Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabiahttps://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/travel-safety/middle-east/saudi-arabiaSaudi Arabiahttps://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/travel-safety/middle-east/saudi-arabia/going-to-saudi-arabia-how-to-stay-safe-avoid-embarrassmentTo make the most out of being a Muslim traveler to Mecca, here's how to enjoy the Hajj pilgrimage safely in Saudi Arabia.2019-10-01T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/travel-safety/middle-east/saudi-arabia/going-to-saudi-arabia-how-to-stay-safe-avoid-embarrassmenthttps://www.worldnomads.com<p>Every muslim is expected to make the pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in their life, and more than three million people do the Hajj pilgrimage each year.</p> <p>However, with so many people arriving at one time, this can cause logistical nightmares for visitors (and locals). </p> <p>Between 1990 and 2015, thousands of pilgrims have lost their lives in stampedes and crowd crushes. It is highly recommend that pilgrims listen carefully to all instructions and warnings issued by the Saudi Arabian government to insure the religious event runs smoothly and safely. In 2015 more than 2,000 pilgrims were suffocated or crushed during the pilgrimage – making it the deadlilest Hajj in history.</p> <h2>Hajj: Muslim attendees only</h2> <p>Hajj is for Muslims only, and there are plenty of signs letting you know if you're straying into an area that is intended for Muslims only, usually with helpful arrows on the main roads saying "Muslims Only" with big arrows pointing the other way for "Non-Muslims".</p> <p>Be careful, because if you're a non-Muslim and enter one of the Muslim only regions, it is considered sacrilege and the penalty can be prison or deportation if Saudi Arabian government forces catch you.</p> <h2>Recommended vaccinations for Saudi Arabia</h2> <p>There are <a href="https://www.saudiembassy.net/hajj-and-umrah-health-requirements" target="_blank" title="Hajj and Umrah Health Requirements">vaccination requirements for entering Saudi Arabia</a> during Hajj, and these include proof of vaccination for the following:</p> <ul> <li>Meningitis, specifically the ACYW135 strain</li> <li>Yellow Fever if you arrive from a country with known infections</li> <li>Vaccination against polio for children up to the age of fifteen</li> <li>Seasonal influenza</li> <li>Meningococcal.</li> </ul> <p>Hajj attracts literally millions of people from all over the world, so it is advised that you discuss with your doctor what vaccinations you will need before you go.</p> <h2>Restrictions on Hajj visitors</h2> <p>As many as three million people a year go there to perform Umrah (all year around pilgrimage) and Hajj (major annual pilgrimage).</p> <p>If you are visiting Saudi Arabia as a Muslim to attend Hajj, be aware that there are <a href="https://saudiembassy.net/hajj-requirements" target="_blank" title="New restrictions">new restrictions in place</a> regarding how frequently you can go. Currently, you are not allowed to go more than once every five years to accommodate the vast number of visitors annually.</p> <h2>Danger during the ritual of Jamaraat</h2> <p>The major danger in attending Hajj occurs during the ritual of Jamaraat, The Stoning of The Devil. Statistically speaking, this is by far the most dangerous period during Hajj as many people have literally been trampled to death within the crowds of pilgrims in previous years. This is when more than 2,000 people were killed in a stampede near the Jamaraat Bridge.</p> <p><a href="/travel-safety/worldwide/how-to-survive-a-stampede" target="_blank" title="How to survive a stampede">Crowd crushes and stampedes</a> are a very real danger during Hajj, as the rush of pilgrims to move from one station to another of the pilgrimage can cause panic. Always remain aware of the risk at all times. Over the last 25 years, thousands of people have died.</p> <h2>Staying safe in crowded places</h2> <p>The Saudi Arabian Ministry of Hajj offers the following advice for remaining safe during Jamaraat.</p> <ul> <li>Adhere to the schedules designated for you by the Mutawwif</li> <li>Adhere to the lanes designated for proceeding to the Jamaraat and returning from Jamaarat</li> <li>Avoid pushing your fellow pilgrims and proceed quietly and calmly</li> <li>Do not carry personal effects</li> <li>Do not walk against the direction of the traffic.</li> </ul> <p>This advice is important to follow, as several of the <a href="/travel-safety/worldwide/how-to-survive-a-stampede" target="_blank" title="How to Survive a Crowd Crush">incidents of stampede</a> have occurred due to people trying to exit from the wrong lanes.</p> <p>Other than stampede, major dangers include fire that may break out amongst tents.</p> <p>No-one said it would be easy, and it's not meant to be, but this is a sacred duty for all Muslims to make at least once in their lifetime.</p>Getty Images/Jasmin Merdan 1948635028 Getty Images Muslim pilgrims seen walking and praying inside Kaaba, the most holiest shrine in Muslim religion, at the Grand Mosque in Mecca

