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Richard takes comedian Johnny Vegas on a whirlwind tour of Dubai in just 48 hours. Richard takes comedian Johnny Vegas on a whirlwind tour of Dubai in just 48 hours. Richard takes comedian Johnny Vegas on a whirlwind tour of Dubai in just 48 hours.

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Welcome to a sun-soaked metropolis like no other

Plan your dream wedding in an unforgettable destination

Discover the city's insiders, influencers and innovators

Every district in Dubai tells its own unique story

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Answer the call of the wild and experience desert thrills

Uncover the city’s rich heritage and vibrant arts scene

Embark on thrilling new adventures for all ages

Taste award-winning world flavours and local cuisine

Visit the latest hotspots, openings and attractions

Find new surprises at modern malls and traditional souks

Marvel at record-breaking venues and iconic landmarks

Unwind at Dubai's luxury spas and wellbeing havens

What do you travel for? Find inspiration with our itineraries

Book a table at these fresh hotspots

Taste a deliciously different side of Dubai

Discover our homegrown culinary heroes

See all the restaurants unveiled in the Dubai selection

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Dubai has an incredible range of stay options for every budget

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Your complete guide to enjoying one of the world's safest cities to the fullest

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Practical information

Plan your trip, find advice on how to prepare, and get all the information you need before your Dubai holiday.

Quick tips Follow these essentials

Arriving in dubai, the weather, wi-fi in dubai, embassies & consulates, emergency numbers.

The currency in Dubai is the dirham, which is shortened to AED (United Arab Emirates Dirham). One dirham is divided into 100 fils. The dirham has been pegged to the US dollar since 1997, meaning the exchange rate never changes. One US dollar is worth AED3.67.

Small bottle of water: AED1.5 (50 cents) Big Mac: AED16.75 (USD4.5) Biryani: AED13 (USD3.5) Shawarma wrap: AED5 (USD1.4) Short taxi ride: AED12 (USD3.3) Dubai Metro (3 zones): AED5.8 (USD1.6) Cinema ticket (standard): AED35 (USD9.6) Abra ride across Dubai Creek: AED1 (USD27 cents)

With a coastal location on the Arabian Peninsula, Dubai enjoys a warm climate all year. The ‘winter’ months last from October to May with warm temperatures ranging from 20–35°C (68–95°F).

The summer season lasts from June to September with hotter temperatures reaching the mid-40s (~110° F) – and the city’s wide range of indoor and outdoor facilities and attractions ensure Dubai is a year-round destination.

In case of emergencies while on holiday in the UAE, call:

• 911 for Police
• 998 for Ambulance
• 997 for Fire Department
• 996 for Coastguard 

Visitors may also find these numbers helpful:

• +971 800 4438 for tourist security issues
• +971 800 342 for the Dubai Health Authority
• +971 600 545 555 for consumer-related concerns

Frequently asked questions

Where can I take the metro in Dubai?

When is it cold in Dubai?

What is the official language in Dubai?

Can I drink alcohol in Dubai?

Are public displays of affection allowed in Dubai?

Is there anything prohibited in Dubai?

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What you need to know your questions, answered, greetings & etiquette.

Dubai is a cosmopolitan city and a diverse melting pot where almost all attires and cultural expressions are accepted. Swimwear is permissible at beaches, waterparks, public pools and spa areas but is not considered appropriate in areas such as business districts and shopping malls.

Dressing conservatively is appreciated in Dubai's historic neighbourhoods and places of worship. There are specific requirements for entering a mosque, like wearing clothing that covers shoulders, arms and legs – and headscarves for women.

Marhaba! Dubai is a warm and friendly city and you will come across many people who will greet you with a smile and wish you well. A handshake is customary, but do note it is typically accepted that this should be initiated by women.

Public displays of affection are best kept to a minimum. Holding hands is acceptable, but kissing and hugging in public areas is not permitted.

Alcohol is served in licensed establishments such as hotels, bars and specialised shops to those over 21 years of age. However, drunk and disorderly conduct and drunk driving are not acceptable. Use or possession of illegal drugs is also strictly prohibited.

Dubai is home to hundreds of nationalities and both Arabic and English are spoken across the city. Learning a few Arabic words can certainly make the trip more memorable! As you explore the city you're very likely to hear Russian, Tagalog, Hindi, Urdu, Portuguese and many other languages. Follow our detailed guide for a list of handy phrases.

Many medicines used worldwide are readily available in pharmacies and hospitals across Dubai, but as in most countries, there are some medications which are restricted or prohibited for use in the UAE.

The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) has full details of controlled or prohibited medications, plus information on what documents you need to carry with you if you need to bring a controlled medication into Dubai. MOHAP also issues a permit to import medicines into the UAE, which you can apply for on their website .

While the permit is optional, it is strongly recommended to obtain it prior to your trip as it will help ensure you have all the correct information and documents. You must also bring your official prescription from the issuing authority of where you are receiving treatment. Please note you can carry medicines for a maximum period of three months. If you have any questions, or want to check the status of a particular medication, contact your local UAE embassy, or get in touch with MOHAP .

To tip or not to tip? The short answer is, there are no rules when it comes to tipping in Dubai. How much you tip varies from profession to profession, and is also largely down to personal preference. It is customary to offer a little extra in most cases, but it certainly isn’t compulsory. Everyone arrives in Dubai with their own customs and expectations, but one thing that's always consistent is the high level of service.

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Everything You Need to Know About Dubai's Human-made Islands

From Palm Jumeirah to Burj Al Arab, these are Dubai's most famous artificial islands.

Dubai has long been a hub for real estate development, with buildings like the Burj Khalifa (the world’s tallest free-standing structure), the Museum of the Future, and the Dubai Mall among some of its most innovative architectural projects. Equally fascinating are the city’s human-made archipelagos, all in various stages of development: Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Islands, Palm Jebel Ali, The World Islands, and Bluewaters Island.

The prime minister of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (also the ruler of Dubai), is the mastermind behind these massive projects, which are meant to drive tourism and expand Dubai’s coastline.

The islands are made through land reclamation, a process that involves dredging sand from the Persian and Arabian Gulf’s floors. The sand is then sprayed and “ vibro-compacted ” into shape using GPS technology for precision and surrounded by millions of tons of rock for protection.

The process is labor intensive and expensive — hence why many of Dubai's artificial islands aren't completed yet. Here's everything you need to know about the status of each project.

The Palm Islands: Palm Jumeirah and Palm Jebel Ali

Perhaps the most recognized of the bunch, Palm Jumeirah is aptly shaped like a palm tree. It consists of a trunk and 17 fronds surrounded by an almost seven-mile-long crescent-shaped island. Real estate development company Nakheel Properties kicked off the project in 2001, and today it's home to many of Dubai's most luxurious residences and hotels including Atlantis, The Palm .

Travelers can access Palm Jumeirah from mainland Dubai by driving through an underwater tunnel that connects the topmost frond to the crescent, or by using public transportation like the Palm Monorail . Highlights include visiting The Palm Tower , which houses the St. Regis Dubai, The Palm , and an observation deck on the 52nd floor. The tower connects to Nakheel Mall , where you'll find more than 300 shops, restaurants, and attractions. When it comes to appreciating the shape of the island from afar, there's no need to settle for Google Earth views: thrill seekers can admire the handiwork while free-falling toward it at 120 miles per hour via a skydiving excursion .

Work on a second Palm island, Palm Jebel Ali, began in 2002 and is still underway. Nakheel has since reassured reporters that Jebel Ali is not canceled, but a “long-term project." If and when the island is complete, it will be even larger than Palm Jumeirah and feature waterfront villas, marinas, sprawling boardwalks, and beaches that will add to Dubai's lofty goal of having 65 miles of sandy shores by 2040.

