Safety Issues in Dubai
Replies: 23 - Last Post: May 29, 2013 11:59 PM Last Post By: Worldwatching
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Safety Issues in Dubai
Some friends and I are thinking about going to Dubai for Spring Break but lots of people have warned us about how dangerous it is. I was wondering if anyone has had safety issues beyond those typcially associated with large cities?You should know:
We're all men
This is our first trip to the Middle East
Our group includes black and white travelers
1
If you're up for an adventure.. don't go to Dubai, because it would be disappointingly boring. A large artificial city showing off with loads of wealth. You'll see much more foreigners than "real" locals... it is located in the middle east but has nothing to do with the real middle east and its amazing people. By the way.. the only places to worry about in the middle east would be the arab areas of Iraq (you can safely travel the kurdish northern parts of Iraq) and maybe the Gaza strip where you wouldn't be allowed to enter anyway.How long are you planning to stay in Dubai for? Any plans to travel elsewhere in the middle east?
2
Thanks nursey1981, we're traveling from Washington, DC so everything we hear locally about the middle east is a bit slanted. We haven't really considered any other cities in the region. Dubai has gotten a ton of media attention lately so we thought we should check it out. We have a pretty short spring break so we'll probably visit for 5 or 6 days.3
5 or 6 days sound fair enough for visiting Dubai. There is really no need at all to be worried about travelling there.Unfortunately medias tend to generalize about the middle east and most things we all hear about is wars and unrests happening in this part of the world. The good news is: The middle east consists of many different countries that all differ in culture and government. If there was a demonstration happening in Montreal would it keep you off from travelling to Houston?
enjoy your trip :-)
4
I am from the States and so is my wife and we have been here almost six years so no offense, but when I saw this question I started laughing first,You are coming from a place that was once the murder capital of the world and you are worried about coming HERE,we get worried when we go home.You and your buddies will have a great time and since you are coming for spring break I imagine you are in college and into the clubs and there are more then you can count going on ever night of the week
.If you want info on thing to see and do look at the time out Dubai website.
5
Snort! Who on earth are these 'lots of people'?! Do they ever travel outside their own front door? In what way do they think Dubai is dangerous?? Driving yes, but that is the only thing I can think of that might be considered dangerous in Dubai.6
veralynn -We have gotten more emails and things on face book asking us if we are alright over here then you can count because of the situation in Egypt and now Libya,many people have no clue about the world and geography.8
Dubai would not be my first choice as a place to spend 6 days, though I am going to Abu Dhabi in a couple of months and hoping to get out into the sand dunes, that's something you guys could do. Otherwise Dubai is very safe, as said above, alomost too safe. The only thing I would mention, which I heard from a couple of expats when I was there, is to be very careful about rental cars and alcohol. Sounds stupid I know but I heard that you;re not allowed any alcohol at all in your system. I'm sure others can confirm the exact details of the law.9
I agree with all above answers to your question. I have just returned from a conference in Abu Dhabi, but spent time in Dubai also. I felt completely safe in both places and I had no problems. I spoke to some local expate Aussies who said it was quite safe to walk about. I cannot understand how anyone could describe Dubai as "dangerous", except maybe out of misinformation and ignorance.Craig in Australia
Edited by: kowari
10
tfenn001 - read your own State Department's warning at http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1050.htmlI can't imagine spending my University break in Dubai but then I HAVE spent it on archaeological projects in Uzbekistan, Jordan (x 3) and Mongolia.
Dubai is the 'soft and cushy' place I do my stopovers when flying from Jordan to Australia.
The only word 'd' word I have for Dubai is dull.
11
I'd say Dubai would by far be one of the safest cities in the world. Don't know in what way it would be considered dangerous12
is this a joke? lol dubai and many places in the gulf are the safest places in the world.of course, if u are doing anything shady, then the penalties are pretty tough. wasn't there some british couple got thrown in jail for sex on the beach?
if you're there to catch girls, good luck, and bring a million dollars.
if you're gay, then keep that a low profile especially around emiratis, police, etc.
i don't know why anyone would want to go to dubai for "spring break". isn't that's about chasing girls, loud music, getting drunk, drugs, etc. you will find all that in dubai, but you need a lotta money, watch out for police, etc.
don't people go to thailand for spring break?
14
Dubai is very safe with a low crime rate. The people who tell you otherwise are doubtless lumping all Middle East/Arab countries together and are totally ignorant of the region.There are lots of fun things to do in Dubai but beware that alcohol is expensive as all bars are in hotels, there are not stand-alone bars. A beer typically costs from around $10 up.
I think a bunch of young guys could have a really fun spring break here but stay away from drugs. And as mentioned above, it's illegal to have any alcohol in your system while driving - not that you'd want to hire a car anyway, taxis are cheap.
