Essential information to help you plan a successful trip to the kingdom
LANGUAGE Arabic is the official language, but English is widely spoken in the region, especially in the hospi- tality industry.
ELECTRICITY The electrical system is based on 110 volts in Riyadh and Jeddah, but other parts of the country work on 220 volts. Hotels normally lend socket converters to guests.
PHOTOGRAPHY Visitors should avoid taking pictures of locals unless they have express permission. Ask before you photograph men and avoid taking pictures of Saudi women, chil- dren and government buildings.
LOCAL TIME GMT + 3 hours.
TOP TIPS
HOLIDAYS Te end of Ramadan is
followed by Eid Al-Fitr, a feast day on which Muslims break
the fast. Te second Eid holiday, Eid Al Adha, falls approximately 70 days later. Tese are the only two official public holidays in the kingdom, although the unification is widely celebrated every September 23.
WHEN TO VISIT
Non-religious business and leisure travellers should
avoid visiting during the Hajj and Ramadan. October to May is considered the most
comfortable time to visit when average daily temperatures stay below 30°C. However, all vehicles, malls, hotels, conference venues and
exhibition centres are equipped with efficient air-conditioning.
RELIGION Islam.
HAJJ AND UMRAH The Hajj is the traditional Muslim pilgrimage to Makkah, which, in 2013, will take place in October. Most pilgrims also visit other holy sites, notably Madinah, where the Prophet (peace be upon him) once lived and taught after he left Makkah. The Hajj must be completed during the Islamic month of Dhu al-Hijjah and is the duty of every able-bodied Muslim who can afford it, to take part at least once in a lifetime. A pilgrimage to Makkah at any other time is known as Umrah (the minor pilgrimage) and, while not compulsory, is a recommended part of Islam.
RAMADAN The holiest month in the Islamic calendar, Ramadan, will fall from early July to early August 2013 (exact dates depend on the lunar cycle). During this period, Muslims fast during daylight hours and non-Muslims should not eat, drink or smoke in public from dawn until dusk. Hotels may provide segregated places to eat and all restaurants are closed during daylight hours.
TIPPING Tipping is generally not expected though it is appreciated by staff. Taxi fares are often rounded up – occasionally down – and restaurants are obliged by law not to include a service charge. If you tip, 10 percent is consid- ered a correct amount.
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