Dubai Islands

The concept of Dubai Islands (previously known as Deira Islands) has been in the works since 2004, when Nakheel set out to create a third — and even larger — palm island. Over the years, the project has encountered its fair share of obstacles, but in 2022, Nakheel unveiled a new vision for the islands, which will align with the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan .

When completed, the artificial archipelago along the city’s northern coast will cover more than 4,000 acres across five islands featuring resorts, cultural hubs, golf courses, beach clubs, and more. A few properties have already opened, including the family-friendly Centara Mirage Beach Resort Dubai , which has a waterpark for kids. Looking for a sneak peek of the islands' retail offerings? Take the boat across from the mainland to Souk Al Marfa , a wholesale market with more than 400 shops and kiosks offering everything from artisanal goods to traditional street food.

The World Islands

The World Islands , another Nakheel Properties project, kicked off in 2003 and consists of 260 small islands arranged to look like a world map. The World’s progress halted in 2008 due to the financial crisis, and by 2013, only a handful of the islands had continued development.

Over the years, some stakeholders claimed the islands were eroding back into the ocean, further stalling construction. Despite this issue, developer Kleindienst Group revived The World with the launch of The Heart of Europe in 2014. The project, set to be completed in 2026, features six islands (Germany, Sweden, Honeymoon, Main Europe, Floating Lido, and Switzerland), each providing a slice of (very high-end) European life.

For now, visitors can check into the first hotel, Cote d’Azur Monaco , which launched in 2022 on the island of Main Europe and features a French Riviera-inspired beach, live entertainment, and a climate-controlled street where sprinklers dispense artificial rain and snow. All of it is conveniently located just a 15-minute boat ride from The Palm Islands.

Bluewaters Island

Giving Nakheel a run for its money is Meraas Holdings, thanks to its Bluewaters Island project that opened in 2018 after five years of construction. Its centerpiece is Ain Dubai , the world’s largest observation wheel at 820 feet tall. However, the record-breaking attraction closed in 2022 and has yet to reopen. Despite that, Bluewaters still attracts visitors thanks to its roughly 200 retail and dining options, beach clubs, and attractions like Madame Tussauds Dubai . The best part? You can easily reach the island by car or foot via a pedestrian bridge that connects to Jumeirah Beach Residence.

Burj Al Arab

Did you know that one of Dubai’s most iconic luxury hotels sits on its own artificial island? The Burj Al Arab Jumeirah , standing at 1,053 feet (just a few hundred feet shy of the Empire State Building), is supported by 250 columns underwater and is held together by sand. The project was completed in 1999 following five years of construction, two of which were spent forming the island. Today, Burj Al Arab features a private beach for its guests, a helipad that can be converted into a tennis court or golf driving range for special events, and an outdoor terrace that juts out over the ocean.

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Dubai travel blog — the fullest dubai travel guide & what to do in dubai for first-timers.

It is not surprising that Dubai has always been one of the most luxurious countries in the world for any visitor. This city and also an emirate always makes everyone “overwhelmed” because it is the convergence of the greatest man-made works in the world, the massive shopping malls, the most expensive and splendid things… even you can see the gold ATMs are placed everywhere. With those attractions, a trip to Dubai is a tourist dream of any visitor. Do not think Dubai is only for the elite, you just need make for yourself a very detailed plan with a reasonable budget to set foot in this kingdom of wealth. So, what to do and how to plan a perfect budget trip to Dubai for the first-time? Let’s check out our Dubai travel blog (Dubai blog) with the fullest Dubai travel guide blog (Dubai guide, Dubai tourist guide, Dubai visitor guide) from how to get there, best time to come, where to stay, best places to visit and top things to do to find out the answer!

• What to buy in Dubai? — Top +23 best things to buy in Dubai
• What to know before going to Dubai? — 10 Dubai travel tips & things to know before traveling to Dubai
• What to do in Dubai? — 10+ cool, must & best things to do in Dubai
• Where to go in Dubai? — 7 best places to visit in Dubai
• Where to stay in Dubai? — 13+ best areas + hotels & best places to stay in Dubai

The Emirate of Dubai is one of the seven United Arab Emirates (UAE) but has the largest population of nearly 3 million people and the second largest area of 4,114 km². Dubai is very dynamic, always innovating country too creating values ​​that make it the most luxurious and modern.

Dubai has recently emerged as an international metropolis, which has been growing rapidly to become a global city and the business and cultural hub of the Middle East and the Persian Gulf region. Tourists are increasingly overwhelmed by the luxury and famousness of Dubai and desire to visit this emirate once.

Visiting Dubai, you will admire the tallest buildings in the world, the most luxurious and high-end hotels, extreme expensive and splendid restaurants, bustling shopping centers, large markets, stunning beaches…

Dubai travel blog: When to visit?

Dubai has a desert climate type, so it is very arid and hot. Summer is extremely hot, high humidity, windy and dry, the average daytime temperature is about 41 degrees Celsius and drops down to 30 degrees Celsius at night. Most days are sunny. In contrast, winter has quite cool weather, even a bit cold with an average daytime temperature of 24 degrees Celsius and falls down to 14 degrees Celsius at night. However, winter in Dubai is relatively short. Dubai is hottest in August and coldest in January.

From May to October: This is the summer time of Dubai, due to most of area of the city is desert, so the temperature is extremely hot.

From November to April next year: This is winter time, also is the best time to travel to Dubai. At this time, the weather is pleasant, cool air and the sky is clear which is very suitable for sightseeing, taking cruise tours or have fun at amusement parks.

Note: You can choose to visit Dubai at any time of the year, but the best time is still from November to April next year. You should avoid going in June-August because summer peaks can reach 40 degrees Celsius, sometimes exceeds 50 degrees Celsius, extremely hot and suffocating. Moreover, you also should avoid the Ramadan month, it is not convenient for tourism activities and sightseeing.

Dubai travel blog: How to get to Dubai?

Dubai is one of the largest transit points in the world by air. Depending on where you will be departing, you can choose to fly with airlines such as Emirates, Cathay Pacific, Singapore, United, American.. to fly to Dubai. To find cheap tickets and suitable flight routes, visit websites like SkyScanner.com , Expedia.com , Google Flights , Kayak.com to search, compare and to book your tickets.

If you fly to Dubai you will be landing at Dubai International Airport (DXB) or Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC). Dubai International Airport is the main airport that serves Dubai and is one of the busiest airports in the world. It is located 4 km away from the southeast of Dubai while Al Maktoum International Airport is located 37 km away from the southwest of Dubai.

Dubai International Airport has 3 different passenger terminals. There is a shuttle service connecting each terminal and tourists take at least 20 minutes to travel from one terminal to another. Al Maktoum International Airport currently has one terminal and one runway. The airport will be expanded to three terminals and five runways in the near future.

Dubai travel blog: Getting around Dubai

To saving costs of traveling, many tourists choose to traveling by bus, the fare is based on each route, about USD 1.5 / person, the bus is comfortable and modern. These bus routes connect all the major landmarks and tourist attractions of the city, making them quite convenient for visitors. You should also note that, if traveling by bus or subway and other public transport, men and women cannot sit together but must sit separately. Each bus trip runs every 15-20 minutes, except on Fridays when the frequency is slightly low.

In addition, you can also take the Hop-on Hop off sightseeing bus tour of 24, 48 or 72 hours such as Big Bus or CitySightseeing Bus which will take you to all the major attractions with the guide to visit must-see sights such as Dubai museum, the old souks, Burj Khalifa, Mall of the Emirates, Jumeirah Mosque and more. Details see here .

• Dubai City Sightseeing Bus Pass

This is an economical and preferred way to get from Bur Dubai to Deira and vice versa. Fares for water buses range from 1 – 4 AED ($0.3 – USD 1.09) depending on route you take.

