Indulge in Extravagance and Luxury in Dubai – A Modern Oasis Awaits!

Welcome to Dubai, a city of superlatives, where towering skyscrapers, world-class shopping, and desert landscapes create an unparalleled blend of modernity and tradition.

At SL Travel, we invite you to experience the epitome of luxury and opulence in this glamorous Emirate.

Marvel at the architectural wonders that define Dubai’s skyline, from the iconic Burj Khalifa to the luxurious Palm Jumeirah.

Shop in extravagant malls filled with international designer brands or explore traditional markets, where vibrant spices and intricate textiles entice your senses.

Embark on desert safaris, dune bashing adventures, or indulge in a serene sunset cruise along Dubai’s picturesque coastline. Unwind in lavish hotels that offer unparalleled comfort and exquisite dining options, ensuring a truly unforgettable stay.

At SL Travel, our expert advisors will curate a tailor-made itinerary that caters to your desires.

Whether you seek thrilling experiences, world-class entertainment, or relaxation in exclusive spas, we’ll ensure your Dubai vacation exceeds all expectations.

Book your luxurious getaway to Dubai with SL Travel today and immerse yourself in a world of unparalleled grandeur and sophistication.

Country Information

  Airport taxes

A passenger Service Charge of AED 75 is applicable for every departing passenger. this amount is included in the purchase of an airline ticket.

  Security

• The UAE is generally very safe for tourists, with low crime rates, but petty theft such as pickpocketing can occur in crowded areas and airports. • Violent crime is extremely rare, but exercise normal caution in nightlife districts and avoid isolated areas late at night. • Keep valuables in hotel safes and avoid carrying large amounts of cash or expensive items when out. • Be alert when using ATMs and monitor credit card transactions for fraud. • Road conditions are excellent, but traffic accidents are common due to high speeds; drive defensively and avoid aggressive driving. • Emergency services are reliable; the general emergency number is 999 for the police and 998 for the ambulance. • Drug offences carry extremely severe penalties, including long prison sentences or the death penalty; even small amounts can lead to arrest. • Alcohol consumption is regulated; only drink in licensed venues and never in public spaces. • Avoid photographing government buildings, military sites, and airports; this can lead to arrest. • Demonstrations are rare and illegal; avoid any gatherings. Note to LGBT travellers: Same-sex relations are criminalised and can lead to severe penalties. Social attitudes are conservative; discretion is essential. Note to women travellers: The UAE is generally safe for women, but modest dress is expected in public areas. Harassment is uncommon, but avoid walking alone late at night and use trusted transport options.

  Health Precautions

Vaccinations

Compulsory:
None

Recommended:
• Routine vaccines (including MMR and diphtheria–tetanus–polio)
• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Influenza (seasonal)
• COVID‑19 (up to date)
• Typhoid (consider for higher‑risk food exposure)
• Rabies (consider for long stays or animal exposure)

Additional Health Considerations
• Yellow fever: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required only for travellers arriving from, or transiting through, any country with risk of yellow fever transmission.
• Heat and sun exposure: Extreme heat is common throughout much of the year; ensure hydration, seek shade, and use sun protection.
• Air quality: Dust storms and pollution can affect those with respiratory conditions.
• Gastrointestinal diseases: Low to moderate risk; maintain good food and water hygiene.
• Mosquito‑borne diseases: Low risk overall; general bite‑avoidance measures sufficient.
• Healthcare quality: High standard; upfront payment may be required for visitors.
• Medical evacuation: Travel insurance with evacuation cover is recommended.
• Medication availability: Generally excellent, but bring essential prescriptions, particularly for controlled medicines, which may require documentation.

  Currency

1 United Arab Emirates Dirham (AED) = 100 fils. Latest exchange rate: AED1 = ZAR4,3433 (25 Feb 2026 05:00).

You can exchange currency at the airport, in most banks, bureaux de change and many hotels. American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted. ATMs are found across the UAE, mostly in the major cities of Abu Dhabi and Dubai, and accept foreign debit and credit cards including Switch, Maestro, Visa, Union Pay and Cirrus. However, cash back is not commonly available.

