One of the most common questions I’ve been asked since before we moved to the Sultanate is: ‘is Oman safe?’.
It’s a fair question. Oman has borders with Yemen where there is an ongoing civil war. There is also a heightened risk of terrorism attacks in Saudi Arabia, the UAE and, since 2024, in Oman itself.
And of course, anyone coming to the Middle East cannot ignore the war in the region and the anger felt about the humanitarian and hostage crises. But there is NO armed conflict happening in Oman despite warnings added to the Canadian and US government websites in the autumn of 2024.
In fact, Oman is a very safe and peaceful country. Crime is low and Omani people are famously extremely friendly towards visitors. However, as with any unfamiliar destination, there are some important things to know to help you stay safe as a visitor.
What do I know about whether Oman is safe?
In this guide about safety in Oman I am not sharing information as someone who has visited for a week, or two weeks or even a month. I am a British expat who has lived here for nearly two years and had the opportunity to travel around the country and revisit places many times.
I have travelled with my family, my parents and also with a female friend who came to visit. I drive in Oman and I go out in the city of Muscat on my own.
We have wild camped in the desert, hiked in the mountains and covered thousands of miles by road.
So, I have lived experience of Oman and have seen the less polished side as well as the tourist experience. This is my honest and informed opinion about whether Oman is safe.
Safety for visitors to Oman
Being safe when you travel isn’t just about considering crime and the potential for unrest in a destination. The roads, weather and local laws and customs should also be considered.
In this guide I’m sharing facts and tips for anyone wondering is Oman safe for them to visit.
Risk of terrorism
Oman ranked at the bottom of the 2024 Global Terrorism Index alongside 72 other countries that had experienced no terror related incidents in the past year. This has been the situation for decades.
For comparison, in 2024 the UK was ranked number 41, the USA was at number 30 and Canada was ranked number 52 in the same report.
It’s worth saying that Oman’s ranking is likely to change in 2025 as there was a terror related incident in the summer of 2024 when a shooting happened at a mosque in Muscat.
This was a very rare incident and shocked the Sultanate. Oman is a moderate country that does not tolerate extremism.
For the latest security advice on travelling to Oman check your government’s website. Here is the advice for British travellers.
Sentiment about the War in Gaza and Lebanon
Oman is a Muslim country and there is much sympathy with the people of Palestine and even anger. But Oman is a reserved nation.
There were peaceful protests in Muscat and Nizwa in the autumn of 2023.
More widely spread has been the boycotting of Western brands. Starbucks and McDonalds restaurants have been much quieter than before 2023. Some outlets have closed down due to the fall in trade.
Crime
It’s worth saying that the media is state controlled in Oman, so you do not hear as much about crime as you might in the UK media for example.
However, my family’s lived experience is that we feel less worried about crime than we would in the UK. I can put my purse or phone down on a restaurant table and not be worried about it being stolen.
Pickpocketing or in person scams are also not a concern for us.
I do get scam calls from unknown Omani and international numbers but that is no different to the UK. I’d recommend not giving your mobile number to anyone other than a guide or accommodation provider while you are here. If you do, be on alert for scam calls and block them immediately.
Hassling
If you have travelled to other countries in the Middle East or Asia you may have experienced hassling, particularly around markets and souks.
You will find very little of this in Oman. Sellers are keen to get your business but if you are not interested a polite ‘la shukran’ (no thank you) is enough to let them know you’d like to move on.
As a woman it is very rare to experience cat calling or wolf whistling. Men are generally respectful. However you may get a long look or tut if you are showing your knees or shoulders.
LGBTQ+ travellers
Same sex relationships are illegal in Oman. So it’s not advisable to visit if you wish to be open about your sexual orientation outside of heterosexual relationship.
Having said that, adults don’t show romantic affection such as kissing or holding hands in public as this is culturally unacceptable.
Women‘s rights in Oman
Woman’s rights in Oman are different to western norms but are liberal within the region.
Women and girls attend school, higher education and professional training. They have access to health care, paid maternity leave and can own property. They can also vote in elections and hold positions in government.
Find out more about inclusivity for women in Oman.
Dressing modesty is a custom in Oman. In public Omani women wear abayas (long coats) over their clothes and a headscarf or hijab to cover their hair. These are often black but you will also see them in different colours and with beautiful trims depending on the individual’s style.
