General Information » Essential Info » Crime & Safety

While the crime rate in Dubai is very low, a healthy degree of caution should still be exercised. Keep your valuables and travel documents locked in your hotel room or in the hotel safe. When in crowds, be discreet with your money and wallet; don’t carry large amounts of cash on you and don’t trust strangers. Money and gem-related scams run by con men are on the increase, and they just love it when they find somebody naive to test their latest tricks on!

With the multitude of driving styles converging on Dubai’s roads, navigating the streets either on foot or in a vehicle can be a challenge. When walking, you need to be really aware of the traffic, as cars tend to do unpredictable things and don’t give pedestrians the space or consideration you might be used to. Stay on pavements as much as possible and when crossing roads use designated pedestrian crossings wherever possible, and make sure all cars are actually going to stop for you before crossing.

If you plan on driving yourself, make sure know the rules of the road, exercise extreme caution as traffic accidents are an all too common occurrence on Dubai’s complex roads and pay much more extra attention to your mirrors than you would do normally, and know what’s happening around you at all times (for what to do in the event of an accident, see In Emergency). Never drive without the correct documentation and insurance.