Alcohol
Alcohol is served in hotel bars and restaurants and independent restaurants are not allowed to serve alcohol. Alcohol cannot be purchased from shops unless you have an alcohol licence. It is against the law to walk in the street drinking alcohol and to be drunk in a public place. Drinking and driving is not allowed and that means no alcohol at all.

Business hours
Many companies work from 8 - 6pm but some close for three hours in the afternoon and work until 7pm. Weekends are Thursday and Friday. The public sector starts at 7am and finishes at 2.30pm. Shops tend to open from 10am until 10pm.

Crime
Dubai has low crime rates and penalties are severe for all crimes.

Currency
The currency is the Emirati Dirham which is pegged to the US dollar. There are 100 fils to one Dirham. Changing money is easy and there are lots of exchange offices

Clothing
Dubai is very tolerant of western fashion. Topless sunbathing is not allowed.

Drugs
Dubai has a zero tolerance to drugs and penalties are very severe if you caught with drugs.

Electricity
Dubai uses 220/240 volts and the British style three pin plug.

Emergency numbers
Police and ambulance call 999 and for fire call 997.

Health
Emergency treatment is free at Al Wasi, New Dubai and Rashid hospitals and all other treatments have to be paid for.
Al Wasi Hospital
Oud Metha Road (04 324 1111)

American Hospital Dubai
Off Oud Metha Road (04 336 7777)

Emirates Hospital
Opposite Jumeirah Beach Park (04 349 6666)

Iranian Hospital
Al Hudeiba Road (04 344 0250)

New Dubai Hospital
Opposite Hamria Vegetable Market (04 271 4444)

Rashid Hospital
Oud Metha Road (04 337 4000)

Welcare Hospital
Garhoud, Deira (04 282 7788)

Homosexuality
Homosexuality is prohibited in the UAE.

Language
The official language in Dubai is Arabic.

Local time
Dubai is 4 hours ahead of GMY in the winter and 3 hours ahead in the summer months.

National holidays
Eid Al Fitr is the holiday at the end of Ramadan and moves forward each year. Eid Al Adha is the holiday associated with the Hajj celebrations. Other National holidays is UAE National day on 2 December; the Islamic New Year; New Year's Day and prophet Mohammed's birthday is 26 February.

Newspapers
The major English papers in the UAE are the Gulf News, Khaleej Times, Emirates Evening Post, Gulf Today, Emirates Today and 7Days.

Photography
Be sensitive about taking photos of local people and do ask permission first.

Population
The population of Dubai is 1.4 million and about 80% are expatriates.

Religion
The official religion is Islam. Non muslims cannot enter the mosques with the exception of Jumeirah Mosque.

Smoking
Smoking is banned form all public places with the exception of night clubs and bars.

Telephone
Local calls are free. The international code for UAE is 971 and the city code for Dubai is 04. The city code is needed for all calls inside Dubai.

Tipping
Restaurants may add a service charge otherwise the standard 10% is expected. It is common to round up taxi fares.

Visas
Visa requirements are different for each country and can change with little warning so do check before departure. Visitors from certain selected countries can stay 30 days without a visa.

Water
Water is safe to drink and is desalinated. Mineral water is available.