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Renting a House in Dubai

June 20, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Renting a House in Dubai

Renting a House in Dubai

Finding a good house in Dubai should be fairly easy if you take a few precautions. The first thing you should know is to rent property in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), you have to pay a years rent in advance, either by cash or cheque. Agents are available in plenty and they charge a commission of around 5% which should be paid directly to them. If the apartment is furnished, extra security deposit should be paid along with the advance rent.

Below are the standard rates for areas popular among expatriates in Dubai.

  • Studio Apartment: 4000 AED/ month
  • One Bedroom Apartment: 7500 AED/ month
  • Two Bedroom Apartment: 9000 AED/month

Service Apartments are also available but the costs for a month works out to be more than the standard rental charges. Municipal tax, which is 5% of annual rent currently is expected along with the rent. Another vital thing to add to your rent is the utilities like electricity charges, water charges, phone bills etc which may cost an additional 1000-1500 AED.

For an expatriate in Dubai, the lease will for apartment rental will be done with your sponsor for visa as the principal.The principal is beneficial to the landlord as he should be a person who is not likely to leave the country and can be from any part of the UAE. As per common dealing, the principal pays one year advance rent and deducts it from your salary. One important thing to note is that contract cancellation is very difficult, so make sure you find a suitable place with all amenities such that you stay there till the period specified in the contract.

Rental contracts in UAE are no different from the ones you would find anywhere else. Clauses like proper maintenance of property should be expected. Apart from normal wear and tear any damage is the responsibility of the tenant. Also, you should adhere to certain ground rules like good behaviour, no abuse of neighbors etc. Violation of these conditions could lead to eviction. If the apartment is furnished, usually a list of items is kept along with the contract. If any items are found missing or damaged, the tenant is expected to replace it at his expense. www.theemiratesnetwork.com provides an updated list of short term apartments in Dubai.

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Traffic Fines in Dubai

June 20, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Traffic Fines in Dubai

Traffic Fines in Dubai

Dubai may be known for the thrill and adventure it provides but make sure you don’t carry over all these antics on the road. While driving its best if you know the common traffic rules in the city. Dubai has a yearly registration renewal system, therefore it would be wise to check for dues regularly such that you don’t encounter any hassles during re-registration. Some of the traffic violations have serious consequences like imprisonment or confiscation of the vehicle. Dubai also has a sleek speeding camera system. So, if you’re caught by one of those you can just check online and pay your fine through an online payment system. There is also an option where you can register you mobile number online to get SMS updates on any fine payment.

If you re using a rental car in Dubai, It is best to let the agency take care of it. They will charge you a processing fee along with the fine amount. The Dubai Police provide a simple method to know and pay your traffic fines. All you need is a credit card and your license plate number.

  1. Log on to www.dubaipolice.gov.ae
  2. Navigate to the e-services section
  3. Click on “Traffic Fines Inquiry and Payment Service”
  4. Click the icon to go to the service
  5. Enter the fine number, OR your driver’s license number, OR your plate number.
  6. Any outstanding fines will then be displayed. Inclusive of any fines against your registration from other governmental agencies as well.

Other methods of paying the fine are through Dubai Police self service kiosks and Emirates Bank ATMs. These kiosks are located all over the city such that people without Internet access can pay their tickets with ease. Dubai is loaded with comfort services. However, sometimes it seems futile. In 2010, there was a noted rise in the number of false traffic tickets being issues in Dubai.  These were dubbed as ‘Fairy Fines’ or ‘Phantom Fines’. People were issued tickets when they were out of the country. A quick way to get out of a false ticket is to file a complaint with the police by supplying relevant details of your whereabouts when the ticket was issued. This would help you get out of paying a fine unnecessarily.

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How to get a Visiting Visa to Dubai

June 20, 2011 By Leave a Comment
How to get a visiting visa to dubai

How to get a visiting visa to dubai

Dubai, a city located in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is on the world map as one of the best tourist destinations. People from the world over are fascinated by the mixture of modern and traditional values in the city. It is a perfect place for a short term stay away from home. A Visit Visa is the most common type of visa issued to tourists who wish to stay for more than 14 days. It also has variants depending on the requirement of the individual.

