Among alarmist news that appears every so often on the Internet, it seems that everything is prohibited in Dubai: alcohol, drugs and even bikinis. And while it is true that it is one of the cities that make up the United Arab Emirates and that they have quite strict laws, there is a big difference between locals and tourists, so really: What is prohibited in Dubai?
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1. Single women
“As a woman alone you cannot travel to Dubai.” I heard this phrase many times before going, but the reality is that women can travel to this Emirate and walk the streets alone without worrying. It is one of the safest cities in the world, so you will hardly have any kind of setback. If you want to know my experience traveling alone through Dubai click here.
2. Alcohol
Alcohol is not currently prohibited in Dubai, but it is restricted. You will not find it available in stores or supermarkets, but if you travel as a tourist you can drink alcohol in hotels, some restaurants or nightclubs. Of course, it is not exactly considered cheap.
3. Video calls prohibited: Skype, WhatsApp, Messenger…
Although Dubai boasts of being a very advanced city, it has blocked the most popular applications that are used to make video calls such as Skype, WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger. The applications work for sending texts, but they do not give the option to make calls or video calls. Rather than being a cultural restriction, it is intended to prevent telephone companies from losing money.
4. Low-cut clothing
Although it is a Muslim country, in the United Arab Emirates and, specifically in Dubai, foreign women can wear whatever clothes they want as long as they are not looking to visit a mosque. In this case, it is required to cover arms, legs and head; In the rest of the places it is possible to walk around in “normal” clothing, and even wear a bikini on public beaches, what is prohibited is nudism.
5. Public affection
It is recommended to avoid any display of affection between couples of the same or different sex.
6. What is prohibited on public transport in Dubai?
In transport we find the most logical prohibitions: using the service without paying, using someone else’s card, damaging furniture or smoking. But also others that may seem more strict to us, such as drinking alcoholic beverages on public transport, using the wrong carriage such as the women’s exclusive or the “gold” one or eating on transport (fine of 100 AED or 28 USD).
6. Dogs
There is a list of dogs that are prohibited in Dubai, among which are: American Staffordshire Terrier, American Pit Bull Terrier, American Bull Dog, Bull Terrier, Old English Bull Dog, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Tosa, Husky, Rottweiler, Doberman, Shar Pei, Majorcan Presa Dog, Neapolitan, Argentinean Mastiff, Miniature Bull Terrier and the Brazilian Canary Dog Fila.
As for dogs already in Dubai, you should know that walking them in many public areas is prohibited.
7. Drugs
Drugs are prohibited: there is zero tolerance for consumption and sale. Even some medications can be considered illegal, so it is better to check the content before you want to bring them into the country.
8. Photographing women without their permission
You should avoid being intrusive when using the camera, taking photos of women without their consent is prohibited.
9. Unmarried couples
Many couples travel to Dubai without being married and share a room. However, as I mentioned before, public displays of affection are not recommended.
Despite how exaggerated some of these measures may seem, the truth is that with normal behavior and respecting customs, it is possible to travel to Dubai without having any problems.
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