Dubai, home to the world’s tallest skyscraper, the Burj Khalifa, and the world's only 7-Star hotel, plays host to millions of visitors each year.

This is a mini guide for any body visiting Dubai.

The UAE Dirham

The United Arab Emirates Dirham is the main currency of the Country and of the Emirate of Dubai since 1978. The Dirham is pegged to the US Dollar at 1 Us Dollar is 3.67 Dirham’s since 1997 hence other currencies either have more or less exchange rate to the dirham, depending on the currency fluctuations but the US Dollar to AED Dirham remains the same.

UAE Dirham’s are available in 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1,000 bank notes and 1, 5 and 10 Dirham coins. There are many foreign exchange shops in and around Dubai where you can change your money into AED Dirham’s

International ATM Machines

If you don't have enough cash to change into UAE Dirham’s in your wallet and you don't want to use your credit card that much when in Dubai, then your next option will be to withdraw money from International ATM machines in and around Dubai. Dubai has thousands of ATM's that mostly accept international ATM consortiums like Cirrus, Plus, Discover, Maestro, etc.

However, every withdrawal you make carries a surcharge of 20 AED per transaction charged to your ATM Card, whatever the amount you withdraw so be sure to withdraw one time and make it a large withdrawal (as a 500 AED withdrawal and a 3,000 AED withdrawal carries the same 20 AED surcharge). The local Dubai ATM surcharge is on top of your local bank in your country charges as a surcharge when using International ATM's.

Foreign Currency Exchange Shops

If you don't trust Automated Teller Machines (both the money to money exchange kind and the International ATM consortiums) and don't want to use credit card and have hard currency to exchange into UAE Dirham’s, then you can exchange your US Dollars, European EU's, etc, into UAE Dirham’s at these money exchange shops that are numerous in shopping malls, souks, in some hotels in and around UAE and in Dubai. Most major foreign currencies can be changed in these shops and the exchange rate changes every day.

Most of these foreign exchange shops are open every day from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm except Friday mornings (prayer time for Muslims).

Since Islam does not allow interest, you are not charged a commission fee for your transactions, however the exchange rate is slightly lower than in using the money to money ATM's as they offset the no commission allowed via lower exchange rates for your money to be changed into UAE dirham’s as to make a profit.

Dress code

Dress code

Most public places have signs requesting people to dress modestly and for women to cover their knees and shoulders.

If you want to be accepted and value the opportunity to befriend locals, dress modestly: women should wear skirts to the knees or longer, tops with sleeves and nothing too tight or revealing; men should wear trousers/jeans and tops with sleeves. While you’ll see foreigners wearing less, this is highly offensive to Emiratis and it reduces your chances of meeting locals and getting the most out of your visit. Don’t even think about wearing swimwear away from the beach or hotel swimming pool. Do so and you risk being fined or, at worst, jailed.

Don’t display affection with the opposite sex in public, especially during Ramadan when it’s forbidden (along with eating and drinking in public during daylight hours)

Dubai Weather

Dubai is located in the Arabian Desert and we all know that desert areas have extreme temperatures. The United Arab Emirates, including Dubai only has two seasons, summer and winter. Summer Season starts around mid April. The temperature is around 30-32C till end April. Then it gradually starts increasing. So during June to October the temperature will vary from 35 – 40C. This is the extremely hot season of the year. Also, there are days where the temperature could go up to 55 C. Winter Season in the UAE starts around the beginning of November. Dubai weather changes from extremely hot and humid to nice and cool days starting in November. Temperature could drop from 33C to 20C during this month. December to January is the peak of winter. Temperature could drop to 15C during the daytime.

They say that the best time to visit Dubai is from November to April, the Official Winter Season.

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