Oman
Sultanate of Oman
Western Asia · OMN
Editorial Snapshot
Why Go To Oman
Oman is a top choice for desert scenery, wadis, and coastal drives with a calmer pace than many Gulf neighbors. It works best as Muscat plus a focused inland loop to Nizwa and the mountains or a south-coast extension to Salalah.
Popular For
Things To See
- Muscat
- Nizwa
- Wadi Shab
- Jebel Akhdar
- Wahiba Sands
- Salalah
Best Months
Know Before You Go
- The interior is hottest in summer, so cooler months are best for road trips.
- Some wadis and mountain roads require a capable vehicle, so plan transport accordingly.
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Flights
Hotels & Accommodations
Compare stays across major booking options
Open hotel and accommodation options for Oman.
Guidebooks
📚Browse Oman Guidebooks on AmazonTours & Activities
Country Data
Stats At A Glance
Practical travel, safety, climate, and quality-of-life stats for Oman.
Quick Facts
- Capital
- Muscat
- Population
- 5,343,630
- Area
- 309,500 km²
- Region
- Western Asia
Languages
- Arabic
Currency
Omani rial (ر.ع.)
OMR
Exchange rate unavailable for USD.
Cost of Living (World Bank)
48.6
Price level index (US = 100)
- Groceries
- 42.4
- Restaurants
- 41.8
- Rent
- 13.2
Safety & Peace
higher score = safer everyday environment · derived from World Bank homicide data
lower score = more peaceful · 1.0–3.5 scale
Monthly Climate Averages
These weather averages are based on data for Muscat (23.62°N, 58.58°E).
LGBTQ+ Friendly
15/100
Traveler LGBTQ score
- Legal protections
- 2/100
- Lived safety
- 71/100
This score blends legal protections with lived-safety context so strong laws alone do not automatically push a country to the top of the ranking.
- Homosexuality legal❌
- Relationship recognitionNone
- Adoption recognition❌
- Anti-discrimination laws❌
- Employment protections❌
- Legal gender recognition❌
- Conversion therapy ban❌
Human Development Index (UNDP)
0.858
Very high human development
- 5-year change
- +0.004
- 10-year change
- +0.031
- Trend
- stable
- Data year
- 2023
- Gender Dev. Index (GDI)
- 0.945
- Gender Inequality Index (GII)
- 0.222
- Planetary-adjusted HDI (PHDI)
- 0.581
UNESCO World Heritage Sites (5)
- 🏛️
Ancient City of Qalhat
Inscribed 2018
- 🏛️
Aflaj Irrigation Systems of Oman
Inscribed 2006
- 🏛️
Land of Frankincense
Inscribed 2000
- 🏛️
Archaeological Sites of Bat, Al-Khutm and Al-Ayn
Inscribed 1988
- 🏛️
Bahla Fort
Inscribed 1987
Natural Beauty (World Bank)
- Protected land area
- 22.0%
- Forest cover
- 0.0%
Source: World Bank.
Wildlife & Birdwatching
- Threatened mammal species (IUCN)
- 9
- Threatened bird species (IUCN)
- 13
Source: World Bank / IUCN Red List. Higher counts indicate richer biodiversity, typically in tropical rainforest, island, and savannah ecosystems.
Food & Cuisine
38/100
Food and dining score
Built from two layers: dining-scene breadth and open prestige signals. We combine restaurant density, cuisine diversity, distinguished restaurants, and gastronomy-city recognitions from open data sources.
Luxury Infrastructure
81/100
Luxury & premium accommodation score
Based on OpenStreetMap luxury hotel density and World Bank international tourism receipts.
US Travel Advisory
The advisory level remains at 3. There were no changes to the risk indicators. Advisory summary was updated to reflect changes to U.S. embassy operations. Reconsider travel to Oman due to the risk of terrorism and armed conflict. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory. Do Not Travel to the Yemen border area due to terrorism and armed conflict. Advisory summary On March 13, 2026, the Department of State ordered non-emergency U.S. government employees and U.S. government employee family members to leave Oman due to safety risks. Armed Conflict Following the onset of hostilities between the United States and Iran on February 28, there has been an ongoing threat of drone and missile attacks from Iran and significant disruptions to commercial flights. Terrorism There is risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks in Oman. Visit the U.S. Department of State’s country reports on terrorism to learn more. Terrorism is a concern in Oman. Attacks can occur with little or no warning, especially around holidays. They can involve knives, firearms, and vehicles. Potential targets include: Important political, cultural, or religious locations Places visited by U.S. citizens and other foreigners Tourist locations and large gatherings Transportation hubs Markets and shopping malls Entertainment venues Government facilities Terrorists may use violence to respond to direct attacks against them or other military operations in the region. Aviation Safety The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued an ongoing Special Federal Aviation Regulation and Notice to Airmen (NOTAM). This is due to risks to civil aviation operating within or nearby Yemen. For more information Americans should consult the Federal Aviation Administration’s Prohibitions, Restrictions and Notices. Risks in specific areas Level 4 - Do Not Travel - The Yemen border region Do Not Travel to the Yemen border area due to terrorism and armed conflict. Do not travel to this area for any reason. Terrorist attacks and armed conflict continue in Yemen. Crossing the Oman-Yemen border can be dangerous. Americans who attempt to cross the border, from either Oman or Yemen, may be detained by Omani authorities. For more information visit Terrorism and travel to High-Risk Areas. If you decide to travel to Oman: Review our information on Terrorism and travel to High-Risk Areas. Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to get important updates and alerts from the U.S. embassy or consulate. Enrolling helps the U.S. embassy or consulate contact you or your emergency contact in an emergency. Review the Country Security Report for Oman. Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website for the latest Travel Health Information for Oman. Whether you’re a first time or frequent traveler, use the International Travel Checklist. We highly recommend that you buy travel insurance before you travel. Check with your travel insurance provider about evacuation assistance, medical insurance, and trip cancelation coverage. Please be sure to visit our website for Crisis Response and Evacuations.
Read full advisory →Data current as of August 2026 and subject to change. Travel advisory information is sourced from the U.S. State Department and reflects conditions at the time of data collection, not real-time conditions. Do not rely solely on this information for travel decisions. Always check current government advisories for your nationality. Terms of Use · About our data