Climate
Abu Dhabi enjoys a sub-tropical arid climate with year-round sunshine and very little rainfall.
- November – April - A pleasant time to visit as temperatures are around 24C during the day and 13C at night, humidity is at its lowest.
- May – October – Its hot and humid during these months with temperatures reaching 36C with lows of 29C. If you are planning a day out an early morning adventure would be best, however you will find that all the hotels, restaurants and shopping centres are air-conditioned.
Language and culture
The official language of the UAE is Arabic, but English is widely spoken and understood in business and commerce. The other languages that are commonly spoken and understood are Hindi, Urdu and Farsi – media, newspapers, magazines, TV and radio channels are available in all these languages.
Abu Dhabi has a diverse and multi-cultural society. However, it’s culture is shaped by the Islamic traditions of Arabia, with religion touching all aspects of everyday life in the country.
During the holy month of Ramadan, all Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset. It is important to respect the local customs during this holy month whilst also enjoying the festivities it brings with it. During Ramadan you will notice a change in policy regarding alcohol, eating and entertainment (dates are dependent on the sighting of the new moon and therefore vary each year).
Currency and time difference
The monetary unit is the Dirham (Dh or AED) which is divided into 100 fils. Its worth buying currency in advance, however you will have plenty of opportunity to change currency when and if you need it. All major international credit cards are generally accepted in shopping malls, larger supermarkets, stores, hotels and restaurants. Smaller retail shops and small restaurants however, prefer to deal in cash.
The local time is GMT+ 4 hours.
Holiday Visas
British citizens do not require a visa for entry into Abu Dhabi. If you or any member of your party is not a British citizen or holds a non-British passport, please check with your appropriate Government consulate or embassy.
Important things to note
The electricity supply in Abu Dhabi is 220/240 volts at 50 cycles. Plug points are the same as in the UK.
The water in Abu Dhabi is desalinated and very safe to drink. However, most families prefer to buy bottled drinking water – both imported and local mineral water is widely available from street-side cafes, supermarkets and hotels.
Due to the up and coming nature of the Arabian Peninsula, new hotels, residential properties, business parks and shopping centres will be in development for the foreseeable future. Therefore, it’s important to be aware that during your visit you will see, hear and most likely drive through areas where building work is evident. But don’t let this put you off, our repeat business to the area is testament to the fact that you’ll still have a great holiday in the region.
The developments are not under Beachcomber’s control, nor are we advised of them in advance. The potential disruption changes on a monthly basis and can be very different from the time of booking to your date of departure. If you are in any doubt about the work near your hotel, please keep in touch with us regularly and we will keep you updated accordingly.
What to pack for your Abu Dhabi Holiday
Due to the arid subtropical climate and cultural traditions we would advise you to consider the following:
- Lightweight summer clothing is suitable throughout the year. Sweaters or jackets are recommended during the evenings and winter months.
- Swim wear at the pools and beach only, please cover up and respect the local religion and culture in public places.
- During the evening most restaurants have a smart casual dress code.
- When visiting the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, visitors must abide by the dress code before attempting to enter. Failure to adhere this dress code, may result in entry being denied. Download dress code