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/travel-safety/middle-east/saudi-arabia/tips-on-travel-in-saudi-arabiaCar rental is readily available in Saudi Arabia, and petrol prices are among the cheapest in the world. Find out how to stay safe on the insane roads with these tips.2019-09-10T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/travel-safety/middle-east/saudi-arabia/tips-on-travel-in-saudi-arabiahttps://www.worldnomads.com<p>Highways that connect major cities in Saudi Arabia are of excellent quality, although others may vary somewhat in road conditions.</p> <p>On the downside, like you may have experienced while driving in other Middle Eastern countries, driver behavior is erratic in Saudi Arabia. Expect extreme driving tactics that may appear to be a combination of suicidal and homicidal, with a drop of 'auditioning for Mad Max'.</p> <p>Think we're joking? <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tM99MPoffpE" target="_blank" title="A video on sidewalk skiing in Saudi Arabia">See why they call it sidewalk skiing</a>.</p> <h2>Driving safety tips in Saudi Arabia </h2> <p>Be very careful when driving in Saudi Arabia, give plenty of room to the other cars around you, and do not expect drivers to behave rationally or merge when it is safe to do so. Be alert while driving at all times.</p> <p>Drivers going at incredibly high speeds are common, as are various forms of ‘stunt driving' such as drifting and street skating (where people hang on to the car door and put one or both feet on the ground as the car pelts along at ridiculous speeds) are far more common than you might imagine.</p> <p>While many of these drivers appear to be very adept, they are doing incredibly dangerous stunts in the middle of traffic which has led to Saudi Arabia having a very high traffic accident rate.</p> <p><a href="/travel-safety/middle-east/saudi-arabia/going-to-saudi-arabia-how-to-stay-safe-avoid-embarrassment" target="_blank" title="How to stay safe during Hajj">During the period of Hajj</a>, where thousands of people travel to Saudi Arabia for a pilgrimage each year, traffic accidents increase dramatically, as well as traffic congestion on the roads.</p> <p>If you happen to be unlucky enough to be involved in a traffic accident, Saudi law requires that both parties stay where they are and wait for the traffic police to arrive. This can take up to four hours, which is helpful as most police do not speak English even in the major cities, so use this time to arrange for a translator or the process could be much more difficult than it already is.</p> <p>Generally speaking, the police will issue an accident report, which you will then have to take to the traffic police station. Once there, this will need to be stamped multiple times in different queues, and this can take a fairly long time, expect most of the morning and be glad if it's quicker. This report is necessary, <a href="/travel-insurance/" target="_blank" title="Travel insurance">as insurance companies will not pay for any work without one</a>.</p> <p>However, it is possible and not particularly uncommon for the traffic police to decide who the guilty party is, and decide compensation on the spot. In the case that you are at fault, the police will ask you to pay the determined amount to the other party, although you are not obligated to do so, in which case it's off to the traffic police office for the report and waiting in line.</p> <h2>Traveling in Saudi Arabia: Weather and seasons</h2> <p>Saudi Arabia has a desert climate, and like other Middle Eastern countries the heat from May to September is extreme – especially for visitors who are not used to such conditions.</p> <p>Average temperatures above 40<sup>o</sup><span>C</span> are fairly common, and it also exceeds 50<sup>o</sup><span>C</span> on a regular basis.</p> <p>Much like the UAE, this temperature pattern reaches a peak in July and August, when anyone who can go somewhere cooler tends to do so, and most things in the nation tend to slow down to a very slow pace.</p> <p>The seaside town of Jeddah and other coastal regions have more moderate temperatures, however the humidity tends to be fairly high, reaching 85-100% humidity regularly. Many travelers find this even more uncomfortable than the higher yet drier heat of the interior, especially at night when sleep becomes difficult in such humidity.</p> <p>Elevated mountainous regions tend to stay somewhat cooler, with the city of Tarif rarely reaching temperatures above 35<sup>o</sup>C and the Asir region even cooler.</p> <p>Winter brings a change in the pattern, with inland desert areas such as Riyadh, averaging daytime temperatures of only 7<sup>o</sup>C, and easily falling below zero during the night. Every now and then, this even brings light snow to the southern mountains.</p> <p>Although Saudi Arabia is one of the driest countries in the world and the empty quarter, the Rub al Khali, seldom receives rain, it does rain in Saudi Arabia, although this is generally confined to one or two torrential outbursts that tend to affect most of the country.</p> <p>April and May also tend to be a rainy season for most of the country, although in the south, this is reversed with most of the rain falling during the Indian Monsoon season between May and October.</p>Getty Images/Mr Alyya / EyeEm 1740690009 Getty Images Roads in Buraydah, Saudi Arabia

