Is it possible to have an inexpensive holiday in the UAE? Estimated prices for goods and services in the UAE Why is it better to travel to the emirates with a tour operator

It’s easy to go on holiday to Dubai on your own! Find out how to plan your trip: visas, tickets, hotel reservations, transport, safety, rules of conduct. We share our experience, impressions and advice.

You can also go to Dubai on a tour package - often a vacation on a tour costs less than an independent trip. Look at the prices and decide which is more profitable and convenient for you. Last minute tours search on the services and - they will find the best offers among different tour operators. Want to save money? Explore our.

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Our review of the trip to Dubai

Why do they go to Dubai? Primarily for shopping, good restaurants, first-class hotels and beach holidays. Everything here is at the highest level. One feels the scope, gloss and luxury, but not excessive. However, we settled in the Old City - in the Bur Dubai area - and got to know the city from a different side. Pakistanis, narrow dirty streets, spicy food, low-rise buildings - this is not a postcard Dubai at all. But the more contrast, the more interesting!

We spent four wonderful, eventful days in Dubai: we climbed the Burj Khalifa, visited the aquarium and underwater zoo in the Dubai Mall, walked around the city districts and admired the skyscrapers, explored the beaches and the transport system. We love megacities and their inspiring dynamics, but it is difficult to live long in such a high-tech anthill. It is much more pleasant to be among the quiet streets of the Old Town.

UAE visa

Russians do not need to apply for a visa to the UAE in advance if the duration of the trip does not exceed a month. You will receive it free of charge upon arrival for 30 days. It can be extended for another 30 days, but for a fee. We received our visa at Abu Dhabi airport - the procedure takes a few minutes.

If you are going to Dubai for a long time, apply for a tourist visa in advance - you can do this yourself at visa centers or consulates.

How to get to Dubai on your own?

The cheapest tickets are from Moscow. A flight with a transfer there and back costs from 12 thousand rubles, a direct flight - from 14 thousand. Inexpensive tickets can be found from Yekaterinburg, Kazan and a number of other cities.

You can create a complex route and see an additional city - choose a long transfer of several days.

When planning an independent holiday in Dubai, look at tickets not only to this city, but also to neighboring Abu Dhabi. If tickets to the capital of the UAE are cheaper, take them with confidence. We flew to the Emirates on an Emirates airline flight. A free airline shuttle took us from the capital's airport to Dubai in an hour and a half, and the same thing back. Comfortable!

How to get there from the airport?

The most convenient way is by metro - the red line from the airport goes to the center. Buses run, but it is difficult to figure out the routes. The most comfortable way is a taxi. Read about transport in Dubai below.

Interesting video! TV presenter and blogger Anton Ptushkin takes a video tour of the rich life in Dubai:

Where to book a hotel in Dubai?

Remember that hotels in Dubai charge a tourist tax - the amount depends on the level and star rating. When you book on Booking, you will see what tax you need to pay. Also, some hotels take a deposit (usually 4* and 5*).

When booking a hotel in Dubai, you can see a note in the rules of residence of almost every hotel: “Only married couples can stay at the hotel. You must present a certificate or other proof of marriage.” Don't be alarmed, this is outdated information - these strict regulations have not been in effect for many years. Couples sharing the same room will not be asked any questions.

What to see in Dubai on your own?

You can visit almost all the sights in Dubai on your own - arrange a tour for yourself. You should only look for a guide in those places where you cannot go on your own, for example, on a safari.

Here's what you can see in Dubai:

• Jumeirah Mosque;
• aquarium;
• underwater and regular zoos;
• Wild Wadi water park;
• singing-dancing fountains;
• Dubai Creek;
• Old city;
• markets (gold, fish, spices);
• Ski Dubai;
• dolphinarium;
• Dubai Marina and Dubai Lake Towers areas;
• Legoland, etc.

Excursions in Dubai

Look for original interesting excursions on the Sputnik and websites. There are both individual and group courses. The tour operators are usually boring, and the guides are angry and tired - can you imagine the flow of tourists they have?