This is one of the most commonly used and efficient public transport means in Dubai. It holds the record in operation for the longest fully automated subway network in the world with two lines (Red and Green). A train ride costs from USD 0.5 to USD 1.75, depending on the route and the class of seat you choose.

Taxis are the most popular means of transport in Dubai, you can see thousands of taxis parked on the streets to pick up passengers at every location in the city. The taxi in Dubai is also very special, it is divided into many categories such as Taxi Vip, female taxi (female driver and only female passenger), airport taxi and regular taxi.

Note: To saving costs of traveling you can use two popular cards for convenience of travel, which is the Red Nol Card for only one of means of transportation and the Silver Nol Card for many means. Each trip only costs about 3 AED ($0.82). These cards apply to public transport system including metro, bus, tram and ferry.

With the hot climate, moving between attractions is also a matter. So if you can rent a car, it will save you more time and energy. If you have an abundant budget and want to try once to be a desert billionaire, you can rent a Ferrari or a Lamboghini supercar. However, to use this service requires an international driver’s license as well as understanding the traffic laws in Dubai. If you do not meet these requirements, it is best not to choose this option. Instead, it is more convenient to take a taxi.

Dubai travel blog: What to do and where to go?

The greatest man-made constructions in dubai, burj khalifa.

With a total height of of 828 m (830 m to tip) and 163 floors, Burj Khalifa is currently the tallest tower in the world. Featuring 2 observation decks, a Las Vegas-inspired fountain, 9 luxury hotels and many of the city’s best restaurants. This 21st century architecture must be the number one place to visit when visiting Dubai or even the entire UAE.

• Burj Khalifa Observation Deck with Dubai Aquarium & More

Address: 1 Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Blvd – Downtown Dubai – Dubai – United Arab Emirates Hours: Open 24 hours

Burj Al Arab

Not only owns a series of skyscrapers, modern automatic subway system, Dubai also makes the world “overwhelmed” because this emirate has the only 7-star hotel in the world. Another iconic Dubai building in the shape of a sail. Only about a third of the height of Burj Khalifa with a height of 321m, this place is known as one of the world-leading luxurious hotels. The lavish interiors inside this 7-star hotel make everyone overwhelmed, extremely luxury, magnificent. The rooms inside Burj Al Arab are really only for the emperors and the super-rich.

Address: Jumeira Road Umm Suqeim 3, Dubai 74147 United Arab Emirates

Dubai Fountain

In the top of Dubai’s greatest constructions, it is impossible not to mention the Dubai fountain, was opened May 8, 2009 which is one of the largest fountains in the world. With a length of 275m, the volume of water is 83,000 liters, equipped with 6,000 LED lights, creating lively and satisfying water music performances. You may be amazed, but the power of this fountain is as strong as a jet engine and the water shoots from nozzles can reach a height of 153m.

• Dubai Fountain Lake Ride

Address: Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Blvd – Downtown Dubai – Dubai – United Arab Emirates Hours: Open 24 hours

Palm Islands (Palm Jumeirah Artificial Islands)

Palm Islands is one of the greatest man-made constructions in modern times with millions of tons of sand and stone from the Persian Gulf. Palm Islands were built in the shape of a 16-branch palm tree, in which the longest branch can be reach 800m long and surrounded by an arc up to 11km long.

So far, the Palm Islands group is the largest man-made island project in the world and is considered one of the greatest works of all mankind. It has more than 100 luxury hotels, along with high-class villas, marinas, upscale restaurants, high-end shopping malls, water parks, luxury spa services, … creating the luxury of this artificial islands.

Address: Bluewaters – Bluewaters Island – Dubai – United Arab Emirates

Inspired by the famous London Eye, Ain Dubai is the tallest ferris wheel in the world! With a height of more than 250 m, Ain Dubai is 82 m higher than the current world’s tallest ferris wheel, the High Roller in Las Vegas (USA) and nearly twice the 135 m height of the London Eye on the banks of the Thames. (UK). 360 degree views around the city, coast, beach, skyscrapers and amazing views of Burj Khalifa, Palm Jumeirah and Burj Al Arab.

The massiveness of Ain Dubai is shown through impressive numbers. This work used 11,200 tons of steel, about 33% more than the volume needed to build the Eiffel Tower in France. The hub and main shaft of this complex weighs 1,805 tons – equivalent to 4 Airbus A380 aircraft, while the combined weight and 48 passenger cabins is 7,500 tons. The Ain Dubai Ferris Wheel can accommodate 1,750 guests at the same time, with a maximum of 40 people in a cabin.

• Ain Dubai: World’s Largest Observation Wheel

Buying a ticket to explore Ain Dubai, you have the opportunity to enjoy 38 minutes of value worth for money in a luxurious air-conditioned cabin. Check in for unique photos with breathtaking skylines. Or share a frame with Dubai icons such as The Palm, Dubai Marina & Burj Al Arab Jumeirah… In addition, the cabins of Ain Dubai can also be customized to suit birthday parties, engagements, weddings, etc. cultural events or parties for businesses to meet partners, MICE…

Deep Dive Dubai

Address: NAS Sports Complex – Dubai – United Arab Emirates Hours: 9AM–6PM/Monday: Closed

Dubai is the world’s most luxurious and richest city of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Famous for the unique and tallest architectural buildings in the world. Now, the city makes the whole world admiring when it owns the world’s deepest swimming pool – Deep Dive Dubai.

The swimming pool is located in a shell-shaped structure with an area of ​​​​up to 1,500 m2 and a depth of 60 m. With the depth of this swimming pool even greater than the height of a 15-storey building and to fill the volume of this massive structure, they use up to 14 million liters of fresh water.

If you are a person who likes mysteries and is always learning about the mysterious Atlantis civilization deep under water, this swimming pool will satisfy your curiosity during your Dubai trip.

Dubai Atlantis Discovery Scuba Diving Experience at The Lost Chambers Aquarium

If you are a scuba diving lover, Deep Dive Dubai is a place you cannot ignore. The games and miniatures set up will definitely surprise you. Especially, when you dive inside, your loved ones can also interact with each other, play chess, billiards and table tennis underwater, even read books quietly underwater.

Bastakiya Old Town

Coming to the old town of Al Fahidi Bastakiya, you feel lost in the fairyland of ancient Arabian merchants, this historic district like a mysterious maze with two sides of the roads are ancient houses, art galleries, cafes or old-style hotels. An ancient Dubai in the heart of a modern city.

Jumeirah Mosque

Most people of Dubai are Islamic, so their life is greatly influenced by Islamic culture. There are many stunning mosques were built here but the most prominent Islamic structure to mention is the Jumeriah Mosque which was established in 1979.

Not only can accommodate up to 1,200 people, this work also impresses with exquisite and beautiful architecture, from a distance you will see in the middle of the two towers rising high is its spectacular large dome that adorns more the charm of this mosque. This is also the only mosque in Dubai for non-religious visitors, you can visit here 6 times / week.

Address: JumeirahJumeirah 1 – Dubai – United Arab Emirates

Dubai Museum

Located in the Fort Al Fahidi, this magnificent Dubai museum was built in 1787 and is the oldest building in Dubai. It was restored in 1971 by the ruler of Dubai and subsequently renovated in 1995, this stunning architecture is home to the city’s heritage and many important historical events. While the main purpose of the museum is to showcase the traditional lifestyle in the emirate of Dubai. It will take you around the many models of metallurgy, pearl farming, fishing or nomadic life of the ancient Arabs.