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/travel-safety/middle-east/saudi-arabia/a-guide-to-saudi-law-and-customsSaudi Arabia has embarked on a huge tourism drive, opening up to travelers eager to explore a previously elusive country. But what about the strict Islamic laws? 2022-04-07T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/travel-safety/middle-east/saudi-arabia/a-guide-to-saudi-law-and-customshttps://www.worldnomads.com<p>Before you start booking <a href="/travel-safety/middle-east/saudi-arabia/crime-and-terror-risk-in-saudi-arabia" target="_blank" title="Crime in Saudi Arabia">your trip to Saudi Arabia</a>, find out about visas, local laws and customs, restrictions on what you can and can't do, and safety tips for women and LGBTQ+ travelers.</p> <ul> <li><a href="#visas">Tourist visas for travel to Saudi Arabia</a></li> <li><a href="#law-enforcement-in-saudi-arabia">Law enforcement in Saudi Arabia</a></li> <li><a href="#royal">Lese majeste</a></li> <li><a href="#restrictions">Restrictions in Saudi Arabia</a></li> <li><a href="#id">Personal ID</a></li> <li><a href="#women">Safety tips for women travelers</a></li> <li><a href="#lgbtq">LGBTQ+ travelers</a></li> </ul> <h2 id="visas">Tourist visas for travel to Saudi Arabia</h2> <p>It has never been easier to apply for a visa. Members of 49 nations, including the USA, Australia, and most of Europe, can apply for an e-visa online <a href="https://visa.visitsaudi.com/">https://visa.visitsaudi.com/</a> and receive a response within minutes. The e-visa for tourists is valid for one year, for multiple entries of a maximum stay of 90 days each. If you cannot find your country of residence listed on its e-visa website, contact the Saudi Arabian embassy for more information.</p> <h2 id="law-enforcement-in-saudi-arabia">Law enforcement in Saudi Arabia</h2> <p>The official system of law in Saudi Arabia is Sharia, which literally means ‘the path to water’. Sharia law has developed from holy scriptures, such as the Qur’an, Islam’s Holy Book, and the Sunnah, the sayings, and records of the Prophet Muhammad. It is as much law, as a guide to moral behavior. While many people baulk at Sharia law, it has to be stressed that as a tourist, visitor, or even expatriate, you are very unlikely to ever fall foul of the law, unless you really choose to ignore the local culture and laws.  </p> <p>Under the forward-thinking rule of Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman, known as MbS, and Saudi’s 2030 Vision, the formerly feared religious police, or Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice (CPVPV), has today been stripped of most of its powers; flogging has been outlawed, and women given rights to travel alone, drive cars, and work freely.</p> <p>For visitors, the law has eased to an extend that tourists do not have to cover up, although modest dress (covering shoulders and below the knee for both men and women) is advised. In hotels, even non-married tourists are allowed to share rooms, and single female travelers are welcomed, and are free to go anywhere.</p> <p>Missionary behavior, such as preaching a religion other than Islam, is treated with extreme prejudice and considered a crime in Saudi Arabia. Yet, talks about building a church for Christian worship within the mega-development of Neom are ongoing, and private practice of other religions is tolerated. Travelers are allowed to bring a religious text, such as a Bible, into the country, but for personal use only.</p> <h2 id="royal">Lese majeste</h2> <p>Publicly criticizing the King, the royal family, or the government of <a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/travel-safety/middle-east/saudi-arabia/tips-on-travel-in-saudi-arabia">Saudi Arabia</a>, is against the law, as is posting any criticism of Saudi Arabia’s law, policies, or behavior on social media platforms. Criticism of the flag of Saudi Arabia is considered insulting, as it bears the Islamic declaration of faith. Desecration or any other inappropriate use of the flag can lead to serious punishment.</p> <p>Foreign nationals, and especially tourists, who breach any of these <em>lèse majesté</em> laws may not get as harsh a sentence as a local would, but could face deportation, even prison, depending on the severity of the criticism.</p> <h2 id="restrictions">Restrictions in Saudi Arabia</h2> <h3>Alcohol</h3> <p>The consumption, possession, manufacture, and distribution of alcohol is illegal throughout the country. Restaurants do not serve alcohol, although it's generally more lenient within residential compounds for foreign expatriates when it comes to homebrewing. However, anyone caught either smuggling or distilling alcohol in significant quantities can be prosecuted under Saudi law.