From time to time you will also see women in burqas that cover everything but their eyes.
There is a noticeable shift towards even more modest dress during Ramadan in Oman.
Expats and tourists are also expected to dress modestly, covering the tops of their arms and their legs to below the knee. However, there is no expectation that you should cover your hair unless you are visiting a mosque.
If you do show a bit of thigh or a bra strap you could draw negative attention. I have gotten on the wrong side of a Bedouin’s good humour for wearing shorts above my knee in the desert. This was embarrassing but I didn’t feel threatened.
As visitors, women are treated with respect as long as you respect local customs.
Extreme weather in Oman
Oman is a desert country where temperatures can rise above 50°C in the summer months. Dehydration is a risk for travellers even if they visit in the main tourist season between October and April.
Always bring more water than you think you might need for your excursions.
Flash floods are also a hazard in Oman’s wadis. Dry valleys can quickly turn into raging rivers if it rains. Do not visit a wadi if rain is forecast.
Vaccinations for travel to Oman
I’m not a medical expert but I can point you in the direction of advice about staying well and safe in Oman.
We were up-to-date with all of our routine vaccinations before we travelled to Oman from the UK so didn’t need anything extra. However things can change.
Find out about the recommended vaccinations for Oman on the Travel Health Pro website.
Drinking water
We try not to advocate plastic bottles, but we find them a necessary evil in Oman.
Tap water is only safe to drink if it has been boiled.
But we do use tap water to wash our hands and brush our teeth without worry.
Sun protection
This is a really important point for families visiting Oman. Bring plenty of sun cream from home and apply it often. We haven’t found a good family-friendly sun cream here yet.
We have been able to order day glow zinc stick sun block* from Amazon – the kids love wearing this.
Also bring hats, sun glasses and UV protective swimwear for the whole family.
Insect bites
The risk of malaria is low in Oman but there is dengue fever. This flu-like virus is spread through mosquito bites, so use plenty of insect repellant containing DEET. There is no vaccination available.
If you feel unwell during or after your trip seek medical advice.
Snakes and scorpions
Oman has venomous snakes and scorpions, so be aware of this if you are hiking or wild camping. They may be hiding under rocks or, in the case of snakes, basking on top of them.
You are less likely to see scorpions in the autumn, winter and spring as they hibernate in burrows.
However, during the summer they come out to find cooler places to hide including air conditioned places. We had one inside our house a few days before I published this guide, so nasty beasts are at the very front of my mind.
Having said that, I only saw one snake and one scorpion during our first six months in Oman.
If you are bitten or stung seek immediate medical assistance at a hospital. Do not wait for an ambulance if you can make your own way as ambulances are not staffed with paramedics, just drivers.
Wild dogs and cats
There are wild dogs in Oman or ‘wadi dogs’ as they are called here. But unlike places like Egypt where they are relatively tame and roam almost anywhere, in Oman they are controlled in populated areas.
If you do find yourselves in the suburbs or a wadi close to a town or city you may come across wadi dogs.
You should avoid them completely as they can be aggressive and carry parasites.
Cats should not be petted for the same reasons.
Roads and driving in Oman
If there was one situation where I would say Oman hasn’t got the best safety record it is on its roads.
The road network itself is very good in cities and towns albeit with some spaghetti-like junctions. But the overall standard of driving can be bad.
Expect other road users to behave unpredictably. Pedestrians run across six lane highways. And road safety no-nos like tailgating, undertaking and not indicating are the norm.
As someone who drives in Muscat every day, I have found that poor observation is the cause of most near misses and collisions. I have been involved in an accident where the other driver did not look as they were exiting a junction and drove head on into my vehicle.
See my guide to driving in Oman section for more information.
So, is Oman safe?
When travelling to any new destination it’s common sense to have your wits about you.
Check your government’s advice for travellers. Do your research about local customs. Ask for advice from the places you are staying. Be aware that traffic rules and driving standards will be different.
From personal experience, I feel safer in Oman than I have done in some UK cities. I don’t feel hassled or the need to guard my personal possessions closely.
Bring an open mind and enjoy the beauty, hospitality and adventure on offer here in Oman.
Read more tips for tourists travelling to Oman.
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