The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia established Saudi Arabia eVisa on September 26, 2019, with the hope of attracting at least 100 million visitors within the next decade. The visa allows tourists to explore the stunning archaeological site at Mada’in Saleh, the beaches of the Red Sea, the Empty Quarter, among other key attractions. The visa allows visitors to stay for up to 90 days.
But even as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia opens its doors to international visitors, questions still linger as to whether the desert kingdom is safe for tourists. So;
Is It Safe To Travel To Saudi Arabia?
From a crime perspective, it is among the safest places to visit not just in the Middle East but in the world as a whole. Cases of mugging and pickpocketing are quite unheard of, but that is not to say that tourists need not be vigilant.
From a terrorism perspective, you can only be worried of isolated, one-off terrorist attacks just like it happens in other parts of the world. Even Jizan and other areas close to the Yemeni border aren’t as volatile as some western media outlets paint it. All Saudi Arabia is safe to visit provided you are keen on the following:
1. Respect Islam
Saudi Arabians are quite religious. Almost everyone here subscribes to a branch of Islam known as Wahhabism, which is known as being one of the most conservative branches of Islam.
2. Keep your beliefs private
Being an atheist is a big deal in Saudi Arabia. You could be declared a blasphemer. Blasphemy is a serious crime here that could attract a jail term. Even if you were an atheist, just keep it to yourself.
3. Learning some Arabic will help
The official language in Saudi Arabia is Arabic. Very few people speak English or any of the Western European languages. In case you are in trouble and you can’t find someone who speaks English, some basic Arabic will come in handy.
English is not widely spoken in Saudi Arabia. Although most people coming to the country for tourism speak some kind of English. However, you can find several young Saudis speaking English as they are staying abroad for university studies. Almost all the major road signs are written in both Roman and Arabic alphabets. But, some of the speed limit signs are mentioned only in Arabic as you move away from Riyadh and Jeddah.
4. Watch out for drivers
Saudis drive extremely fast on their highways and, sometimes, they can be a little too reckless. Their driving is more dangerous than in any other country in the world.
5. Always have cash on you
There are ATMs and banks pretty much everywhere, but you never know when and where you will run out of cash without an ATM nearby. Also note that as much as credit cards are accepted in most modern hotels and restaurants, there are many local places that don’t accept cards.
6. Transportation ideas
Public transportation in Saudi cities is not up to western standards, except in Riyadh, Jeddah, and other cities. Even the locals use private cars or taxis. You can’t walk here: I have not seen a single walking-friendly city in Saudi Arabia. Even if you choose to travel by bus between cities, you will still have to use a taxi from the highway to your destination. Note that renting a car is very affordable in Saudi Arabia because gas is cheap.
If not renting a car, you can always visit Saudi Arabia with your own car, and if you like camping take your camper or RV and head to places where you can explore the best spots.
7. Saudi Arabia basics
If you take into consideration landmass, Saudi Arabia is the 12th largest nation in the world. Around 34 million people live in the country and most of its population is youthful with 50% of people under the age of 25. A significant portion of the Saudi Arabian population consists of ex-pats or foreigners as more than 30% of the residents are foreign nationals. These ex-pats also make up for more than 70% of the country's workforce. The current kingdom was founded in its present form in 1932 as a total monarchy. It means almost all the power lies in the hands of the country's royal family. The present monarch is called King Salman however; it is his son Mohammed bin Salman who practically runs the Saudi kingdom. He is also known as MBS and was largely responsible for the country's Vision 2030 program that sparked off all the recent tourist developments.
8. Food
In case you love food you may as well get ready to put on some weight while being in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia has always been a crossroad for cultures with traders visiting the country through horses and camels. Muslim pilgrims have been traveling to Mecca and Medina for centuries. Saudi cuisine as a result draws from several influences and some of the commonly made preparations in the country have their origins somewhere else. You can expect to find kitchen cabinets filled with all the traditional food that you can enjoy. Some of the conventional dishes in Saudi Arabia include:
Dates: Saudi Arabia gives you some of the better dates you can get around the world. They are available in various flavors and kinds. Qassim region of the country is thought to be the best place to get dates.
Kabsa: This includes roasted chicken and rice and can be found everywhere.
Jareesh: It is crushed wheat porridge and is topped by using dried lime and savory onions.
Tharid: It is spicy lamb stew and is served with bread.
Murtabak: It is a stuffed pancake.
Laban: This is a creamy yogurt drink.
Arabic coffee: This is not at all like your normal coffee. It is bitter, yellow, and has the flavor of cardamom.
Mamuul: These are stuffed date cookies.
Conclusion
If you are planning to visit Saudi Arabia soon, it is best that you do that in winter. The desert kingdom is always burning during the seasons of summer, late spring, and early autumn. The daytime temperatures during this time average 40-45ºC. Lastly, avoid traveling to the kingdom during the holy month of Ramadan as that is when the law is really extreme.
Post written by Lisa Mottins