Oman: An Arabian Adventure Unveiled
Just got back from an incredible trip to Oman in late 2023! Saw someone in a travel group asking about Oman visas, so I'm stoked to share my experience and tips with you.
1. Visa: Easy Breezy Entry!
Good news! Oman is rolling out the welcome mat for tourists with a 14-day visa-free entry policy for citizens of many countries, including Vietnam! When I arrived on December 24, 2023, immigration was a breeze. No questions asked �C just a quick passport stamp with an allowed stay until January 6, 2024. The whole process took about 10 minutes!
Important Note: I've heard some travelers had issues entering without a visa from a developed country. To be safe, consider applying for an e-visa beforehand. Better safe than sorry!
2. Flights: Your Gateway to Oman
The most popular and budget-friendly route from Ho Chi Minh City to Muscat (Oman's capital) is usually via Bangkok with Salam Air.
- HCM - BKK (Air Asia): ~$140
- BKK - Muscat (Salam Air): ~$430
Round trip totals around ~$570, booked about 2 months in advance.
3. Getting Around: Explore Oman Your Way
Oman is brimming with unrealized tourism potential. The landscapes are rugged and still pretty untouched. Tourism isn't crazy crowded, mainly Westerners and Indians. I didn't see many Chinese, Korean, or Japanese tourists.
Most people rent a car for exploring Oman. Public transport outside Muscat isn't great, so driving gives you freedom. If you're solo, you could save money. Otherwise, you might be limited.
Oman's infrastructure is solid, thanks to government investment. Roads are wide, well-maintained, and a pleasure to drive on!
4. Costs: Budget-Friendly Arabian Nights
- Currency: 1 OMR ≈ $2.6 USD (1 OMR ≈ 65,000 VND). Exchanging $100 USD got me around 38-39 OMR. Airport exchanges have a 2 OMR transaction fee.
- SIM Card: 6 OMR for a SIM with 6 GB of data (valid for 10 days). Got an extra 1 GB on the first day! Check out Ooredoo or Omantel.
- Food: Budget meals around 2-3 OMR. Expect to pay 10-15 OMR for a steak at a nicer restaurant.
- Buses (Muscat): Super convenient! Bus A1 from the airport to the city center costs 0.5 OMR. Other buses (1, 8, etc.) are cheaper at ~0.4 OMR. Head to the ground floor outside arrivals to find the bus station. No need for taxis! Many Muscat attractions are easily accessible by bus.
- Accommodation: In Muscat, check out Viva hostel group. Beds go for 5 OMR/night. Budget hotels average 10-15 OMR/room (for two people). Nicer places start around 25 OMR. Outside Muscat, no hostels! Solo travelers often use Couchsurfing. Hosts are often Iranian/Pakistani.
- Intercity Buses (Mwasalat): Depart from Azaiba bus station. Most routes have one daily trip, except for Sur, which has a route from Ruwi station.
- Muscat - Nizwa: 2.1 OMR (one way), 3.5 OMR (round trip) - 3 hours
- Muscat - Sur: 4.1 OMR (one way), 7.1 OMR (round trip) - 4.5 hours
- Muscat - Salalah: 8.5 OMR (one way) - overnight bus, departs 7:30 PM, arrives 6:30 AM
Omanis are friendly and hospitable! I hitchhiked twice - to Jebel Akhdar and Wadi Shab. Consider this as an option too.
For short trips, download the OTaxi app. A 25km ride averages 5 OMR. Here's a tip: check OTaxi for the price, then try negotiating directly with drivers on the street. You can often get ~30% off! For example, I paid 7 OMR for a 50km round trip from Nizwa souk to Birkat al Mouz.
5. Oman: What to See and Do
Here are a few "must-see" spots in Oman:
- Muscat: Take bus A1 from the center to Ruwi station, then bus 4 to Al Alam Palace. From there, walk down to Al Murani Fort, Al Jalali fort, Mutrah fort (entrance: 3 OMR), Mutrah corniche, and Mutrah souk. Don't miss the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque! (Open to tourists 8:00-11:00 AM daily). Dress modestly (long sleeves, head covering). While impressive, I preferred the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi. Architecture lovers can check out the Royal Opera House Muscat too. About 40km from Muscat, check out viewpoints like Bandar Al Khairan/ Yenkitt Bay view point. Awesome for drivers.
- Nizwa: Nizwa Fort (entrance: 5 OMR), Bahla Fort (40km from Nizwa �C shared car around 5-6 OMR/person, entrance: 4 OMR, but you can bargain! I got it down to 2.5 OMR!). From Nizwa, explore Jebel Akhdar (30km to police checkpoint, only 4WD vehicles allowed beyond �C hitchhiking is an option!), Birkat Al Mouz, Jebel Shams.
- Wadi Shab: 165km from Muscat. Combine this with a visit to Bimmah Sinkhole!
- Wadi Bani Khalid: Over 210km from Muscat. If coming from Sur, it's only about 120km.
- Wahiba Sands: Personally, I found this desert average. Might be because I've seen deserts in Chile (Atacama), Morocco (Sahara), and Mongolia (Gobi).
- Sur: Ras-al-jinz turtle reserve, stunning beaches and rocks.
- Salalah: Waterfalls were closed during my trip but Oman is a popular destination for beaches.
Overall, Oman is a destination worth exploring, whether you're driving or not, traveling solo or with a group!
Got questions or need recommendations on where to go and what to do in Oman? Hit me up!
6. Weather: Embrace the Sun!
Peak tourist season is October to December, but even in late December, it was super sunny. Bring sunscreen and stay hydrated!
7. Random Tips: A Heads Up
In Oman, most shops close for siesta from 1-4 PM. Streets are dead quiet! Things pick up again after 4 PM.
I spent 8 full days in Oman + 1 travel day. 8-10 days is perfect to see the main highlights. If you have more time, combine it with other nearby countries.
#oman
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