7 Things You Need to Know Before Visiting Oman

The Sultanate of Oman, roughly the size of New Mexico, is perched on the far eastern tip of the Arabian Peninsula and stretches south along the Arabian Sea down to Yemen. The stunning landscape includes mountains, desert, oases, and coastline -- all of which can be visited within a day’s drive from Muscat, the nation’s capital. The current sultan is Qaboos bin Said al Said, who attained the throne from his father in a 1970 coup, and has since sought to elevate Oman in the global sphere by putting oil revenue towards modernization. This has included a significant revamping of infrastructure and the founding of Oman’s first public university, Sultan Qaboos University, in 1986, not to mention a massive tourism investment and an openness towards foreign visitors. Oman has plenty to offer the adventurous traveler, from wandering the bustling souqs (markets) in Muscat, to diving with whale sharks in the Arabian Sea, to camping on a sand dune under the stars. If you’ve never heard of Oman -- don’t worry, you’re not alone. Take a look at our list of things you should know before booking your flight.

1. You’ll want to hit the road.

Oman is a relatively large country, and one of the primary reasons for visiting is to explore its natural beauty. Buses are available between Muscat and other cities, but they do not offer the flexibility and access necessary to explore Oman’s beautiful interior. Therefore, we recommend renting your own vehicle (preferably with four-wheel drive) and/or hiring a local guide for all or part of your trip. Exploring on your own is quite doable, since all road signs have English and Arabic text. However, a local guide can provide insider knowledge and insight. For the less experienced off-roader, we absolutely recommend hiring a guide, especially if you’re hoping to explore the seemingly endless dunes of the Wahiba Sands. But if you’re comfortable venturing off on your own, we recommend renting a vehicle with camping equipment fromNomad Tours.

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