Address: Al Fahidi Fort – Al Fahidi – Dubai – United Arab Emirates

Wild Wadi Waterpark

You may not know that Wild Wadi Waterpark took its theme from the Juha legend who traveled the world with Sinbad the Sailor. You will exciting with more than 25 unique slides, get a thrill from free fall down from the Jumeirah Sceirah vertical slide at 33 meters or feel like real surfing in Wipeout and Riptide Rides and the Middle East’s largest wave pool – Breaker’s Bay. In addition, there is a lazy river, a botanical garden with more than 40,000 species of trees, plants and a variety of other recreational games.

• Wild Wadi Water Park

Address: Opp. Burj Al Arab – Jumeirah St – Umm SuqeimUmm Suqeim 3 – Dubai – United Arab Emirates Opened: February 12, 1998 Hours: 10AM–6PM/Monday: Closed

Altantis Aquaventure Waterpark

Located on the edge of the artificial island of Palm Jumeirah, Aquaventure Waterpark is a huge water park with an area of ​​up to 42 acres. What makes this place so attractive are the dropping towers, high-speed slides and above all, an always-crowded beach.

If you love adventure underwater rides then Aquaventure Waterpark is definitely the place to go. Here, you can take part in The Leap of Faith slide, which is not a spiral or slippery slide, but almost vertical. After leaving the slide spot, you will be taken through a shark-filled tank and a dark tunnel that finally slides out into the park’s main swimming pool.

• Atlantis Aquaventure Water Park

Address: Atlantis The Palm – Crescent Rd – Dubai – United Arab Emirates Opened: September 24, 2008 Hours: 10AM–6PM/Sunday: Closed

• IMG Worlds of Adventure

Another achievement from the Emirate of Dubai is the IMG Worlds of Adventure, which is also the largest indoor park in the world. Coming here, you will definitely be overwhelmed with an ultra-wide area of ​​up to 1.5 million square meters with construction costs of approximately $ 1 billion. This park is divided into 4 zones: Marvel, IMG Avenue, Lost Valley and Cartoon Network. In addition, the games are extremely attractive such as speed rides, roller coaster, 4D movie. It also has a system of 25 stores and a variety of bars, restaurants, serving the needs of dining, entertainment and shopping of travelers.

Address: E311 – Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Rd – Dubai – United Arab Emirates Opened: August 15, 2016 Hours: 12–9PM

Lost Chambers Aquarium

The largest aquarium in the Middle East and Africa, you will be surrounded by sharks, rays, piranhas, lobsters, seahorses… with up to 65,000 marine creatures in an underwater maze.

Address: Atlantis, The Palm – The Palm Jumeirah – Dubai – United Arab Emirates Hours: 10AM–9PM

Dubai Parks and Resorts

The first entertainment complex in the region with a huge area of ​​over 4 million square meters includes three theme parks, a water park and a family resort in Polynesian style along with other attractions.

• Bollywood, Motiongate And Legoland Tickets At Dubai Parks And Resorts

Address: Sheikh Zayed Rd – Dubai – United Arab Emirates Hours: 11AM–9PM

Dubai has no snow, only hot deserts, so it has built an extremely magnificent indoor artificial snow park. Here, you can completely participate in the exciting skiing sport, very modern and comfortable like the outdoor ski areas. In addition, Ski Dubai is also a venue for major concerts and events. If you feel cold, go to Avanlance Cafe to enjoy a cup of hot chocolate.

• [Sale] Ski Dubai Admission Ticket

Address: Sheikh Zayed Rd – Al BarshaAl Barsha 1 – Dubai – United Arab Emirates Height: 85 m Hours: 10AM–11PM

Dubai Garden Glow

Known as the world’s largest family theme park, Dubai Garden Glow will bring visitors to the gardens of light, the world of dinosaurs or ice and snow. The vibrant gardens are made up of millions of shimmering LED lights, inspired by fireworks, nature or the wonders of the world. Or step into the super impressive dinosaur park with more than 100 dinosaur models that give you a clear view of prehistoric times.

• Dubai Garden Glow Ticket

Address: Zabeel Park, Gate No- 6 & 7 Area – B – Dubai – United Arab Emirates Hours: 5–10:30PM

Dubai Dolphinarium – Dolphin & Seal Show

Dubai brings you to many expensive, lavish experiences in which are indispensable for exciting activities. The most impressive is probably admiring the spectacular dolphin and seal show at Dubai Dolphinarium. Not only that, you can also interact with them by swimming with dolphins or feeding them…

• [Sale] Dubai Dolphinarium

Address: Riyadh Street, Inside the Creek Park Gate 1 – Dubai Dolphinarium Building – Dubai – United Arab Emirates Area: 5,000 m² Hours: 10AM–7:30PM/Sunday: Closed

Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo

Along with Lost Chambers Aquarium, Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo is also a famous artificial aquarium in Dubai. You can have fun here when coming to Dubai Mall. It contains more than 10 million liters of water along with more than 33,000 unique marine creatures. Walking in the middle of the glass tunnels, you can observe the colorful ocean world, the most impressive are alligators with over 5 meters long.

• [Sale] Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo And Penguin Encounter At Dubai Mall

Address: Dubai Mall, Downtown Dubai – Dubai – United Arab Emirates Opened: 2008 Hours: 10AM–12AM

Natural attractions

Desert safari.

The one interesting thing of the journey to discover Dubai is that visitors will experience the Desert Safari by special vehicles, experience the feeling of sledding on the sand, riding a camel in the desert or enjoy sunset. At night, visitors can also enjoy BBQ parties, watching traditional belly dance performances on Arabic music and participate in many other special activities such as henna painting, photography with Arabian Costumes…

• Evening Desert Safari Tour with BBQ Dinner

Musandam Sea Safari Cruise

Not only has arid desert, the 5-star yacht will take you on the sea on a journey to explore the beautiful caves and admire the majestic scenery of the Al Hajar Mountains or the weird beauty of rocky islands. Not only that, taking these yacht tours to Musandam Island, you can also join adventure activities such as riding banana boat, snorkeling or immerse yourself in the cool sea water.

Dibba Musandam Sea Safari

Dubai Miracle Garden

Miracle Garden is one of the largest and most beautiful natural flower gardens in the world. Located in Dubailand, it spans an area of ​​more than 190,000 square meters with more than 45 million species of flowers, plants and trees. This place is paradise for those who seeking the beauty of nature in the city. The garden is only open from mid-November to mid-May, so please make sure to visit!

Miracle Garden Entry Ticket in Dubai

Address: Al Barsha South 3 – Dubai – United Arab Emirates Hours: 9AM–9PM

Jumeirah Beach

Located close to Buji Khalifa tower and Dubai Mall, Jumeriah beach is truly an ideal place for sunbathing and swimming. Thanks to the possession of turquoise blue waters, Jumeriah beach is a natural paradise for beach lovers, from here you can watch the only 7-star hotel in the world of Burj Al Arab from afar with its splendid beauty. Along this beach there also are many cafes, restaurants, amusement parks.

Dubai Creek

Like a miniature Venice with two banks are beautiful houses. Dubai Creek is a saltwater creek. To explore this place, you can rent an Abra boat to riding along the creek and watching the scenery on the two sides and see firsthand the life of the residents of Dubai along this creek.

Renowned for its excellent quality, diversity of herbs, spices and flavors, the Spice Souk (Spices Market) is also known as Old Souk. This place is all you need to find the best spices. The air is filled with a unique blend of smells, scent, herbs and aromas. Located in Deira district, here you can find other products like Arabic rugs and lanterns, dried fruit and traditional UAE costumes. This is the perfect place in Dubai for souvenir shopping.

Address: 26 34th Street, Dubai Hours: 7:30AM–9:30PM

Not only has gold ATMs, Dubai also has a gold market called Gold Souk. Here, you can freely admire golden jewelry and buy the cheapest gold in the world. Located in Deira, this gold market is Dubai’s most famous and visited tourist place for its excellent quality and the exquisite design of golden jewelry. With more than 350 merchants and retailers, the Gold Souk is supplemented with at least 10 tons of gold per day.

