Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
A tip of 10% is customary only in large hotels and restaurants if a service fee hasn't been
included in the bill. It is not the custom to tip taxi drivers or smaller establishments.
Discounts are available for most items in all shops other than supermarkets and
Western-style chain stores. Haggle for taxi fares and souvenirs but don't expect too much
of a bargain!
OPENING HOURS
At the time of writing Oman's weekend was on Thursday and Friday; opening hours used throughout this chapter reflect
this. In a recent announcement, the weekend has changed to Friday and Saturday. As we go to press, it is unclear what
Oman's new business hours will be. As a rule of thumb, many sights and activities will continue to be closed or have re-
duced hours on a Friday, especially during the morning which is typically dedicated to prayer. Below are the opening
hours at the time of writing and the anticipated new opening hours.
CHANGES AFTER 1
MAY 2013
PLACE
AT TIME OF WRITING
• 8am to noon Sunday to Thursday
• some reopen between 5pm and 8pm
• no change anticipated
•n o change anticipated
banks
• 7.30am to 2.30pm Saturday to Wednes-
day
• closing 1.30pm during Ramadan
• 7.30am to 2.30pm Sunday to
Thursday
• closing 1.30pm during Ramadan
government departments &
ministries
• 8am to 1.30pm Saturday to Wednesday
• 8am to 11am Thursday
• 8am to 1.30pm Sunday to Thursday
• 8am to 11am Saturday
post offices
• 8am to 11am Thursday
• 5pm to midnight Friday
• no change anticipated
• no change anticipated
restaurants
• 8am to 1pm and 4pm to 7pm Saturday to
Thursday
• 5pm to 7pm Friday
• Mutrah Souq and upmarket Muscat
shopping centres open to 9pm or 9.30pm
• no change anticipated
• no change anticipated
• no change anticipated
shops
• 9am to 4pm Saturday to Thursday
• closed or reduced hours on Friday
• no change anticipated
• no change anticipated
sights
PHOTOGRAPHY
Memory cards and batteries are widely available in Muscat. Most studios can print digital
photos from a memory card and transfer photos to a CD. It is important to be discreet pho-
tographing people, especially women, as it can cause great offence, especially in rural and
remote areas.
POST
Sending a postcard to any destination outside the Gulf Cooperation Council costs 150
baisa. Postage for letters is 250 baisa for the first 10g and 400 baisa for 11g to 20g. For
parcels of up to 1kg it is around OR5.
