You receive a visa upon arrival in the country. It is free of charge and allows you to stay for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.

Also make sure that your passport is valid for at least 6 months after your date of entry, otherwise you may be denied access to the country.

The best time to visit Dubai is generally from November to March. However, this is also the busiest tourist season.

Humidity and temperatures are particularly high during the hot season, from June to September.

Sand and dust storms can occur at any time of the year, but they are more common during the summer months.

Although uncommon, heavy rainfall can occur during the winter months, from December to March.

The budget for Dubai varies a lot depending on your travel style. If you are traveling on a tight budget, prioritizing hostels, local food, and the metro, you can get by on around 50 to 80 CAD per day.

For a more comfortable trip, with decent hotels, varied restaurants, and a few activities like the desert tour or Burj Khalifa, you should expect around 150 to 250 CAD per day.

And if you want a luxury experience with high-end hotels, fancy restaurants, and premium activities, the budget can easily exceed 300 CAD per day.

In general, for a one-week stay, it can range from about 1,000 CAD on a budget trip to 5,000 CAD or more depending on your choices.

The official currency of the United Arab Emirates is the dirham (AED).

To stay in Dubai, the most commonly used platforms are Booking.com, Agoda, and Airbnb.

Booking and Agoda are ideal for quickly comparing hotels and apartments, with plenty of options and often flexible cancellations, which is useful if your plans change.

Airbnb can also be a good option if you’re looking for more space or a more “home-like” atmosphere.

Dubai offers a huge range of accommodations, but prices can vary significantly depending on the neighborhood, so it’s worth comparing before booking to find the best value for money.

To get around Dubai, the most practical and affordable option is the metro. It is modern, clean, and connects major tourist areas such as Downtown, Marina, and the airport. You can also use buses and trams, which are well connected to the metro network.

For more flexibility, taxis and apps like Uber or Careem are very popular. Overall, if you’re staying in the city, the metro is more than enough for most trips.

The roads are ultra-modern, wide, and very well maintained, with a highway network that makes travel fast and smooth, even though traffic can be heavy during rush hours.

Distances may seem large on the map because the city is very spread out, but trips are usually quick thanks to efficient and well-organized infrastructure.

You can drive with your Canadian driver’s license.

In Dubai, ATMs are everywhere, very easy to use, and reliable. Visa and Mastercard cards generally work without any issues, so withdrawing cash is quite simple.

Since fees may apply to each withdrawal, it’s better to withdraw larger amounts less often. Cards are accepted almost everywhere, so there’s no real need to carry a lot of cash.

Always decline the ATM conversion (choose the local currency).

In Dubai, scams are relatively limited, but as in any tourist destination, it’s important to stay cautious.

Avoid unofficial taxis or rides without a meter, as prices can be quickly inflated.

Pink taxis in Dubai are reserved for women and are driven by female drivers.

Be careful with tours or activities sold on the street or at the beach, as they can be much more expensive or of lower quality than those booked online.

In souks and some tourist shops, prices can be inflated, so don’t hesitate to compare or negotiate.

Finally, be wary of overly attractive offers online or on social media, and always prioritize reputable platforms for booking.

There are no mandatory vaccines required to enter Dubai. However, it is recommended to be up to date on routine vaccinations (such as tetanus, diphtheria, and polio). The hepatitis A vaccine is also often advised, as it helps protect against certain food- and water-borne infections.

A proof of yellow fever vaccination is required if you are arriving from a country, even if you only transited through, where the disease is present. To see the list of countries at risk of yellow fever transmission and countries requiring yellow fever vaccination Here.

Dubai is generally a very safe destination, with a low crime rate and a strong police presence, which makes getting around quite calm, even at night.

For women traveling alone, safety is also generally good.

Personally, I felt very safe in Dubai. I moved around without any concern, both during the day and at night, and I didn’t experience any problematic situations. It is a destination where the sense of safety is really present. That said, my experience is personal and can vary from one person to another, so it’s still important to stay aware and take basic precautions.

Upon arrival at the airport, you can easily buy a local SIM card from providers like Etisalat or du. They offer tourist packages with mobile data included, already ready to use, which is very convenient as soon as you step out of the airport.

Alternatively, you can also use an eSIM if your phone is compatible, such as Airalo or Holafly.

Wi-Fi is also widely available in Dubai (hotels, shopping malls, cafés).

In Dubai, it’s important to respect local rules and culture, which are based on strict laws.

Alcohol is only allowed in licensed places (bars, hotels, private residences). Drinking or being intoxicated in public is illegal and can lead to penalties, even in transit.

Religious proselytizing is also prohibited, and any activity that could be seen as criticizing or questioning Islam should be avoided.

Finally, cohabitation outside of marriage is regulated and can be legally problematic in some cases.

In Dubai, it is recommended to dress respectfully in public spaces (shoulders and knees covered in certain places such as mosques or government buildings). In hotels, private beaches, and clubs, dress codes are much more relaxed.

Public displays of affection (kissing, overly expressive gestures) are frowned upon and may be penalized.

Use the metro and public transportation instead of taxis, as they are much cheaper and well connected.

Withdraw cash in fewer transactions but in larger amounts to reduce bank fees. If possible, use a no-foreign-fee card.Withdraw cash in fewer transactions but in larger amounts to reduce bank fees. If possible, use a no-foreign-fee card.

For food, prioritize food courts and small local restaurants in residential areas rather than tourist hotel restaurants.

Attractions can be expensive, so consider booking online in advance or looking for passes that combine multiple activities.

For accommodation, compare prices across different platforms and avoid the most touristy areas like Downtown or Marina if you want to pay less.

Finally, many free experiences are also available, such as public beaches, souks, and city walks.

United Arab Emirates law criminalizes sexual relationships and sexual acts between people of the same sex.

2ELGBTQI+ individuals may be arrested in relation to their sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or sex characteristics, as well as for other offenses such as cross-dressing, indecency, or violations of public morality.

Penalties can be severe and may include fines, imprisonment, deportation, and other punishments provided under the law.