</p> <p>With the gigantic tourism developments, such as The Red Sea Development with its 50-odd hotels, and Neom, an entire new city, opening in 2022 and 2023, speculations are rife that alcohol laws are about to change, if only within select tourist resorts.</p> <h3>Ramadan</h3> <p>During the holy month of Ramadan, the date of which changes every year by around 10 days, it is respectful to avoid eating, drinking, smoking, and chewing gum, between sunrise and sunset hours in public. All restaurants are closed during the day, but many remain open between 5pm and 5am.</p> <h3>Drugs</h3> <p>Personal use, trafficking, or smuggling drugs in Saudi Arabia is illegal and punishment can include the death penalty. If you are bringing medication with you, carry a doctor’s prescription, preferably translated into Arabic.</p> <h3>Imports</h3> <p>Beyond the general importation ban of illegal drugs and weapons, alcohol, pork, and pornography are also expressly prohibited.<br /> Pornography is widely defined and may include publications such as women’s fashion magazines. On occasion, portable media devices can be seized for inspection by authorities, and you may lose your device if it has anything deemed to be forbidden on it.</p> <h3>Photography</h3> <p>Taking photos in Saudi Arabia can be a touchy subject. Avoid taking pictures of government or military facilities, but, as a tourist, you won’t incur anything but a ticking off from the police if caught.</p> <p>If you wish to take pictures of locals, and especially of women, simply ask. Many are more than happy to pose for an interested traveler, just do not attempt to do it sneakily, as that might just upset the wrong person.</p> <h2 id="id">Personal ID</h2> <p>Always carry your identification with you at all times, whether it's a photocopy or your actual passport. Saudi authorities reserve the right to check your identification, and this is a common occurrence especially if you are passing through security checkpoints.</p> <h2 id="women">Safety tips for women travelers</h2> <p>Female travelers can wear moderate clothing, which covers shoulders and ends below the knees, without any problems whatsoever in Jeddah, Riyadh, and tourist hot spots such as AlUla. If exploring more remote areas, you might feel more comfortable wearing a loose abaya, the long, flowing robe, typically black, but available and worn in many colors.</p> <p>Neither local women nor female travelers have to cover their head, even if many choose to do so. It’s a simple and good idea to carry a scarf and abaya in your bag, for occasions where you might feel a little underdressed.</p> <p>Women travelers can hire cars, and drive without a male chaperone. Despite the obvious separation of genders in many places, travelers have <a href="https://www.worldnomads.com/travel-safety/worldwide/travel-scams-101">reported that locals are attentive</a>, welcoming and go out of their way to make sure you feel comfortable and safe.</p> <p>That said, lone female travelers are always at risk to some extent, whichever country they are in, and common-sense precautions should always be taken.</p> <p>Find out more about important dress code laws and etiquette on the <a href="https://www.visitsaudi.com/en/">Visit Saudi website</a>.</p> <h2>LGBTQ+ travelers</h2> <p>This is one issue where Saudi Arabia has not relaxed the laws, and LGBTQ+ relationships and being transgender are illegal. Punishments can range from fines to jail, or even the death penalty. Even if this is relatively unlikely to happen to tourists, it is still advisable to not be overtly LGBTQ+ in public, and to act modestly and respectfully.</p> <p>Public displays of affection are not recommended, regardless of whether you are LGBTQ+ or not. Men and women must refrain from public displays of affection and avoid using profane language or gestures. Discretion is everything.</p>Getty Images/orhandurgut 1688494594 Getty Images Sunset at Al-Masjid An-Nabawi

https://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/travel-safety/middle-east/saudi-arabia/crime-and-terror-risk-in-saudi-arabiaCrime is pretty low in Saudi Arabia due to strict law enforcement from the government. However, these are the things you need to know to stay safe in Saudi Arabia.2019-09-18T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/travel-safety/middle-east/saudi-arabia/crime-and-terror-risk-in-saudi-arabiahttps://www.worldnomads.com<p>Crime levels in Saudi Arabia are generally low, although there has been an increase in recent years. But there are ways you can <a href="/travel-safety/middle-east/saudi-arabia/a-guide-to-saudi-law-and-customs" target="_blank" title="Laws and customs for visitors to Saudi Arabia">stay safe and still enjoy the sights</a>.