For most tourists, vacation in the UAE is a beach, sightseeing, shopping. But sometimes you just want to sit and drink a glass of wine. Rumors about the attitude towards alcohol in the United Arab Emirates are often not true. Therefore, before the trip, you need to find out if alcohol can be consumed in Ras al-Khaimah, its import norms.
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UAE Alcohol Laws
The United Arab Emirates is a secular country, but in which Muslim rules have a strong influence. They expressly forbid the consumption of any kind of alcoholic beverages. However, this ban at the state level was introduced only in Sharjah. There are no such restrictions in Ras al-Khaimah, but there are rules for drinking alcohol, and places where you can buy it are determined.
What tourists need to know:
- Prohibited use in public places. For violation of the fine, repeated – deportation.
- You can buy alcohol only in special stores. They must be licensed, and there are heavy fines for unauthorized sales.
- Each emirate has its own import regulations. But in fact, the volume is checked only after passing through customs at airports. When crossing the borders of the emirate, checks are not performed.
- Sale in hotels. Alcoholic drinks are offered in restaurants and bars of hotels and hotel complexes. But its price is higher than in specialized stores, supermarkets.
These laws also apply to low-alcohol drinks – beer, cocktails. You cannot drink alcohol of this type in Ras al-Khaimah on the streets, beaches. At the first violation, tourists will be issued a warning, but fines are often issued for malicious violations.
Alcohol in the emirate
Official laws in the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah allow the transport, possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages. For the latter, certain places are marked – hotels, hotels, restaurants, discos, nightclubs, golf clubs. This is reported on the information plates of institutions. Additionally, you can find out the possibility of buying or drinking alcohol in Ras Al Khaimah at the service staff.
The laws and traditions of the emirate regarding alcohol:
- Purchase is allowed only to persons over 21 years of age. The seller may require a document; tourists usually present a passport. Therefore, before buying, you need to take it with you.
- Not all restaurants and bars have alcohol. Types of drinks are in the menu or a separate wine list of the institution.
- It is forbidden to bring alcohol with you to restaurants or other public eating places.
- The hotel administration allows or does not prohibit drinking in the rooms, on the open veranda. But often locals will complain about this behavior.
- The norms for importing alcoholic products into the emirate are 2 liters of wine, 2 liters of spirits, 3 liters of beer or a similar product.
Ras International Airport Al Khaimah, which is located in the north of the country. But flights from Russia or other CIS countries do not arrive there. It is possible to carry alcohol on the bus or taxi. But it can be bought in the emirate. For this, a network of shops and supermarkets has been created.
Where can you buy alcohol in the emirate
It is not recommended to buy alcohol from taxi drivers or in the market. Often this product is not certified, there is a danger of poisoning. Sale of alcohol in Ras al-Khaimah is carried out in several specialized stores, supermarkets. An alternative is the purchase in cafes, restaurants, nightclubs. But the prices there are much higher than in retail.
Where you can buy good alcohol in the capital of the emirate of the same name:
- S. P. Beverages. This is a small store located next to the Spinneys mall and tourist area. The choice is relatively large, the average price of 1 bottle of wine is 16 dirhams. In rubles, this will amount to 290 rubles. Works from 9:00 to 23:00. Friday is a shortened working day. The staff speaks English, but cannot advise in Russian.
- JMK Cellars. Located in the free trade zone, open from 9:00 to 23:59. The address is Jezeera warehouses, next to RAK Cables. According to tourists, prices for part of the products are lower than in duty free at UAE airports.
- Centaurus International. It operates on Electricity Road, next to the hotel zone, which is convenient for tourists and independent travelers. Large selection, there is beer, absinthe and classic vodka. Prices are slightly above average, good service. The landmark is a nearby mountain.
Shops may be closed during Muslim holidays, as alcohol consumption during this period is prohibited by law. It is better to buy it in advance, store it in a hotel or inn. Before going to the shopping center, you need to take an identity card, a passport. It is not always required, but the seller has the right to refuse the sale if, at his discretion, the buyer is not yet 21 years old.
Travel Tips
Officially, alcohol is allowed in Ras al-Khaimah, but the requirements for the behavior of tourists are very different from Egypt or Turkey. Appearing in public places while intoxicated will cause a negative reaction, the police may come up. The latter have the right to issue a fine or take the vacationer under arrest. Subsequent actions depend on the behavior of the tourist.
Therefore, before traveling to the United Arab Emirates, you need to study the following rules:
- Limit alcohol consumption. There are many interesting places in Ras al-Khaimah and other resorts of the country where you can go on an excursion. The alternative is a relaxing beach holiday on the shores of the Persian Gulf.
- Do not appear in public places drunk. This applies in particular to beaches and parks.
- You can drink drinks in the hotel, but only with the permission of the administration. If you do this in the room and do not attract attention, then there will be no problems in the future.
It must be remembered that alcohol in the city of Ras Al Khaimah or other resorts in the UAE is an optional attribute of the rest. In the country you can find many other interesting activities – excursions, outdoor activities, shopping.