6 ways to relax in the UAE for those who are not used to throwing money around

1. Fly in low season

The UAE is one of the few destinations where hotels are open all year round. But if November and April are on the calendar, it will be difficult to save. These months are ideal for a beach holiday, so the prices for tours are noticeably higher. If you want to look at the country of sheikhs on a budget, choose the winter months. In January and February the air temperature during the day is consistently above 20 °C. By the way, the winter season successfully coincides with the start of big discounts in stores, so it’s better to go shopping in the Emirates after the autumn hype.

In the summer, ticket prices are also reasonable. But from June to September, the heat in the UAE is unbearable for many - the thermometer can jump above 40 ° C. Being on the beach most of the day will be difficult. If you can't stand this temperature well, choose a hotel with an indoor pool. There you can wait out the heat, and in the afternoon feel free to go to the city for a walk or to the sea.

2. Don't focus on Dubai

The UAE is not one emirate, but seven. If you want to save a lot, you should not stay in Dubai. For example, in Sharjah you can relax much cheaper, and at the same time, the level of service in hotels is not lower here. The emirate is much more conservative than its popular neighbor - you will have to follow the local dress code and completely abandon strong drinks. Fly for diving and long dates with the sea - choose Fujairah. Here is the greenest landscape and the best beaches in the UAE for exploring the marine fauna. Dreaming of a vacation without crowds of tourists - go to Ajman. Fans of a relaxing holiday will appreciate the authentic landscapes, the Al Zoro nature reserve and the old fort museum.

The capital Abu Dhabi cannot be called a budget destination, so with financial restrictions, here, as in Dubai, it’s worth it to go on an excursion. Umm al-Qaiwain is also not the best choice for tourists - the infrastructure is noticeably poorer than in other emirates.

But Ras Al Khaimah combines good service, reasonable prices and comfortable conditions for any holiday. Here you can spend a vacation with your family, a honeymoon or a crazy vacation with friends.

3. Buy groceries in supermarkets and get acquainted with street food

Spending a couple of evenings at dinner in a beautiful restaurant is not a bad idea. But on other days, it is quite possible to get by with the cooking of chain stores. Be sure to try the local street food: falafel and kebabs will not disappoint you. By the way, it is not profitable to buy fruits and vegetables in the UAE in the markets. The soil in the Emirates is practically unsuitable for agriculture, so most of the fruits are imported into the country. Shops that buy fruits and vegetables in bulk can offer a better price than private sellers in bazaars.

You can get acquainted with national cuisine in small cafes. Prices are not as high as in restaurants. Tourists should try rakak, a very thin bread similar to crispy pita bread, and harris, wheat porridge with meat, which is cooked for about 5 hours according to the classic recipe. Children will appreciate chibabs - pancakes in the Emirati style. Another local delicacy is camel meat. Previously, it was prepared only on holidays, but today tourists can treat themselves to original burgers any day.

4. Use public transport

In Dubai, it is convenient to travel by metro. The emirate is divided into seven transport zones, and four of them have stations. Travel from one zone to another is more expensive than inside one. And the price of a ticket depends on the type of carriage: the “silver” one is suitable for everyone, only women and children under 12 years old can travel in the women’s one, and those who have paid for this privilege can travel in the “gold” one. A trip in the wrong carriage can cost you a 200 dirham fine, so be careful with the signs.

In order not to get confused in the complex fares of public transport, buy a NOL Red Red Card at the metro ticket office and pay for a day of unlimited travel. With such a ticket, it is allowed to travel within different zones by metro, tram, land and water bus. And you can also pay for a one-time trip in the "golden" carriage.

Other emirates do not have a metro, but some have buses. They are also convenient to move between cities. But you should not forget about strict restrictions here. For example, the front rows are for women and children only. And food, water and even chewing gum are banned both on buses and on the subway. In order not to fall for strict fines, read the rules of travel in any public transport in advance.

5. Accumulate checks and refund taxes

The UAE is a real shopping paradise, where prices for European brands during the sales season are not frightened by the number of figures. If shopping and recreation are inseparable for you, then you can also save on it.

Since 2018, the Tax Refund for Tourists Scheme program has come into force in the UAE - 4.76% of the amount spent on various purchases can be returned. Tell the seller that you are going to make a return and get a Tax Free Tag in the store. Such a certificate is issued according to the passport and attached to the check. The Tax Free Tag has a QR code, using which you can order a refund in special Planet machines within 90 days. They are available at all international airports in the UAE, and are also found in shopping centers in Dubai. Register your passport and check in the machine, scan the Tax Free Tag and indicate the card number - the promised amount will be credited to the account.

An important nuance: vending machines take a commission, and you can get a tax deduction only for purchases from 250 dirhams. And the coveted 4.76% can only be obtained on goods that have not been used in the UAE. For example, if you bought jeans, they still need to have a tag on them at the airport. Customs has the right to check the goods, checks and Tax Free Tag. So don't throw away papers until you cross the border.

6. Get impressions for free

You can look at all 163 floors of the Burj Khalifa and appreciate the dancing fountain at the Dubai Mall without the slightest harm to your wallet. And filling up your travel experience with emotions is easy not only in Dubai. For example, in Abu Dhabi, you should sign up for a free tour of the Sheikh Zayed Mosque, one of the main attractions of the UAE. Even budget tourists in the capital can look into the "Heritage Village" - an open-air ethnographic museum.

In Sharjah, sometimes called the cultural center of the UAE, there is also something to see for free. For example, the light-laser show of fountains on the Majaz embankment, the Al-Nur Mosque and the Blue Market, the building of which looks like a steam locomotive.

And, of course, in any emirate you will find the most beautiful city beaches with excellent infrastructure. And if you want to ride the rides and water slides in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, download a special coupon app for yourself. The service works on a subscription basis, but its cost will quickly pay off, because you can visit amusement parks, spas, cafes and other places on the 1 + 1 system.