Many travelers are attracted by the beautiful nature and pristine landscapes of Oman; however, Oman is also a country that has a rich and vibrant cultural heritage. This heritage can be seen in the forts, many spoken languages, and even archaeological sites of this country, along with traditional practices like rosewater distillation.
Oman is a beautiful country, and its citizens are very warm and welcoming. However, the citizens of Oman for Omanis still follow its values of humanity and hospitality. They will invite visitors to share a meal with them or even go out of their way and guide a lost foreigner. Thus, to make your Oman trip really unforgettable, you should know some important things about Oman, along with knowing about some awesome Oman tourist packages.
Things to remember during your Oman Trip
- English is very common
Though the main language of Oman is Arabic, English is spoken in many cities of Oman and even in those areas that have a tourism infrastructure, like the villages of Jebel Akhdar. Besides Arabic, you could hear some other languages like Baluchi, Kumzari, Swahili, and even languages like Hindi, Urdu, and Malayalam.
- You can spend and enjoy a lot of time outdoors
The most memorable experience in this beautiful country is visiting the outdoors. Here you can be amazed by the beauty of palm plantations and attractive beaches where you can see nesting turtles and even enjoy scuba diving in marine reserves.
You may want to spend a lot of time on the roads of Oman to get a view of the charming fishing towns, historic medieval forts, and even freshwater pools and tidal lagoons that are hidden in the valleys of this beautiful country.You can even enjoy wild camping and enjoy the beauty of nature. Just pack some important things, comfortable clothes, a sleeping bag, and a tent to enjoy a night outside.
- Avoid drinking in public
While your stay in Oman, you can only consume alcohol in licensed bars and restaurants, most of which are for international travelers. It is illegal to have alcohol in public, and showing overly drunken behavior or being loud can lead to legal action. Oman is a country that has zero tolerance for drug use, and possessing even a small amount of drugs can lead to fines, imprisonment, and deportation.
- Remember to learn local greetings
The citizens of Oman are hospitable, friendly and courteous. These qualities of Omanis can lead them to interact easily with a visitor. In Oman, all conversations begin with a proper greeting like “as salam alaykum,” meaning “peace be upon you.”
In some parts of this country, you might see that you have become the subject of much curiosity; some may ask questions about where you are from or even glance in your direction frequently. Don’t be afraid or alarmed; Omanis take a real interest in visitors and even wish to make them feel welcome.
You should always greet the people appropriately like “as salam alaykum” and “ walaykum as salam”, or “sabah al khayr” (good morning), “Shukran” (thank you), etc.
- While meeting with a person of the opposite sex, wait till they offer their hand
Though a handshake is a common gesture among men, you should not offer your hand and initiate a handshake while greeting an Omani of the opposite sex. In Oman, no physical contact between people of the opposite sex is approved unless they are deeply familiar or related. To see if they are comfortable with this kind of greeting or not, you should wait for them to take the initiative first. Moreover, handshakes should always be done with the right hand only.
- Take photos of people and their houses only after asking for permission
Whether you like the scene of a vendor selling unique silver jewelry or a group of Omani men wearing traditional and beautiful kurma, you should resist the urge to take photos without asking for their permission first. You should respect their privacy and remember that taking a photo of a stranger without asking for their permission first can be considered intrusive. A simple and quick greeting in Arabic can work fine, and local men will happily oblige.
- You can accept invitations for a memorable experience
Omanis are very friendly and welcoming of visitors, and hence, you may receive a few invitations during your stay in the country. No matter if it is an invitation for a friendly chat over Arabic coffee or qahwa or an invitation to someone’s home, you should happily accept these invitations to make your Oman trip more memorable.
Offering a cup of coffee to a visitor is a gesture of showing them respect, and accepting that indicates that you reciprocate. The coffee of Oman, or qahwa contains spices like cinnamon and cardamom, and this qahwa is even brewed with rosewater and saffron and is served with dates. You will definitely remember the taste of this qahwa even after returning from your Oman trip.
Therefore, if you plan for a trip to Oman and select an inviting Oman tour package or even tour packages from Oman, you should also remember these important things to make your entire trip very enjoyable and memorable.
