Travel tips · Ras Al Khaimah · United Arab Emirates
Ras Al Khaimah travel tips: what to know before you go
The etiquette, money and practical details that make the first day easier.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Stevenmccombe, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Ras Al Khaimah is more traditional and less international than Dubai, with a strong sense of tribal and maritime heritage from its pearling, fishing and trading past. Emiratis make up a larger share of the population here, and life outside the resorts follows Islamic customs, with the call to prayer five times a day and family-centred weekends.
Key facts
- Language
- Arabic and English
- Currency
- AED
- Plugs
- Type G sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
- Tap water
- Tap water is desalinated and treated, but most people drink bottled water.
- Emergency
- 999 police, 998 ambulance, 997 fire
Things to know
- Greet with 'As-salamu alaykum'; with Emirati women, wait for them to offer a hand before shaking.
- Swimwear is for beaches and pools; cover up when walking in malls, the city and heritage sites.
- Ask permission before photographing people, especially women.
- Use your right hand to eat, pass items and accept coffee.
- During Ramadan, avoid eating, drinking or smoking in public during daylight hours.
- Drink alcohol only in licensed venues; public drunkenness is not tolerated.
- Book Jais Flight zipline ahead: Book online in advance; there are minimum age, height and weight requirements.
- Book Jais Sledder ahead: Slots can sell out at weekends; book ahead and check age and height rules.
- Book Suwaidi Pearls farm ahead: Tours run by reservation; book ahead online or by phone.
- Visit from May to September for heavily discounted resort rates, if you can handle the heat.
Tipping
Tipping is not obligatory. In restaurants, 10% is appreciated where no service charge is included, and small tips for hotel staff, drivers and guides are customary.
Language
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| As-salamu alaykum | Hello (peace be upon you) |
| Shukran | Thank you |
| Kam? | How much? |
| Inshallah | God willing |
| Ma'a salama | Goodbye |
What to wear
Resort wear is fine in hotels and on beaches; elsewhere, cover shoulders and knees. Bring warm layers and a windproof jacket for Jebel Jais in winter, when the summit can be near freezing.
Practical details
- Plugs and voltage
- Type G sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
- Drinking water
- Tap water is desalinated and treated, but most people drink bottled water.
- Emergency number
- 999 police, 998 ambulance, 997 fire
- Phone and internet
- Tourist SIM and eSIM plans from e& and du are sold at airports and malls; resort Wi-Fi is widespread.
- Time zone
- Asia/Dubai
The main risks are heat, dehydration and road safety: traffic is fast and the Jebel Jais road is steep. On hikes, flash floods can follow rare winter storms, so avoid wadis when rain is forecast.
Entry requirements
Visa and passport rules depend on your nationality and change often. Check United Arab Emirates's official government guidance and your own government's travel advice before booking.
Plan the trip
Questions travellers ask
+Do you tip in Ras Al Khaimah?
Tipping is not obligatory. In restaurants, 10% is appreciated where no service charge is included, and small tips for hotel staff, drivers and guides are customary.
+Can you drink the tap water in Ras Al Khaimah?
Tap water is desalinated and treated, but most people drink bottled water.
+What plugs are used in Ras Al Khaimah?
Type G sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
+What language is spoken in Ras Al Khaimah?
Arabic and English.