We advise you to take only those excursions that you cannot organize on your own: for example, a desert safari, night crab hunting, deep sea fishing, a helicopter or hot air balloon flight, a boat trip.

But you can arrange regular sightseeing tours yourself using the metro and taxi - it will be cheaper and more interesting! It is worth taking it if you are in Dubai for a limited time. The downside of sightseeing tours is that tourists are brought to shops where they try to sell goods at an inflated price.

Transport in Dubai

If you go to Dubai on your own, you will have to figure out the local transport system. Dubai has a metro, trams, buses, taxis and water transport. We will try to briefly but succinctly tell you the most necessary things.

Metro. There are only two lines, the red one takes you to Dubai Airport. NOL Cards are valid; you can buy them from the machines in the metro lobby or the ticket office. Cards must be shown at the entrance and exit. They are charged money or travel depending on the type of card. Tourists use red, silver or gold (there is also a blue one - personal). Tariffing by zones. It is difficult to understand the tariffs, but it is possible. Compare and choose the one that suits you.

The metro is super modern. Stops are announced. Everything is automated, trains without drivers. The carriages are divided into classes: the first or last one is always gold, then comes economy. In economy, there are one and a half carriages only for women and children, they are pink. During peak hours, queues form for the carriages.

Smoking, food, drinks, alcohol and chewing gum are prohibited on the metro. Men are not allowed to travel in women's carriages. With an economy fare you cannot travel in a gold carriage. All this is punishable by fines.

Buses. Bus routes are indicated at the stops. You need to “catch” the bus with a wave of your hand or press a button at the stop. Entrance is through the front door, exit is through the back door. Payment by NOL cards, fare depends on distance. You need to touch the card to the validator when entering and exiting. The first three rows are for women. If you want to exit, press the Stop button. The restrictions are the same as in the subway.

We used the bus only once - from the Jumeirah area to the metro station. The metro and trams are more convenient, and you can get into traffic jams on the bus.

Taxi. The cars are beige and red. There is a women's taxi. Not always convenient due to traffic jams. There are taxis by time and by meter. It is cheap by Dubai standards, but when traveling on toll roads the passenger pays. .

You can also call a taxi online at Kiwi Taxi - it is especially convenient to order a transfer to/from the airport.

Water transport. Eat abra- traditional open boats ply along Dubai Creek and connect Deira and Bur Dubai. There are many of them, they are cheap (from 1 dirham) and 24 hours a day. Cash payment. Often used by tourists as an attraction. You can book a canal cruise for AED 120 per hour. Explore routes, schedules and prices.

Money and ATMs

When withdrawing cash from an ATM, the commission is charged by the bank that issued the card, and sometimes by the bank that owns the ATM. Cash is issued in dirhams. Almost everywhere you can pay by card. Sometimes small shops charge a small percentage for card payments.

Safety

Dubai is a safe city with a low crime rate. Most of the Emirates' population are emigrants from India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, the Philippines and other poor countries. However, there are no security problems due to visitors in the country. We visited different parts of the city, walked late at night in Indian and Pakistani neighborhoods - we never experienced anxiety or anxiety.

All residents of the city speak English to each other, so there will be no problems with understanding.

In our article we will look at different options for a good place to relax in the UAE. Let us note that the United Arab Emirates is a state of contrasts. Here you can meet very handsome men in national costumes who drive a Bentley studded with diamonds. At the same time, builders living in slums walk along the same streets, exhausting themselves with hard work. In the United Arab Emirates, unimaginable luxury borders on deep poverty. Therefore, you need to carefully choose a place to go on vacation in the UAE. In our article we will look at different resorts and tell you why it is good to spend a vacation there.

Seasons in the UAE: when is the best time to go to this country?