Address: Gold Corner Building, 3rd Floor – Gold Souq – Deira – Dubai – United Arab Emirates Hours: 9:30AM–9:30PM/Friday: 4–9:30PM

Mall of the Emirates

With an area of 2,400,000 square feet (220,000 m2), Mall of the Emirates offers an amazing experience with 475 high-end stores regarding fashion, lifestyle, sports, electronics, furniture… along with children’s play area on the magic planet and cinemas. The best thing is the Ski Resort where you can experience the ultimate ski adventure.

Address: Sheikh Zayed Rd – Al BarshaAl Barsha 1 – Dubai – United Arab Emirates Hours: 10AM–12AM Getting there: Take the subway to get to Mall of Emirates station and then walking on skywalk to get to the mall.

The Dubai Mall with an over 12 million square feet is located near Burj Khalifa, is the largest shopping mall in the world. It is also one of the best shopping places in Dubai, this upscale mall has over 1,200 high-end and luxury brand shops, Dubai Aquarium, Underwater Zoo, ice rink, movie theater, amusement parks, Dubai fountain and many restaurants…

Address: Financial Center Street, Along Sheikh Zayed Road, Next to Burj Khalifa – Dubai – United Arab Emirates Floors: 4 Opened: November 4, 2008 Hours: 10AM–12AM Getting there: Take a taxi directly to the mall or take advantage of the subway to Burj Khalifa station and then take a taxi or shuttle bus to the mall.

Ibn Battuta Mall

This mall is located on Sheikh Zayed Road and is designed in honor of Arabian explorer Ibn Battuta. It is divided into 6 areas: India, China, Tunisia, Egypt, Persia and Andalusia with nearly 275 stores. Here, you will be freely to shopping for all kinds of high-end, diverse and items which displayed in a very eye-catching way.

Address: Sheikh Zayed Rd – Jebel Ali Village – Dubai – United Arab Emirates Opened: April 4, 2005 Hours: 10AM–12AM Getting there: The mall is located directly opposite Ibn Battuta MRT station, so getting there by subway is the most convenient option.

City Centre Deira

City Centre Deira is Dubai’s oldest shopping mall located on the waterfront on Port Saeed Road. It is home to all the major brands of dresses, electronics, and decorations as well as local silk, cashmere and local rugs stores. Along with shops, a movie theater, a bowling alley and a magic planet for kids.

Address: 8th St – Port Saeed – Dubai – United Arab Emirates Opened: August 27, 1995 Hours: 10AM–12AM Getting there: Take the metro to the center of Deira or take a taxi.

Souk Madinat Jumeirah

It is an Arabian bazaar, a traditional market of Dubai with full of items from fashion, local wares, antiques, souvenirs, perfumes and traditional Arabic rugs to shoes or jewelry.

Address: King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud St – Al Sufouh 1 – Dubai – United Arab Emirates Hours: 10AM–11PM

Dubai travel blog: What and where to eat?

This Arab emirate is the convergence of delicacies from all over the world with the most luxurious restaurants. Here are the traditional dishes you can not miss when coming to Dubai.

Manousheh (Dubai pizza)

Manousheh is considered a popular dish, a Dubai-style pizza not only loved by locals but also enjoyed by tourists. It is made from flour, Za’atar herbs, salty Akkawi cheese, olive oil and other spices. The most delicious is to enjoy Manousheh with fried eggs, vegetables. You can find it in restaurants or street food vendors.

One of the Dubai specialties is dates, it has a sweet taste, fragrant and especially contains a lot of nutrients. You can find them a lot at markets, shops with 2 different types, dried or marinated. You can enjoy it right on the spot or buy as a gift for your loved ones. The taste of the Dubai dates is sweet without being harsh, is one of the must-try food when traveling to Dubai. Dates are also considered as “love” fruit of the Middle East.

Whole stuffed camel

Whole stuffed camel is a very rare dish that only prepare during major holidays. This dish is famous for its strange and sophisticated processing. To make this dish, it takes 4 men to kill a medium-sized camel, then stuff inside the camel with a sheep or a lamb, in turn stuffed with other ingredients such as chicken. And in the chickens again stuffed with minced meat or fish. Once stuffing is complete, the camel will be roasted until the skin on the outside is golden and the flesh inside gives a seductive flavor.

Luxury Ice Cream

Talking about should try Dubai delicacies, visitors will be overwhelmed when on this list there is also gilded ice cream, the most expensive ice cream in the world. To create this ultimate dish are precious ingredients such as truffles from Italy, Iranian saffron, vanilla from Madagascar and especially coating the cream is a layer of 24 carat gold leaves that can be eaten. You will faint when you know the price for each ice cream is about 900 USD.

Shawarma is a must-try dish in Dubai that appeared in the famous movie The Avenger. This dish can be considered a “distant relative” of Vietnamese bread or Kebab, because it is also a type of “Sandwich Wrap Bread” (Tortilla Sandwich Wrap Bread). With the filling made of chicken or lamb marinated with spices, roasted then thin sliced, wrapped in tortilla, served with cucumber, onion, tomato, cabbage and sauce. The difference of this dish is that instead eat whole like bread, this dish is usually eaten in slices like sushi combine with cabbage salad and dipping in traditional tahini sauce.

Luqaimat (Crunchy Sweet Dumplings)

It is round shaped like fried donut holes, served with sauce and topped with sesame seeds. Although it is a rustic dish, Luqaimat is a very popular street food in Dubai. It is made from dough and other ingredients such as butter, milk, saffron, cardamom… Then fried, the crust is puffy, crunchy and attractive.

Local Bites Cafe (Address: Jumeira Rd, Dubai 33959 United Arab Emirates) in Jumeirah is a good place to try this dish with some hot coffee.

Originating in Palestine which made with shredded filo pastry, or alternatively fine semolina dough, soaked in sweet, sugar-based syrup, and typically layered with sour cheese. This pastry has become a favorite of the locals in the UAE. This pastry should be enjoyed right after it is made to keep its delicious taste.

One of the most popular places to try it is the Qwaider Al Nabulsi Sweets (Address: Deira – Dubai – United Arab Emirates) in Deira. During the month of Ramadan, orders for this dessert can go up to thousands per day because people ask for it for iftar – a Muslim meal at sunset.

Turkish cocktails

It seems that the people of Dubai are very fond of the sweet flavors, cocktails here are more and more delicious and attract many visitors who want to try. Let try out Anatizz Fizz at Ruya Dubai (Address: Al Emreef St – Dubai Marina – Dubai – United Arab Emirates) which is made with sparkling wine, pomegranate honey glaze, citrus, roses and raspberries.

Ruya’s cocktails are based on classic Turkish flavors with ingredients such as hibiscus, rose, pomegranate, honey, spices, citrus and mint. You will not forget this taste once you taste it.

Samboosa (Samosa)

Like many UAE dishes, these hot pastry appetizers are influenced by the flavors and techniques that come from the Arabian Sea, India. A samosa is a fried or baked pastry with a savory filling, such as spiced potatoes, onions, peas, beef and other meats, or lentils but the most popular local version is stuffed with 3 varieties of cheese.

Arabic coffee

Free Arabic coffee is available everywhere in the UAE from government buildings to hotel reception rooms. For delicious coffee, visit Cafe Bateel and try Bateel Qahwa coffee, a traditional Arabic coffee made from premium coffee beans harvested from the mountains of Yemen which is not sweetened with sugar but when paired with Bateel dates.

This tomato-flavored stew filled with heat is cooked with turmeric powder, dill and bezar (a mixed spices similar garam masala), vegetables. Different versions can be found across the city made with chicken or lamb and some are simply made with marrow and potatoes.

