The Middle East, Saudi Arabia in particular, is the most intimidating travel destination for many travelers from the western world, except for businesspeople and pilgrims. And you cannot blame someone for being skeptical about touring this Islamic region. After all, this is a region where people share horrific stories of how women are mistreated, how no one speaks other languages besides Arabic, how draconian the Sharia law is, and how the local customs are hard to comprehend. Although some of these claims aren’t entirely unfounded, most of them are exaggerated by people who have never even stepped foot in Saudi Arabia.
The truth is that there are many things you should know before traveling to Saudi Arabia, but one thing is for sure: You will never regret a trip to the kingdom. If not for anything else, you will certainly love the culinary experience, history, culture, and natural wonders that define the desert kingdom. So, get your Saudi Arabia visa ready and immerse yourself into the unexplored culture of the Saudi people. But before you go, here are the top 10 things that you need to know about the kingdom:
Things To Know Before You Travel To Saudi Arabia
Jump to:
- #1 Is Saudi Arabia safe for tourists?
- #2 Arabic is the official language, but some people speak English
- #3 Saudi internet is censored
- #4 It is a big deal how you dress
- #5 There are photography restrictions
- #6 Authorities are very strict on items that fly in the face of Islam
- #7 Some public spaces are segregated by sex
- #8 If you are a couple, you better be married
- #9 Partying is literally dead
- #10 Saudi experiences heavy rains and flooding
#1 Is Saudi Arabia safe for tourists?
Yes, Saudi Arabia is one of the safest and most peaceful countries in the world. Cases of mugging, pick-pocketing, ATM fraud, or gun violence are very rare here. However, as you’d expect from any other country in the world, you will get in trouble if you disregard local rules and customs. Also, be mindful of the people you share confidential information with and most importantly, be watchful of your surroundings.
#2 Arabic is the official language, but some people speak English
English is alien to most Saudis, especially in the rural areas. You will always find someone who speaks English in big cities like Riyadh, but if you can, it would be great to learn a few Arabic words just to help you get by.
#3 Saudi internet is censored
Websites that the government considers inappropriate might be blocked from you. It is true that there isn’t as much freedom of speech, or online privacy for that matter, as you’d find in the west, so you must be careful on which sites you visit while there. Buying a VPN before traveling to Saudi Arabia would be a great idea because it helps you browse anonymously.
#4 It is a big deal how you dress
The Saudi culture respects conservative dressing for both genders. You shouldn’t expose your arms, legs, and chest area whether you are a man or a woman. If you are touring rural Saudi Arabia, you might want to cover your hair to avoid possible harassment, or sending the wrong message to local men. Harassment cases aren’t too common, but they have been reported nonetheless.
#5 There are photography restrictions
You will be in trouble if you photograph government buildings, local women, airports, palaces, and malls. Tourists have served jail terms for that.
#6 Authorities are very strict on items that fly in the face of Islam
Anything that goes against Islam is haram. Having porn on your phone, carrying a Bible in public, drinking alcohol, having sex with someone you aren’t married to, or speaking ill of the Islamic faith (e.g. disrespecting Prophet Mohamed or any other prophet) is punishable by law. Keep your religious paraphernalia and practice your non-Islamic faith in private because, after all, you will never prove anything by doing otherwise.
#7 Some public spaces are segregated by sex
Save for Jeddah and Riyadh, smaller cities and towns are divided into men, women, and family sections. You will find a whole section in the mall, in restaurants, etc. where men cannot access. If you are traveling as a couple (by couple I mean a man and a woman), you have to sit in the family section.
#8 If you are a couple, you better be married
If you are traveling with your boyfriend/girlfriend, you will have more fun if you are all married. You may find it hard to have sex or even share a hotel room without a marriage certificate. In fact, a marriage certificate will help expedite your Saudi Arabia visa application process.
#9 Partying is literally dead
Don’t visit Saudi Arabia expecting to party hard because loud and crazy dances are prohibited, there are no night clubs, and movie theaters are almost non-existent. Even when invited to a private dinner party, don’t go expecting to party all night.
#10 Saudi experiences heavy rains and flooding
Flooding happens between November and February and because the kingdom is covered by a desert, flooding can have more detrimental effects than it does in the west. Always keep a close eye on the weather reports while there.
Conclusion
The Saudi people encourage and welcome tourists, but you must respect their culture, religion, and political system if you want to benefit from their hospitality. You will have tons of fun in Saudi Arabia if you do the right thing.
