- Saudi Arabia is finally open for mass tourism after the launch of a new tourist visa on September 27.
- The country is full of wonder, with five pristine UNESCO heritage sights, Red Sea beach resorts, and futuristic cities like Riyadh.
- But the kingdom’s laws are complicated, and tourists can easily fall foul of them and receive a hefty fine, or worse.
- Here’s what to look out for.
- Visit Insider’s homepage for more stories.
On September 27, Saudi Arabia launched a brand-new tourist visa that lets tourists explore the country for 90 days.
It’s a landmark moment for the kingdom and its stop-start tourist industry, which hopes to process 100 million tourists a year by 2030.
But the legal system in Saudi Arabia is tricky to navigate and full of pitfalls for tourists unfamiliar with life on the Arabian Peninsula or the government’s version of Shariah, or Islamic law.
In September, Saudi Arabia rolled out 19 new public-decency laws, some of which, if violated, are punishable with a maximum $1,600 (6,000 riyal) fine or, in severe cases, imprisonment.
Here's what you need to know.
No dabbing.
The viral 2017 dance move was prohibited by the Saudi Interior Ministry's National Commission for Combating Drugs because of its association with drug culture.
It happened after the Saudi TV host and actor Abdallah al-Shahani was filmed dabbing at a music festival in Taif and later arrested.
Source: راصد المشاهير
No wearing shorts.
In September's new public-decency laws, men were advised not to wear shorts and to "dress modestly."
The US State Department advises male visitors to dress conservatively when visiting Saudi Arabia and not go without a shirt.
While the country is moving toward more a relaxed dress code, recently saying female travelers won't have to wear a long cloak called an abaya, it's best to err on the side of caution.
Women are still required to cover their shoulders and knees in public, the public-decency decree states.
Source: The National, Arab News
Getting drunk on the flight over, or bringing in alcohol, could land you in serious trouble.
Alcohol of any kind is banned in Saudi Arabia. Those who break the law are subject to hundreds of lashes, deportation, fines, or imprisonment.
You may be able to access alcohol on the flight over, but if you are deemed to be intoxicated at customs, you risk arrest.
Don't bring in a drone without approval.
Importing drones for commercial or personal use is prohibited without approval from the Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation.
So, if you're a photographer hoping to get aerial shots, best call ahead.
Source: US State Department
Don't cut in line.
The new public-decency laws say a fine of 50 riyals, or $14, will be incurred by anyone who jumps in front of someone in a queue.
Source: Arab News
You can't bring any pork into the country.
Islam prohibits consumption of pork, and as the birthplace of the religion, Saudi Arabia adheres to this principle with gusto.
This includes pork-flavored chips and snacks.
Strangely, it's forbidden to bring products containing frog meat into the kingdom too.
Gambling is in principle illegal.
While many Saudis play poker and gamble online using VPNs, the punishment for gambling can be as harsh as a six-month jail term.
Source: Blue Abaya
Being gay or transgender is illegal.
In March 2017, two transgender people were shoved in bags, beaten with sticks, and tortured to death, according to human-rights activists with the Blue Veins group.
Sex-reassignment surgery is illegal in Saudi Arabia.
Source: UK government, The Independent
Playing loud music in public is taboo and a finable offense.
It's especially important to observe this rule during each of the 20-minute prayer times, which happen five times a day.
The fine for playing loud music is 500 riyals, or $133, outside prayer time and 1,000 riyals during prayers.
Source: Arab News
No public displays of affection.
The new public-decency code explicitly warns against public displays of affection, so be wary where your hands are.
The maximum fine for PDA is 3,000 riyals, or $800.
Source: Arab News
No drugs.
Any narcotics are illegal in Saudi Arabia, and many drug offenses are punishable by death.
Bringing a Bible into the country, or having any non-Islamic religious items on your person, can land you in trouble.
The government has hinted that personal Bibles can be brought into the country for private worship.
But waving one around in public may see the religious police report you to authorities.
Photographing a Saudi without his or her explicit permission is illegal.
The fine for taking someone's photo without permission is 1,000 riyals, or $266.
Source: Arab News
Taking up seats and utilities reserved for elderly and disabled people is a finable offense.
The fine for sitting in a priority seat is a 200 riyals, or $53.
Photographing government buildings is illegal, for national security reasons.
Source: Arab News
It's illegal to subject women and children to pranks or anything that "can scare them or put them in danger."
The advisory was included in the new set of public-decency laws in September.
It's illegal to hold two passports in Saudi Arabia.
Second passports will be confiscated by the immigration authorities if they're discovered.
Source: UK government
Be careful with outward Valentine's Day displays
Valentine's Day, a Christian occasion, has never really been permitted in Saudi Arabia, and it was formally banned in 2008.
Though, last year the ban looked to have eased, with small red tokens appearing freely across the cities of Riyadh and Jeddah and no public injunctions against Valentine's Day items reported.
Source: Business Insider
Sitting as a single man in the family area of a restaurant is also forbidden.
In a famous September 2018 case, an Egyptian man was arrested in Saudi Arabia for having breakfast with an unmarried woman in the family section of a restaurant, and posting a video of it to social media.
Some restaurants have relaxed the divide between unmarried and married, but it would be prudent to establish the restaurant's preference before you sit down.
Entering Mecca and Medinah as a non-Muslim is forbidden
As Islam's two holiest cities, entering either Mecca or Medinah as a non-Muslim is forbidden, so don't try to sneak in.
The punishment is either a large fine, deportation, or whatever the judge decides.
Source: Arab News
