Experience the cultural wonders of Saudi Arabia, from the bustling cities to the tranquil deserts, and discover a land rich in history, tradition, and hospitality.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a beautiful country that inherits its ancient history and spectacular locations. This country stands as the second largest Arab world in the Middle East and is home to Islam's holiest city. Saudi Arabia was initially not a tourist destination as it was a place where many pilgrims would make their journey there for religious purposes. But over the years, Saudi Arabia has made efforts to open its gates to tourists to witness the beautiful history that's over 10,000 years old! Not only that, but this prestigious country boasts many museums, one of the best food, world heritage sites, and so much more. So for any traveller, be it a first-timer, or an experienced tourist, this blog will provide some very useful tips and advice while travelling to Saudi Arabia. So let's dive right into your Saudi Arabia Tourism guide!
Tips before travelling to Saudi Arabia
1-Research-For beginners especially, but this could apply to any individual travelling into new countries, research is very important. Even when it comes to any other country, make sure you conduct a good amount of research a couple of months before. It's always safer to check multiple platforms and websites regarding accommodation, flights, and attractions. So do your research, and everything should go smoothly!
2-Tourist Safety-If anyone is wondering about tourist safety in Saudi Arabia, you need not worry. The crime rate is very low and even for a solo traveller, it is quite safe, as it is the home to the country's holiest locations-Mecca. Even solo women's travel is encouraged.
3-Payment methods Regarding payments, Saudi Arabia hosts many methods online and offline. Apps such as Google pay are commonly used there. ATMs are available there without hidden charges. Banknotes come in 5, 10, 50, 100, and 500 riyals
4-Best Time to Visit Saudi Arabia-The hottest month in Saudi is July while the coldest is January. Based on this algorithm it is best to plan a visit from November - February. This is because the temperature is at an average of 25°C – 30°C. Given how sunny it is in Saudi Arabia, people would speculate about the weather, but don't worry! just plan the best time and you'll be set to go.
5-Rules and regulations-There are some unwritten rules to follow while touring this country. Despite the other restrictions, one should remember these few directives as limiting your photography, respecting the local culture, playing music in public, alcohol consumption, and lastly, staying respectful of the religion
Visa for Saudi Arabia.
First things first, is how to get to Saudi Arabia. Initially acquiring a visa for this country was not possible unless you were a Muslim, going to travel for work or a pilgrim. Recently in 2019, Saudi Arabia allowed visitors to apply for a Saudi e-visa or a visa which is available for whoever is eligible.
Note: Saudi Visa upon arrival is available for U.S. visa holders and Schengen visa holders Note -The cost for the tourist visa is SAR535 and the price cost for the tourist visa on arrival is SAR480
What to pack for Saudi Arabia?
An interesting topic when it comes to Saudi Arabia tourism is what to pack and what to wear. Given the restrictions in the country, any tourist should be aware of the rules of attire while visiting Saudi Arabia.
1-Clothes-Saudi Arabia is a Muslim country, and they share a great deal with dressing modestly, so it would be best to respect the culture and pack clothes that cover the body decently, and all should be good! The weather in Saudi Arabia is quite hot, so carry light clothes to beat the heat.
2-Travel adapter-Saudi uses the same G-type plugs (3 rectangular holes), so make sure you carry the right adapter! Travelling without a charged phone would be frustrating, so don't forget your mobile phone accessories.
3-Reusable bottles or cups-Like many countries, Saudi Arabia battles the problem of plastic pollution. You can do your part in reducing this problem by carrying a simple bottle that you can use, and the same logic applies to carrying cups. By doing so, you can self-sustain whenever you need to drink water, coffee, or tea. You can save some bucks by not purchasing bottled water every time you need a drink!
4-Sunscreen- The weather in Saudi Arabia is quite harsh at times, so it's highly advised to carry sunscreen on your trip. You don't want to get sunburnt on your Trip!
5-Arabic phrasebook-Traveling to a place where English isn't a language spoken often, it would be a good idea to carry an Arabic book to help translate simple things and to help get you around. Google translate could help, but, at times when you are unable to rely on the internet, is where the Arabic phrasebook will come in handy.
So here are some useful tips and information before travelling. Saudi Arabia having its tourism gates opened, welcomes you to explore its rich culture and tradition. So we hope we enjoy your vacation or tour in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.Happy Travels!