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Windswept sand dunes that seem to go on forever, jagged mountains that cut into the sky and ancient wind towers make Oman a country of dramatic contrasts. There are ornate mosques, emerald-green wadis and arid-looking limestone plateaus where toe-nibbling fish thrive. You can go on 4WD routes and look for shoals of reef fish while snorkelling. Let’s talk about how to enjoy a sojourn in Oman.

What do you wish to do in Oman? The capital itself is a pretty stunning place with seasonal waterfalls, the Arabian Sea and banana plantations. It makes sense to look for a Salalah resort in Oman to find a hotel with access to the beach and lagoon. Contact hotels like the Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara to see if they offer any deals. You need to find a place that lets you enjoy the

The summer months from June to July tend to be scorching and unbearably hot in Oman. Hence, it is better to avoid visiting during these months. ‘Khareef’ – the monsoon season begins in June and the lush greenery looks best in September with little heat to bother you. If you wish to see the seasonal waterfalls, August is the best time, but the heat might still be a tad bit unbearable. On the plus side, Oman doesn’t ever get cold even in winter. The heat is more bearable between the months of October and April and short rainfall blesses the country in January and February. Pick the time depending on your preferences and what you wish to do. A good rule of thumb is to avoid the heat between 12 noon to 3 pm. Use this time for a siesta or visit an air-conditioned museum.

There are ATMs all over Oman and hotels, restaurants and even petrol stations accept credit cards. Try to change 50 Riyal notes at restaurants and hotels to keep change in hand. It is good to keep change with you for small purchases and paying taxi fares.

Public transport is rather limited in Oman. There are no trains and no metro network. There is a bus system, but it is not adequate. A bus company runs a bus service within Muscat and to main intercity destinations. There are private minibuses you could hail on the streets and taxis. If you’re travelling to Oman, it is better to hire your own car. You can always ask your hotel to arrange taxis to some destinations.

The best way to see Oman and visit faraway places is to hire a car and drive it yourself. You would need an international driver’s license though. If you wish to go off the beaten track – rent a 4WD. If you are going to stay within the cities and not venture far, a Sedan would do. It is possible to go on a desert camping adventure without a 4WD. You can drive to Sharqiya Sands in a Sedan, and nearby towns offer pick-up services. You can leave your rented car in their office and travel in a 4WD for a camping adventure.

Your resort is likely to offer international fare. But Omani cuisine is just as delectable. It is a bit of a shawarma haven with small shops offering this delicacy all over the country. You’ll get your shawarma with salad, bread and hummus and sometimes spit-roasted meat.

Yes. Wild camping in Oman is safe, allowed and an excellent way to fall in love with the desert wilderness. You can find a perfect camping spot near a canyon to pitch your tent and catch a sunrise and spectacular views.

As one of the most dynamic and historic cities in the Middle East, Muscat has been welcoming the travelling masses for centuries. Home to some of the region's finest attractions and traditional marketplaces, no tour of Oman would be complete without a stopover in its capital. As in any major tourist hub, Muscat has its fair share of tourist scams and those who would take advantage of unassuming tourists. Here's how to avoid falling prey to such a negative experience on a trip to Muscat.

The downside of not having Uber and similarly regulated taxi service operators is that most taxi drivers take matters into their own hands. While taxis operating out of Muscat are metered, whether the drivers use them or not is in doubt. This is why all travellers must insist on using only metered taxis when touring Muscat and also have an accurate understanding of their destination and the fastest route there. This is due to the fact that some drivers may use longer routes to charge more or quote a higher price for the trip indicating a longer ride than the journey actually is. Using Waze or Google Maps can be of great use in such instances.

Another popular scam involves locals asking tourists to snap pictures. After taking the photograph and the tourists hand the camera back to the owner, they will drop it and blame the unsuspecting tourist. They will often demand payment to "fix" the camera. It is wise to refuse to take snaps of anyone other than fellow tourists when you are out and about exploring Muscat even if it seems rude.

