United Arab Emirates with a toddler

Phew, the weather is always miserable in November. Why not fly to the sun when it's getting wet and cold in Germany? It's always sunny and warm in the United Arab Emirates, so this was our first long-haul trip with our young son. But is a Muslim country the right choice, and how will the child cope with the heat? A different culture, different food, different people... find out how relaxing and child-friendly the United Arab Emirates are in the following article.

United Arab Emirates – Country

The United Arab Emirates are considerably smaller than Germany, but far less densely populated, meaning everything is very spread out. What does this mean for parents with a small child? We recommend renting a car to get to your hotel or to excursions. If you book a package holiday, be sure to check that it includes a hotel shuttle. While public transport is quite well-developed, with even air-conditioned bus stops, it can be quite challenging with a child and stroller, especially if your hotel is located a considerable distance from Dubai.

Lush green lawns and palm trees are only found in the cities. The United Arab Emirates is a pure desert state. Not much grows here. But the landscape gardeners go to great lengths to make it so. Malls or to make hotel complexes look like an Arabian dream. In the north, driving towards the Gulf of Oman, you cross the northern reaches of the Hajar Mountains. The highest mountains here rise very steeply and rockily, reaching up to 1500 m.

United Arab Emirates – Transport

Traffic in Dubai and Abu Dhabi is not for the faint of heart. The highways are jammed during rush hour, and it seems like they get their driver's licenses for free! Traffic rules are merely suggestions for some drivers, and speed limits are practically nonexistent. The road network is also quite confusing, as the highway interchanges are so huge and have so many exits that you're practically guaranteed to get around without a GPS. In short, anyone renting a car should be a very good driver. Refueling, on the other hand, is much simpler! You don't have to do a thing; the tank is filled for you. And this service costs just €0.50 per liter. When we were in the UAE back in 2014, a liter cost only 1.78 dirhams (about €0.33). Fueling has almost doubled in price, but it's still cheap compared to what we're used to.

Outside the major cities and even larger towns, things are much quieter. The highways are wide and stretch straight for kilometers. Desert to the left, desert to the right—you have to be careful not to fall asleep. In smaller towns, the traffic is quite pleasant and comparable to what we're used to in Germany. There are speed cameras everywhere. On the highways, it feels like there's one every 50 meters. Strangely enough, everyone still speeds. We suspect they don't even work. With the frequent sandstorms and the intense sunshine, they've probably stopped working long ago. We didn't test it, though. We always drove strictly according to the rules of the road.

United Arab Emirates – People

We were 2014 We'd already been to Dubai and loved the country and its people. Everyone was so friendly and open… we really wanted to do it again with a child. But when you travel with a toddler, things change quite a bit.

The people in the United Arab Emirates are incredibly welcoming. But there's one thing you're not used to as a German: everyone wants to touch your child! And they seem to think they have the right to do so. Without asking you or the child. Right after we arrived at the airport, we were standing on the train with a few men. They smiled at our little blond boy and immediately reached into the stroller. I was so shocked at first that I just stood there silently and did nothing. Our son is very shy and naturally turned away. I smiled politely, but I really wanted to jump up at the man. Anyone who thinks that strange grandmothers in Germany who insist on looking into the stroller and petting their children are annoying shouldn't go to the United Arab Emirates. I'm not that narrow-minded about it. I was just very shocked the first time. You get used to it over time. The people are incredibly friendly, and no one is intrusive. They're simply very open with children and want to make them laugh. Unfortunately, that doesn't work at all with our shy son. What's also happened to us a few times is that people have wanted to take a picture of him. Because he's blond and has blue eyes, which isn't very common around here, he's apparently something special. It's strange.

You don't see the actual locals very often, except in the Malls. The United Arab Emirates has many immigrants from India, Pakistan, Malaysia, and several other Asian countries. Most come to work, often as cashiers at supermarkets, at Burger King, or in hotels. We rarely encountered anyone who was unfriendly. Many also exude a sense of calm. In contrast to the hectic traffic, the people are very relaxed. For a Muslim country, it is very Western-oriented. Even though women are sometimes only allowed to leave the house fully veiled, they still shop at [unclear - possibly a supermarket or similar establishment]. Dolce & Gabbana or Victoria's Secret a.

You'll always find a helping hand to lend a hand with the stroller or pick something up for you if the little ones repeatedly throw things out. No one will give you a second glance, even after the fifth tantrum in an hour. I sometimes wish we had such calm and level-headed people in Germany, too.

United Arab Emirates – Weather

„"Hot, hot!" were our son's first words when we came out of the terminal. Yes, it's still hot in Dubai even at 11:00 PM! But since the heat is dry and not as tropically humid as in Asia, I find it very pleasant. Our little ray of sunshine had absolutely no problem with it either.