Before we start talking about where it’s good to vacation in the UAE, we’ll tell you about the time of year when it’s best to go to this country. This state has a dry subtropical climate. It almost never rains here. From about May until September, the emirates experience unbearable heat. Therefore, if you are thinking about where it is better to vacation in the UAE in August (peak holidays in Russia), be prepared for high temperatures.

The period from May to September (inclusive) is considered not a particularly good time for a holiday in this country. In summer, the air temperature rises to +50°C in the shade. This indicator is worth paying attention to those who have heart problems, or families going on vacation with children. If we talk about the positive aspects of holidays in the period from May to September, then these are low prices for tours and a warm sea.

The peak season in this country is between October and November. During this period, the daytime temperature is already approximately +30°C degrees. At the same time, prices for vacations during this period of the year are the highest.

Those who are thinking about where is the best place to vacation in the UAE in February will be interested to know that the cost of trips decreases from December to March. At the same time, the air temperature is lower: only about +25°C. The water also cools down during this period. But for many vacationers, the cold snap is not critical. Therefore, beach holidays do not lose their relevance almost all year round.

Already in April, the heat gradually begins to return to the United Arab Emirates, the temperature rises to plus thirty degrees. With this indicator, prices for tours are also rising.

Where is a good place to relax in the UAE? All seven emirates are great. Vacationers in the UAE can satisfy any of their needs. Next, we will talk about the most popular and sought-after tourist destinations.

Amazing and modern Dubai - a great place to spend your holidays

Where is the best place to relax in the UAE? In reviews, many tourists write that it is worth going to Dubai. This is a fairly modern and progressive region of the country. This emirate is divided into eleven districts. Each of them will be interesting for travelers with its own characteristics. Next, we will look at the popular areas of this emirate.

What's there to see in Jumeirah?

This popular area of ​​Dubai is home to some of the best hotels. It is the center of beach holidays in the UAE. This luxury resort is adjacent to the famous Palm Jumeirah archipelago. It is an artificial island in the shape of a palm tree, which protects an eleven-kilometer sand crescent from the waves. The “trunk” was occupied by various restaurants and shopping centers, and the villas of famous people were located on seventeen “leaves.” The “crescent” houses elite hotels from leading international chains.

Another big project is The World. It is located four kilometers from Dubai itself. The World is an artificially created archipelago consisting of three hundred islands. They form a bird's eye map of the world. The islands are divided into three types: commercial, residential and resort.

Also located in The World is the famous Burj Al Arab hotel, which is designed in the shape of a giant sail.

What is interesting about the prestigious Downtown Dubai area?

In the center of this prestigious area is the tallest building in the world - the Burj Khalifa skyscraper. It offers a unique view. Here you can dine in the highest-rise restaurant. Also at the base of the building there is a well-known dancing fountain.

If you are planning to combine relaxation and shopping, then visit Downtown. There is the Dubai Mall (the largest shopping center). On the opposite side of the road is the Souk Al Bahar TC. The complex is stylized as an Arab market. The center offers a wide range of national goods.

Abu Dhabi is not only the capital, but also an excellent resort for relaxing with friends and family

Where is a good place to relax in the UAE? In Abu Dhabi. This is the official capital of the country. The city is considered one of the richest in the world. The largest oil companies are located here. Abu Dhabi not only has chic boutiques, but also attractions. Therefore, tourists can go on a bus tour.

Vacationers should visit the Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Mosque. It is the sixth largest shrine in the world. This mosque has 82 domes and 1000 columns. The shrine can accommodate more than forty thousand people. But just remember that there is a strict dress code for visitors to Muslim temples. Women should be especially attentive to these rules.

You can travel to Abu Dhabi with children. After all, there are various amusement parks with many attractions.

On the island with the interesting name Yas there is a themed Ferrari World. This park is stylized as a Ferrari GT car. Its area is two hundred thousand square meters. The park has dozens of attractions in the style of the famous brand. There is also a car museum there.

Beach holidays in the UAE: what to look for?

