This is why, I wrote an easy 2021 list of things not to do in Dubai as a woman, or a male traveler to ensure you travel as safely and enjoyably as possible!

After all, no one wants to ruin their holidays, or disrespect someone’s culture by accident!

The problem is, the rules here, are not always clear or known to everyone – and its Islamic values and roots are often overlooked.

So to avoid all that, keep reading for the things not to do in Dubai!

We will discuss the rules, the dress code, visiting during Ramadan, and of course… what it is like for a woman traveling to Dubai! Below, I will be answering the most commonly asked questions I get from people wanting to visit this magnificent city.

What are some Do and don’ts in Dubai?

Rules for visiting Dubai

• Don’t Drink and Drive. The rules are VERY strict, and the slightest amount of alcohol can earn you a night in a prison cell! If you wish to drink, then take a taxi.
• Avoid making rude hand gestures or swearing. People in Dubai are gentle and polite!
• Don’t point fingers at people – no matter how peculiar a sight may be. Staring at the local women is a big No-No ( mot that you should be staring at ANY woman…EVER.
• During Ramadan, do not explicitly eat, drink or smoke in public. I’ll explain more about this below!
• Don’t dress immodestly when visiting religious places like mosques. Again, I’ll elaborate below!
• Do not smoke in shopping malls, offices, and government areas. In general smoking is prohibited in most places! You can smoke outside in designated areas only. Some restaurants with outdoor patio in Dubai mall for example, still will not allow you to smoke!

Visiting Dubai as a woman

Contrary to popular belief visiting Dubai as a woman is not that dangerous and certainly not impossible!

In reality, the city ranks pretty high on the list of the world’s safest cities – and there are even some perks to traveling there as a woman!

First things first – Female travelers don’t need to wear a burka. To Enter a mosque, you will need to cover your hair and shoulders with something. I aaaaaalways carry a pashmina with me and use it as a cover-up, sarong, and headscarf too.

You are most certainly allowed to rent and drive a car there too. If not, it is safe to take taxis alone, and even stay in a hotel too.

What should I wear in Dubai?’

You can basically wear anything you want here- with a few subtle tweaks here and there!

This is a Muslim country, so cleavage, or excess amount of skin, in general, is frowned upon.

Especially in the new part of Dubai, where a lot of the sights are, you can be a bit more relaxed.

When visiting the Old Town, however, it is better to stick to things like loose long trousers, and maxi dresses. This is where you will find the souks (markets) like the Gold Souk, Spice Souk, and so on.

My favorite garments to wear in Dubai are maxi shirts with crop tops (with no cleavage) and maxi dresses! I detest wearing trousers in the summer, but maxis are fantastic – loose, light, breathable, and comfortable too! WIN.

Can I wear shorts in Dubai?

This is another suuuuper coming question – because of that scorching heat!

The answer is yes – with a big CAUTION sign around it! You can dress as casually as you want, as long as it’s appropriate. You can wear shorts in Dubai, but keep it classy and wear longer-style shorts ( or skirts) that are closer to knee length.

Wearing teeny tiny shorts is definitely on the list of ”what not to do in Dubai”

I didn’t even bother packing shorts on either of my trips to the UAE!

We women are so lucky to have a huge array of clothes to choose from – I simply didn’t see the point in packing a garment that might offend someone!

Having said that, I hardly saw anyone in shorts when I visited in 2009, but SO many when I revisited in 2021! Things are changing here, and a lot of the locals turn a blind eye.

However, the law is on their side, so if someone gets offended, you will be in the wrong and not them!

What to wear at the beach

This is a bit weird, I’ll admit! As long as you are on the sand, or at the pool you can wear a bikini how you would back home.

But beware!

• you need to cover up upon leaving or visiting a bar or restaurant. And no, I am not talking about a sheer or skimpy cover-up. I mean clothes haha!
• No topless or skinny dipping allowed – on public or private beaches
• Avoid transparent tops and skinny thong bottoms

I arrived in a maxi dress, with a tiny bikini underneath for a day at Barasti Beach Club (highly recommended), and had zero problems.

What should I wear on a safari?

Well, you’ll be sitting in a car for a desert safari – so make sure you are comfortable. At the end of the safari, they will take you to an area where you can disembark the jeep and take sunset photos in the desert!

If you are a smoker, don’t forget to take your portable ashtray with you to avoid littering!

To take the most incredible desert photos, I suggest going for a strong monochromatic outfit that will pop with the color of your surroundings! A pair of studded boots will look great, and are super practical too – the sand is so fine it gets everywhere!

How dangerous is Dubai?

As I said above, the city is considered one of the safest cities in the world, and it is also heavily monitored. The police certainly earn their wages I’ll tell you that!

The most you have to worry about is petty theft, like pickpocketing, and taxis taking the long route or ”getting lost”. Seriously…. taxi drivers in every city are the woooorst haha!

Sexual harassment is not unlikely either – catcalling is, unfortunately, evident on every continent. I think women should go on a catcalling spree on men for a year and see how much it will annoy them too haha!

Benefits for Women visiting Dubai – What are Ladies Nights?

Can I drink Alcohol in Dubai ?

Yes, you can, if you are over 21. There are numerous bars, restaurants and hotels that all serve delicious cocktails and alcohol and I was never questioned.

Drinking on the street ( or being caught drunk ) can land you in trouble though! I witnessed an English tourist get into a fight with a taxi driver and he ended up getting arrested for being drunk and loud.

Can you hug in Dubai Airport?

Yes, straight couples can kiss and hug a loved one at the Airport, you may even hold hands. But no heavy PDA is allowed, so keep your hands where they can be seen!

What are the Rules for Gay couples?

Unfortunately, same-sex relationships in the UAE are prohibited and LGBT+ rights are heavily suppressed.

PDA (Public displays of affection), while frowned upon for straight couples, are a strict no-no for gay couples. Cross-dressing in public is illegal too, and transgender travelers could face issues when filing official documentation. 

Gay travelers sharing a hotel room will be ok if they choose an international branded hotel in the new part of the city.

There’s obviously no gay night scene here, but consider visiting The Play Room at The Oberoi, Barberry at Tryp by Wyndham, and Zinc at the Crowne Plaza.

Visiting during Ramadan

The holy month of Ramadan is sacred to Muslims and comes with its own set of rules!

As a non-Muslim tourist, you do not have to fast or follow the rules of it, but there are a few things to know before you visit. Find them in the list below.

If you want more information, make sure you read my article about Ramadan in a Muslim country.

• Eating, drinking and smoking in public is not allowed
• Chewing gum is also not allowed
• Cover shoulders and knees in public
• Many businesses, restaurants and sights will have different opening hours – please make sure you call ahead!

What can I not bring to Dubai?

• Drugs or ANY kind, including hashish, cocaine, heroin, poppy seeds and hallucination pills.
• Items from Israeli origin, or with an Israeli logo
• Any Goods imported from boycotted countries.
• Crude ivory and rhinoceros horn.

What is illegal in Dubai?

• Importing Pork.
• Getting any type of Pornography into the UAE
• Drugs. There is zero tolerance for drugs-related offences
• Offensive behaviour
• Relationships outside marriage
• Same-sex relationships

Thank you for reading all about the things not to do in Dubai! I hope I have answered all your questions 🙂

Check out the DUBAI VLOG here, or follow me on Instagram for reels, tips, and stories!

Love, Tia

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