These delicious Dubai-style pancakes are usually served for breakfast with butter, honey, sugar, jam. They’re filled with sour cheese and dates syrup. Try this great dish at Logma (Address: Financial Center Rd – Downtown Dubai – Dubai – United Arab Emirates / Hours: 10 AM–12AM).

Where to eat?

From savory to sweet dishes, they’re all delicious and make you want to come back to taste it again. Below are must-go restaurants in Dubai.

Al Fanar Restaurant & Cafe

This is one of the few traditional Dubai restaurants and they have an impressive menu that covers everything from meat and rice to desserts, snacks and even breakfast…

Address: Ground Floor, Dubai Festival City Mall, Near P.F.Chang’s, Canal Walk – Dubai – United Arab Emirates Hours: 9AM–10PM

Al Ustad Special Kebab

This is a very famous local restaurant in Dubai and it still attracts a lot of diners to enjoy its food everyday. The restaurant specializes in Iranian cuisine, most famous for its extremely delicious kebab. The kebab marinated with yogurt is very beloved and almost all the dishes that go with the kebab here are stand out. Undoubtedly, it is a meat-lover’s paradise.

Address: Near Al Fahidi Metro Station – Al Mussallah Rd – Al Hamriya – Dubai – United Arab Emirates Hours: 12PM–1AM/Friday: 6PM–1AM

Bu Qtair restaurant started out as a street eatery along the coast and has since evolved into an in-house restaurant but remains in a local style. The seafood dishes are marinated in the South Indian style and then deep fried, giving real delicious taste that is hard to resist.

Address: Old 32B Street, Fishing Harbour 2 – Dubai – United Arab Emirates Hours: 11:30AM–11:30PM/Friday: 1–11:30PM

Ravi Restaurant

Ravi restaurant is known in Dubai for serving outstanding Pakistani cuisine. The restaurant attracts visitors by its great space and the food that really makes you satisfied.

Address: 7HQQ67MH+CJ – Al Satwa – Dubai – United Arab Emirates Hours: 5AM–2AM

Dubai blog: Where to stay?

Famous for the most expensive and splendid hotels in the world, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find cheap hotels. Choosing to stay in the central areas is the most convenient, because of the easy access to famous attractions as well as convenient shopping, you should choose to stay in one of the following 4 areas: Downtown Dubai (near Burj Khalifa tower), Dubai marina, Jumeirah beach and The Palm Jumeirah.

Below we recommend more best cheap, budget, mid-range and upscale hotels with good ratings and reviews you can refer to.

• Atlantis, The Palm , a top rated 5-star hotel with room rates from $528/night (Check rates on Agoda.com or Booking.com ).
• FIVE Palm Jumeirah Dubai , a top rated 5-star hotel with room rates from $466/night (Check rates on Agoda.com or Booking.com ).
• Address Sky View , a top rated 5-star hotel with room rates from $282/night (Check rates on Agoda.com or Booking.com ).
• Taj Dubai , a top rated 5-star hotel with room rates from $152/night (Check rates on Agoda.com or Booking.com ).
• Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort , a top rated 5-star hotel with room rates from $328/night (Check rates on Agoda.com or Booking.com ).
• Five Jumeirah Village Dubai , a top rated 5-star hotel with room rates from $147/night (Check rates on Agoda.com or Booking.com ).

Dubai travel blog: How many days should I travel to Dubai?

Many tourists wonder how many days should they visit Dubai is enough? In fact, the answer depends on the needs, travel styles and preferences of each person. Some people just come to visit and for them 3 – 5 days might be enough for a quick visit. During this trip, you can visit the most famous attractions and try delicious food.

Some people go to Dubai for shopping, they can stay for a week to have enough time to explore the many shopping malls as mentioned above, one of which is the largest mall in the world, Dubai Mall.

Others come to relax, they can easily spend 2 weeks to have fun at amusement parks, explore aquariums, joining adventure games, outdoor activities, shopping or simple sunbath on the beaches. Many people come and come again because they find Dubai has still many interesting things to explore.

If you are planning an upcoming trip to Dubai, I recommend you should visit here at least a week. Give yourself enough time to really feel the beauty of the city and relaxing.

Dubai blog: Some things you need to know before making a trip to Dubai

• Do not show affection in public areas: As a Muslim country, Dubai has strict regulations on showing affection. Therefore, you should not kiss or hold hands your lover when in public. Many tourists get punishments for doing things like kissing or holding hands in public.
• Don’t stare at women, don’t take photos of locals: These are considered rude in this Muslim emirate.
• Men and women must sit separately, not be allowed to sit together on trains or other public transport.
• Do not eat pork, especially in front of locals: Eating pork is strictly forbidden in Islam.
• During the Ramadan month, do not eat or drink in public or in front of natives.
• It is forbidden to drink alcohol in the emirate of Dubai.
• Alcohol is openly forbidden but you can buy it at duty-free shops at the airport. If you are a tourist, you will not be able to buy alcohol at stores and supermarkets like in Vietnam. If you get drunk in public you get the same penalty as being drunk while driving.
• When visiting mosques, you must dress discreetly, politely, do not wear too short skirts for women, shorts for men and women should wear headscarves, keep quiet and leave shoes outside.

Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in, from and to Dubai you can refer to

• Shared Transfers between Dubai Hotel and Dubai Attractions
• Private Dubai International Airport (DXB) Transfers for UAE Emirates
• Global Village Ticket in Dubai
• VR Park Dubai Ticket
• Dubai Frame Ticket
• Go Dubai Explorer Pass (3, 4, 5, or 7 Attractions)
• Dubai Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tours (Open-Top)
• Half Day Dubai City Tour
• Half Day City Tour in Dubai with Dubai Frame
• 4G WiFi (DXB Airport Pick Up) for Dubai
• 4G SIM Card (DXB Airport Pick Up) for Dubai

Are you looking for more top things to do in Dubai: Tours, activities, attractions and other things? Let’s check it out here . And My trip to Dubai — The memorable experiences in the mysterious city of Middle East .

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Dubai launches air taxi service: Passengers can reach various spots in the city in 10 minutes

Dubai: The RTA air taxi service that will be operational by the end of next year promises safe and fast mobility between the major cities in the Emirate. It would cost at least 350 dirhams per person to travel in the aerial taxis. A US-based aviation company will be running the project. The air taxis have been designed to allow the passengers to enjoy scintillating aerial views of Dubai. Moreover, the service promises a smooth and easy ride without getting stuck in the heavy city traffic. The authorities say that the air taxi would significantly reduce the travelling time between two places in Dubai by 70%. It would take at least 45 minutes to up to an hour to travel from the Dubai International Airport to the Palm Jumeirah by road. However, it would only take 10 – 12 minutes to cover this distance in an air taxi. Each air taxi can accommodate up to four passengers and a pilot. Besides, there is ample space for baggage too.

These air taxis have been designed to provide smooth and uninterrupted rides for the people of Dubai. As it flies at a height of 500 – 1000 metres, it is safe too. However, the height at which it flies would depend upon the distance of the journey. The air taxi may fly at an altitude of 1000 metres in long-distance journeys while it would be flying at just 100 – 500 metres if the trip is short. A pilot who possesses a commercial flying licence would be flying the air taxis after completing a 6 – 8 week long unique training program. The training would ensure that the pilots are skilled in navigating the air taxis safely and efficiently. Passengers can book air taxi rides using the mobile application that was developed by Joby Aviation. Moreover, they could also reserve a ride in Uber while using the app. The air taxi would take off even if there was only one passenger.

