Few quick questions about Visiting Muscat ! | ExpatWoman.com
 

Few quick questions about Visiting Muscat !

93
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 11 November 2012 - 16:48

I read lots of the older posts on here about visiting Oman, but there was a lot of conflicting information, so just a few quick questions about visiting Muscat for the first time: (We are considering going in our own car for a short 2 day trip and our group will have kids)

1. Do we need to buy car insurance for Oman? do we buy this beforehand or is this something we pay for at the border?
2. What exactly is there to see/do in Muscat? I've searched online and see there's a souk, the beach, and you can drive to the wadi's, but is there anything else to see directly in Muscat? Is it a kid-friendly place or is it more for the adventurous outdoors types?
3. Are there public beaches? Are the beaches for swimming or only for the view?

250
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 25 March 2014 - 23:12
Thank you Arohadxb - we are British passport holders - do you know what the cost may be? Thank you.
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 25 March 2014 - 09:13
The price of your visa depends on your country of origin, not whether you have a UAE residency. It varies from nothing to 20 rial per person.
250
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 24 March 2014 - 21:01
Can anyone confirm the price for a visit visa? We have UAE residency visas. TIA
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 12 November 2012 - 17:36
I'm glad I could help. thanks for the info on the visa prices too. If you get a chance, you should pick up the Explorer mini guide to either just Muscat or to Oman. It's really helpful. You can find these in all the bookstores. I wish I was going, but I have to wait a couple of weeks. :( Anyway, have a great time!
93
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 12 November 2012 - 14:38
thanks so much for this information, it's extremely helpful!!! p.s. the visa is 50 pp if you have UAE residency, 200 if not!
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 12 November 2012 - 10:33
Hi cleo. Two days really isn't much time, so don't worry about finding things to see and do. Definitely get Oman car insurance. It's between 80 and 100 AED and you can get it for the lower end of the price scale just before the border, next to the petrol station. They DO check to see if you have Oman insurance at the border and at military check points on the road. On the topic of petrol, it's much cheaper in Oman than in the UAE, so just have enough to get across the border, then fill up over there. I can suggest a stop in Sohar on your way. It's stunning in scenery and the coastline and beach are very clean. Once in Muscat, you should definitely go to the souq, but check the opening times. They open in the morning, close in the afternoon, then reopen in the evening. There are many stray cats that live in the souq and they're mostly pretty friendly. The Grand Mosque is well worth a visit, but I think they either don't allow children or they have to be of a certain age. This is because you must be quiet when touring the mosque. They are open for tours in the morning, but not on Fridays, for obvious reasons. Take a drive down along the coast to The Shangri La Hotel area. You can park you car and take pictures of the stunning scenery (yet again). Also go to the fort which is along the corniche together with the souq. We don't have kids, but for kids there is a Children's Museum and The Natural history Museum. There are many beaches, most of which are deserted, but there is a beach comparable the the public beach in Jumeirah, but with cafes and restaurnants on it between the Crown Plaza Hotel and the Intercontinental Hotel. That should keep you occupied for the two days. I'm sure you'll have a good time since the weather is perfect for it now. PS How much is the visa now?