Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Try to get the name of the other driver and registration and insurance numbers of the
vehicle. To claim insurance a police report is obligatory. Sometimes Saudis in a hurry of-
fer to pay for minor damages on the spot, but you should insist on a police report as gar-
ages are not allowed to carry out repairs without one.
BANNED SUBSTANCES
The following items are banned in Saudi Arabia. If you try to bring any of them into the country, penalties range
from confiscation for minor offences up to imprisonment or deportation for more serious offences.
»
Alcohol
»
Artwork or items bearing religious symbols
»
Many books, DVDs and videos
»
Firearms and explosives
»
Illegal drugs or medication without a doctor's prescription
»
Politically sensitive material, material overly critical of the government or royal family; this may include seem-
ingly innocent newspaper articles
»
Pork products
»
Pornography or any publications containing pictorial representations of people (particularly women) in a less
than conservative state of dress
»
Symbols or books of other religions (including the Bible)
MAPS
The best maps of Saudi Arabia are Farsi Maps. They're available at branches of the Jarir
Bookstore throughout the Kingdom (SR22 each). The series includes many general maps
of most regions and excellent city maps for Riyadh, Jeddah, Al-Ahsa (Al-Hofuf), Abha,
Taif, Mecca and Medina among other locations.
MEDIA
All forms of media (other than satellite TV) are controlled by the government, although
that grip has definitely loosened in recent years thanks to the advent of satellite news
channels beamed into people's homes from elsewhere in the region and further afield.
Newspapers & Magazines
The English-language dailies
Arab News
(
www.arabnews.com
)
and the
Saudi Gazette
(
www.saudigazette.com.sa
;
SR5 each) are surprisingly frank, although they steer clear of
any criticism of the royal family or Islam.
International newspapers (the
Guardian,
the
Times, International Herald Tribune
and
Le Monde
) and magazines (
Time
and
Newsweek
) are available from any branch of Jarir
