Dubai

Dubai, the business hub of the Middle East and host to the World Expo 2020, is home to some of the greatest attractions in the world. As a bustling city embodying luxury and excess, Dubai offers plenty of options for entertainment, amazement, and wonder.

Overview Attractions and Activities Adventurous Activities Food Final Comments

When most people think about the United Arab Emirates, Dubai is often the first place that comes to mind (i.e. that really expensive city where you can see jaguars sitting in Jaguars, falcons fetching cookies, underwater hotel rooms, etc.). First-time visitors are often amazed by the glossy hotels, magnificent skyscrapers, beautiful beaches, flashy sports cars, and enormous yachts, among others—qualities that make Dubai a top destination for casual travelers and adventurers alike.

I have visited Dubai several times—always as the main destination and never as a layover. Even now, it still amazes me. There are so many things to do and see. This adventure guide will cover a wide assortment of advice, activities, and adventures to help you get the most out of your Dubai experience.

Note: I highly recommend looking at the United Arab Emirate’s main destination page. It has an overview of the entire country (various cities, some history, synopsis, climate, communication, navigation, costs, ratings on cost/food/popularity, attractions/activities, cultural considerations, unique considerations, etc.) alongside some interesting facts about the country as a whole.

Recommended Duration of Visit

3 days (ideal), 2 days (doable), 1 day (difficult)^[1]

[1] You’ll miss many attractions, but you can still visit a few of the major ones (Burj Khalifa, Dubai Fountain, Dubai Mall, etc.).

Click for some interesting facts about Dubai

In addition to Lamborghini police cars, Dubai is going to provide its police force with hoverbikes^[1].
Dubai is one of the most visited cities in the world (and that is mostly due to Dubai International Airport being a major transportation hub). However, as a country, the UAE pales in comparison to many other popular destinations like the United States and France.
The Palm Jebel Ali is technically a bigger palm tree island. However, it is incomplete and has been for over a decade (so it doesn’t count). The Jebel Ali can actually be seen on the GPS map (down the coast).
There are actually four artificial islands—Palm Jebel Ali (under construction), Palm Deira (under construction), The World (under construction), and Palm Jumeirah.
Dubai is a relatively young city by most standards. Up until the 1960s, it was mostly a desert city centralized around fishing and pearl diving. The discovery of oil in the UAE eventually turned Dubai into the well-known metropolis it is today.
There is no income tax in Dubai (I’ll give you a moment as you start looking up flights).
4 of the 5 tallest residential buildings reside within Dubai. In fact, about a third of the 50 tallest buildings in the world are in Dubai^[2]. The buildings are, in descending order, Princess Tower at 414 meters (1,358 ft), 23 Marina at 392 meters (1,286 ft), Elite Residence at 381 meters (1,250 ft), and the Marina Torch at 348 meters (1,142 ft). Interestingly enough, these are all taller than the Eiffel Tower.
The Dubai Dino, a 90% authentic dinosaur fossil, is on display in the Dubai Mall. It was excavated by German Paleontologist Raimund Albersdoerfer in 2008 from the Dana Quarry in Wyoming, USA. No comparable exhibit, with all bones present, exists elsewhere.

Before You Go

Flights: Consider Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar Airlines (the Big Three Gulf Carriers). These airlines are considered unfair to the competition because they are federally subsidized. I’ve flown with each of them and noticed that their quality was excellent for the reasonable prices. Emirates also has a shower on board in first class.

Overview

Climate: Dubai (and the UAE in general) favors heat. Summer clothing is your best bet. November to April have lower temperatures. Full onset of summer is around May to August. Note that December to January is tourist-dense due to the Dubai Shopping Festival, UAE National Day, and New Years.

Communication: English is widely spoken in Dubai (even signs have English translations). There are also more Indians than Emiratis, so knowing some Hindi will be quite useful (pretty much all the taxi drivers are Indian).

Navigation: Downtown Dubai to the beach and Palm Jumeirah is essentially a straight line. Taking the metro and walking around might seem like a great idea if you enjoy being hot and sweaty while walking long distances. Consider taxis, Careem (the local ridesharing service), and Uber instead. Transportation is very cheap in Dubai compared to many destinations in the world. Note that many taxis only take cash.

Lodging: Honestly, I booked my hotels pretty last minute on hotels.com and there were still great deals (200 AED total a night for a decent room). Dubai has a diverse range of premium, standard, and budget hotels to choose from, and I’ve actually seen some of the best quality for my money here of all places—mostly because there is an oversupply of hotels. One important thing to note is that the taxes for hotels here can be close to 20%, but even then the prices are very reasonable. Hotels on the Palm Jumeirah or near beaches will naturally cost more. However, if you’re planning around the World Expo 2020, definitely book many months in advance.

