TOURIST GUIDE SAUDI ARABIA
See where to go on holiday? What is worth visiting?
Saudi Arabia, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a country located in western Asia, on the Arabian Peninsula. It borders with Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen. The capital is in Riyadh. Saudi Arabia is one of the founding countries of the League of Arab States.
WHAT IS WORTH TO SEE IN SAUDI ARABIA?
Tourism in Saudi Arabia is very limited. Despite the very favorable climate and landscape conditions, as well as the potential attractiveness of architecture and numerous monuments, numerous restrictions mean that this potential is unused. On the one hand, moral limitations contribute to this (e.g. the inability to use bathing on beaches by women), and on the other hand, hostility to the environment (Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs warns against traveling to distant mountain and desert regions, as well as border areas due to terrorist threats). Police services and a very restrictive visa policy also make it difficult to visit the country. Tourist visas are issued only to members of organized and previously accepted groups implementing a strictly defined program.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS BEFORE GOING TO SAUDI ARABIA
We recommend you read our guide about Saudi Arabia
visas
Obtaining a visa at the border is not possible. There are no airport visas or entitling to leave the seaport. Polish citizens are required to obtain a visa for entry and stay. The passport should be valid for a minimum of 6 months from the planned date of crossing the border. The Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Warsaw grants visas based on the decisions of its authorities or the invitation of a Saudi institution or company that sponsors the arrival. Every arriving person must, in principle, have a local sponsor, who bears full responsibility for him, while diplomatic and consular missions cannot appear in this role.
In November 2005, additional visa facilitation was introduced for foreign investors and entrepreneurs (owners, managing directors and other company representatives), including waiving the absolute requirement to have an invitation from a Saudi partner. The new regulations are not yet uniformly applied by all Saudi diplomatic missions, and the use of them depends on the submission of appropriately certified documents (in Polish conditions: KIG, Ministry of Foreign Affairs) confirming the status of the applicant
Customs regulations
Customs regulations are very restrictive. The ban on arms and drugs and anything that could be considered contrary to Islamic principles is strictly enforced. This includes non-Islamic publications and devotional articles, pork and its products, alcohol and pornography - all in a very broad sense. These articles are confiscated, and the traveler is fined and blacklisted, which actually prevents him from re-obtaining an entry visa. Members of official delegations and diplomats must also take this into account. Customs control at all border points is usually very meticulous, hand luggage is also x-rayed. There are no restrictions on the import or export of money.
How to exchange money in Saudi Arabia?
Money is exchanged in banks (some banks provide this service only to account holders, except for bank branches at international airports), in exchange offices and reputable hotels on the basis of a passport. Credit and payment cards of large networks (MasterCard, Visa, American Express) are commonly used.
What to bring with you
Light, cotton clothes * Jacket for winter months and night trips to the desert.
How to get to Saudi Arabia?
There are three international airports in Saudi Arabia - in Dammam, Jeddah and Riyadh. You can fly to them from North America, Europe and Asia. By bus you can get, among others from Egypt, Jordan, Syria and Turkey.
What's the weather like in Saudi Arabia?
Saudi Arabia is mostly affected by the dry tropical climate, and the interior is extremely dry.
How to travel around Saudi Arabia?
Saudi authorities honor Polish and international driving licenses. Based on these, you can rent a car at the hotel (a copy of your passport is required). Residents should exchange their Polish driving license for a local one. Local law does not allow women to drive a car. The Saudi Rabia has a well-developed network of modern roads, especially between major urban and economic centers. The marking is good, although the subtitles are not always in English.
Internal bus (between major cities) and rail transport (only Riyadh-Dammam line) is underdeveloped, while air transport is relatively good. Saudi Arabia's Saudi airlines are among the safest carriers in the world (apart from Riyadh, large international airports are located in Jeddah and Dammam, and domestic airports in Abha, Taifa and Tabuku). There is practically no public transport, but taxis are widely available and relatively cheap.
What customs should be observed in Saudi Arabia?
Daily life in Saudi Arabia is dominated by Islam, and Muslim law (Sharia) is strictly applied. It is forbidden to publicly practice all other religions, including means a ban on public services and wearing non-Muslim religious symbols (including crosses and the Bible). Infidels are generally not allowed to enter mosques. You are not allowed to photograph Saudi women; this prohibition also applies to mosques, as well as anything that can be considered a strategic or military object, buildings of state institutions and embassies. Public dances, music and films are prohibited (except for separate closed events for men and women and private places). Non-compliance with conservative customs and norms of social life can lead to conflicts. The usual outerwear required for women (including foreigners) worn in public places are black buttoned ankle capes (abbaya) and a scarf (headscarf). Men should - outside the hotel recreation areas and housing estates for foreigners - refrain from wearing shorts. Smoking in public is also socially unacceptable.
During the annual monthly Muslim fasting (Ramadan) from sunrise to sunset in public places, it is generally prohibited to eat, drink or smoke. The religious police (commission for the promotion of virtue and prevention of offenses) supervise compliance with applicable moral standards - mutawwa. The reason for their intervention, up to and including detention, may be improper clothing, social argument, drinking alcohol, as well as staying with a man in a car or in a public place, unless they are married or have a close relationship. There are known cases of demanding a document confirming the existence of a marriage, but in the absence of it a woman may be accused of prostitution.
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