Welcome to Saudi Arabia

Only recently welcoming western visitors and with a decidedly luxurious bent to its tourism industry, Saudi Arabia is for those who want an as-yet-undiscovered destination.

Though you may at first picture it as a country of sand, the landscapes, in fact, include terraced green mountains, date palms, rocky canyons and crystal-clear waters full of tropical fish and colorful coral lapping up to white-sand beaches.

Get your bearings in Riyadh, where you can tour the Old City and its Masmak Fort, National Museum and Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque. Outside the city, venture to the Red Sand Dunes, Camel Trail and Ad Diriyah. Continue to hipster Jeddah, known for its café culture, underground party scene and Red Sea beaches.

Shop for the best honey in the Asian region in Abha. Explore the Kingdom’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site, Al Ula, where you can journey through 250,000 years of human legacy. Follow in the footsteps of Lawrence of Arabia as you marvel at the Saudi Arabia.

Unique Facts

• Saudi Arabia was the only country where women are forbidden to drive. That ban was lifted in 2018.
• Saudi Arabia has approximately 22 percent of the world’s oil reserves and is the world’s largest exporter of petroleum liquids.
• King Ibn Saud, who reigned from 1882 to 1953, is almost solely responsible for the creating the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Through a series of conquests, he brought four regions together as a single state.
• There is no flowing water in Saudi Arabia. There is a man-made lake called Dumat Al-Jandal, but the water is too polluted to drink.
• The 12 months of Saudi Arabia’s Islamic lunar year areMuharram, Safar, Rabi’ Al-Awal, Rabi’ Al-Akher, Jumada  Al-Awal, Jumada  Al-Akher, Rajab, Sha’ban, Ramadan, Shawwal, Dhu Al-Qadah and Dhu Al-Hajjah .

Language

Saudi Arabia’s official language is Arabic.

When To Go

The best time to go to Saudi Arabia is in the winter. The summer is oppressively hot.

Airports

King Fahd International Airport, Dammam

Passport Validity

Passport must be valid at time of entry for six months beyond arrival date.

Visa Required By US Citizen?

Yes

Vaccinations

The CDC recommends the following vaccines for most travelers when visiting Saudi Arabia: Hepatitis A and Typhoid. Depending on where you are traveling, you may also need Hepatitis B, Malaria, Meningitis, Rabies and Yellow Fever vaccines.

Electrical Outlets

Power plugs and sockets: type G. Standard voltage: 230V. Frequency: 60Hz.

Currency

Official local currency: Saudi Riyal

Getting Around

Driving in Saudi Arabia can be hazardous due to speeding and aggressive driving, lax enforcement of traffic regulations, and a high volume of traffic.

The Saudi bus network runs within and between the Kingdom’s cities, including Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Madinah and Makkah.

Driver’s License

A valid US driver’s license is required.

US Embassy Info

U.S. Embassy Riyadh
Abdullah Ibn Hudhafah As Sahmi Street
Roundabout no. 9, Diplomatic Quarter
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Telephone: (966) (11) 488-3800
Emergency Telephone: (966) (11) 488-3800
Fax: (966) (11) 488-7670
RiyadhACS@state.gov

Local Visitor Info

The Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) has will be implementing tourist information centers across the country. In the meantime, for more information, visit https://www.visitsaudi.com/en

Local Emergency Phone Numbers

Ambulance: 997
Police, Fire: 999, 911

Safety and Security

The crime rate is rising in Saudi Arabia. Be aware of your surroundings, keep valuable out of sight and travel with a companion.