Activities Planning: This Dubai guide website covers almost all your activity booking needs. I cannot stress how important it is to book your Dubai activities online in advance. Skipping the line and getting the desired time slots and bundled packages will improve your experience immensely.

Special Considerations

The UAE is still quite conservative by most Western standards. Here are a few rules to observe.

Do not take alcohol outside of established zones—hotels, bars, restaurants, and clubs.
Do not spit on the ground, swear, or make rude gestures at others in public.
Do not dress inappropriately in or near places of worship.
Refrain from performing acts of extreme sexiness in public (although public displays of affection are often ok for tourists, limit or avoid it)..
And, for the love of all that is good, do not get caught with drugs (unless you enjoy spending time in prison, of course).

General: Alcohol and alcohol-related activities are very expensive (easily more than 3 times the cost compared to countries like the United States). Lodging and transportation are not expensive, especially for a place of this caliber. However, food and activities/adventures will be where most of the costs are. For example, one skydive over the Palm Jumeirah could cost the same amount as one to two weeks of lodging ( 1699-2199 AED). Naturally, this is one of the high-end activities available here. There are many cheaper options.

Currency: United Arab Emirates Dirham (AED). Currency Converter.

World Expo (“Connecting Minds. Creating the Future.”): In 2013, Dubai was awarded the honor to host the World Expo 2020—a massive international exhibition designed to showcase the achievement of nations. Before the Expo opens on 10/20/2020, Dubai promised to astonish the world and declared that the Expo will “welcome 190 participating countries” (in other words, the expo will host pretty much the entire planet). If you are unsure which countries you want to visit in your lifetime, why not try and get a taste of almost all of them as each country brings something unique to the exhibition? This is the opportunity of a lifetime, and it is hosted in a city that is remarkable in its own right—regardless of whether or not there is a World Expo. On a final note, the exposition’s location is located between Dubai International Airport and Abu Dhabi International Airport.

Things to Do: Attractions and Activities

I have included numerous websites for ticket booking purposes. Alternatively, here is a convenient website for Dubai that lists many of the attractions/activities and their prices. Currency: United Arab Emirates Dirhams (AED).

Burj Khalifa: No trip to Dubai would be complete without a visit to the Burj Khalifa. The tallest tower in the world offers a panoramic view of the city while providing plenty of great opportunities for fantastic photos.

The Dubai fountain is right at the base. If you time it right (especially at night), you can see the waterworks from a bird’s eye view. Additionally, going all the way to the top costs quite a bit more. You can see it for the experience, but your view is not much better. Some more expensive packages offer other special features as well (i.e. dinner).

Cost: 145 AED+ (refer to link). Buy Burj Khalifa tickets here. Recommended Duration of Visit: 2 – 3 hours (there’s a bit of waiting time before reaching the top).

Dubai Fountain: The largest choreographed fountain in the world is also another must-see attraction. Since it is at the base of the Burj Khalifa, simply stroll on over and admire it in all its splendor.

The fountain does not play only classical music. When I visited, it played I Will Always Love You and Thriller. If you care, I recommend researching what songs are played or simply ask the locals. The restaurants around the fountain might be overpriced as well. I recommend just eating elsewhere and walking over.

Cost: Free to visit. Recommended Duration of Visit: 1 – 2 hours.

Palm Jumeirah: This tree-shaped artificial island might just cover most of your needs in Dubai. Between its elaborate design, view of the Dubai coastline, and wide-ranging options of entertainment (hotels, bars, restaurants, food trucks, clubs, water parks, etc.), this world-renowned island should be a priority during your visit (after the Burj Khalifa and Dubai Fountain, of course).

I personally recommend the bird’s-eye view (via helicopter/plane tours or skydiving) if you can afford it. Also, note that pretty much everything is more expensive on the island. So, unless you’re too overburdened by a fat wallet, I recommend finding lodging outside of the island.

Cost: Free to visit. Recommended Duration of Visit: 2 – 4 hours.

Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo: If you’re in the Dubai Mall, drop by the Aquarium and Underwater Zoo to see King Croc—one of the largest crocodiles in the world. The multilevel Aquarium and Zoo also boasts other varieties of exotic creatures if the giant scaly reptile isn’t to your liking (he’s lazy as hell and doesn’t move much).

