How to Find Luxury Hotels in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia, a monarchy ruled by a king, is a society governed by Islamic law. Saudi Arabia is a very conservative and customs-oriented society with modern and metropolitan cities.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Internet and telephone access for making reservations
• Passport

Get to Know Saudi Arabia

1. Speak Arabic, the official language of Saudi Arabia. Arabic is known as the holy language of Islam.
2. Pay for services with the Saudi riyal (SAR).

Arrive in Saudi Arabia

3. Fly into Saudi Arabia's largest airport, King Khaled International Airport in Riyadh. It is one of the biggest airports in the world.
4. Rent a car, if you're a man. Women are not allowed to drive.
5. Take a bus if you are a woman traveling without a male sponsor.

Find Luxury Accommodations in Saudi Arabia

6. Experience the modern capital city of Riyadh. Luxury accommodations are abundant.
7. Stay in luxury accommodations near the National Museum. The museum has English and Arabic audio commentary at several points.

Learn about Local Customs and Historical Sites

8. See Madain Saleh, internationally known for its archaeological discoveries. You need to obtain a pass seven days in advance of visiting the tombs. Your hotel or tour organization can secure one for you.
9. Soar above the old Arabian ghost town of Habalah in a cable car. The view is spectacular.

Tips & Warnings

• The US dollar has a fixed exchange rate of SR 3.75 to U.S. $1.00.
• If you are a woman, you may not be allowed to proceed from the airport without a sponsor who is waiting for you.
• Travel to Makkah (Mecca) and Medina is forbidden to non-Muslims.
• Women wear conservative dress in public at all times. Failure to do so can lead to public harassment and physical punishment.
• You must have a passport valid for at least six months to enter Saudi Arabia. You must have a sponsor to get a visa to enter the country.
• A travel warning is currently in effect for Saudi Arabia. The Department of State warns American citizens to defer non-essential travel to Saudi Arabia due to terrorist activity.
• The public display of non-Islamic religious articles is unauthorized.
• Religious police, called Mutawwa, enforce Saudi Arabia's strict conservative codes. These codes may include, but are not limited to: consumption of alcohol, improper dress or association by a female with a male to whom she is not related. Even though most incidents with the Mutawwa have resulted only in inconvenience or embarrassment, it is possible for an individual to be physically harmed or deported.