Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Embassies & Consulates
Embassies are a fairly good, if somewhat cautious and at times alarmist, source of information on current hotspots and
dangers. Many embassies advise travellers to register with them upon arrival, especially if you're staying in the country
for an extended period: if you should disappear, have a serious accident, or suddenly need to be evacuated from the
country, you will at least be in a better position to receive help. If you break the law, you're on your own! See the Dir-
ectory sections of each individual destination chapter for lists of embassies and consulates.
Gay & Lesbian Travellers
Homosexual practices are illegal in all of the Peninsula countries. Under Sharia'a (Islamic) law, in some countries ho-
mosexuality incurs the death penalty (though punishment usually ranges from flogging to imprisonment or deportation).
In other countries infractions solicit fines and/or imprisonment.
Westerners are unlikely to encounter outright prejudice or harassment so long as they remain discreet. However, this
may well change if you become involved with a local. Room sharing is generally not a problem (it will be assumed that
you're economising). Condoms are fairly widely available, though may be limited in selection. You're advised to bring
your own supply.
Useful Resources
Gay Middle East
(
www.gaymiddleeast.com
)
Summary of legal and social issues regarding homosexuality in the re-
gion.
Global Gayz
(
www.globalgayz.com/middle-east
) Country-by-country guide to gay and lesbian activity.
Insurance
Travel insurance covering accidents and medical problems is strongly advised, particularly as road traffic accidents are a
major hazard of the region and problems can easily occur if visiting the desert (particularly on off-road excursions). Al-
though some regional hospitals do not charge for emergency treatment, you cannot rely on this. If you need complicated
surgery (for a fracture, for example), it can cost as much as it would to have private treatment in a Western country.
A policy that pays doctors or hospitals directly rather than you having to pay on the spot and claim later is a better op-
tion for the region. If you have to claim later make sure you keep all documentation.
Note that some policies specifically exclude 'dangerous activities', which can include activities you may want to en-
gage in on the Peninsula, such as scuba diving, rock climbing, motorcycling and even trekking.
Internet Access
Staying connected in the Peninsula is easy. All countries have International Direct Dialling (IDD) facilities via satellite
links. Mobile phones are easy to buy and local SIM cards are widely available in all cities and most airports across the
region. Roaming charges apply for non-local SIM cards and it is worth checking the rates before travelling. Internet ac-
cess is generally offered free in most midrange hotels and free wi-fi is becoming the norm in many coffeeshops and ho-
tels. Unless you are off-road in the desert or camping in the mountains, use of all connectivity devices (iPhone, iPad and
so forth) is virtually guaranteed.