It would also help to time when you actually see King Croc. They feed him at regular intervals so you can see him actually do things besides being lazy. Also, Markette restaurant right across from the Dubai Aquarium has one of the best grilled octopus I’ve ever had.

Cost: 145 AED+ (depends on package). Buy Dubai Aquarium tickets here. Recommended Duration of Visit: 2 – 3 hours.

Burj Al Arab: The world’s first 7-star hotel is quite a sight to behold. From its boat-shaped exterior to its architecturally complex interior design, the Burj Al Arab is one of those rare hotels that you just want to see without even booking a room.

This hotel requires a reservation in order to enter. You can make reservations for rooms, bars, and restaurants. I recommend reserving a spot at the restaurants or bars instead of booking a tour (It’s an expensive hotel, not a historically rich monument. Get over it.).

Cost: Variable depending on the reservation. Recommended Duration of Visit: 1 – 2 hours.

Dubai Mall: With easily over 1000 shops, an authentic dinosaur fossil, and an aquarium/zoo, the Dubai Mall cements its status as one of the largest and most luxurious malls in the world. Even if shopping or retail therapy isn’t your thing, a stroll through the mall will still entertain you and demonstrate why malls in this country are unlike anywhere else in the world. Click here for more information on the mall.

The DSF (Dubai Shopping Festival)—filled with sales, performances, and giveaways (gold and cars)—happens in January. I recommend visiting the Rainforest Café, Hysteria Haunted House, and the Dubai Dino—the authentic 155 million-year-old dinosaur fossil (shown in photo). The dinosaur is also a great reference point. Tell your group to “meet back at the dinosaur at this time.”

Cost: Free to visit. Recommended Duration of Visit: 3 – 5 hours.

Dubai Marina: Feel like a peasant as you frolic through this affluent residential neighborhood and gaze in awe at the luxurious yachts and their owners who will probably return stares of condescension. 4 of the 5 tallest residential buildings in the world can be seen from this marina(more information can be found in the Interesting Facts section) .

You can see the marina from the water if you book a yacht ride (covered in the Adventurous Activities section). The rides often start at the marina and end there.

Cost: Free to visit. Recommended Duration of Visit: 1 – 5 hours (there are yacht tours here).

Wild Wadi Waterpark: Wild Wadi is a massive and extremely photogenic water park located near the Burj Al Arab. One look and you can’t help but want to go inside, especially because it will help cool you off with its water slides, giant waterfall, heated pools, and artificial surfing machines, among others.

Read the park rules before entering. Look at their swimwear policy as well. And although their management “reserves the right to determine if swimwear is appropriate,” bikinis were actually allowed (unless you’re a man, of course).

Cost: 220 AED+ (Cost based on height). Buy Wild Wadi tickets here. Recommended Duration of Visit: 3 – 5 hours.

Dubai Miracle Garden: In the Dubai desert lies the Dubai Miracle Garden (launched on Valentine’s day, 2013)—the world’s largest natural flower garden. Here, structures and designs were formed using over 50 million flowers and 250 million plants. There is also a Dubai Butterfly Garden—the largest butterfly garden in the world—within the main park.

Due to high temperatures, the garden is closed from around May to October and is usually opened from November to April. This page contains more information on “Getting There,” “Park Hours,” and “Parking Instructions.” The Dubai Butterfly Garden requires a separate ticket (at 55 AED).

Cost: 50 AED. (Source). Click here for pricing and more information. Recommended Duration of Visit: 3 – 5 hours.

Dubai Gold Souk: This traditional market features hundreds of retailers—most of whom specialize in the jewelry trade. Here, you can find valuable commodities such as silver, platinum, diamonds, and, of course, gold—lots and lots of gold. The place is absolutely dazzling, and the gold is real (the government enforces the standards and regulations to ensure that the gold is real). In this case, all that glitters is probably gold.

Visit this place as a group if you can, because the streets are narrow and are easy to get lost in. If you are unfamiliar with traditional markets, the constant touting and yelling can wear on you. The price of gold fluctuates very often, so make sure to know the market rates if you decide to buy gold. Finally, you can haggle on almost anything (I’ve seen haggling produce discounts of up to 30%), and it is much easier to haggle with cash than with credit.

Cost: Free to visit. Fat stacks to buy. Recommended Duration of Visit: 1 – 2 hours.

Jumeirah Beach: The main Jumeirah beach is closer to the Burj Al Arab and Wild Wadi than it is to the Palm Jumeirah itself. If a beach is what you are looking for, then this white sand paradise is for you.

Cost: Free to visit. Recommended Duration of Visit: 2 – 3 hours.