The visit can be sponsored by a resident, company or any tour operator/hotel licensed to do so. Now, the Visit Visa is valid for 60 days and can be renewed for an extra month with a payment of AED 500. A copy of your Dubai visa application form must be duly filled in with all relevant details and relevant signatures, 2 photographs, a letter from your sponsor. The sponsor has to furnish relevant details like the visitors date of arrival and mode along with a photocopy of the first few pages of the visitors passport. The visitors passport should be valid for a minimum period of three months. A fee of AED 100 is to be paid along with the application. Also, the sponsor has to pay a refundable deposit of AED 2000 as guarantee. If you are coming from one of the 33 selected countries that do not need a Dubai visa before you can enter Dubai can stay there for a period of one month. The visit visa can be obtained on entry. This visa cannot be renewed. Tour operators and hotels may levy separate charges for processing. The Visit Visa holder may enter and leave the country through any point of entry in the UAE.

A Visit Visa can be obtained in another form which is known as a multiple visit visa. For a sum of 1000 Dirham you can get this visa if you are commercially related to a renowned company. The visa is valid for 6 months and each time you visit Dubai you can stay for a maximum of 1 month. You need a visit visa to enter Dubai and can get this multiple visit visa once you are there. Overstaying is a serious offence and fine of AED 100 is charged and beyond AED 200/ day. Once a guest leaves the UAE, his visit visa gets cancelled. The sponsor can obtain his deposit refund from the immigration department.

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Underwater Hotels in Dubai

June 20, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Underwater Hotels in Dubai

Underwater Hotels in Dubai

On a comic note it has sometimes been said that Dubai has more construction workers than actual citizens. This concrete jungle is home to some of the most amazing works of architecture in the world. Now, they’ve left land and ventured into the deep blue sea. Dubai is almost set to unveil the world’s first underwater luxury hotel ‘Crescent Hydropolis’ in 2013. According to the plan laid out, the hotel was to be built in Germany and assembled in Dubai. However, a lot of delay has occurred due to the economic crisis in Dubai. Not only that there are several concerns about its effect on marine life.

It is said to have three main parts : the land station (where guests will be welcomed), the connecting tunnel (which will transport the guests by train to the main area of the hotel), and the 220 suites within the underwater leisure complex. This architectural project is considered to be one of the largest in the world till date covering 260 hectares. The land on which the Hydropolis is being built belongs to HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai. A whopping $550 million is the cost of construction. With his encouragement around 150 firms have invested in the project. Built below the surface of the Persian Gulf, Jumeriah coastline, this amazing underwater hotel in Dubai, will be next to Burj-Al-Arab. It is an estimated 66 ft below sea level. One night stay in this aquatic marvel could cost around US$550 per room. There has been a lot of hype and speculation surrounding ‘Hydropolis’. The inspiration for the architect for Hydropolis, Joachim Hauser is beleived to have come from the novel ‘20,000 Leagues Under The Sea’ by Jules Verne.

The hotel is said to resemble a jellyfish and is constructed from a combination of concrete, steel and clear Plexiglas. After its completion, a person staying in the hotel would be able to experience the magical life undersea. This project will set tourists flocking to Dubai to have this one of a kind experience. Edutainment is another special highlight for visitors. There will be a high-tech cinema in which the history of underwater architecture as well as the evolution of life in the ocean will be shown. A viewing platform at the front opening of the spanning roof structure allows stunning views by day and night of the architecture and the light shows of Hydropolis. But, only time will tell whether this project is just a dream or will turn into a reality!

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Travelling Within Dubai – Dubai Transportation System

June 20, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Travelling Within Dubai - Dubai Transportation System

Travelling Within Dubai - Dubai Transportation System

Once you are in Dubai finding your way around shouldn’t be too difficult. The city has an efficient Public transportation system. It is tourist friendly with the all details available on the sites put up by the Road and Transport Authority (RTA). There are a few public transport options available: Taxi, Bus, Metro Rail and Ferry.