Where is a good place for beach lovers to relax in the UAE? The length of the coastline is more than 700 km. The beaches are washed by the waves of the Oman and Persian Gulfs. The season in the UAE lasts the whole year. Now let's look at popular beaches in different cities:

1. Abu Dhabi. The beaches of the capital are located remotely from the city, on the island of Bahrain Island. There are both developed and wild beaches. You can only get to Bahrain Island by water.
2. Fujairah. This emirate is most loved by fans of fishing and diving. Scuba divers are attracted not only by the exotic fish that live in coral reefs, but also by the wreckage of sunken ships. The most popular beaches in Fujairah are Shark Island and Al Aqah.
3. Sharjah. The beaches of this emirate are perfectly clean. Sharjah differs from others in the severity of its prohibitions and rules. Not all beaches in this emirate allow women to undress down to a swimsuit. If somewhere there is no such taboo, then you will still have to forget about the bikini. In order not to swim in your clothes, you should choose beaches and hotels in advance, specifying the dress code.

Dubai: famous beaches

Dubai is an emirate that is considered the leader in beach holidays. This resort is admired by many. Now let's look at the most popular beaches of the emirate:

1. Jumeira Beach Park. It is located in the Jumeirah area. The municipal beach park is enveloped in the scents of flowers and filled with the chirping of birds. There are many tropical plants and lawns on the territory. Entrance to the park is paid, five AED per person. Admission for children is free. The entrance to the water is gentle, which is why holidays with children are most popular here. Please note that on Monday only children under eight years of age and women are allowed on this beach.
2. Al Mamzar Park. Located in the Deira region. This beach park is the second most popular. Its main feature is houses with terraces and air conditioning. There is also a swimming pool in the park. In addition, the coastline is beautifully landscaped. Here you can see an unusual wooden fortress. Entrance to the territory is paid. The ticket price is 5 AED. On Wednesday, men are prohibited from relaxing on this beach.
3. Jumeirah Open Beach. This beach is free. It is very popular, especially among tourists from Russia. The main advantage of the beach is the view of the main attractions of the city. You can also use the changing room, shower, toilet, barbecue terrace and children's playground for free. Monday is a day when only children and women can visit the beach.
4. Jebel Dhanna is an uninhabited beach. Located 400 km from Dubai. The depth 50 meters from the shore does not exceed waist level. But the atmosphere here is very pleasant, one might say heavenly.

Vacation with children

Every year the entertainment complex welcomes more than seven thousand tourists. This place has become popular for family vacations. There are green parks, terraces where you can sunbathe, as well as various attractions, both on land and on water.

In Dubai you can also find a place to relax with a child. The famous Wonderland amusement park is located there. It is considered one of the best places to relax with the whole family. There is also a water park in Dubai; it is, of course, not as big as Dreamland, but also quite modern.

If you are planning to go on vacation with a teenage child, you can go to Abu Dhabi for an experience. This city is one of the most modern in the world. Teenagers will definitely appreciate Abu Dhabi. After all, the city has very beautiful fountains, palaces and modern skyscrapers. And on the neighboring Yas Island there is a unique park - Ferrari World.

You should definitely visit the Dubai Zoo with kids. It contains more than 1,500 animals from different parts of the world. There is also a huge Lost Chambers aquarium, which will also be of interest to children of any age.

Finally

Now you know the areas of the UAE. Where is the best place to relax in this country? Every tourist must answer this question himself, because a lot depends on personal preferences. There are many good resorts in this state.

I have been living and working in Dubai for 2 years now. Even though I spend every weekend traveling, I still find interesting places and enjoy watching new peaks being built. For every season, for every taste and for every budget, you can choose a trip for yourself and have a wonderful time. You can write endlessly about the Emirates, I will try not to ramble on, but focus on how to save money.

Below I have written 10 tips on how to save money on your trip.

1. If you know English, do not use the services of travel agents, guides, operators - planning a trip to the Emirates is quite simple, and many reviews about trips will help you much more than the advice of those who want to make money from you.