Tourists based at a hotel in Seeb such as the Avani Muscat Hotel or any centrally situated rest must also be weary of ATM scams. Scammers will often keep tabs on specific ATMs near banks and major hotels and use information gleaned from a card skimmer to hack into your account later. Never allow any locals to help you with withdrawing money from an ATM. It's also prudent to cover your hand when entering the PIN so that no one can visually ascertain the code. Withdrawing cash in Muscat can be avoided altogether by paying via credit card for everything although you will need some local cash on hand for shopping in bazaars.

As one of the more ingenious scams in Muscat, a local will casually drop white paste droplets onto foreigners from on high. Another local will likely come up to the foreigner and try to help the tourist clean off bird poop from their clothing. This is when they will try and nick your wallet or grab your purse and make a run for it. Once again, refusing the help of strangers is the only way to avoid this scam while keeping your belongings tucked away in a hidden area may also be prudent.

As a trick that has been performed in the streets of many Middle Eastern tourist hubs, the "guess where the ball is" game is one we are all familiar with. A man will often use three cups or boxes and switch them around to confuse onlookers about the location of the ball. Those who guess correctly will be awarded a prize or money. Although the game itself is harmless, it is often used to distract tourists from their belongings while walking on the road or inside a souq so that pickpockets can grab valuables while they are concentrating on the location of the ball.

Those who are single and looking to mingle during a getaway in Muscat must be aware of this humiliating tourist scam. A pair of men or women will chat up a tourist at a bar and show interest before suggesting a better bar nearby. After enjoying a few drinks at the second bar, the tourist will be expected to foot the bill, which is 5 to 10 times higher than the previous drinking hole. The bars are also in on this scam so don't frequent bars that are off your well-researched itinerary.

Oman is an intriguing destination with expansive dunes, historical landmarks, unique food, and wonderful experiences. If you are hoping to plan your trip to Oman, there are a few key points to know and the thing about. Reflecting on these aspects will help you plan and have the perfect trip that is memorable, convenient, and hassle-free. Here is how to plan a wonderful trip to Oman.

Image via Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara

1. When to travel to Oman

As a country situated in the Middle East, Oman has a consistently high temperature throughout the year. However, certain months are cooler than others, especially during the winter season. If you visit during summer, you can expect temperatures over 40 degrees Celsius. Even during October, which is the start of the winter season, the temperatures only go down to between 30 and 40 degrees Celsius. However, the overall weather feels more bearable between October and April when you may even witness some rain. So, this generally tends to be the best time to visit Oman. Regardless of the month you choose, it is also important to stay indoors during the peak heat times in Oman. For instance, the time between 12 noon and 3 pm tends to be the hottest. So, try and stay indoors during this time to avoid heat shocks. It is usually best to use this time to have a meal, travel, or explore indoor attractions. It can also be a great time to visit an Oman spa for relaxation.

Most tourists need a visa to travel to Oman. However, many countries are given the ability to get an arrival visa, which makes the process a lot easier. If you are visiting Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara, you can inquire in advance about the best way to process your visa. People from some countries may need to take visas well in advance from their home countries. So, make sure which category you belong to. In terms of travel advisories, Oman has strict COVID-19 guidelines that you must follow. This includes producing a negative PCR test before boarding a flight to Oman and more based on where you come from. These advisories are also constantly changing. So, it is best to check with the resort or your home country about this just before you depart. Apart from these aspects, entering Oman is not at all problematic for tourists.

You will need some basic knowledge of how the currency works in Oman to travel in the country comfortably. The Omani rial is the national currency of Oman and is around $2.60 worth. This makes travelling in Oman more expensive than in most tourist destinations. It is important to have change money if you need to pay for taxis and snacks during the day. So, it is best to get change from the resort or restaurants the first opportunity you get. However, credit cards are widely accepted across Oman. So, you might not even need cash often. Either way, it is good to have some money and a couple of credit cards to be safe.

This is an aspect of Oman travels that you should not miss. Omani cuisine will be one of the main reasons that you truly enjoy the country. From great Shawarma and meat cooked in flavoursome and aromatic sauces to milky desserts and spice-infused teas, you will never be bored when exploring the food in Oman. Some restaurants are famous around the world for offering the best Omani food. It will be a great idea to search them out during your stay.