Mall of the Emirates: Similar to the Dubai Mall’s grandeur, the Mall of the Emirates offers a large selection of restaurants, hotels, and attractions. The most notable attraction is Ski Dubai.

Cost: Free to visit. Recommended Duration of Visit: 2 – 3 hours.

Ski Dubai (Indoor Ski Resort): Located in the Mall of the Emirates, Ski Dubai is an indoor skiing resort that will show you money can indeed control the weather. Complete with its own ski lifts and temperatures below 0 Celsius, this place is a novel attraction that is the polar opposite of the potentially stifling temperatures outside.

It is actually quite cold after a while, so moderate cold gear (as ironic as that sounds) is necessary.

Cost: Refer to link (packages vary greatly). Buy Ski Dubai tickets here. Recommended Duration of Visit: 2 – 3 hours.

Dubai Dolphinarium: The dolphinarium provides an indoor air-conditioned habitat for seals, and…what was it…oh yeah, dolphins, among a few other marine animals. The dolphin show’s aerobics, stunts, and formations are a spectacle to behold.

The Dolphinarium is on the outskirts of Dubai—far away from almost everything else. I recommend planning this activity among the first of the day, especially since the other attractions/activities are towards the center.

Cost: 45 AED+. Buy Dubai Dolphinarium tickets here. Recommended Duration of Visit: 2 – 3 hours.

Bars, Clubs, and Nightlife: If you’re looking for a wild time, Dubai has bars and clubs to spare. While the Palm Jumeirah itself is party central and the nights are wild, WHITE Dubai is a very popular club if you want something off the island. Barasti is my favorite bar since it is alongside the beach (and not nearly as loud and crowded as the clubs). And if you’re looking for a sugardaddy/sugarbaby, Cavalli (one of the longer-running clubs) just might be the outrageous club/restaurant you are looking for. Blue Marlin Ibiza, located between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, is another popular and wild club to visit (this location will likely be very packed and popular during the World Expo 20 since the Expo’s location is between Abu Dhabi and Dubai as well). On a final note, some clubs can spring up seemingly overnight sometimes, so I recommend asking the locals or taxi drivers if you want more options.

Take special consideration if you want to go clubbing. Some will turn you away if you do not have appropriate attire. Last time I checked, Cavalli and WHITE Bar only let the best-dressed enter for some dumbass reason (because who doesn’t love being hot and sweaty while they try to bust a move in constricting attire). Since alcohol and prestige are involved, clubs are naturally quite expensive (unless you’re cute, of course). The benefit is most of them do not charge an entrance fee.

Things to Do: Adventurous Activities

Skydive Dubai

Jump out of a plane into the desert or the Palm Jumeirah. This experience will include the view, photos, and the thrill of a lifetime. It was the first thing I did shortly after arriving in Dubai. You will see the city in a way many people never get to, and your photos will simply be legendary. Make reservations here for pricing and more information. Cost: 1699 – 2199 AED.

Skydive Dubai—named after the place that will throw you out of a plane—will send an extra jumper with you just for videos and pictures. Although the full package is quite expensive, I highly recommend this experience of a lifetime. Jumping over the desert is much cheaper than jumping over the Palm Jumeirah, albeit less scenic.

Yacht Cruise

Book a yacht ride around the beach and Palm Jumeirah. Enjoy photogenic scenes and breathtaking sites as you cruise luxuriously on the open seas—alcohol in hand, of course. Click here for more information and pricing. Cost: 500 AED+ (per hour).

I won’t lie. This activity is very expensive, and the best experiences can run 900 – 1000 + AED an hour. The cost is more manageable as a group activity. Even the smaller yachts are decent in size—easily accommodating 15 people or so (trust me, I’ve tried). One hour is too short. Three hours or so is ideal. Some yachts even stop in the middle of the ocean and let everyone go for a swim, so ask about that. Bring some food and plenty of water with you.

Fly Boarding

Fly like an aquatic iron man by propelling water from your feet. During this unique watersport experience, you will have a great view of the beach while literally flying about sneering at the people who aren’t as cool as you. Make reservations here. Cost: 350 AED+ (per half hour).

Nemo Watersports and Hydro Watersports are a couple of good options near the beach. These are pricier activities, but they’re not outrageous. The range is usually 250 – 300 AED for a half hour. Start slow. Propel yourself only a couple feet off the ground at a time. Once you are able to maintain balance, gradually increase the height. I started off flying 15 feet into the air and the ocean punched me in the face once I lost balance.