Taxi

A taxi is a viable option to use on your visit, mainly because most of the taxi drivers are well aware of all the routes in the city leading to the prominent tourist attractions. Dubai Taxi Corporation’s fleet of approximately 3,500 vehicles will ensure that you find a taxi at any time of the day to take you anywhere you want to reach in Dubai. These taxi’s ply through the city and can be spotted at most of the commercial area in the city. There is a standard metre charge of 1.60 AED/km, thus you can travel hassle free. There is a surcharge of AED 3 for prior booking but its best not to rely on advance bookings. It is also advised that women be seated in the back of the taxi because drivers find it inviting if women travel in the front.

Bus

Dubai’s bus network is the most well-connected public transport option available. A detailed routemap along with timetable can be obtained from the RTA website. Public buses are relatively clean and cost effective. Although, they are not very frequent. The main bus stations are Gold Souk Market (in Deira) and Al Ghubaiba bus station (in Bur Dubai). The standard fare is 2 AED, and varies according to the distance. The timings usually differ during the month of Ramadaan.

Metro Rail

In September 2009, Dubai’s 52km long metro rail system was unveiled. It is the second metro in the Arab nations. There are a total of 21 stations which have stops in major areas along the coastline and prominent malls. It also has a stopping at the airport. Single tickets range from AED 2 to 8.50. Trains run every 5 minutes from 6:00 AM to 11:00 PM every day except on Friday. On this day service is from 2:00 PM until midnight. All stations are air-conditioned and there is a large network of feeder buses.

Ferry

The ferry is known as an ‘abra’. Stations are located in Dubai Creek, Bur Dubai and Deira. It is the most easiest way of crossing the creek and the abra’s have an efficient filling system. A trip across the river costs 1 AED/ passenger. The main advantage is that they are frequent and a great way to get a good view of the city.

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Malls in Dubai

June 20, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Malls in Dubai

Malls in Dubai

Shop till you drop! this is what best defines the mall culture in Dubai. Dubai has something for everyone, whether visitors are looking for a cultural experience or purely indulging in the lavish lifestyle the city has to offer. Spanning over acres of land, Dubai has 68 malls and 8 whose construction are underway. Most tourists visit shopping malls even though there are a variety of bargain free shops outside because of the speciality shops in the malls.

The malls don’t brag only about the shopping facilities but also the excellent architecture. Most shopping malls take up a major portion of Dubai’s skyline. Dubai Shopping Centers have a  complete entertainment package. Most of them have cinema halls, restaurants, multi-level car parking and theme-based attractions, and in addition retail outlets of top international brands. There are special recreational centres for kids when the parents go shopping. Kids can entertain themselves in skating rinks or video game parlours.

Prominent malls in Dubai

The Dubai Mall is the world’s largest shopping malls in terms of total area. It forms a part of the Burj Khalifa complex and has about 1200 shops. The main attraction in this mall is that it has an underwater zoo and loads of entertainment areas!

Diera City Centre is located opposite  to the Creek Golf and Yacht Club. It is open from 10:00 AM to midnight on weekdays and 2pm to midnight on Friday. It is the only mall which is open for such long hours in Dubai and is often crowded till it closes down.

The Mall of Emirates, located in the Al Barsha district of Dubai, is one of the largest shopping malls in the world. Since its inception in 2005, it offers a range of shopping, leisure and entertainment.

Dubai Festival City located in Dubai Creek, was constructed in 2005. It has 116 retail shops, a collection of cafes and eateries, four floors of parking with 2000 spaces, a ‘Waitrose’ Supermarket, a children’s play area, a six screen cinema and an attached hotel, everything a shopaholic could ask for is right here!

