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Emiratos Árabes Unidos: qué saber antes del viaje

Lo esencial

  • Regional conflict since early 2026: the UK FCDO warns of a high risk of sudden escalation, possible airspace closures and flight cancellations. Check advisories and your airline before travel.
  • Narcotic, psychotropic and controlled medicines (e.g. codeine, tramadol, strong sleeping pills, ADHD drugs) need prior online approval from the UAE Ministry of Health; without it you risk prosecution.
  • CBD products and poppy seeds are illegal; even trace drugs in your blood can lead to arrest.
  • Public decency laws are strict: no public displays of affection, swearing or rude gestures (also online), and no photographing people without consent.
  • Passport must be valid for at least 6 months on arrival.

Entrada y visados

Many nationalities get a free visit visa or visa-free entry on arrival: UK, Russia, Belarus and most EU states 90 days (within 180), US 30 days, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Ukraine 30 days. Indian citizens can get a 14-day visa on arrival only if they hold a valid US, UK or EU visa/residence or a residence permit of approved countries. Others need a visit visa arranged in advance (via airlines like Emirates/Etihad, hotels or ICP/GDRFA). Lists change - confirm with ICP before travel.

Validez del pasaporte: At least 6 months from the date of arrival.

En la frontera pueden pedir

  • Eye scan/photo at immigration; smart gates for some nationalities.
  • Taxis from airports are metered; Careem and Uber operate.
  • Overstay fines accrue daily.

Aduana

  • Controlled medicines need prior Ministry of Health approval; carry prescriptions and original packaging (up to 3 months' supply, or 1 month for listed controlled drugs).
  • Prohibited: narcotics, CBD, pork products, pornography, gambling equipment, items offensive to Islam.
  • Declare cash over AED 60,000 (or equivalent).
  • Weapons and related items need prior permission.

Revisado el 29 de octubre de 2026 · Fuentes: gov.uk ↗, travel.state.gov ↗, khaleejtimes.com ↗, thenationalnews.com ↗, u.ae ↗

Dinero

Se paga con tarjeta casi en todas partes. Las tarjetas se aceptan casi en todas partes.

Redes de pago: Visa, Mastercard, Amex, UnionPay, Diners, JCB

Apple Pay — funciona · Google Pay — funciona

Dónde cambiar dinero

  • Licensed exchange houses in malls (e.g. Al Ansari, Lulu Exchange) - compare posted rates
  • Bank ATMs with a low-fee card

Dónde no cambiar

  • Airport arrival counters for large amounts
  • Hotel desks
  • Dynamic currency conversion at terminals

Cajeros: ATMs everywhere accept foreign Visa/Mastercard; some charge a local fee plus your bank's fee.

Propinas: Many restaurant bills include service; otherwise 10–15% is appreciated. Round up taxis; tip hotel porters a few dirhams.

  • Cards and phone payments are accepted almost everywhere; small souk shops and some taxis prefer cash.
  • Russian-issued Visa/Mastercard do not work abroad and Mir is not accepted; bring USD/EUR cash to exchange or a foreign-issued card.
  • Dirham is pegged to the US dollar (about 3.67 AED per USD).

Revisado el 29 de octubre de 2026 · Fuentes: u.ae ↗, visitdubai.com ↗

Normas y prohibiciones

Prohibido

  • Bringing controlled medicines without Ministry of Health approval (codeine, tramadol, diazepam and similar).
  • CBD products and poppy seeds; any drug use, including traces in blood.
  • Public drunkenness and any drink-driving (zero tolerance). Alcohol is banned in Sharjah.
  • Public displays of affection, swearing and rude gestures, including in messages and online.
  • Photographing or filming people without consent, or posting such images; photographing government and military sites.
  • Social media posts that insult the government, religion or individuals; unlicensed fundraising.
  • Flying drones without prior approval from local authorities.
  • Eating, drinking or smoking in public in daytime during Ramadan is disrespectful and can be penalised in some emirates.

