Oman expat guide

Indoor smoking is more restrained in some spaces but still present socially. Law vibe is formal and respectful, with a clear order to daily life.

Minimum budget: rural $800/mo, urban $1100/mo. Medical insurance: $1,200/yr.

Auto: Russian tourists should carry an IDP; some Gulf desks accept readable national licenses, but IDP avoids insurance disputes. Rentals are roughly $25-60/day for Yaris, Sunny, Attrage class and $80-160+ for 4x4s needed for wadis, desert. UAE crossing is possible with permission and Oman, UAE insurance; Saudi, Yemen crossings are not casual, and remote-road rules matter.

Smoking: Indoor smoking is more restrained in some spaces but still present socially.

Police / rules: Police and public-order vibe is formal and rule-aware: expect visible order and some bureaucratic seriousness, with less casual flexibility than in softer places.

Zones

• Muscat & Coast: Clean desert-coast cities, whitewashed souqs, wadis, sea cliffs and composed rhythm. Dry coastal desert cities with extreme sun. Summers 35–45°C, winters mild 18–26°C with clear skies.
• Mountain & Desert Interior: Fort towns, canyon villages, desert camps, sparse roads and isolated settlements. Rocky desert canyons and cooler highlands with sharp temperature drops at night and very low rainfall.