</p> <p><a href="https://www.saudiarabiaonlinevisas.com/" target="_blank" title="Who needs an online visa for Saudi Arabia?">Find out if you're eligible to apply for an e-visa for Saudi Arabia</a>. It was once one of the most difficult countries to enter, but now people can travel for tourism to this Middle Eastern kingdom.</p> <p>Before you get planning, here's what you need to know about personal safety.</p> <ul> <li><a href="#minimising-theft-risk-in-saudi-arabia">Minimising theft risk in Saudi Arabia</a></li> <li><a href="#capital-punishment-in-saudi-arabia">Capital punishment in Saudi Arabia</a></li> <li><a href="#neighbourhood-watch">Unfriendly neighbourhood Watch</a></li> <li><a href="#potential-terrorism-risk-in-saudi-arabia">Potential terrorism risk in Saudi Arabia</a></li> </ul> <h2 id="minimising-theft-risk-in-saudi-arabia">Minimising theft risk in Saudi Arabia</h2> <p>Be especially vigilant <a href="/travel-safety/middle-east/saudi-arabia/going-to-saudi-arabia-how-to-stay-safe-avoid-embarrassment" target="_blank" title="How to stay safe during the Hajj pilgrimage">during the period of Hajj</a>, as there have been growing incidents of pickpocketing, with women pickpockets becoming an increasing phenomenon. Also be aware of your surroundings at all times, and <a href="/travel-safety/worldwide/how-to-survive-a-stampede" target="_blank" title="How to stay safe in a crowd crush">know what to do if there is a stampede</a>.</p> <p>Don't take anything valuable with you to the pilgrimage to avoid any theft. If you do carry any valuables, keep them secure and safe.</p> <h2 id="capital-punishment-in-saudi-arabia">Capital punishment in Saudi Arabia</h2> <p>Saudi Arabia has both capital and corporal punishment for a wide variety of offences. Execution via beheading is the punishment for murder, rape, drug trafficking, sodomy, armed robbery, apostasy and certain other offences.</p> <p>Some of these executions are public affairs, such as in Riyadh where it is carried out in Deera square (known as Chop Chop square by expats). If you observe a crowd gathering in the area around 9am, it is best to leave quickly or else the Mutaween may push you to the front of the crowd and not let you leave until the beheading is finished. Why this is, remains a mystery, but probably has something to do with the Mutaween wanting to show travelers just how the law operates in Saudi Arabia.</p> <p>The practice of beheading women also exists, although prior to 1990 women were shot instead. Forty seven women have been beheaded as of 2010, and Saudi Arabia executed 1,750 convicts between 1985 and 2008, with most of the executions taking place in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dahran.</p> <p>Oddly, Saudi executioners take great pride in the work and it tends to be handed down from one generation to the next along family lines.</p> <h2 id="neighbourhood-watch">Unfriendly neighbourhood Watch</h2> <p>Private Saudi citizens have been know to harass, and in extreme cases physically assault, travelers who they felt were not observing high enough standards of conservative behavior. This is a country where you should always abide by the local laws and customs, and <a href="/travel-safety/middle-east/saudi-arabia/a-guide-to-saudi-law-and-customs" target="_blank" title="Local laws and customs in Saudi Arabia">always show respect to the religion</a> – no matter what your beliefs are.</p> <h2 id="potential-terrorism-risk-in-saudi-arabia">Potential terrorism risk in Saudi Arabia</h2> <p>The border region between Saudi Arabia and Yemen is currently regarded as hostile, and should be avoided. Most government travel advisories have listed this area as 'Do Not Travel'.</p> <p>Saudi authorities are currently concerned about an increased threat of terrorism in Saudi Arabia, and in the period from December 2009 to December 2010, 765 people were convicted for involvement in terrorist activities.</p> <p>The places where travelers (mostly expats) are known to congregate are considered possible targets, so you'll notice tight security in these areas.</p> <p>You should take care when you're near embassies, international organisations and businesses as well as residential compounds and hotels. Also areas where foreigners are known to work or play such as clubs, open air markers, pedestrian areas, schools, places of worship, restaurants, sporting events, outdoor recreation facilities, transport infrastructure, and general resort or tourist areas.</p> <p>Anything connected with the oil industry should also be considered a potential terrorist target, and this includes all oil installations and infrastructure including pipelines and truck depots.</p> <p>Buildings, institutions and symbols associated with the Saudi Arabian government – and security forces in particular – should also be considered a potential terrorist target.</p> <p>There's not a lot you can do if you have need to be near these places or institutions, except be aware of your surroundings and be prepared for the unexpected.</p>Getty Images/Mohammed Riyas / 500px 11154232802 Getty Images A white building near the sea in Saudi Arabia