Tips for your Travel

Currency: The Dirham is the local currency and is composed of 100 fils. One US $=3.65 Dirhams.

The Dirham denominations are as follows:

Coins : 25 fils, 50 fils and Dh 1.

Notes : 5 Dhs,10 Dhs,50 Dhs,100 Dhs,200 Dhs,500 Dhs and 1000 Dhs

There are no currency restrictions in the UAE.

Dining, Sports & Recreation: Hotels, restaurants and coffee shops provide tourists and visitors a delightful choice of Arabic and International cuisine.

A number of health and fitness clubs are available in Sharjah.

Driving licenses and Car Hire: International and European driving licenses holders are permitted to drive in UAE during their visit.

Electricity: 220 volts-50HZ AC. Hotels supply adaptors on request.

Health Requirements & medical facilities: A certificate is required for cholera and yellow fever if arriving from an infected area. Hospitals and private clinics are well equipped with modern facilities.

At least one pharmacy is open all night.

Languages: Arabic (official) and English (commercial). Other regional languages are also widely spoken because of the presence of a large expatriate population. Downtown shopkeepers are lately beginning to speak a little Russian due to the high influx of tourists from the C.I.S.

Media: Excellent daily Arabic and English newspapers are available. Local and International magazines are abundant.

Sharjah, Ajman, Dubai and Abu Dhabi TV stations transmit in Arabic, English, French and Urdu in addition to satellite channels and broadcast AM and FM stations.

Places of Interest: The Sharjah Souk, Al Qasba , Al Jazira Park, Buhairo Corniche, Khalid Lagoon, Rolla Square, Al Wahda street, Dhow Wharf, Al Hisn Fort, Al Naboodah House, The Museum of Natural History amongst many others.

Postal Services: Efficient postal and courier services are available in Sharjah. There is no home delivery of mails. Post office boxes are widely used instead. Services of international courier companies such as DHL, FEDEX,UPS are common.

Taxis: Taxis are the major transport means and they are readily available day and night. A cruising taxi can be hailed or one can be called on telephone.

Telephone: Direct dialing facility is available to most countries and public telephone booths are located all over. Local calls are free. Telex, fax, Internet, paging and mobile phone systems are widely used.

Time: GMT plus 4 hours