QATAR

Qatar, officially the State of Qatar, is a sovereign Arab state, located in Western Asia, occupying the small Qatar Peninsula on the northeasterly coast of the much larger Arabian Peninsula.

Qatar has proven reserves of oil and natural gas. It tops the list of the world’s richest countries by Forbes. It has the highest human development in the Arab World. In 2009, Qatar was the United States’ fifth-largest export market in the Middle East (after the UAE, Israel, Saudi Arabia and Egypt).

Explore the natural environment, take an exciting desert safari, relax at the many beaches and pool facilities, or enjoy your favorite sport. Golf courses, billiards and snookers tables, bowling alleys, tennis and squash facilities, ice skating rinks. Whatever your interest, there is something for everyone in Qatar.

Capital: Doha

Best Time of Visit:

1) The best time to visit the country is between Novembers to early April.

Min Days Required:  3 days

Places of Interest: 

Al-Jassasiya

Doha

Zubara Fort

The Pearl

Climate:

The months of November to early April encompass winter and the early Spring season of the country.

From an average maximum of about 29 degrees Celsius in November, the temperature begins to drop, ranging between 21 to 24 degrees Celsius between December to February.

The following months of March and April, begin to see an increase in temperatures, which rise to a range of 26 to 31 degrees Celsius, as winter turns to the spring season in the region.

Due to the hot and dry weather during the summer months of May to September, this is regarded as an off-peak tourist season in Qatar. While temperatures on an average range between 37 to 42 degrees during these months, on some days it may escalate up to 50 degrees as well.

Currency: Qatari Riyal

Things to carry:

Women can wear both skirts and pants, as long as their legs are completely covered, so don’t pack mini-skirts or shorts. Form-fitting clothes are fine as long as most of your skin is covered. Short-sleeves are OK, although wearing longs sleeves might be more appropriate.

Bikinis are permitted in your hotel, so pack one if your hotel has a pool. If you’re going to the beach, shorts and a T-shirt are more appropriate.

Men should pack pants that fall under the knees. Shorts are not appropriate except at your hotel. For most religious places, it’s best to bring long pants or jeans. Short-sleeve T-shirts and shirts are acceptable for men.

Winter is the rainy season in Qatar, so bring a waterproof jacket. Nights can get as cold as 59 degrees Fahrenheit during spring and fall and even colder in winter; bring a light jacket or a long-sleeve shirt to keep you warm.

Sunscreen, sunglasses and hats are essential.

How to get there:

Air:

When going by plane to Qatar, you will most likely enter the country at Doha’s airport. Local carrier Qatar Airways is building a growing worldwide network with flights from there.