2. Buy air travel in advance - this will help you save 3 times more than if you rush to buy a ticket a week before departure. Choose the right time for your trip: season, heat, holidays greatly influence prices.

3. You can apply for a visa yourself - just buy a ticket, after which the agency will issue a visa. One of many visas: [link]

4. Accommodation. Instead of a hotel, you can safely rent an apartment from the “owners”. Until recently, the site www.air.bnb was a good source for finding “master” apartments - it is a reliable service used by millions around the world. But recently, enterprising real estate agents, contrary to the rules of the site, post their advertisements on it, which accordingly includes %% of the cost for their services. However, you can look for suitable budget accommodation options in the Emirates on this website, and in correspondence, check with the owner for all the details on housing. One of the advantages of this site is reviews from real guests.

Also, before your trip, you can add to Russian-speaking groups living in the UAE on Facebook - advertisements are posted there without intermediaries. There is a large group of Russians in Dubai - they will help in any matter.

You can find decent accommodation in Dubai for 50 - 70 dollars per night.

5. The Entertainer - discount book. Everyone uses this book. You can buy it here [link] - it will be delivered to your place of residence in Dubai. Again, former travelers sell the book at half price, it’s profitable. Contacts of those selling the book at half price can be found on the forums - in comments or reviews of recent trips to Dubai or the Emirates.

6. Car rental

You will really save money on transport (unless, of course, you plan to spend the whole time in a hotel + on the beach) - if you rent a car, since gasoline here is cheaper than water. Don't forget about the navigator.

I tried to use buses, but I never got one. If you use the metro, you will still have to take a taxi from the metro to your destination. If you use a taxi, then get into the cars only as in the photo - because there are also “private owners” - barkers work next to them and the cost in them is much higher than in a taxi.

For comparison, a trip in a rented car from Dubai to Abu Dhabi cost me $10 in gas, the taxi driver would have charged me... I don’t know how much

7. Food. I understand that vacation means restaurants and cute cafes, but since we are writing about an economical vacation, you can save a lot by buying groceries in supermarkets. Cheap supermarkets - Carefour, Geant, Lulu i t.p. chain. There is a Food Court in the malls - I wouldn’t recommend it - in my opinion it’s McDonald’s with burgers.

8. Amazing places

Instead of the favorite route of all tourists - 136+ floor of the Burj Khalifa (which is undoubtedly cool but costs about $100 from the nose) - go to the Al Ain mountains - there is a route to the very top - there is an open-air observation deck. The whole trip is breathtaking and much cooler than flying up in a dark high-speed elevator.

You can go to Hatta - it's about 248 km east of Dubai. The old village of Hatta includes two prominent military towers from the 18th century and the Juma Mosque (built in 1780), as well as a park, water feature and entertainment.

Visit the Abu Dhabi Mosque - admission is free. Palace in Abu Dhabi - admission is free. A trip to Oman and Hatta - only gas and on-site entertainment - this is instead of a trip to a water park, which costs from $100.

Of all the famous malls, the most “spectacular” in my opinion is Ibn Batutta Mall - of course, admission there is free.

Instead of passing under the Aquarium in the Dubai Mall (about $20) - hmmm I don’t remember about the free aquarium... there is no free aquarium

9. In the Carefour supermarket chain you can not only buy groceries at competitive prices, but also get discounts on visiting water parks and other entertainment - good discounts are always printed on the back of the receipt.

10. And lastly: do not change money at the airport - the exchange rate there is the most unfavorable.

I wish you a GOOD holiday.

The United Arab Emirates is a chic country with an oriental flavor. There are a lot of expensive hotels here with excellent service. The disadvantage of such a holiday is the need to obtain a visa, but the travel agency will help with paperwork.

Where to have an inexpensive holiday in the UAE?

