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Saudi Arabia Travel Guide

The latest travel Information on Saudi Arabia, includes ideas on Things to See and Do, Local Events, Consulate & Embassy Contact Addresses and much more, all from a first-time visitors point of view.

Saudi Arabia Information

Overview

There is a veil hung over Saudi Arabia that distorts the reality that resides behind it. This is partly a two-way process, since Saudi Arabia does not permit touristic visits and exercises strict Islamic principles that non-Muslims might shy away from. Similarly, much media reportage of Saudi Arabia focuses solely on these Islamic-based laws, and equally focuses on its expanse of hot and repetitive desert, its archaic customs in dated cities.

Lift the veil, however, and you will find that many conceptions of Saudi Arabia are misconceptions. Saudi Arabia has many areas of beautiful oases and dramatic mountain-tops, beaches and rivers. Its cities, although having no nightlife, do have plenty of cafes and restaurants. There are also shops galore, from the souk to the huge department store. Indeed, Saudi Arabia’s major cities are generally very modern, with amenities of a high standard. And, as long as you respect and abide by the viewpoints and customs of the country, you will find that you are treated cordially.

What has enabled Saudi Arabia to boast such steel-and-glass cities is oil. In 1933, the first explorations began for oil, vast deposits of which were discovered in the eastern part of the country. The oil search also brought the USA into contact with Saudi Arabia for the first time and they quickly became the country’s principal Western ally.

Nonetheless, there have been constant sources of friction between the two countries over the years - most notably, Israel. More current was the discovery that the bulk of the 9/11 terrorist hijackers were Saudi nationals and the fact that the recently appointed King Abdullah is generally less pro-American than was his father, takes a harder line on oil pricing.

Such oil might have brought modernising, then, but Saudi Arabia is still steeped in the most extraordinary history. In the year AD 622, Prophet Muhammad launched a successful campaign to recapture Mecca from the Persians, who had made it a province of their empire. Afterwards, the Muslims would continue their expansion across the Arabian peninsula and into Syria, Mesopotamia (Iraq), Persia, and westwards into Egypt and North Africa.

This underlines one of the most important facts to consider about Saudi Arabia: as the birthplace of Muhammad, it contains the holiest cities of Islam. To be critical of any practices adopted in Saudi Arabia is to be neglectful of this fact, since the Saudis take the responsibility for protecting the integrity of this holy land with utmost seriousness, and Islamic laws are strictly enforced by the mutawwa (religious police). To the non-Islamic eye, Saudi Arabia also succeeds in being beautiful and praiseworthy, and in the current climate, this complex country will probably be a significant part of the worldwide map for some time.

Going Out

Food and Drink

Local food is often strongly flavoured and spicy. The most common meats are lamb and chicken, beef is rare and pork is proscribed under Islamic law. The main meat meal of the day is lunch. Foreign cooking is on offer in larger towns and the whole range of international cuisine, including fast food, is available in the oil-producing Eastern Province and in Jeddah.

Things to know: Eating, drinking and smoking in public during the fasting hours of Ramadan will incur strict penalties. Restaurants have table service. There are no bars. Alcohol is forbidden by law, and there are severe penalties for infringement; it is important to note that this applies to all nationals regardless of religion.

National specialities:
• The staple diet is pitta bread (flat, unleavened bread) which accompanies every dish.
• Rice, lentils, chick peas (hummus) and cracked wheat (burghul) are also common.
• Kultra (chicken or lamb on skewers) is popular for lunch.
• Kebabs served with soup and vegetables.
• Mezze, the equivalent of hors d’oeuvres, may include up to 40 dishes.

National drinks:
• Arabic coffee and fruit drinks are popular alternatives to alcohol.
• Alcohol-free beers and cocktails are served in hotel bars.

Tipping: The practice of tipping is becoming much more common and waiters should be given 10%.

Nightlife

Offered at restaurants and hotels.

Shopping

Souks (markets) sell incense and holders, jewellery, bronze and brassware, richly decorated daggers and swords, and in the Eastern Province, huge brass-bonded chests. Bargaining is often expected, even for modern goods such as cameras and electrical equipment (which can be very good value).

Shopping hours: Sat-Thurs 0900-1300 and 1630-2000 (Ramadan 2000-0100). These hours differ in various parts of the country.

Climate

Saudi Arabia has a desert climate. In Jeddah it is warm for most of the year. Riyadh, which is inland, is hotter in summer and colder in winter, when occasional heavy rainstorms occur. The Rub al Khali (‘empty Quarter’) seldom receives rain, making Saudi Arabia one of the driest countries in the world.

Required Clothing

Tropical or lightweight clothing.

Public Holidays

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2008-December 2009 period.

2008
23 Sep Saudi National Day.
2 Oct Eid al-Fitr/ Djoulde Soumae (Ramadan ends).
9 Dec Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice).

2009
21 Sep Eid al-Fitr/ Djoulde Soumae (Ramadan ends).
23 Sep Saudi National Day.
28 Nov Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice).

Note

Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and the dates given above are approximations. During the lunar month of Ramadan that precedes Eid al-Fitr, Muslims fast during the day and feast at night and normal business patterns may be interrupted. Some disruption may continue into Eid al-Fitr itself. Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha may last anything from two to 10 days, depending on the region. During Hajj (when pilgrims visit Mecca) all government establishments and some businesses will be closed for 10 to 14 days.

Health

Diphtheria

Special Precaution: Sometimes

Hepatitis A

Special Precaution: Yes

Malaria

Special Precaution: Sometimes

Rabies

Special Precaution: Sometimes

Tetanus

Special Precaution: Yes

Typhoid

Special Precaution: Sometimes

Yellow Fever

Special Precaution: No*

Health Care

Medical facilities are generally of a high standard, but treatment is expensive. Health insurance is essential.

Note

* A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from all travellers arriving from an infected area.

Further Health Information

We advise you to check health requirements for the country you are traveling to with your GP, practice nurse or travel health clinic as health requirements and vaccinations can change at short notice.

Money

Currency

Saudi Arabian Riyal (SAR) = 100 halala; 5 halala = 20 qurush. Notes are in denominations of SAR500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1. Coins are in denominations of 50, 25, 10, and 5 halala, and 10, 5, 2 and 1 qurush.

Currency Exchange

Most foreign currencies can be exchanged at commercial banks and money-changers, which stay open longer.

Credit/Debit Cards and ATMs

American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are all widely accepted.

Traveller's Cheques

Widely accepted although they can be hard to change. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller’s cheques in Saudi Riyal, Euros, US Dollars or Pounds Sterling and to carry the purchase receipt.

Banking Hours

Sat-Wed 0800-1200 and 1700-2000; Thurs 0800-1200. Money-changers stay open longer.

Passport/Visa

British