The feature that makes malls in Dubai a great place for shopping is the fact that it is duty-free that means low or mostly no duties or tariffs imposed on foreign products. Many international designer outlets can be found here. Major branded products are often found less expensive in Dubai than its country of origin. They are also a relief from the blistering heat as they are fully air conditioned. Dubai is often nicknamed as the shopping capital of the middle east and also the fashion capital. Most malls are open till 10:00 PM

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Important Hospitals in Dubai

June 20, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Important hospitals in Dubai

Important hospitals in Dubai

Dubai tourism is flourishing in more ways than one. Dubai is gaining wide popularity as a medical tourism destination due to its low cost services, English speaking medical staff, and virtually no queues for treatments. The Joint Commission International (JCI) has accredited 11 hospitals and clinics making it, the first hospitals to be accredited in the Middle East by the JCI. The city has a  distinguished health care system which has world class facilities. Hospitals in Dubai offer excellent treatment facilities to everyone regardless of their financial conditions. Which essentially means everyone is treated equally in terms of the services rendered to them.

Dubai has both Government run and privately owned hospitals. The major difference between government and private hospitals is in the services provided to the customer. Private hospitals like always would charge more and the services are prompt. There are many hospitals run by the Health Ministry which have state of the art facilities. They have inbuilt pharmacies with all the required medicines such that family members don’t have to scurry through the city looking for it. Restaurants located within the compounds of the hospital have round-the-clock services. Most doctors have private clinics within the hospital premises itself. These clinics are functional 24 hours in a day.

Some of the important hospitals in Dubai are:

  • Emirates Hospital, Jumeirah Beach Road
  • American Hospital, Bur Dubai
  • Al Dowali Private Hospital, Diera
  • Alfa Medical Centre, Bur Dubai
  • Cedars Jebel Ali International Hospital, Jebel Ali
  • Medcare Hospital, Jumeirah
  • Rashid Hospital, Near Al Maktoum bridge, Bur Dubai
  • New Medical Centre Hospital, Deira
  • New Dubai Hospital, Al Baraha
  • Canadian Specialist Hospital (CSH), Bur Dubai

Dubai Healthcare City is an initiative by the Government to get Dubai into the map for world class healthcare services. A branch of Harvard Medical School is soon to be included within Healthcare city which adds more prestige to the undertaking. It is one of the largest international medical centre located between south east Asia and Europe. Dubai offers innumerable medical treatments including cochlear implants, diabetes treatments, orthopedics, cardiology, oncology, obesity surgery, neurology, plastic & cosmetic surgery, physical therapy, dermatology, rheumatology, ophthalmology, lung treatments, and urology.

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Dubai Beach Hotels

June 20, 2011 By Leave a Comment

 

Dubai beach hotels

Dubai beach hotels

The flourishing real estate industry in Dubai is partially due to hotel development and its extensive growth. Dubai is often dubbed as the pearl of the Arabian gulf. Blessed with an extensive shoreline having sandy beaches and blue waters, Dubai is a beach lovers paradise. Due to the large number of tourists thronging the city to catch the sun, sand and surf, there are a huge number of luxury beach hotels and resorts here. It is difficult to choose as most of then offer the same type of services. Most hotels offer special rates throughout the year. It is best to check availability before zeroing in on one.

Here are some of the most popular beach hotels in Dubai:

Jumeirah Beach Hotel

The five star hotel is a widely known beach resort designed in the shape of a giant wave. The beach has white sand and is located in Dubai’s Umm Suqeim area. The wild wadi waterpark and The Burj Al Arab are situated adjacent to the hotel. It also has various restaurants to dine from and a night club named 360 degrees.

Burj Al Arab Hotel

Needless to say The Burj Al Arab Hotel is a Dubai’s gem. Being one of the tallest buildings in the world the exteriors are awe inspiring. Apart from that the view is simply marvellous which makes it one of the best beach stays in town.

Mina a’Salam Hotel

Intertwined between a plush oasis and Palm trees, this 292 room hotel is on every tourists list.It has its own private beach and is just a walk away from prominent tourists attraction within the city. A room costs around AED 1300.

Moevenpick Jumeirah Beach

Located close to the Dubai marina, this resort has guest rooms with sea views and balconies. This hotel has direct access to the beach.