Among luxury and wealth, it is not so easy to find a decent hotel with a decent level of service for little money. IN Abu Dhabi Almost all hotels are 5 star, and accordingly, holidays in them are expensive. When purchasing a ticket to such a hotel, you should not count on entertainment. There are practically no animators in the UAE, and there are very few children's rooms. Therefore, you will have to entertain yourself. Holidays in expensive hotels in the country are designed for rich people who are not in a hurry and live a measured life.

It is worth considering that 5 star hotels do not always have a beach on site. Five stars indicates excellent service and food. In addition, the hotel will definitely have a swimming pool. Many visitors to expensive hotels are forced to swim on city beaches or pay for a seaside holiday. Therefore, when purchasing a ticket from an agency, you should inquire about the availability of free beaches owned by the hotel. There are very few such hotels in Abu Dhabi.

Lovers of a modest holiday can go to Dubai. Here you can relax in a 4 star hotel. But there are no more than ten of them in the city. Moreover, there is not a single hotel located directly on the coast. Therefore, when buying a ticket to a 4-star hotel in Dubai, you need to be prepared to go to the beach. At best, the distance to the sea is 500-1000 m.

IN Sharjah Most of all there are inexpensive hotels that offer decent service. It is worth noting that two nearby hotels with the same number of stars may differ significantly in the level of service. Therefore, it is advisable to study tourist reviews about a particular holiday home.

Some budget hotels in Sharjah offer free trips to shopping centers and the sea. If you decide to purchase a ticket to a guest house that is located far from the sea, you should inquire about the availability of a free transfer. You can save a lot on travel. You won't have to pay for a taxi or use public transport.

List of inexpensive hotels in Sharjah:

Rotana Sharjah - This is a four-star hotel, the cost of a stay is low. There is a significant drawback - you need to go to the beach by minibus. There is no free transfer. There is a swimming pool on the territory of the holiday home. Excellent food and service for little money.

Al Seef Hotel. This hotel is very small and consists of two floors. There is not much furniture in the rooms, renovations are inexpensive, but there is a lot of space in the room. Across the road there is a free city beach. But if you walk a little further, you can get to a gorgeous paid beach. Some tourists complain about not very good service, but it is possible to eat Russian cuisine.

Holiday Inn Sharjah. This hotel is located in the city center, so it does not have its own territory. The beach is very close, but it is public. There is a swimming pool on the roof of the hotel. From there you have a gorgeous view of the city. This hotel is ideal for fans of noisy parties. After all, there are a lot of entertainment centers in the city center. There are regular regular buses to Dubai.

Centro Sharjah Rotana – the most inexpensive new holiday home. The rooms are presented in studios. There are rooms with kitchens for preparing meals. This is a great option for vacationers with children. You can save not only on travel, but also on food. A significant drawback is that the distance from the beach is 15 km. But there are frequent buses from the hotel to the sea.

Villa Al Khalidia - This is more of a country house than a hotel. The food is very inexpensive and modest. But the sea is just a stone's throw away, and the hotel is located in the city center. Therefore, you can go on an excursion to Dubai at any time. Not far from the villa there are a lot of inexpensive restaurants where you can eat delicious food. There is a swimming pool on site. There are not many rooms, so all vacationers know each other. Very cozy and homely. There is free parking for cars.

The United Arab Emirates is not only a country of sea, sun and sheikhs, but also a mecca for shopaholics. No self-respecting shopping lover will be able to return to their homeland without some acquisitions. There is even a saying: “It’s as difficult to pass by shops in the UAE as it is to miss the sun in Bali.” Two or three shops and at least one market is the minimum for our compatriots. What to buy in the UAE? About thirty or forty years ago you could only buy slippers “a la Hottabych”, a dagger or some kind of carpet. But now everything has changed: numerous shopping malls have sprung up among the desert, attracting fashionistas and fashionistas from all over the world. You can buy absolutely everything there: from perfume and clothes to gold and cars.

Where can I shop?

The most attractive are the three emirates - and Abu Dhabi. If you like to bargain, go to small private shops or markets. And if not, go to shopping malls. There are also so-called (for example, in the port of Dubai), as well as well-known duty free.