We recommend traveling to the United Arab Emirates between November and April. Temperatures during this period range from 25°C to 35°C. Only in January and February might it occasionally be "only" 20°C. The water is always warm enough for us Germans, who are used to the Baltic Sea. Bathwater warm. Perfect for little water lovers. However, in the summer months, the thermometer can easily climb above 50°C. Therefore, it's not a great idea to travel to the United Arab Emirates then. That said, hotel rooms and package deals are cheapest at this time of year.

Sun, sun, and more sun! All day long. That's what you imagine your dream vacation to be like. Rainy days are very rare, and those that do occur are mostly in the winter months. In the mornings, a light fog often hangs over Dubai, but it dissipates quickly. Sunscreen with a high SPF is a must, especially for little sandcastle builders! If you're out and about during the day, you won't be able to stay outside for very long. You can cool off at the beach or pool, but on a sightseeing tour, you absolutely must take breaks and cool down in a mall or similar place. Every little shop here has air conditioning. The heat can also be quite exhausting, especially for children.

The weather was hot but pleasant when we were there in November. Our little blond boy loved being out and about in shorts and sandals. We quickly noticed when it was getting too much for him, so we slowed things down and spent the afternoon in the air-conditioned hotel room.

United Arab Emirates – Beach

The United Arab Emirates is a desert country, but don't expect pristine white sand beaches. Most of the beaches are artificial, created for hotels, with artificial bays and breakwaters. The sand is mostly made up of shells and small stones and isn't particularly soft. Our child didn't mind; he was always splashing around in it. The hotel beaches are clean and well-maintained, though of course it always depends on the hotel and how well it fulfills its obligations.

We tested several hotels with beaches. In some, there were plenty of sun loungers, and you could always find a spot. They were also very careful to ensure that no one reserved a lounger with towels for hours without using it. This meant that families with children, in particular, quickly found a free spot with a parasol. In other hotels, however, it was more like a party resort: towels were quickly spread out on the loungers at 6:00 a.m., and then people finally showed up at the beach around noon. With a small child, you then had virtually no chance of finding a spot. This was completely incomprehensible, as there were signs everywhere clearly stating that this was forbidden, yet none of the hotel staff enforced it. We usually just removed the towels and used the loungers ourselves. We don't expect or accept this kind of behavior in a 5-star hotel!

The public beaches, on the other hand, mostly consist of reddish-brown desert sand. While this sand is softer and has fewer stones, cleanliness is not a priority. The locals don't treat their environment very well. The beaches are usually littered with trash. We wouldn't recommend swimming here with a child. It's better to find a hotel with a beach; there you'll have sun loungers and parasols, which are essential in the strong sun.

The water is warm all year round. In summer, it can get too warm, with hardly any cooling. The sea is supposedly a bit colder in the north, on the Gulf of Oman, where we spent our first few days, but we didn't notice any difference. However, the tides are more pronounced there than on the Persian Gulf, and it can happen that the artificial bay is almost completely dry by the afternoon.

United Arab Emirates – Hotels

All the hotels we stayed in were very child-friendly. Even the most luxurious hotels were very welcoming to families. Of course, there are also hotels where children aren't allowed, and we think that's a good thing. Childless couples should also be able to enjoy some peace and quiet.

The staff, especially at breakfast and dinner, were always up for a laugh. Again, our little boy was constantly being touched, which he didn't enjoy at first. Towards the end of our holiday, he warmed up to them and joined in the playful teasing. No matter how much our child made a mess, it was never a problem. In one of our hotels, a cleaner even came while we were eating and cleaned up the crumbs under the high chair. We were a little embarrassed by that.

Cots and highchairs are readily available in most hotels. We always had clean and fairly new cots. No complaints there. However, there were sometimes a shortage of towels for our son. Unfortunately, there wasn't always a separate set for him. We were pleasantly surprised by the housekeeping at one of our hotels, as rooms aren't exactly tidy when you have a child. Toys were often left lying around, which were then thoughtfully placed there for our son. A nice touch. Playgrounds, on the other hand, are not very common in public areas. We had a huge water playground at one hotel, but our son was still too young for it. We would appreciate more playgrounds with shade.

All the hotels we chose had a kids' club, which we never used. Firstly, our little boy is too shy, and secondly, we vacation with our child, not alongside him. However, if you need a day to yourself, you can leave the little ones there with peace of mind.

All of our hotel rooms were spacious enough for 2 1/2 people. The crib didn't have to be squeezed in somewhere, and there was always room for the stroller without it being in the way. Since every hotel has elevators these days, everything is easily accessible with a stroller.