Desert Safari and Camel Rides

You are in the land of money, oil, and sand after all. You already saw what the oil and money can do. Next up, sand. Enjoy the beautiful view of the desert while riding in a vehicle or on the back of a camel who may or may not spit in your face and proceed to mock you with a wide grin. Make reservations here. Dubai Relax has options for desert safaris as well. Cost: 250 AED+.

Make sure to pick the actual safari and not some VIP dinner service near a desert. Many packages include meals, barbecue, campfire entertainment, sandboarding—and camels. Bring protective gear (sunglasses, face masks, sunscreen) and a pair of sandals.

Aquaventure Waterpark

Located near the Atlantis Hotel is the Aquaventure Waterpark—one of the best waterparks in the word. Similar to Wild Wadi, there are several types of slides and rides (i.e. the “Leap of Faith”), but there are also unique activities involving marine animals—such as the ray feeding experience, snorkeling adventure, or the shark safari. Home to tens of thousands of marine animals, it is truly a unique and highly recommended aquatic experience. Click here for pricing and more information. Cost: Variable (refer to link).

The park is at the tip of the Palm Jumeirah, so make sure to decide on lodging or methods of transportation before booking activities. Some of the experiences here can be quite pricy (the ray feeding one, for example), so plan out your day in this region. Definitely look into the bundled events. Some packages even include meals.

Kite Surfing

Fly with the wind on a surfboard as you tread water on the ocean surface and dash around at great speeds. Kite Surf Dubai (KSD) offers some great courses for beginners. Kite Zone is a good option as well. Lessons will make the experience a lot safer and more enjoyable for newcomers. Cost: Variable (refer to link).

This activity can be quite difficult, so make sure you are somewhat skilled because it can be on the dangerous side if you have minimal experience with wakeboarding and/or surfing.

Deep Sea Fishing

Sail on the open waters on a deep sea fishing trip. The trips happen about 10-20 km offshore and you can catch bluefin tuna, barracuda, etc. Click here for more information and pricing. Cost: 500 AED+.

Scuba Diving

Although I’ve scuba dived all over the world, I honestly have not done so in Dubai. However, I’ve heard there are nice shipwrecks, and the aquatic life is incredibly diverse. Aquaventure Waterpark has around 10,000 different species. The surrounding water is likely to be equally as phenomenal. Click here for more information and pricing. Cost: Variable (refer to link).

Hot Air Balloon Rides

Float above the sands of the Arabian desert on a hot air balloon tour. The balloon will hover around 3280 feet (1000 meters) and provide a breathtaking view of the sunset and desert. Balloon Adventurers Emirates, with decades of flying experience, is an excellent option for your ballooning needs. The package also includes a gourmet breakfast and falconry demonstration. Click here for more information and pricing. Cost: Around 1100 AED (depending on package).

Most of the time, hot air balloon trips require a reservation at least 1 day in advance. Groupon often has bundled offers that could significantly reduce the price. However, do keep in mind that these experiences could be with smaller companies that offer less comprehensive packages.

Food

I recommend McDonald’s. Just kidding. The food options exist along a wide price-range spectrum (humble to extravagant) while being incredibly diverse—Arabic, Indian, Lebanese, Persian, French, Japanese, and Chinese, among others. There is something for everyone. Even the “tourist traps” have been amazing compared to other countries I’ve visited (likely due to the reason that Dubai has a high reputation to uphold).

Octopus

Markette restaurant (across from the Dubai aquarium) had an amazing grilled octopus dish. It was one of the best I have had in my life. It was orgasmic I tell you. Orgasmic. Maybe they went next door for fresh supplies.

Lebanese food is an excellent choice (I recommend man’oushe). Indian food is also a solid choice (I recommend the butter chicken), especially since there are more Indians than Emiratis. Traditional dishes are a delight as well, but you’re better off asking the locals for something specific (although most of them will recommend shawarma because it is one of the most common dishes). And I was only half joking about Mcdonald’s. They have curry-flavored fries that are surprisingly delicious.

Final Comments on Dubai

While it is true that this destination is slightly on the expensive side on average, Dubai ranks very low in terms of cost when it comes to lodging and transportation—arguably the most important elements of a trip after the flight cost. Most of the expenses can be due to alcohol and alcohol-related activities and attractions. There are, of course, options to go all out (like the underwater suites of Atlantis), but there are many cost-effective options of entertainment.

Overall, your costs could be dramatically reduced if you try to limit alcohol consumption, bundle your activities into packages, and budget your food accordingly. Have a wonderful time in Dubai.

On a final note, make sure to share this page so others will know more about Dubai!