Useful tips for tourists who are going on holiday in Egypt

Useful tips for tourists who are going on holiday in Egypt

Going to rest in a foreign country, you must learn about its customs and traditions, so as not to be in an unpleasant situation. Because, as they say, ignorance of laws does not absolve from responsibility. Especially it concerns such a religious country as Egypt. Despite the fact that this is a very hospitable country and enjoys great popularity among tourists, first of all it is a Muslim country, and it is necessary to respect the rules of this country, including certain religions.

What do you need to know the tourist who wants to relax in Egypt?

Clothes .

Dressing is quite modest, otherwise you can not avoid gaze and unambiguous hints. No one forces you to put on a muffin, but it's better not to wear a frank mini and not walk with your bare shoulders. A woman with bare shoulders is considered naked in Egypt. This rule does not apply to the territory of the hotel, but when you leave it, it is better to observe it. In beach and too open clothes it is forbidden to enter the mosque. Men should not appear outside the hotel in swimming trunks and with bare top.

Cigarettes and alcohol.

True Muslims do not drink alcohol, so in public places one should not be in a state of intoxication. This will be perceived as an insult. Smoking in public places is prohibited in the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Photo and video.

Taking pictures of places of interest and the locality is not prohibited, but before taking pictures of people, especially during prayer, it is better to ask for their permission. The Quran prohibits the image of a person, but you can offer to pay for a photograph or do it with the consent of the person you photograph. It is forbidden to shoot women, military facilities (for example, the airport), police, in tombs and museums, shooting is allowed only without a flash.

When you enter the country you will need to specify the video camera in the list of imported things, when you leave you will definitely check its availability. To give or sell a video camera in Egypt is prohibited. Also, the video camera is a sign of consistency for Egyptian sellers, so be prepared for the fact that the already inflated prices will be even higher for a tourist with a video camera.

Food and water.

Tap water in Egypt is absolutely not suitable either for drinking or brushing your teeth. For these purposes, it is best to use bottled water or water from the cooler, of course, if you are worried about your health. In hotels with this there are no problems - every day you bring a half-liter bottle of still water to your room. Also it can be bought in any supermarket for a dollar or two.

Make sure that you have the right medications at hand: painkillers and cardiovascular drugs, diarrhea and constipation, sunscreen preparations, bactericidal plaster, sunscreens and after-sun cream.
 

Bathing in the Red Sea.

As a rule, most tourists go to Egypt to relax and admire the flora and fauna of the Red Sea. When snorkeling (swimming with a mask and snorkel) or diving should be extremely careful - most fish and marine life is not at all harmless. And the brighter the color, the more closely it should be. Sea urchins are especially dangerous - they are in burrows, but tourists either specially attract them from there, or accidentally step on them. The consequences are very sad - injured and swollen extremities, very severe pain. Special shoes for walking on coral from pricks of sea urchins do not help. Therefore, you should not approach the marine life and especially touch them. As for the beaches, it is forbidden to sunbathe topless, swim in the Nile, cut off, break corals and take them out for the territory of Egypt, for which an impressive penalty is provided.

Medical insurance.

When you book a tour, you sign a contract with an insurance company that operates on the territory of your place of stay. If something happens, you need to contact the insurance agent by phone number listed in the insurance and tell him his insurance number. In the hotel it can be done at the reception, the call will be free. Services doctors in Egypt (even hotel) are very large money, so if you get sick or something happened to you, immediately contact the insurance company.

Excursions .

As a rule, a set of excursions of Egypt in all agencies is standard. In Hurghada, it is Cairo (the pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx), Luxor, jeep safaris or quad bicycles, Paradise Island (scuba diving or snorkeling), boat excursion around El Gouna. In Sharm el-Sheikh - Jerusalem, Jordan, Cairo by plane, Mount Moses, St. Catherine's Monastery, Dahab, Ras Muhamed National Park (by bus or on a yacht), quad biking safaris or buggy cars. Each year the tours can be changed or supplemented. As for their price, here it is worth knowing the following. The hotel guide at the first meeting will offer you to purchase tours only from him, since it is safe. He will say that if you do not buy excursions from him, the insurance will not be distributed. This is not true. You have an insurance contract with an insurance company, not a tour operator, so the insurance will be valid for the duration of your entire stay in the country, regardless of who you buy excursions from. The price for guided tours is 30-40% more expensive than in companies selling such excursions, in fact you overpay for nothing.

Stay in the sun.

With the adoption of sun baths on Egyptian beaches, the main thing is not to overdo it, since the sun is very active, especially in the period from July to October. Sunbathing is best up to 11 hours and after 16 and must use sunscreen. Also, the first days when swimming with a mask and tube is not superfluous will wear a jersey to protect the shoulders and back. In order not to get sunstroke from too active sun, do not forget about the headdress.

Trade.

Almost everyone has heard about how Arabs know how to bargain. In fact, this is so. But do not think that the seller will simply throw 50% of the cost of the goods. Preliminarily, he will put on 300%, and then he will give you a favorably kind of "so be it" to fold half the cost. So before you go for souvenirs, ask the friends who bought them where and how much. As a rule, the price of souvenirs is not great - magnets can be bought 1, 2, 3 pieces per dollar, mugs from 3 to 7 dollars, figurines from 5 dollars. If the price is specified on the product, then it is final, if not, bargain. If the price named by the seller does not suit, call your price, they often agree. The main thing - do not buy in the first store, in almost all cases it will be cheaper.

Service in such souvenir shops is a separate story. You will be tried to drag into the store at any cost, but there can be no politeness and speech. A few learned Russian phrases will be given to you right away and in a row, something like "Hello, friend! Vodka, balalaika, tsigel-tsigel, ay-lyu-lyu, welcome! ". It's very funny to hear, but only while you are in the store. If you did not buy anything, when you quit, you'll hear "Thank you in your pocket you will not smash" and select Russian mat. I want to answer the same, but do not forget that you are in a foreign country, and it is better to ignore them, without wasting your nerves. Also, on many products, prices are quoted in Egyptian pounds. When you ask the price, you are offered to choose - in dollars or pounds. So sellers round off dollars, naturally, in the big party. So ask in pounds the exact price. The dollar to the Egyptian pound is about 1 to 7, the ruble to pound is 1 to 5. The most popular souvenirs brought from Egypt are papyri, plaster or porcelain figurines, magnets, figurines of scarab beetles, silverware, national clothes.

In my opinion, this is the most basic, useful advice for tourists who will be useful, before going on vacation in Egypt. No matter how hospitable this country seemed, be always on the alert and do not let anyone or anything spoil your holiday!