The authorities said that the air taxis could be charged from zero to 100% in just under ten minutes. The ground staff would connect the air taxi to the charging points as soon as the air taxi lands in the vertiports. Meanwhile, the plugs would be removed quickly before the air taxi gets ready for take-off with a new set of passengers. Interestingly, air taxis have been designed as a fusion of helicopters and aeroplanes. These would have the take-off manoeuvres of a helicopter while promising the comfortable flying experience of an aeroplane. 

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Jessica Fostekew and Joe enjoy a Canarian caper, as they trike through Lanzarote's lunar landscape, sample volcanic vino and cactus croquettes, and explore the Jameos del Agua lava tunnels

Jessica Fostekew and Joe enjoy volcanic vino and cactus croquettes on their Canarian caper

Adam Buxton and Joe explore Czech sights, eat sausages from skulls and hop into a beer spa

Desiree Burch joins Joe in Rovaniemi for aurorae-gazing and sleigh-riding shenanigans

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I spent a night in Panama's richest neighborhood, often called a 'little Dubai' or the 'Miami of Latin America'

Posted: May 19, 2024 | Last updated: May 19, 2024

• Punta Pacifica is Panama City's most expensive neighborhood.
• The neighborhood has man-made islands, private marinas, and penthouses worth $5 million.
• I stayed at the five-star JW Marriott Panama and experienced the neighborhood's luxury firsthand.

Duncan McGowan describes Panama City's Ocean Reef Islands as "perfection."

The landscaping is manicured flawlessly, never a leaf or branch out of place. You'd have to hunt to find trash anywhere on the islands, and instead, you're more likely to notice bird songs filling the air.

Looking one way, all you see is the endless ocean. Turn around, and there's a stunning cityscape behind you, McGowan, the president of Punta Pacifica Realty , told Business Insider.

The Ocean Reef Islands are part of Panama's Punta Pacifica neighborhood, and that perfection is exactly what Panama's wealthiest residents seek.

On a recent trip to the country, I saw the opulence that residents chase across Punta Pacifica, Panama's wealthiest neighborhood.

I landed in Panama City, snapped skyline pictures, and texted my friends that I had arrived. Immediately, one pointed out how the city resembled Miami.

I spent my first night in Casco Viejo, Panama City's old town. From the coast, I could look out onto Punta Pacifica, where a grouping of tall buildings reached out to the clouds.

My friend's initial thoughts about Punta Pacifica aren't uncommon. McGowan said people always compare Punta Pacifica to dense cities like Miami, New York City, and Dubai. Central America Living refers to the neighborhood as a "mini-Dubai," and The New York Times said in 2014 that Punta Pacifica is "often called the Miami of Latin America."

The comparisons made sense. All three cities are home to impressive skyscrapers and coastlines. And since Punta Pacifica is home to the Ocean Reef Islands, which were man-made in the early 2000s, it's easy to see how it's grouped with Dubai.

But McGowan said that they are vastly different destinations.

"It resembles all of them, but it has its own flavor," McGowan said. "I think Panama City and Punta Pacifica have matured enough now that it doesn't have to be compared. It stands on its own."

The next day, I headed to Punta Pacifica.

Three decades ago, Punta Pacifica didn't exist.

Created in the early 2000s, a company that built one of Panama City's major highways earned the rights to develop 86 acres of landfill and 73 acres of mainland along an area of the city's coast known today as Punta Pacifica.

McGowan, who has worked in Panama's real-estate market for nearly two decades, said it was designed as a luxury area from the start, and living in Punta Pacifica can come at a steep price.

The neighborhood is home to more than a dozen condominiums and apartment complexes, which can range in price. On the lower end, McGowan said residents can expect to pay around $2,200 a square meter, while prime real estate can cost $7,000 a square meter.

A quick search on Punta Pacifica Realty or Panama Realtor shows one-bedroom apartments for sale at $200,000 and luxury penthouses for as much as $5 million .

I spent a night in the neighborhood's famous TOC building.

One building stands out in Punta Pacifica's skyline with its sail-like shape: the TOC building.

Today, TOC stands for The Ocean Club, but ask anyone in Panama, and they know it by its former name, the Trump Ocean Club.

The Trump Organization wasn't the building developer; local developer Roger Khafif was. However, the Associated Press reported that the Trump name was licensed to the building to increase its credibility and notoriety.

It became Ivanka Trump's business project in 2006, according to NBC , and since its opening in 2011, the building's history has been riddled with scandals. An NBC and Reuters investigation found that many of the property's brokers, customers, and investors were tied to drug trafficking and international crime.

In 2015, the AP reported that "concerns about overspending and transparency" led the Trump management company to be forced out after a vote by condo owners and board members. However, the Trump Organization refused to accept the vote and claimed that it quit instead. Along with that announcement, the Trump Organization demanded a $5 million termination fee, according to the outlet.

In 2018, the AP reported that Marriott International took over management and renamed it The Ocean Club to keep its TOC branding.

Today, the 70-story building is one of the largest mixed-use buildings in Panama.

The building includes the JW Marriott Panama and its 369 hotel rooms, along with about 630 condos, McGowan said.

It's the neighborhood's only five-star hotel. In addition to the hotel rooms and condos, the building is home to a casino, a handful of restaurants, real-estate offices, a spa, a gym, and multiple salons.

I spent a night in an executive suite at the JW Marriott and experienced Punta Pacifica's opulence firsthand.

A night at the JW Marriott felt like the ideal way to experience Panama's richest neighborhood. So, at 4 p.m., I arrived at the skyscraper and headed to the hotel's lobby on floor 16.

I received a key to my suite and headed to floor 31. Golden light cast across the room as I stepped inside. The suite had an open concept, with a shower and bathtub looking to Panama City's skyline.

According to TripAdvisor, standard rooms typically cost between $193 and $290 for a night. BI received a media rate for the room.

The same views could be seen from the king-size bed.

The suite was spacious, with two of the room's four walls lined with windows. A loveseat, table, and desk filled one area of the room. In another corner, a king-size bed called my name.

A balcony faced hundreds of condos and a sliver of ocean.

While TOC might be the most recognizable building in Punta Pacifica, it's far from the only condominium in the neighborhood.

A large balcony in my hotel room was just a few hundred feet away from other balconies. Below me, I spotted a bright blue pool, a parking garage, and a playground for the neighborhood children.

Hotel guests have access to amenities like a gym and spa. Plus, they can access other parts of the building, like the casino on the top floors.

Before the sun sank below the horizon, Moises Muñoz, the international sales manager at the JW Marriott Panama, gave me a tour of the building.

He compared it to a cruise ship, where everything you need is in one place.

We explored the commercial area downstairs, where real-estate offices, restaurants, salons, and businesses are located.

Inside the hotel, there's a spa and gym, which both hotel and condo guests can use. The Marriott is also home to the restaurant Masi and a Cava 15, a bar designed in conjunction with Louis Vuitton, Muñoz said.

The most impressive part was the infinity pools with seamless views out onto the ocean.

While luxury details such as a glass elevator and executive lounge heightened the stay, the most impressive part of the hotel was its two infinity pools.

Later that evening, I dined on fresh ceviche at the hotel's restaurant Masi.

While it was tempting to order room service and dine on my meal from the luxury of my executive suite, the lush oasis at the hotel's Masi restaurant called my name.

The restaurant serves Panamanian and Latin American cuisine. I ordered a trio of different ceviches alongside a pumpkin dish. Each bite had the ideal balance of citrusy and fresh flavors.

Before I went to bed that night, I noticed that only a handful of the hundreds of condos had their lights on.

McGowan explained that many of Punta Pacifica's condo owners don't live there year-round. Instead, it's a second, third, or even fourth home for the residents.

They might escape to Punta Pacifica during the winter or stay for a few weeks at a time. McGowan also added that most of Punta Pacifica's residents are foreigners.

McGowan said that even with its past, The Ocean Club is still one of the most luxurious condominium towers in the country.

