Joanna James
Travelling to Dubai as a woman may sound more daunting, complicated, and stressful than it actually is. While female travellers are not allowed to wear bikinis at the beach, brushing up on norms before your trip will help you avoid potential risk situations as a female traveller.
Even though Dubai stands out as the brightest and the biggest city, it still has traditional roots. Emiratis-both women and men dress in loose-fitting robes and sometimes women cover their faces or hair with a scarf. If you are a female tourist, you don't have to do the same but avoid wearing revealing clothes. Covering your shoulders and thighs is recommended. When packing your baggage, make sure you pack baggy trousers and long skirts. Usually, women need to wear a headscarf when visiting a religious site. Don't worry if you forget as you will be provided with one, in case you forget one. A colourful scarf or pashmina draped around hair and head will do the trick. It is fine to wear your bikini at the pool or on the beach, but make sure you do not wear it out and about.
This is a grey area. You might see Dubai Duty Free selling alcohol to anyone beyond 21 years old at the airport, clubs, and bars at hotels offering tempting happy hours and Friday brunches. Besides all of these, consuming alcohol when in Dubai is officially illegal unless you are having a license. It will be quite difficult for temporary visitors to obtain one. The police in Dubai will not track you (beer-drinking tourists) unless you cause any disturbance. The prevailing law is still the baseline and there isn't any resolution for that. If you are a female solo traveller or travel with a bunch of female friends, you can consider staying at a hotel providing all facilities to enjoy your vacation. For instance, consider staying at one of the many Sheikh Zayed Road Dubai hotels the likes of Avani Ibn Battuta Hotel Dubai offering a comfy stay, easy access to the city's attractions, and pool bar facilities to chill out your evenings.
It is better to do a bit of research or talk to a female who has visited UAE to wipe out all norms created on social media. Female visitors visiting Dubai can feel at ease at taking taxis, dining out alone (even at night), and sightseeing. The World Economic Forum ranks the United Arab Emirates as the second safest country in the world. This does not mean that you do not have to expect any unexpected attention. If you come across any, you can completely ignore it or firmly decline it.
Can you guess one of the biggest perks of being a female traveller in Dubai? – an endless array of ladies' nights. It can range from free access at beach clubs or free cocktails at bars to half-price dinners in some of the best restaurants in the city.
You should know that LGBT+ rights in Dubai are heavily suppressed. Transgender travellers could face difficulties when it comes to documentation in travelling. Cross-dressing in public is illegal here. To feel a bit at ease yourself maybe you can consider booking a higher-end, international-branded hotel in Dubai.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
