Wanted: Sidetrip within a holiday recommendation

Dont forget if you are in the UAE on visit visa and go to Oman (where you need visa as well) you cant come back to the UAE.

You can do your route one of two ways:

1. Abu Dhabi - Al Ain - Dubai - cross to Oman at the Hatta border post (from Dubai) which puts you onto the Sohar coast road - Sawadi Beach - Muscat and then on to wherever you like. Or

2. Abu Dhabi - Dubai - Al Ain - cross at the Jebel Hafeet border post (from Al Ain) which puts you on the mountain road through Ibri and Nizwa - then Muscat, then Sawadi Beach.

If you want to spend time in the mountains, then its good to do a circuit, entering through one border and exiting through the other, but if you only want beach time, then I would recommend using the Hatta border post, via Dubai as its a much shorter trip to Sawadi Beach and / or Muscat.

Also, Davisna's comment at #10 is not correct.

If you are one of the 33 nationalities that get a visit visa on arrival, then you can come back to the UAE without any problems. If you have to get your visa in advance, then you will have to arrange a new visa before you re-enter the UAE.

The Immigration authorities have confirmed that despite what the new laws (from Aug 1st) say, it is NOT necessary to stay out of the country for 30 days, or to return to your own country before getting a new visa, so technically, even if you needed to get a new visa, it could be arranged while you are in Oman.

Thank you so much Genghis! This is my first time using Thorntree.com and I am really surprised and happy about the helpful responses and suggestions! My friend in Abu Dhabi has confirmed that you are correct with regard to the visas, esp. travelers from the US and EU.

We are thinking about doing a circuit just to see more..that would be your second suggestion correct?

Thanks again!

Since I lived in Al Ain - this was the border where I normally crossed. However, only once did I take the (long) way Vicky suggested as the way from Al Ain. You can also take the shorter route that cuts straight across. This is quicker than the Hatta crossing if you are leaving from Al Ain and also FAR quicker than the route through Nizwa.

If you're planning on doing a bit of sight-seeing en route, then yes I would recommend the second of the two options I suggested. As Suzanne says, it is the longest road route to get to Sawadi Beach, but the Nizwa / Bahla area is one of my favourite parts of Oman and well worth the extra driving if you stay a night or two there to have a look around. Basically there are two major border crossings in the Al Ain area - one from Al Ain that goes straight down to the Sohar coast, and one at Jebel Hafeet that heads into the mountains - and the Jebel Hafeet one will give you the chance to see much more of the interior of Oman.

On the way home, you can choose to come up the coast, through the Hatta crossing and on to Dubai, or you can turn off the coast road a wee bit earlier, and come back through the Al Ain crossing.

Thank you all for the valuable tips - my trip was fantastic and I am so grateful my friend introduced me to the Thorntree forum. Safe and happy travels to all!

So how did you use your 1.5 weeks in the end then?!

Hi Vicky,

Thanks for asking! We spent a few days in Abu Dhabi at the beach club, then moved onto Dubai for a few days and in that time, we did the Mussandam dhow excursion (departing Khor Fakkan), and some sightseeing. Then we went to Fujairah to scuba dive but ran into a bit of foul weather, and no boats were allowed to take divers out. So we ended up coming back to Abu Dhabi and went dunebashing and the whole bit. All in all, it was a great trip and I am looking forward to perhaps coming back in September for Ramadan/Eid.

Sounds good! Shame about the diving though.
If you're going to come back for Eid just be aware that hotel prices will probably be high!