McGowan said the building remains one of Punta Pacifica's luxury staples, adding that owning a condo there is like living in a high-end hotel.

Later, I explored the rest of the neighborhood.

Stepping outside the hotel, it was impossible to know the ocean was just a few hundred feet away. Instead, nearly every direction was filled with skyscrapers.

As I explored the small neighborhood, I spotted just a handful of stores and restaurants.

I covered most of the neighborhood in less than an hour. Along the way, I spotted dog parks with designer pooches, pristine playgrounds for children, and lobbies with spiraling staircases and impressive chandeliers.

It was clear that the area oozed wealth.

McGowan said that while it's a dense area, it often feels like a quiet neighborhood.

"I love this neighborhood," McGowan said. "I don't think I would move to another neighborhood in Panama City. This is the neighborhood I consider home."

Punta Pacifica has everything McGowan needs. There are stores, some of the city's top restaurants, and the ocean just around the corner. Everything is within walking distance, and McGowan has gotten to know his neighbors there.

"I bought myself a new car in August. I was driving it yesterday morning, and when I looked the car had 2,100 kilometers on it," he said.

And if he does need to drive, McGowan said Punta Pacifica is close to other popular areas in Panama. You're a short drive to Casco Viejo and other downtown parts of Panama City.

To wrap up my exploration, I headed to the most luxurious part of Punta Pacifica: the Ocean Reef Islands.

A short, narrow bridge leads to two small artificial islands, where the most expensive properties in Punta Pacifica are located.

"Ocean Reef Islands, today, is Panama's most expensive neighborhood in price per square meter," McGowan said, adding that the average price per square meter there is $7,000.

The man-made islands cater to Panama's ultrawealthy residents.

According to The New York Times , Empresas ICA announced plans to construct the two islands in 1998, around the same time the creation of Punta Pacifica was announced. Grupo Los Pueblos, a Panamanian company, was hired by Empresas ICA as the project's developer.

The project was largely completed in 2016, McGowan said.

"It is more expensive because they had to create the islands," McGowan said. "So the land itself has more value."

My walk was cut short; only residents and guests could enter the islands. McGowan painted a picture of the area for me.

He said the two islands have a slightly different feel because they're zoned differently.

One island is predominantly zoned for homes, while the second has more condominiums with taller buildings.

Currently, McGowan said the developers are in the last stage of the project, which is building the commercial component of Ocean Reef. This will include stores, restaurants, spas, and fitness centers.

These operations are catered to and supported by the island's residents since no one else can visit.

Between the islands is the yacht club and marina, which McGowan called the "jewel of the island." On a typical workday, the marina is teeming with yachts. Come Saturday, however, the island is deserted, with its yacht owners all out exploring nearby islands.

Ultimately, McGowan said the Ocean Reef Islands offer a tropical escape from Panama's bustling city life.

McGowan said stepping onto Ocean Reef Islands is peaceful. There's always a breeze, and bird songs fill the air.

"You really do feel like you're on a tropical island," McGowan said. "But you turn your head and look back to the city and see a massive skyline."

It's the best of both worlds, McGowan said.

Between yacht clubs and infinity pools, a night in Punta Pacifica highlighted how the city's wealthy live.

After less than 24 hours in the neighborhood, I tasted fresh ceviche, swam in the most luxurious pool of my life, and saw impressive condos people spent years dreaming of.

It's easy to see how this neighborhood earned its reputation as the Miami of Panama, but just as McGowan said, the neighborhood is truly its own unique oasis.

And you have to visit to experience it.

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Analysis: Iran’s nuclear policy of pressure and talks likely to go on even after president’s death

The Associated Press

May 21, 2024, 9:27 AM

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DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — While Iran’s nuclear program stands at the precipice of tipping over into enriching uranium at weapons-grade levels, Tehran has held quiet, indirect talks with the United States and invited the head of the United Nations’ atomic watchdog into the country for negotiations.

While seemingly contradictory, the move follows Iran’s strategy since the collapse of its nuclear deal with world powers after then-President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew America from the accord in 2018. Tehran is attempting to exert its own version of Trump’s “maximum pressure” on the international community to see the economic sanctions that have crippled the country’s economy and currency lifted in exchange for slowing down its program.

The Islamic Republic also appears to be trying to contain the risk it faces from the U.S. after launching an unprecedented attack on Israel amid its war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The assault — a response to a suspected Israeli strike on April 1 which killed two Guard generals and others in Damascus, Syria — has pushed a yearslong shadow war between Israel and Tehran out into the open.

All this is unlikely to change for the time being, even with the helicopter crash Sunday that killed Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and other officials on a foggy mountain. That’s largely due to the fact that all matters of state rest with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Khamenei, 85, has led Iran since 1989 as only its second supreme leader since the country’s Islamic Revolution. Under Khamenei, Iran has seesawed between subtle outreach to outright hostility with the U.S. and other Western powers.

Those cycles include reformist President Mohammad Khatami’s “ Dialogue Among Civilizations ” efforts that hit a wall as the U.S. suffered the Sept. 11 attacks in 2001 and soon began its decadeslong wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Hard-line President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad — who came to power in 2005 — cheered the country’s nuclear program and defied the West. Relatively moderate President Hassan Rouhani ultimately got the 2015 nuclear deal across the line, ending sanctions for greatly limiting its atomic program.

Then came the U.S. withdrawal from the nuclear deal. Iran in the waning days of the Rouhani administration began a series of attacks targeting shipping in the Middle East while dialing down its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency, the U.N.’s watchdog. It ultimately began enriching uranium up to 60% purity — a step away from weapons-grade levels of 90%.

Then Raisi, a protégé of Khamenei, won the 2021 presidential election in a vote that saw his main rivals barred from running and a record-low turnout for the race. Those policies continued — as did Iran’s support for regional militias like Yemen’s Houthi rebels, now attacking ships moving through the Red Sea over the Israel-Hamas war. Those groups have long provided Iran with a means to challenge its regional archenemy Israel, as well as the U.S., without a direct military confrontation.

Through all of this turmoil, the one constant has been Khamenei. As the supreme leader, he’s further empowered the country’s Revolutionary Guard , whose all-volunteer Basij forces have been crucial in putting down widespread protests that have struck the nation in recent years. And by ensuring Raisi’s election, he narrowed the country’s political field to only hard-liners who have embraced that policy of pressure.

The Israel-Hamas war, as well as the risk of it expanding into a regional confrontation, has changed some of this calculus, however. The survival of the “nezam,” or “system” as Iran’s Shiite theocracy is known, remains the paramount concern. The risk of open warfare, as well as the economic pressure squeezing Iran and its people, have made efforts to try to restart the diplomacy — or at least alleviate the risk of things getting even worse — that much more important.

The late Amirabdollahian, as well as the country’s now-acting Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani, had been fierce critics of the negotiations as run under the Rouhani administration. But in the time since, they moved to reach a détente with Saudi Arabia last year. Then they’ve continued indirect talks with the U.S. in Oman, a sultanate on the eastern edge of the Arabian Peninsula that’s been a key interlocutor between Tehran and the West.

The full extent of the talks remains unclear, as does what will come from them. However, Iran even reached out to the U.S. government after the helicopter crash for assistance , State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told journalists Monday.

“We did make clear to them that we would offer assistance, as we would do in response to any request by a foreign government in this sort of situation,” he said. “Ultimately, largely for logistical reasons, we weren’t able to provide that assistance.”

That help was finding the crash site, The Washington Post reported. And such an ask wouldn’t have come without Khamenei’s approval.

EDITOR’S NOTE — Jon Gambrell, the news director for the Gulf and Iran for The Associated Press, has reported from each of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, Iran and other locations across the world since joining the AP in 2006.

Copyright © 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.

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