Travel tips for Bahrain - what to prepare in advance and what to obey

1. You should carefully study the local hotels and carefully read the reviews of each of them before traveling to Bahrain. All this is necessary because this country is one of the favorite places for tourists from Saudi Arabia. Most hotels focus on entertainment events, such as parties, weddings, and just noisy feasts. Loud music and other noise can cause huge discomfort at night. Single female tourists should be extremely careful. They can attract unwanted attention in such hotels.

2. The second no less important factor is the inflated prices of products, things, and especially alcohol. If you choose Bahrain for your vacation, you should be ready that it is one of the most expensive countries. You will have to spend a lot even on excursions. If you like to bargain, you can do it here. You can buy a souvenir at a discount. However, you should not try to bargain in large stores and restaurants. This may be perceived as ignorance.

3. In addition, you must be ready to spend money on tips for staff, even though they are already included in the price in many restaurants. Doormen and porters will expect 100 Fils for each baggage. Taxi drivers expect 10% of the cost of the trip. Therefore, you should agree on the full price of the trip with them in advance.

4. You should also not forget about the prohibitions that must be observed in Bahrain. The first and most important is the ban on taking photos in most mosques and the Emir's residence. You need to ask permission from a local resident to take a photo of him. Alcohol is freely sold in Bahrain, unlike many other countries in the region. But it is strictly forbidden to carry alcohol without any packaging. Drinking it in a public place is also prohibited. Several bans on the sale of alcohol in some restaurants that are located near mosques, schools, and residential areas have been introduced in Bahrain recently. So you should be ready for this.

5. Bahrain is a fairly safe country with a low crime rate, even in relation to visiting tourists. Theft on the streets is a very rare phenomenon. It is more common for immigrants from Central Asian countries. The police violently stop even the most minor crimes, especially those that were committed against foreign citizens.

6. You need to apply for a visa to Bahrain upon arrival. It is paid in cash. Therefore, it is very important to have cash with you. You should be ready for the fact that the exchange rate is high in such places. In addition, you may encounter border guards who will try to deceive you. Therefore, if you are planning a trip to Bahrain, pay for your visa online. It's much safer and cheaper.

7. The climate is tropical and dry in the country since most of the country is occupied by deserts. But there are also areas with coastal zones. You can observe the underground springs there. The period from October to April is the high season in Bahrain. The summer is extremely hot here. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

8. You should taste the local Arabic cuisine in Bahrain. It will definitely be able to attract your attention. If you want something familiar, you can easily find European cafes and restaurants here.

9. The locals are very hospitable. Therefore, it is impolite to refuse the offered coffee. But you should not enter the home without an invitation. If you refuse coffee, you will offend the person offering it. It is considered decent to drink 2-3 cups of coffee before starting any conversation.

10. You should definitely visit some of the most beautiful places in Bahrain. These are Barbar Temple, Siyadi House, the complex "Royal Graves", and the Tree of life. In addition, there are many beautiful places, wild nature, and a huge variety of animals in the country.

11. You can speak English in Bahrain. The locals speak it well, despite the fact that Arabic is their native language. You can also hear how some residents communicate in Farsi and Urdu.

12. The city of Manama is the capital of Bahrain. It differs significantly from all other cities in its British atmosphere and slightly different culture. But only a knowledgeable person can notice all this.

13. The main religion in Bahrain is Islam. More than 80% of local residents adhere to this religion. The rest of the country's residents are adherents of various faiths, including Christianity.

14. Tourists should adhere to the dress code despite the fact that Bahrain is a very liberal country. Of course, the locals do not expect a foreign woman to wear a niqab or burqa. But bare legs and shoulders will not be perceived adequately. You don’t have to cover your head. But the headscarf will be received more favorably than the uncovered head. A headscarf is required for visiting the mosque. Men should not wear shorts and bare hands. Loose, spacious clothing made of light fabrics will be appropriate.

15. It is necessary to take off your shoes when entering a mosque or housing. You can’t use your left hand to eat or shake hands. It is considered impure because it is used for ritual ablutions before going to the mosque. You can’t point your feet at the person you're talking to, touch him or make excessive gestures.