Oman : Safety by CityMuscat is the capital and largest city in Oman.
Since the ascension of Qaboos bin Said as Sultan of Oman in 1970, Muscat has experienced rapid infrastructural development that has led to the growth of a vibrant economy and a multi-ethnic society.
Muscat is termed as a Global City.
Travelers come here to see incredible oriental culture and enjoy the true beauty of the Oman coast-line.
Here tourists can a lot of things to do: go to Night Safari, Camel Racing, Horseback Riding or visit Jewellery Shopping.
Attend in Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, Bait az-Zubair Museum – for exploring all Oman’s history, and many others.
Warnings & Dangers in Muscat
OVERALL RISK: LOW
In general, Muscat is very safe, but you need to be careful on the roads and monitor the political situation in the country.
TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
Public transport is best avoided; taxis are fairly safe. It is recommended to take a taxi while getting around at night.
PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
Muscat does not have a very high risk of being pickpocketed since the punishments are very strict. However, in touristy and crowded places it is worth watching your things.
NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW
The climate here is generally dry, heavy rains do fall, usually in the winter. Flash floods can cause injuries and deaths. Cyclones from the Indian Ocean do occasionally make landfall in the summer months.
MUGGING RISK: LOW
The risk of armed robbery is very low. But you should keep valuables to yourself and not wear a lot of jewelry.
TERRORISM RISK: HIGH
The risk of terrorism is present, due to the situation on the peninsula. You should be careful not to participate in demonstrations and conflicts in the streets.
SCAMS RISK: LOW
The risk of scam is small, take the usual care and buy tickets for attractions in licensed locations.
WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Women traveling alone will be safe here. However, several rules should be followed: wear modest clothes and do not walk the streets of the city late at night.
So... How Safe Is Muscat Really?
Muscat is a very safe city.
The index of crime is very low here, theft and armed robbery are rare.
You can ask anyone for help – people here always try to help visitors.
The main problem tourist can meet it is poor driving and road accidents.
Be cautioned when crossing a road – even on a zebra crossing, nobody’s going to slow down to give you the way.
Oman is a wealthy country and has a strictly religious, moral, and legal code.
A crime of any type is severely punished, and the deterrent seems to work, and most Omanis are relaxed and polite people.
But, travelers can be a petty crime target.
People camping in neighborhood locations at night should be very careful.
You should know that there no tolerance for drug possession or trafficking.
Anyone can appear in jail if he will be found with drugs.
Take the usual precautions to protect your valuables and be aware of your surroundings.
Women should take care when traveling alone, especially when out at night, and should take a taxi rather than walking.
Terrorist groups (such as Al-Qaeda and Daesh affiliated groups) operate in the Arabian Peninsula and have been involved in attacks on several Gulf countries.
While the likelihood of a terror attack happening in Oman is lower than other Gulf states, the possibility still exists.
Tourists are rarely the target. You should be watchful.
Explore the situation in the country before the visit.
How Does Muscat Compare?
| City | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Muscat | 75 |
| Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) | 43 |
| Sofia (Bulgaria) | 73 |
| Siem Reap (Cambodia) | 63 |
| Phnom Penh (Cambodia) | 61 |
| Niagara Falls (Canada) | 87 |
| Calgary (Canada) | 82 |
Useful Information
Visas
U.S. citizens should apply for tourist visas in advance via the Royal Oman Police E-Visa website. Tourist visas are also available upon arrival at airports and land crossings. The passport should be valid.
Currency
The Omani rial is the national currency in Oman. It has code OMR and is divided into 1000 baisa.
Weather
The best times to visit Muscat for ideal weather are from December to March. Temperatures feel very hot for about half of the year and otherwise nice with a very low chance of rain.
Airports
Muscat has an International Airport - it is the main international airport in Oman and is located 32 km from the old city and capital Muscat.
Travel Insurance
The travel insurance policy is a must when visiting a foreign country. Make sure you got it before starting your journey, the customs officer may ask for it.
Muscat Weather Averages (Temperatures)
Average High/Low Temperature
| Temperature / Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 25 | 26 | 30 | 35 | 40 | 40 | 37 | 36 | 36 | 34 | 30 | 27 |
| Low °C | 17 | 18 | 20 | 24 | 29 | 30 | 30 | 28 | 27 | 24 | 21 | 18 |
| High °F | 77 | 79 | 86 | 95 | 104 | 104 | 99 | 97 | 97 | 93 | 86 | 81 |
| Low °F | 63 | 64 | 68 | 75 | 84 | 86 | 86 | 82 | 81 | 75 | 70 | 64 |
Oman - Safety by City
| City | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Muscat | 75 |
Pretty safe and beautiful
The Oman coast-line is indeed very beautiful and I highly recommend night safari while here. It’s just too fun to not do it. I wasn’t sold on Oman overall and Muscat in particular before coming here but now I added it to my to-go-again list. The only downside is the terrorism risk which is higher than in many other places. Nothing bad happened while I was there but who knows? And considering there is this risk, why does this have a 75 on the safety index?
Jewel of the Arabian Peninsula
After spending the better part of a year in Oman, I came away with a very positive impression and fond memories.
The land and seascapes are amazing and the people are very friendly. Known as the “Switzerland” of the Middle East, the Sultanate strives to be an exemplary world citizen.
As a consequence, Omanis are welcoming and tolerant of others but expect visitors to respect their laws and customs.
Wedged between Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Iran, there is always some chance of terror, but probably less so than other countries in this tough neighborhood. Oman is not as flashy as UAE or some other Persian Gulf destinations, but it has so much more to offer than luxury shopping and golf. I can’t wait to return.