Luggage and Dive Equipment
If
you are a diver or surfer you maybe want to bring your own equipment.
Please remember that air lines usually allow only 20 kg luggage. Most
air lines allow additionally 30 kg sport luggage if you let them know
in time that you want to bring it. Best is to give them notice when you
book your flight and pack it separately. Important: don't forget to
remove the batteries from your dive lamp.
Most things you can buy in Dahab. But don't forget to bring the following important things:
* sun glasses
* hat
* sun cream
* protection for mosquitoes
* warm clothes for cooler evenings in the winter
Flights
We recommend the airline AirBerlin, which offers also charter flights from Zurich
Visa & Documents
On
the flight you will get arrival cards for visa application. Please have
a pen ready. Also when you leave the country you will have to fill out
a departure card. It's possible to get a visa from the Egyptian embassy
in your home country, but it's easier to apply for it on your arrival
at the air port. Go to one of the small bank offices and buy the
necessary 2 stamps for ca. 15,- US$. Stick them into your passport. The
passport has to be valid for another 6 months. With this “All Egypt”
visa you can travel through Egypt. If you plan to stay only in Dahab,
you can ask for a “SINAI ONLY” visa. For this you don't need to buy the
stamps. This visa is for free. Please write “SINAI ONLY” on your
arrival card. If you change your mind later and want to travel in Egypt
it's very difficult to switch from “SINAI ONLY” to “All Egypt” visa. So
be sure, which visa you prefer.
Insurance
It's
strongly recommended to have a travel insurance. When you plan to dive
or go horse riding make sure, that your insurance covers this
activities too. Special dive insurance are offered by www.padi.com or
www.daneurope.org.
Vaccination
At
the moment no special vaccinations are obligated in Egypt. It's
recommended to have vaccinations for Polio, Hepatitis A and Tetanus.
Telephone/Internet
Mobile
phones work from nearly everywhere in Dahab. It's also possible to use
one of the many card phones or telephone shops for about 1,- Euro/min.
to call home. The internet cafes have mostly DSL and cost about 70 Euro
cent per hour.
Money
The
egyptian currency is called pound (short LE). 1,- Euro is equivalent
between 7,- and 8,- LE. US$, Euro and English pounds can be changed in
all banks. The banks are open 9am to 2pm and from 5pm to 10pm.
Cash dispenser
There
are several cash dispenser In Dahab. There you can get cash money from
your Visa, Master (Euro card), Maestro, EC- or Cirrus Card and the PIN
number.
Country rules
Please
respect the Egyptian traditions and rules. Women should not be dressed
too sexy.It's recommended to cover shoulders and knees. Even the
tourism gets more and more in Dahab, most Egyptians and Bedouins
quality this a bad behavior.
Security
In
2004 about 8,1 Million Tourists traveled without problems in Egypt.
Compared to European countries the criminality rate is low. The Tourist
police is every visible. They speak English and are helpful with any
kind of problem.
Health
In
case of emergency you will find doctors, dentists, a physiotherapist
and a hospital in Dahab. As well there are many pharmacies and if you
fall ill we will call a doctor to the house.
Divers
should have a dive insurance, so in case of a DCI they can be treated
in a decompression chamber for free. (For this have a look at
www.daneurope.org).
Important: to avoid dehydration drink 2-3 liters of water every day.
Shopping
Since
2005 we have a big super market in Dahab with fresh products and things
from Europe. Beside that you will find numerous small souvenir shops
with water pipes, cloths, spices and leather ware.
Climate
In
Dahab you find a hot and dry desert climate with temperatures up over
40°C in the summer. In the cooler winter months January and February
the air temperatures can go under 15°C at night, just to rise the next
day - with sun and blue sky - again up to 25°C.
Dahab
is nice to visit the whole year round. the best months for a visit are
March, April, May and September, October and November as well as
Christmas and New Year.