The best shopping malls in the Emirates are Dubai Mall, Mall of the Emirates, Wafi City Mall, Ibn Battuta Mall, Deira City Center, Bur Juman and others.

What attracts tourists so much? The answer is simple - prices! Many products cost much less than in our country, since the Emirates has a very low tax on imported goods. But we’ll find out what to buy in the UAE from a small rating.

Top most popular goods in the UAE purchased by our tourists

The question of what can be bought in the UAE is probably asked by any traveler who goes to this mysterious country. Here is the ranking of the most popular products:

1. It's definitely electronic. Phones, cameras, video cameras, tablets, computers and various household appliances - they account for about 15 percent of all purchases. For example, you can buy a phone in the UAE very cheaply.
2. Clothing, inexpensive and branded, including fur products - 13 percent.
3. most often from gold and other precious metals, with or without stones - 11 percent.
4. 10 percent of the total turnover is perfumes and cosmetics.
5. 9 percent are cars.
6. Buying watches accounts for about 7 percent of all purchases.
7. Next come spices - 6 percent.

The remaining percentage is divided approximately equally between various little things like souvenirs.

Is it possible to buy a fur coat in the UAE?

One of the most profitable purchases is the purchase of a fur coat. In Dubai, you can't buy a fur coat except in a grocery store. More than 300 stores offer fur products, which are divided into two types: branded (fur coats are sold directly from Greek and Italian manufacturers) and those that only resell other people's products. In order to buy a fur coat in the UAE, you should set aside one or even two days of your vacation to leisurely go around several stores, try on the models you like, carefully evaluate the quality of the products and compare prices. Good quality fur should be smooth, shiny, with light undercoat and thick undercoat. The seams on the outside of the product should be almost invisible.

Buying jewelry

Another popular product category is precious metals and stones. Most shopping is done in the famous This is a huge quarter, completely occupied by a myriad of shops. There is probably no such quantity of decorations per 1 square meter anywhere else in the world. There you can find all kinds of products, varying in cost - from cheap to fabulously expensive. Gold jewelry of 18, 21 and 24 carats with diamonds, sapphires, rubies, pearls - everything is very massive, catchy, bright, large and often even tacky. However, the product may be hollow inside: this is done so that the item can be worn without bending to the ground.

Since the residents of the Emirates love the very best, the market has an exhibition sample of the heaviest gold ring in the world, the weight of which (including precious stones) is 63 kg 856 g. As a rule, there are no price tags on the products, or they are there, but there the price written is one that only Rockefeller could easily pay. This is done in order to bargain. Bargaining is in the blood of Eastern people. They truly enjoy a good bargain. Don’t be afraid to bargain, you won’t offend the seller and won’t leave his children hungry: even if he knocks off 30-40 percent of the originally announced price, he will still win.

What to buy cheaply in the UAE? Of course, spices!

Not far from Zolote there is also a spice market. Here you can find everything your heart desires, especially those who are partial to the culinary arts. Mountains of cinnamon, saffron and pepper, jars with rose petals and orchid roots, boxes with mixtures of dried herbs and seeds, bags of dried fruit and packages of oriental sweets are waiting for their customers. You can also find traditional Arabic medicines and incense here.

Perfume heaven

Of course, you can buy perfume in the Emirates! The UAE offers perfumes both of their own production and imported ones, produced under the name of famous brands. The latter should only be purchased at airport duty free, otherwise there is a risk of running into a fake. In addition to outright fakery, there is such a thing as “licensed perfume”. This is not an original or a fake, but a perfume produced under license from the brand in the UAE. Since the license prohibits changes to the fragrant composition of the perfume, the buyer can be sure that the composition will be identical to the original product. But why are they cheaper? The fact is that the production uses cheap labor (usually Pakistanis work for 50-70 dollars a month) and a cheaper bottle, and there are no costs for transporting goods.

