Middle East
Is Oman safe?
L3Reconsider travel
Is Oman safe?
Very safe and friendly with little crime; the real dangers are roads, heat and flash floods. Oman was also hit in the July 2026 Iranian strikes, so check airspace news.
Key facts
- US travel advisory: Level 3: Reconsider travel, updated 2026-04-08.
- Homicide rate: 0.1 per 100,000 people (2023, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths: 10.6 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: All emergencies 9999.
- Solo women: Among the easier Gulf countries for solo women; cover arms and legs outside resorts and expect occasional stares. Avoid walking alone late at night.
Risks, scams and laws
Main risks
- Flash floods in wadis after rain, even far upstream
- High road accident rate; camels on rural roads
- Iranian strikes since July 2026; airspace may close
- Dehydration and heat on hikes and desert trips
Laws visitors break by accident
- Drinking or being drunk in public, including on beaches, is illegal; drink-driving tolerance is zero.
- Unmarried couples sharing a hotel room is illegal under Omani law.
- Swearing or rude gestures, including in traffic, are criminal offences.
Safety by place in Oman
Quick answers
Is Oman safe for tourists?
Very safe and friendly with little crime; the real dangers are roads, heat and flash floods. Oman was also hit in the July 2026 Iranian strikes, so check airspace news.
Is Oman safe for solo female travelers?
Among the easier Gulf countries for solo women; cover arms and legs outside resorts and expect occasional stares. Avoid walking alone late at night.
What is the emergency number in Oman?
All emergencies 9999.
Safety by place
Sources
- World Bank: intentional homicides
- US State Department travel advisory
- UK FCDO travel advice: Oman
- Royal Oman Police eVisa
- Oman Ministry of Health
- World Bank open data
Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.