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Oman travel guide
Desert dunes, rugged mountains and a calm Arabian coast.
Oman is a peaceful Arabian country known for old forts, deep green wadis, golden desert and long beaches. Travelers explore the capital Muscat, the mountain towns around Nizwa, the Wahiba Sands and the green, monsoon-fed south around Salalah.
Travel tools
Getting there
Muscat International Airport is the main gateway, with Salalah also receiving international flights. Land borders connect Oman to the United Arab Emirates, and buses run between Muscat and Dubai.
Best time to visit: Oct–Apr – warm days and cooler nights; Jun–Sep is green monsoon season in Salalah.
Tougher months: May to August in the north – intense heat makes outdoor activities very challenging.
Weather by month in Muscat
- 25°J●
- 26°F●
- 29°M●
- 34°A
- 39°M
- 40°J
- 38°J
- 36°A
- 36°S
- 34°O
- 30°N
- 27°D
Average daytime highs in °C; dots show how rainy the month is (one dot dry, three dots wet).
Time zone: Asia/Dubai. Compare with your local time.
Visas: in our passport dataset, 83 of 198 other passports can enter Oman without arranging a visa first (visa-free or visa on arrival), 115 need an e-visa or electronic authorisation, and 0 need a visa in advance. Check your passport.
Background: Visa policy of Oman (Wikipedia).
Official advisory: Level 3: Reconsider Travel (U.S. Department of State, updated 2026-08-30). Read the advisory.
Source and more: Oman travel facts on RoamSun
Stay
Most trips to Oman are based around Muscat, Nizwa or Jebel Akhdar. Pick a base for your main interest, then add day trips rather than moving hotels every night.
Typical daily budget: about US$50–80 for a backpacker and US$150–250 mid-range, per person.
Source: RoamSun Oman page · Browse hotel guides
Connect
Plug types: G, C. Voltage: 240 V. Check your own devices on the plug and currency checker.
Calling code: +968.
Mobile data: read the travel eSIM setup guide before you fly so the plan is installed and ready on landing.
Source: Advinne eSIM guide · RoamSun
Do
- Muscat (North coast · capital): A graceful capital with the Grand Mosque, Mutrah Souq, museums and beaches.
- Nizwa (Interior · historic city): A former capital famous for its fort, souq and Friday livestock market.
- Jebel Akhdar (Hajar Mountains · plateau): Cooler mountain air, terraced rose gardens and dramatic canyon views.
- Wahiba Sands (East · desert): Huge dunes, Bedouin hospitality and desert camps.
- Sur (East coast · port town): A traditional dhow-building town close to Ras al Jinz turtle reserve.
- Salalah (Dhofar · south): Frankincense heritage, beaches and lush summer monsoon landscapes.
- Musandam (Northern exclave · fjords): Rugged mountains plunging into the sea, ideal for dhow cruises and snorkelling.
- Wadi Bani Khalid (Eastern Hajar · wadi): Emerald pools in a desert valley, perfect for a swim.
Things to do
- Swim in Wadi Shab. Hike through a palm-filled canyon and swim through turquoise pools to a hidden cave waterfall.
- Explore Nizwa Fort and souq. Climb the great round tower and browse silver daggers and pottery in the old market.
- Camp in the Wahiba Sands. Spend a night among rolling orange dunes under a sky full of stars.
- Visit the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque. Admire a vast prayer hall with one of the world's largest hand-woven carpets and a dazzling chandelier.
- Hike Jebel Shams. Walk the balcony trail along the rim of Oman's 'Grand Canyon'.
- Watch turtles at Ras al Jinz. Join a guided night tour to see green turtles nesting on the beach.
- Sail the fjords of Musandam. Cruise on a dhow among sheer mountains and spot dolphins in the clear water.
- Wander Mutrah Souq. Get lost in a fragrant maze of frankincense, spices and textiles by Muscat's corniche.
Source: full Oman guide on RoamSun
Eat and drink
- Shuwa – lamb marinated in spices and slow-cooked underground
- Majboos – spiced rice with chicken, lamb or fish
- Omani halwa – sticky sweet flavoured with rosewater and saffron
- Kahwa – cardamom coffee served with dates
Source: RoamSun Oman guide
Money and safety
Currency: Omani rial (OMR). Currency and plug checker.
Tipping: Not expected; about 10% in restaurants is appreciated if no service charge is added..
Emergency numbers: 9999 police, fire & ambulance.
- The currency is the Omani rial, one of the world's highest-valued currencies.
- Cards are widely accepted, and ATMs are common in towns; carry cash for small shops and villages.
- Oman is very safe, with low crime and a welcoming attitude to visitors.
- Flash floods can occur in wadis after rain – never camp in a wadi bed or cross flooded roads.
Source: RoamSun Oman facts
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit Oman?
Oct–Apr – warm days and cooler nights; Jun–Sep is green monsoon season in Salalah. Hot and dry most of the year, with a cooler, misty monsoon in the far south in summer.
What time zone is Oman in?
Oman uses Asia/Dubai.
Do I need a visa for Oman?
It depends on your passport. In our dataset 83 of 198 other passports can enter without a prior visa, 115 need an e-visa or eTA and 0 need a visa in advance. Use the visa checker and confirm with the official government source.
What plug and voltage does Oman use?
Oman uses plug type G, C at 240 V. Check whether your devices are dual-voltage before you plug in.
What is the calling code for Oman?
The international calling code for Oman is +968.
Do you tip in Oman?
Not expected; about 10% in restaurants is appreciated if no service charge is added..
What is the emergency number in Oman?
9999 police, fire & ambulance.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Oman?
Traffic drives on the right.