Leyes que los viajeros incumplen sin saberlo

  • Alcohol: legal drinking age 21; drink only in licensed venues or private homes.
  • Same-sex relations and cross-dressing are illegal.
  • Bounced cheques and unpaid debts can lead to travel bans.
  • Working on a visit visa is illegal.

Revisado el 29 de octubre de 2026 · Fuentes: travel.state.gov ↗, gov.uk ↗, gov.uk ↗

Cultura y ropa

Religión: Islam is the state religion; other faiths may worship privately or in designated places.

Ropa: In malls, souks and public places cover shoulders and knees; avoid see-through or very tight clothing. Swimwear only at beaches and pools. Women need a headscarf and full cover at mosques (abayas are provided at Sheikh Zayed Mosque).

Etiqueta

  • Greet with the right hand; wait for a woman to offer her hand first.
  • Do not photograph Emirati women or families.
  • Use the right hand for eating and passing items.
  • Ramadan: be discreet with food and drink in public during daylight; dress more conservatively.
  • Friday midday is prayer time; some places open later.

Revisado el 29 de octubre de 2026 · Fuentes: visitdubai.com ↗

Clima

Desert climate: warm, sunny winters and extremely hot, humid summers (40°C+ from June to September). Very little rain, mostly in winter. Dubai shown.

Mes a mes
  • enero: Jan: 24°C / 15°C, pleasant; cool evenings
  • febrero: Feb: 25°C / 16°C, pleasant; occasional rain
  • marzo: Mar: 28°C / 18°C, warm; good
  • abril: Apr: 33°C / 22°C, hot
  • mayo: May: 38°C / 26°C, very hot
  • junio: Jun: 40°C / 28°C, extremely hot, humid
  • julio: Jul: 41°C / 30°C, extreme heat and humidity
  • agosto: Aug: 41°C / 30°C, extreme heat and humidity
  • septiembre: Sep: 39°C / 28°C, very hot
  • octubre: Oct: 35°C / 24°C, hot, easing
  • noviembre: Nov: 30°C / 20°C, warm; season starts
  • diciembre: Dec: 26°C / 16°C, pleasant; peak season

Mejor temporada: November–March for warm, sunny weather.

Revisado el 29 de octubre de 2026 · Fuentes: ncm.gov.ae ↗

Qué llevar

  • Type G (UK three-pin) adapter
  • Clothes covering shoulders and knees for malls and old town
  • Scarf/shawl for mosques and cold indoor air-conditioning
  • High-SPF sunscreen, sunglasses, hat
  • Prescriptions plus Ministry of Health approval for controlled medicines

Qué no llevar / prohibido importar

  • Codeine, tramadol or other controlled medicines without approval
  • CBD products, poppy seeds
  • Pork products and pornographic material
  • Revealing clothing outside beaches/pools

Práctico

Enchufes: Type G, 230V, 50Hz

Agua: Tap water is desalinated and treated, but most people drink bottled or filtered water.

Circulación: por la derecha

Móvil y eSIM: Tourist SIMs/eSIMs from du and Etisalat (e&) at airports with a passport; fast 5G.

Apps: Careem, Uber, RTA Dubai, nol Pay, Talabat, Google Maps

Internet: Some websites are blocked. Voice/video calls on WhatsApp and FaceTime are often restricted; licensed apps like Botim work. Using a VPN to commit a crime or access illegal content is an offence.

Salud: No vaccinations required (yellow fever certificate only if arriving from a risk country). Excellent private hospitals; treatment is expensive. Heatstroke risk in summer.

Seguro: Not required for visa-on-arrival visitors; strongly recommended (healthcare is costly).

Emergencias: Police 999; ambulance 998; fire 997

Revisado el 29 de octubre de 2026 · Fuentes: gov.uk ↗, travel.state.gov ↗

Las normas de entrada cambian. Antes del viaje, consulta la web de la embajada o del servicio de inmigración del país.