United Arab Emirates – Shopping

The United Arab Emirates are arguably the masters of mega-malls. The Dubai Mall and the Mall of the Emirates, to name just two, are gigantic and vast enough to get lost in. However, in our opinion, the UAE isn't the best place for extensive shopping. Clothes are more expensive than in Germany, and since they introduced VAT in 2018, they've become practically unaffordable. Only electronics, such as mobile phones or digital watches from major, well-known manufacturers (especially those with bitten apples), were cheaper than in Germany before the VAT was introduced. With the new VAT, you can still save money, but not nearly as much.

You can get everything you need for daily life in the United Arab Emirates. We packed so much before our trip: diapers, snacks, etc., but we didn't need them. If you want to save space in your suitcase, you'll always find a Carrefour or similar supermarket in the large malls. They have everything you can find back home. Some even carry exclusively German products and store brands, with all the labels in German. No one here can read that, so we assume it's primarily for German tourists. Prices are a bit higher than at home, but there's a huge selection, especially of fruits and vegetables. You can also pop into the small shop around the corner for a few bottles of water, although the selection isn't as extensive. Whatever you might have forgotten, you'll find it in a mall.

United Arab Emirates – Food

No one will starve here. Even those who don't want to try foreign food will find McDonald's and other fast-food chains in the malls' food courts. Traveling with a small child doesn't mean you won't find something they like, even if it's just some fries. Thanks to the many different immigrants, there are countless restaurants offering everything from Indian and Asian to even European cuisine. You'll also find exclusive burger chains like Shake Shack and what is arguably the best ice cream parlor, Cold Stone Creamery, in the UAE. We recommend using Yelp as a review platform to find the perfect restaurant for you.

The food selection in the hotels is enormous! Most large hotels have several themed restaurants or a fully stocked buffet; however, you should then have booked half-board or all-inclusive. At all the buffets we've had in our hotels, there was a different theme every day. Sometimes Asian, sometimes European, or typical regional dishes. So if you can't find something you like, it's your own fault. Plus, there are always the most amazing salads and desserts you could ever dream of! Fresh fruit is, of course, included with breakfast and dinner at all the hotels.

The breakfast selection ranges from typical European hot and cold options to an Asian buffet. Everything your heart desires is there. Of course, the quality of the food always depends on the hotel. We had consistently positive experiences at all the hotels we stayed at. In the evenings, all the hotels we visited offered special children's meals, such as fries, mini schnitzels, or mac and cheese. Every child is sure to find something they like.

We found the personalized milk service at all our hotels to be a particularly thoughtful touch. Our son only drinks soy milk, and we couldn't find any at the buffet. So we simply asked, and a warm cup of soy milk was always brought to our table. If you're missing anything for your child, don't hesitate to ask. All the hotels are very helpful with children.

United Arab Emirates – Animals

Everyone will immediately think of camels! They're so typical of the United Arab Emirates and the desert. Well, almost, they're dromedaries. What's the difference? Camels have two humps, dromedaries only one. Smart aleck ;-) But you'll see, we haven't spotted a single camel there yet. Inland, a bit further away from the big cities, you'll find more farms with large herds of dromedaries. Some also live in the wild, but you rarely see them. In the small parks in the heart of the cities, you'll find not only relaxation but also exotic birds.

What I'm really getting at with this point isn't the wildlife, because there really aren't that many animal species in the UAE. It's the smallest creatures, like mosquitoes, beetles, and cockroaches. All the things parents with children find disgusting. These are practically nonexistent in the United Arab Emirates. At least, we haven't seen any. The climate is simply too hot and dry for mosquitoes. Apparently, it's the same for beetles and cockroaches. Even in the most luxurious hotels in the USA, you often find insects, and you're not immune to them in Italy or Greece either. Here... nothing! On the streets, in narrow alleys, or in backyards, nothing. And it's not particularly clean; there's always litter lying around, but somehow the climate doesn't seem to suit the little critters. For this reason alone, we think the United Arab Emirates is an ideal travel destination for families. So you don't have to worry about unpleasant bites and stings. This means you can still take a wonderful walk in the evening without being immediately eaten alive by mosquitoes.

Which travel guide can you recommend for the United Arab Emirates?

This comprehensive travel guides* This comprehensive travel guide is primarily designed for independent travelers who want to explore the seven emirates (Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm al-Quwain, Ras al-Khaimah, and Fujairah). However, it also offers organized travelers assistance with trip planning, extensive background information, and numerous useful recommendations. Business travelers will find tourist tips, background information on the countries, economic data, terms and conditions, and a wealth of contact information.

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