Banking hours: It varies depending on the branch and bank, however a rule of thumb is Saturday to Wednesday 08:00 to 13:00 and Thursday 08:00 to 12:00. Some open later in the evening from 16:00 to 18:30. All are closed on Fridays and public holidays.

  Language

The official language is Arabic. English is spoken by most people and it is used in business. 

  Electricity

230 volts, 50Hz (same as SA). Plugs are European 2-pin round, Indian 3-pin round, and British 3-pin flat.

  Telecoms/Internet

Free WiFi is available in most hotels, restaurants, malls and public spaces. Be aware that some social platforms or video chat apps may not operate in the UAE due to restrictions. Websites deemed culturally or religiously insensitive are also blocked. Local SIM cards can be purchased at airports and malls. Have your visa and passport available. Coverage is excellent.  Arriving tourists can receive free SIM cards at Sharjah International Airport. The new service enables travellers to connect to the Internet immediately upon landing, offering 10 GB of complimentary data valid for 24 hours.

  Public Holidays

2026: New Year’s Day (01 Jan); Eid al-Fitr (20–22 Mar); Day of Arafat (26 May); Eid al-Adha (27–29 May); Al-Hijra (Islamic New Year) (16 Jun); Milad un Nabi (Birth of the Prophet Muhammad) (25 Aug); National Day (02–03 Dec).

  Customs

Visas:

• South Africans require a visa for the UAE. 
• It is mandatory for travellers to submit a copy of their passport’s external cover page. The passport external cover page is the front page showing the issuing authority, emblem, and national markings. This is part of the visa application process and is necessary for any UAE entry permit. No entry permit will be processed without it.

Duty-free allowances:

• 400 cigarettes up to a value of AED2 000
• 50 cigars to a total value of AED3 000
• 500g of tobacco (but not snuffing or chewing tobacco)
• Perfumes or any other gifts for personal use, to a value of AED3 000
• If travelling to Abu Dhabi: 4 liters of any kind of alcohol or 2 cartons of beer (each consisting of 24 cans, not exceeding 355ml for each can or its equivalent)
• If travelling to Dubai: 4 liters of any kind of alcohol or 24 cans of beer
• If travelling to Sharjah: 4 liters of wine or spirits or 48 cans of beer
• If travelling to Fujairah: 4 liters of any kind of alcohol
• Medicines with a doctor’s prescription for personal use with a max. of three months’ consumption. If traveling with narcotics, controlled and semi-controlled medication a pre-approval must be obtained prior to arrival.

Prohibited goods:

• Electronic cigarettes in checked baggage
• Abu Dhabi and Fujairah: Fruits and vegetables from cholera infected areas, cultivated pearls.
• Dubai and Sharjah: uncooked edible seafood, fruits and vegetables from cholera infected areas.
• Goods of Israeli origin or bearing Israeli trademarks or logos
• Homemade foods
• From October 1, passengers are permitted to carry one power bank on Emirates flights, provided its capacity is under 100 watt-hours. However, the battery may not be used while in the aircraft cabin. Power banks can no longer be stored in the overhead luggage bin and must be kept in the seat pocket or in a bag under the seat in front.

Special notes:

