Directory

Nearly all the sights, all malls and many other buildings have facilities such as ramps, lifts and toilets for wheelchair users. For example, the Shade House in Umm Al Emarat Park has a lift for its three-storey canopy viewing platform. All midrange and top-end hotels have rooms fitted out for wheelchairs. Access to budget restaurants is more difficult. Pedestrian underpasses for crossing the main roads in the central city have ramps as well as stairs.

The city's taxi firm has specially fitted out cars (which need to be ordered in advance) for wheelchair users.

Abu Dhabi International Airport has a special check-in gate for travellers with accessibility issues and a meet-and-assist service called Marhaba.

Abu Dhabi is a very safe city to travel around during the day or night.

• The UAE has zero tolerance towards illegal drugs. Having illegal substances in your bloodstream counts as possession.
• Keep a cool, calm head if driving in the city. Turning without indicating and speeding into roundabouts are common. As a pedestrian, note that pedestrian crossings are a suggestion rather than you having right-of-way.
• For tourists, drinking alcohol is only allowed in licensed premises. You cannot buy alcohol from a shop or drink in public parks, on beaches or on the street.

• ISIC (international student) card-holders can get discounts at some restaurants and when using some recreation services. See www.studentcard.ae for a full list.
• Etihad Airways passengers can access a bundle of discounts on theme park and beach entrance fees, spa services, restaurant meals and shopping purchases by showing their boarding pass at participating businesses. See www.etihad.com/before-you-fly/abu-dhabi-pass for full details of the offer.

Electrical current 220V. British-style three-pin wall sockets are standard.

Australian Embassy

Canadian Embassy

French Embassy

German Embassy

Irish Embassy

Netherlands Embassy

New Zealand Embassy

UK Embassy

US Embassy

• Clothing Modesty is key. Swimwear is only for the beach. Shoulders and knees covered at all times – for both sexes – is a good rule to stick to.
• Greetings Handshakes (though not firm as that's seen as disrespectful) are normal. Men should refrain from shaking hands with a woman unless she offers her hand first.
• Politics and religion Avoid contentious issues such as the UAE's involvement in Yemen and the Qatar blockade. Insulting Islam is against the law, as is publicly expressing sympathy towards Qatar.
• Public displays of affection A no-no. Couples should refrain from kissing, cuddling or hand-holding in public. Technically all are public decency offences though most people turn a blind eye to hand-holding.
• Ramadan Drinking, eating, smoking, loud music and dancing in public during daylight fasting hours are illegal.
• Swearing Considered highly offensive and people have been prosecuted or deported for it.

Make sure you arrange adequate travel insurance that covers any activities (kayaking, boat trips, 4WD desert excursions etc) you are planning to take part in.

Worldwide travel insurance is available at www.lonelyplanet.com/travel-insurance. You can buy, extend and claim online anytime – even if you’re already on the road.

All hotels, restaurants and cafes provide free wi-fi. Most malls in Abu Dhabi offer free public wi-fi, if you're using a UAE sim card, as part of the WiFi UAE initiative (www.wifiuae.ae/en). Check the website for a map of all public wi-fi locations.

Pornography, LGBT-interest sites, websites considered critical of Islam or the UAE’s leaders, dating and gambling sites, drug-related material, Qatar's Al Jazeera news network and the entire Israeli domain are blocked in the UAE.

In 2018, VoIP call services such as Skype, FaceTime and WhatsApp continued to be officially blocked. WhatsApp's texting function still works.

Note that although VPN usage is rampant in the UAE, using a VPN remains illegal.

Homosexuality is illegal in the UAE. If accused, visitors can face deportation, fines or a jail term. Discretion here is key.

All public displays of affection (cuddling, kissing and hand-holding) are officially illegal for both opposite-sex and same-sex couples, as is sex outside of marriage. Unless you're staying at a five-star resort, where staff are likely to look the other way, it's advisable to book two single beds rather than a double bed.

Most LGBT+ websites, including dating apps such as Grindr, are blocked inside the UAE.

Despite this, because of the number of young foreign nationals working in Abu Dhabi, there is an active underground LGBT+ scene, though tapping into it can be difficult as a visitor on a short stay.

ATMs widely available. Credit cards accepted in most hotels, restaurants and shops.

In Abu Dhabi the weekend is on Friday and Saturday. Many private businesses open on Saturdays. During the holy month of Ramadan, most restaurants and cafes (outside of hotels) shut during daylight hours.

Banks 8am to 1pm (some until 3pm) Sunday to Thursday, 8am to noon Saturday

Restaurants noon to 3pm and 7.30pm to midnight

Shopping malls 10am to 10pm Sunday to Wednesday, 10am to midnight Thursday to Saturday

Souqs & markets 9am to 1pm and 4pm to 9pm Saturday to Thursday, 4pm to 9pm Friday

The postal system is reliable. Standard postcards and letters to Europe cost Dhs6 and to Asia, Australasia, and North and South America Dhs7.

New Year’s Day 1 January

Commemoration Day 30 November

National Day 2 December

As well as the set-date public holidays, there are several Islamic holidays (some of which are also public holidays) with dates determined by the lunar calendar. The exact dates are announced in the papers (www.thenational.ae) beforehand.

New laws governing smoking came into effect in 2015 throughout the UAE. The key facts are as follows:

• No smoking in public places.
• Shisha smoking is prohibited under the age of 18.
• Smoking is still permitted in designated hotel rooms (most hotels reserve one floor for smokers) and some bars and nightclubs. Some restaurants still have an indoor smoking area.
• There are fines for throwing cigarette butts into the street and for smoking in nonsmoking areas.
• E-cigarettes are illegal.

Many high-end restaurants charge a 3.5% tax, often incorporated into menu prices. Hotels also charge this tax, plus a city tax of 2% and a Dhs10 per room, per night tourist tax.

In 2018 the UAE introduced VAT refunds for visitors. VAT refunds for purchases from registered retailers can be obtained from a designated area in Abu Dhabi International Airport.

All malls and many parks and other outdoor public recreation areas have free public toilet facilities. They're usually clean but sometimes run out of paper. Bring tissues.

Toilets in restaurants, hotels, malls, tourist sites and museums are sit-down style and generally very well maintained.

DCT Tourist Information Centre Gives out a free map of the city and offers some glossy brochures, though actual 'information' is thin on the ground.

Kid-wise Abu Dhabi is best known for its theme parks and beaches, but there's more than roller coasters and sand to family travel here. Children are hugely welcome in this family-focused city, though be prepared for many of the activities to take place indoors because of the extreme heat.