Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
EATING PRICE RANGES
The following price ranges refer to a standard meal. Service charge and tax is included in the price.
$ less than OR5 (US$14)
$$ OR5-OR10 (US$14-US$28)
$$$ more than OR10 (US$28)
INTERNET ACCESS
Internet access is available throughout Oman and many of the larger towns have at least
one internet cafe. Prepaid cards are available.
LEGAL MATTERS
Breaking the law can have severe consequences. For more information, see the Expats
chapter (
Click here
)
and consult your embassy.
MAPS
Up-to-date maps are hard come by in Oman. The
Apex Map of Oman
, available from
bookshops and hotel foyers, has city maps as well as a large, reasonably accurate road
map of Oman. Hildebrand's
Oman
road map has been recommended by travellers, but is
not available in Oman.
MONEY
ATMs & Credit Cards
ATMs are widespread in Oman and many of them, particularly those belonging to HSBC,
are tied into international systems. The most popular credit card in Oman is Visa, but
MasterCard is also widely accepted. Amex is not accepted in many shops, and you may
incur a fee of 5% for using it in some restaurants and hotels.
Currency
The official currency is the Omani rial (OR but widely spelt RO). One rial is divided into
1000 baisa (also spelt baiza and shortened to bz). There are coins of 5, 10, 25, 50 and 100
baisa, and notes of 100 and 200 baisa. There are notes of a half, 1, 5, 10, 20 and 50 rials.
Exchanging Money
Most banks will change US-dollar travellers cheques for a commission. Money changers
keep similar hours to banks, but are often open from around 4pm to 7pm as well. They
usually offer a slightly more competitive rate than the banks, and most charge only a nom-
inal commission of 500 baisa per cash transaction.
Tipping & Bargaining