• Duty-free allowances apply for persons 18 or older.
• Arms and ammuntion: A permit from the Ministry of Interior is required for firearms and ammunition. Check with the operating airline to confirm the acceptance of firearms and ammunition.
• Export regulations: Free export, proof of origin / purchase is required for large amounts of cash, gold and jewellery.
• Pet regulations: An import and transit permit, an international health certificate, a rabies vaccination, and identification chip are required.
• Baggage clearance: Baggage must be cleared at the first point of entry. Exempt – passengers transiting within 24 hours and not going through customs. Baggage can be stored before customs clearance for max. 24 hours if passenger wants to leave transit area and if the baggage is interlined to the final destination. At Dubai airport baggage can also be stored by the handling agent for more than 24 hours. Fee AED40 or AED50 per piece of baggage depending on its size for a period of 12 hours or less. Maximum storage period is for 90 days. Passengers transiting through Dubai (DXB) with separate non-interline tickets and checked in baggage do not have to clear immigrations and customs if they use the baggage transfer service offered by the airport. Fees apply. The passengers will be checked-in only till DXB and have to proceed to the transfer desk. This baggage transfer service option is not available to British Airways, Flyadeal, Pegasus Airlines, United Airlines and Wizz Air passengers who hold a separate non-interline ticket to depart United Arab Emirates at DXB. These passengers must hold documents to enter United Arab Emirates and re-check their baggage to non-interline departure carrier.
• Currency import/export regulations: Local currency (United Arab Em. Dirham-AED) and foreign currencies are allowed, however, currency exceeding AED600 000 or equivalent must be declared on arrival/departure.
• Global liquid ban regulations apply. See below.

NB! This is only a brief overview of Customs requirements. If you need additional information, please contact the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates on (012) 342 7736.

GLOBAL LIQUID BAN REGULATIONS
Global security guidelines have been issued by the International Civil Aviation Organisation implementing restrictions on liquids, gels, pastes and aerosols that passengers are allowed to carry in their hand luggage.

The following rules will apply throughout most airports world-wide:
Passengers may only carry small quantities (max. 100 ml per container) of liquids, gels, pastes and aerosols in their hand baggage. The packaging of these products must also meet specific requirements.

The new rules apply for liquids such as water, drinks, cream, lotion, oil, perfume, spray, hair gel, bath gel, various types of foam, toothpaste, deodorant, lip gloss or any product of similar substance. Exceptions will be made for baby milk, special dietary foods and medication, for which prescriptions are required.

The following rules apply for liquids in hand baggage:
– Passengers are only allowed to carry liquids and gels in containers with a volume of 100 ml or less.
– These containers may only be carried in a transparent plastic bag.
– Each passenger may only carry one such transparent plastic bag.
– The volume of the transparent plastic bag may not exceed 1 litre.
– The transparent plastic bag must be re-sealable.
– You may bring a transparent plastic bag from home.

Liquids and gels that you purchase after passing through passport control or aboard the aircraft will be packed and sealed for you in the shop or on board, if necessary. The package seal will remain valid for 24 hours. If you have to catch a connecting flight, you will not be allowed to break the seal until you have reached your final destination.

In February 2026, it was announced that at Dubai International Airport, passengers no longer need to remove laptops and liquids exceeding 100ml at security points due to advanced scanners. Travellers can place their bags on the trays and proceed through the security process without stopping and passengers do not have to take off shoes. There about five machines in place. 

Note: Please consult relevant airline for hand baggage rules regarding liquid ban.

  Doing business

Office hours: Saturday to Wednesday 08:30 to 13:00 and 16:00 to 18:00; Thursday 07:30 to 11:00. Government and public-sector offices work Sunday to Thursday. Hours may be shortened during Ramadan.

Dress: A suit and tie is appropriate dress for men. Darker colours are viewed as more professional. Women should wear either a suit or a skirt with the hem below the knee. It’s not necessary for non-Muslim women to wear the hijab, or headscarf, unless you plan to visit a religious site during your trip.

Greeting: Acknowledge and greet the most senior person in the room first – doing so is a sign of respect in the Muslim culture. It’s appropriate for non-Muslims to greet their Arab hosts with “assalamu alaikum,” which means “peace be upon you” and return the greeting with “wa alaikum assalam,” meaning “peace be upon you, too”. When exchanging business cards, it’s best to give and receive cards with your right hand. For men, when greeting a man in a professional setting, handshakes are always used and can last a long time. Be sure to only use the right hand as Muslims reserve the left hand for bodily hygiene and consider it unclean. Don’t be surprised if a colleague holds your hand while leading you to a meeting room – holding hands is common among men and does not carry the same connotations as it does in the West. It’s in your best interest not to approach a female Muslim colleague with a handshake or any other form of a physical greeting – there is little to no touching between men and women during greetings in public. For women – if you’re being introduced to a Muslim man, wait to see if he extends his hand. If not, refrain from initiating a handshake. If you’re meeting another woman, wait for her to greet you – often a kiss on the left cheek is acceptable.