As for local oil-based perfume, this is undoubtedly a worthwhile purchase. In addition to regular application to the body, they can be added to aroma lamps, shampoos and shower gels. Amber and musk are included in almost all Omani perfumes. Since they have a fairly strong scent, just 1 drop is enough for the scent to last all day.

What about without gadgets?

Many of our compatriots bring all kinds of gadgets from the Emirates. What can you buy cheaply in the UAE if not electronics? However, there are several rules for purchasing equipment in the UAE. For example, you want to buy a watch in the UAE or a mobile phone. To avoid unnecessary problems, it is best to purchase any electronic goods in large shopping malls or in branded stores. When purchasing, it is advisable to immediately check the IMEI. If according to the data it does not correspond to the product you are buying, then you should not make this purchase: the phone is most likely “gray”. Don’t rush to pay right away, especially if they try to persuade you or push you. Carefully inspect and test the product you are purchasing (case, speaker, cords, connectors, etc.).

What else to buy in the UAE? How about a car?

For the wife - a fur coat, perfume and jewelry, for teenage children - gadgets, but what remains for men? The most important men's toy is a car. Every fifth Russian, while vacationing in the UAE, cherishes the dream of returning home with such an acquisition. The Emirates does not have its own automobile industry, but since the residents of this country are accustomed to changing their “iron horses” at least once every 2-3 years, there is always something to choose from in the automobile market. Excellent roads and climate help maintain the almost factory appearance and quality of the car. The benefit when buying a car in the Emirates is about 30 percent compared to average Russian prices. That is why buying a car in the UAE is a profitable business!

The two most popular car markets are Al Awir in Dubai and Abu Shagara in Sharjah. The first market, located on the outskirts of the city, in an industrial zone, specializes mainly in expensive brands such as Mersedess, Ferrari, Porshe and Bentley. The second is located in the very center of Sharjah; cars are parked right along the road.

When buying a car in the hot Emirates, you need to take into account the equipment, taking into account the Russian climate. Take the time to test for damage to the body and suspension (it’s paid, but worth it).

To avoid accidentally buying a car that was previously used in a taxi service, carefully inspect the interior of the car: in such a car it will be more shabby than the interior of a regular car, and on the dashboard there may be a visible mark from the information sticker that is usually stuck on taxis in this country .

Basic rules for shopping in the Emirates

1. Don't rush to buy the first thing you like. In a nearby store, exactly the same thing may cost less.
2. Bargain kindly, don't get angry. Make jokes, smile, try to win the seller over.
3. The final chord of the bargaining is the magic words last price. Ask about the “last price” when you are ready to buy.
4. You can even bargain in shopping malls with a fixed price. They may well give you a small discount - a discount.
5. On Friday, from 11:30 to 13:30, shopping centers are closed - this is prayer time.
6. It is better to pay in cash, since when paying by card you will be charged a commission of 2-2.5 percent. And if you are buying an expensive product, such as a car, losing this 2 percent will be quite unpleasant.
7. For electronics and household appliances, you should always require a warranty certificate.
8. You should beware of street touts: they offer their help and say that they will help for free, but in fact, the cost of their services is included in the price of the thing that they persistently offer you. They will receive their money from the seller after you pay for the purchase.

What should you not buy in the UAE?

The English say: "We are not rich enough to buy cheap things." But Russians are attracted by the sweet word: “cheap.” Do you already know what you can buy in the UAE, and what you cannot buy in the Emirates? The answer is obvious - low-grade counterfeits of expensive goods. This purchase will bring you nothing but disappointment. It doesn’t matter what it will be - a cheap fur coat bought hastily, a watch with the inscription Rolex for $80, an iPhone or Chanel No. 5 perfume for the same amount. They will not last long: the leather on the strap of a “Swiss” watch will peel off, the paint will peel off, the perfume will not last longer than a couple of hours, and the phone will stop working altogether after a few days. Think about whether such “savings” are necessary? Now you know what to buy in the UAE!