Few destinations compress the future and the past into one skyline quite like the United Arab Emirates. In Dubai, the world's tallest tower casts its shadow over traditional abra boats crossing the creek exactly as they have for a century. Ninety minutes down the Sheikh Zayed Road, Abu Dhabi welcomes travellers with the marble serenity of the Grand Mosque and the halls of the Presidential Palace. At Expertas Travel we run our Dubai & Abu Dhabi Premier tour year-round, and this guide gathers everything our guests ask before booking: who needs a visa, when to go, how to dress, what to book in advance, and how to experience both cities without rushing.
Visa Rules: Who Needs What
The UAE has one of the world's most traveller-friendly visa systems, but the rules differ sharply by nationality: • Visa-free entry (90 days): Citizens of Spain, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Paraguay, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Panama, Colombia (30 days for Colombia), most EU countries, the UK and the USA (60 days for US citizens) receive a free stamp on arrival — no application, no fee. • Visa on arrival (90 days): Canadian citizens. • Pre-arranged eVisa required: Travelers from most of South America outside the list above (Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela), plus many other nationalities. The tourist eVisa is applied online, typically takes 3–5 working days, costs around $90–$175 depending on duration (30 or 60 days), and requires a passport valid for at least 6 months, a passport photo and a confirmed return ticket. Important: your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the arrival date. Airlines check this at boarding and will deny boarding otherwise. Our team verifies every guest's document status during booking so there are no surprises at the airport.
Dubai: Between Records and Tradition
Start at the top — literally. The Burj Khalifa's Level 124/125 observation deck sells out days in advance in high season; the VIP lounge on levels 154/155 (included in our Premier tour) skips every queue and includes refreshments 555 metres above the city. After sunset, the Dubai Fountain show below is free and runs every 30 minutes. For contrast, cross the creek by abra boat (1 dirham) to the gold and spice souks of Deira, where the trading atmosphere predates the skyscrapers by generations. In the Al Fahidi historical district, wind-tower houses host art galleries and Emirati coffee houses serving date Cake and cardamom coffee. The desert completes the picture. A Heritage desert safari in a vintage Land Rover — falconry, sunset photography, and dinner under stars at an Emirati camp — is the single most memorable evening our guests report.
Abu Dhabi: Culture, Power and Calm
The capital moves at a gentler pace than Dubai — and rewards the traveller with two unmissable monuments. The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, clad in white Macedonian marble and inlaid with floral gemstone designs, holds up to 40,000 worshippers; its 82 domes and the world's largest hand-knotted carpet leave even seasoned travellers speechless. Entry is free; dress code is strict (long sleeves, long trousers/skirts, headscarf for women — abayas are provided free of charge). Qasr Al Watan, the working Presidential Palace, opens its international guest wings to visitors: the Great Hall's dome, the manuscript library and the presidential gifts exhibition justify the ticket alone. Our Premier itinerary covers both in a single comfortable day from Dubai with private transport, timed to arrive at the mosque for the softer afternoon light.
Practical Notes: Season, Money and Etiquette
• Best season: November to March offers 24–30°C days — perfect for desert safaris and walking tours. Summer (June–September) regularly exceeds 42°C; sightseeing shifts to early morning and evening, and malls become the daytime refuge. • Ramadan: dates shift ~11 days earlier each year. Daytime dining is restricted, evening comes alive with Ramadan tents — a fascinating cultural window if you plan around it. • Currency: the dirham (AED) is pegged at ~4.1 to the US dollar — no exchange surprises. Cards work everywhere; carry small cash for souks and abra boats. • Etiquette: modest dress in mosques and older districts (covered shoulders and knees), public displays of affection are frowned upon, alcohol is served only in licensed hotel venues, and during Friday prayers some shops close for 1–2 hours. • Getting around: taxis are cheap and metered; the Dubai Metro is spotless and air-conditioned; between cities, private transfer remains the most comfortable option — the E11 highway links Dubai and Abu Dhabi in about 90 minutes.
Pronto para sua próxima crônica?
The Emirates reward travellers who plan ahead: secure the right visa status, book Burj Khalifa's VIP level and the Heritage safari early, and give both cities their own day. Our Dubai & Abu Dhabi Premier tour bundles all of this into six seamless days with private guides and transfers — ask us for dates and we'll handle the rest.