islam, Ibadism; a tradition of hospitality and an extraordinary sense of welcome; a natural benevolence and a subtle and enlightened mode of governance based on listening and speaking rather than monarchy by force.
In concrete terms, as soon as you arrive, you'll feel an immediate gentleness of life, and you'll be amazed, if you forget a cell phone or your wallet in a restaurant or even on a public bench, to find it back in the same place, or in the safety of the reception desk, several hours later. The same goes for your rental car: if, for example, you forget to lock it with your luggage visible inside, the risk of theft is virtually nil. We're not encouraging you to behave inconsistently, of course, but simply to enjoy the feeling of well-being and freedom that this high level of security undeniably provides. It's not for nothing that the country is nicknamed the "Switzerland" of the Middle East!
Time difference Oman
GTM + 4. French time: + 2 in summer; + 3 in winter. When it is 5pm in November in France, it is therefore 8pm in the Sultanate.
Spoken languages Oman
The official language of the country is Arabic, followed by English, which is widely used, particularly in the business world. The vast majority of services (money withdrawal, various information...) are offered in these two languages, as well as the indicative signs. In tourist circles, a good number of guides speak French.
Communication Oman
To call from Oman to France, dial +33 followed by your correspondent's number without the 0.
To call from France to Oman, dial +968 + the 8-digit local number.
The Internet network is well-developed: all hotels have a good connection and even most restaurants and coffee-shops.
A practical option is to take an unlocked cell phone with you and buy a local prepaid sim card as soon as you arrive in the sultanate - on sale at the airport and at local phone shops such as Oreedoo and Omantel. For a few rials, you get an Omani card that allows you to make local calls at normal rates. The card is activated immediately on purchase (remember to have your passport with you) and can then be topped up with 1, 2, 4, 5 and 10 OMR cards. For more information, contact Ooredoo (ooredoo.om) and Omantel (omantel.om).
Calling via WhatsApp, Messenger or Facetime is currently impossible in Oman. On the other hand, Omanis very often use IMO, an Android application that enables them to communicate with other users free of charge. It may be worth downloading this application before you leave.
Electricity and measurements Oman
Electricity. Electricity is 220-240 volts. Plugs and sockets conform to the British standard: three flat plugs. An adapter is therefore essential for appliances that comply with French standards. You can find them everywhere in France, in airports and in supermarkets on site.
Weights and measures. These are the same as in France.
Luggage Oman
Take along long but light clothing, preferably linen or cotton. Throughout the country, we strongly recommend that you respect local culture by wearing decent clothing: Bermuda shorts rather than shorts for men, long-sleeved shirts rather than T-shirts or tank tops, no cleavage or short skirts; avoid bikinis in wadis frequented by locals, and bathe in a tunic to avoid offending. For mountain or desert escapades, remember to take a warm fleece-type sweater, and a windbreaker for high-altitude camps in the evening. And since the relationship between hot and cold is a very relative notion, don't be surprised to see locals wearing gloves and hats in December and January in the Shams and Akhdar djebels! If you're feeling the chill, you'll need to carry a jacket, sweater or something to wear around your neck to cope with the sometimes sharp variations in temperature between the outside and the air-conditioned interiors of stores, museums and restaurants.
Don't forget sunglasses and a cap to avoid sunstroke, and, of course, a swimsuit and sun cream for swimming in the sea, rivers and wadis. Mask and snorkel can also be useful for bathing. And good shoes if you intend to hike, or your climbing gear or other equipment.
Remember that Oman is an ideal country for camping, and that it can be useful to disembark with your tent and sleeping bag.
