{"id":39959,"date":"2023-03-23T15:14:48","date_gmt":"2023-03-23T13:14:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/?post_type=country&p=39959"},"modified":"2024-09-09T11:45:53","modified_gmt":"2024-09-09T09:45:53","slug":"saudi-arabia","status":"publish","type":"country","link":"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/country\/saudi-arabia\/","title":{"rendered":"Saudi Arabia"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Saudi Arabia, one of the most hermetic countries in the world for non-Muslims, seems to be finally changing and opening its borders to international tourists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let me tell you something:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saudi is a great country, composed of lovely people, extremely hospitable, and home to some stunning natural sites, as well as jaw-dropping archaeological sites that you would never imagine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is really one of those countries which requires a couple of months to discover because, given its dimensions, there are loads, loads of things to see.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Seriously, I can’t recommend Saudi enough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For all the practical information, including visas, don’t forget to read how to travel to Saudi Arabia<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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need to know for traveling in Saudi Arabia<\/mark><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Quick facts<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Capital<\/strong>: Riyadh<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Population<\/strong>: 33 million (40th)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Language<\/strong>: Arabic<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Area<\/strong>: 2,149,690km\u00b2 (12th largest country)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Visa<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

You can apply for an online visa<\/a><\/strong> ($140) and, as of 2023, a visa on arrival is also available. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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How to access blocked sites<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Remember that in Saudi, the internet is censored, which means that some websites are blocked. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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GET ExpressVPN<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Travel Insurance<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

With its Total Comfort Plan, IATI Insurance<\/a><\/strong> is the best insurance for countries where health care system is private and expensive, like Saudi Arabia<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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GET A QUOTE<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Best time to visit<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Avoid coming here from May to the end of September, when temperatures average around 45\u00baC.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Money<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

In Saudi Arabia, they use the Saudi Rial<\/strong><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1 USD = 3.75 SAR<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ATMs are available pretty much everywhere and credit cards are accepted in most modern caf\u00e9s, restaurants, and hotels.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Is Saudi safe for female travelers?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Saudi is safe for solo women and my friend Nadia can tell you more about it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

9 Misconceptions about solo female traveling in Saudi<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Top experiences in Saudi<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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The Old City of Jeddah<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Built in the 7th century as a gateway for Muslims going to Mecca.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Explore the green mountains of Jizan<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dramatic landscapes and Yemeni-like culture.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Get blessed by the locals’ hospitality<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saudis are some of the most hospitable people on Earth.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Travel back in time in Madinah Saleh<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A replica of Petra but even more remote.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Check our Saudi Arabia 2-week itinerary<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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tips for Saudi Arabia<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Accommodation<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Saudi Arabia is well-sorted for hotels: from basic – but clean – accommodation starting at $30 per night to the most luxurious hotels. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hotel-apartments are a great value-for-money option, and you can find them everywhere. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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FIND YOUR HOTEL HERE<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Day trips and tours in Saudi<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

From visiting the Old Town of Jeddah to a day trip to the Edge of the World, you can book several activities with just 1 click. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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LEARN MORE<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Transportation<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Public transportation is really bad, so ideally:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By plane –<\/strong> Domestic flights will save you a lot of time. Flyadeal<\/span> or FlyNas<\/span> are local, budget airlines. Tip: <\/strong>Saudi cities are not made for walking, so even if you fly in, you should rent a car.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rent a car –<\/strong> Feasible, assuming that you don’t mind driving long distances.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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ALL MY ARTICLES ON SAUDI ARABIA<\/h3>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":40868,"menu_order":0,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-39959","country","type-country","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/country\/39959","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/country"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/country"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/40868"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=39959"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=39959"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/againstthecompass.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=39959"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}