Amwaj Rotana Jumeirah Beach

This hotel is located in Jumeriah beach opposite to the Sheraton. It has 301 guestrooms with balconies and most with sea views. It is one of the most economical beach hotels in town with rooms costing around AED 700.
The bottom line is wherever you decide to stay prices would just differ by a minimal amount. It is best to go for resorts which offer everything you are looking forward to in a nutshell.

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Dubai Desert Safari

June 20, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Dubai desert safari

Dubai desert safari

The rolling sand dunes wrapping the foothills of Mount Hajar on its Eastern side are intrinsically linked to Dubai. This land was previously inhabited by nomads, now they have become a hot spot for tourists. Dubai desert safari is an attractive package offered by most tour operators in the city. This adventure tour takes you on the ride of your life!

Desert safari’s are car rides through the desert sand mainly designed for thrill seekers, so the faint heated should be well prepared. Have a light lunch because the ride is very bumpy and fast. Make sure you wear loose and light clothing. Don’t wear shoes as it’ll make it difficult to walk through the sand. Carry sun protective gear and travel light which means carry only necessary items like a camera and wallet. Most of the time these tours are conducted before or after noon mainly because of the soaring temperatures in the desert during mid noon. It begins with a pick up service from the hotel. All the vehicles gather together in one spot and go out into the desert together. It is advisable to get a driver who speaks your language. All the drivers sent out will be experts in maneuvering through the sand. You also have the option of driving the car yourself. After soaring through the sand for nearly an hour and a half, the tourists are allowed to rest in a camp set up in the desert.

Usually tour operators arrange a barbecue dinner and shisha. In the camp you can enjoy the exciting camel rides and dune bashing. Alcohol is available in this site and also, various souvenir stands.Ffor entertainment, a traditional belly dance by beautiful Arab girls is a bonus during the desert safari. You can choose to stay overnight or ask to be dropped back to the hotel. An evening tour costs around AED 150 where as an overnight one costs about AED 350. The rates are lower for children. Pregnant women, elderly and children below three years are always advised not to go on the tour. Some well known desert safari tour operators in Dubai are Viator and Lama tours.

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Buying Diamonds from Dubai

June 20, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Buying diamonds from dubai

Buying diamonds from dubai

Luxury and spending money are two things prevalent in the city of Dubai. Then it comes as no surprise that diamonds and gold form a vital link in Dubai’s trade industry. Most of the well known diamond jewelery shops are found in the malls of Dubai. Some of the international brands that can be found are Tiffany, Bulgari, Cartier, and Van Cleef & Arpels. The Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) is responsible for such growth in the Diamond sector in Dubai.

Dubai has its own diamond exchange called the Dubai Diamond Exchange (DDE), the first World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB) in the Arab world. It has its own grading laboratory, the Dubai Gem Certification services (DGC) and is own diamond shape, the ‘Dubai Cut’ diamond, a 99 facet patented cut. It is believed that the ‘Dubai Cut’ symbolises Dubai in many ways. In its light and beauty it reflects the brilliant sunshine and pristine waters of the gulf. Its clarity and reflective qualities symbolise the transparency and openness of Dubai.

Buying diamonds in Dubai has its own benefits. There are a wide range of loose diamonds available and well designed diamond jewellery. The prices are amazingly cheap due to the no taxation concept. One can find all types of certified diamonds in Dubai. The Diamond industry is a billion dollar industry in Dubai accounting for almost 4% of the world Diamond trade. In addition to all these features, Dubai also has Diamond auctions done by the notable auctioneers Sotheby’s and Christie’s. They began their sale in the city in 2008.

Dubai is all set to become the diamond capital of the world. It has already crossed one milestone by being the best place for diamonds in the middle east. The luxurious lifestyle in the region accounts for the high purchasing power which makes way for the success of the diamond industry in Dubai. There are a plethora of options to buy diamonds available in Dubai but there is one major thing to be careful about ‘Quality’. Diamonds are a girl’s best friend, but this is only if the diamonds are the best possible quality.

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