Communication and etiquette: The official religion is Islam. Dress is modest, particularly for women who should keep shoulders and legs covered. Refrain from showing affection in public. Adultery and homosexuality are prohibited. Using offensive hand signs or bad language is a serious offence. Ask permission before taking photographs of local people, and it is best to not take pictures of women. It is permissible for non-Muslims to consume alcohol in certain establishments, but a licence is required to purchase alcohol for drinking at home. Public consumption of alcohol and public drunkenness are illegal. Smoking in public areas is prohibited. During Ramadan do not eat, drink or smoke in public during the day. If dining with Muslims, refrain from ordering pork. Men and women will generally eat separately. Take off shoes before going into mosques and some homes. Only use the right hand for eating and giving or accepting items, and for gesturing. Never give alcohol as a gift. Avoid sitting so that the soles of your feet are visible. Avoid discussing female family members or politics. Be careful about complimenting a host’s belongings, as it is an old custom for them to give you the admired object. When offered coffee it is polite to accept and drink two cups. Rock the empty cup slightly to indicate that it does not need to be refilled. 

  Getting around

• Driving is on the right-hand side; roads are modern and well-maintained throughout the country.
• An International Driving Permit (IDP) is recommended and may be required alongside your national license.
• Public transport includes metro, buses, and trams in cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
• Domestic flights are available but rarely necessary due to short distances between emirates.
• No internal ferries are commonly used; water taxis and abras operate in Dubai for short crossings.
• Taxis are widely available, metered, and reliable; government-regulated with fixed starting fares.
• Ride-hailing apps like Uber and Careem are popular and widely used.
• Car hire is common and convenient; self-driving is popular among tourists.
• Women travellers are generally safe; modest dress is advisable in public spaces.
• Police checks are rare but possible; carry ID and vehicle documents when driving.
• Dubai’s Palm Monorail has suspended all services due to ongoing maintenance work. The suspension is effective until further notice and passengers are advised to make alternative travel arrangements during this period.

  Accommodation

• The UAE has a range of budget to luxury accommodation options. Numerous luxury five-star hotels include chain and independent, top-end resorts. There are also mid-range hotels.
• There are also hostels and budget hotels.
• Another option is a family/hotel apartment. These generally cater for family groups.
• Visitors can also opt for a desert experience in a desert hotel or tented camp. Stays generally form part of a tour but can be booked independently.

  Useful tips

• The service charge is already added to most restaurant bills, but tip about 10-15% if it is not. Tip porters about AED3-4 per suitcase. It is not customary to tip in taxis.
• Women travellers should take a scarf when sightseeing as some mosques require a head-covering to be worn.
• It can be exceptionally hot. Light-weight clothes are advised.
• Nights can be cold in the desert so pack a few warm items if you plan to do a desert overnight stay.  

  Disability awareness

In recent years, the government has launched several initiatives to make the UAE, and especially Dubai, more accessibility-friendly. Some taxi services have a limited supply of vans with wheelchair lifts. These must be ordered several hours in advance. Some local buses and all water buses are wheelchair accessible. Dubai Metro has elevators and grooved guidance paths in stations and wheelchair spaces in each train compartment. Most parking areas contain spaces for drivers with disabilities. The more upmarket hotels offer rooms that are accessible for travellers with disabilities. Be sure to check in advance what facilities are available. Dubai Airports has completed the installation of more than 520 Hearing Loops across Dubai International. The system, which supports passengers with hearing aids or cochlear implants, is now available at check-in counters, immigration, boarding gates, and information desks across all three DXB terminals. By activating the ‘T’ (telecoil) setting on their device, users can connect automatically without the need for pairing or extra equipment.