Is Oman safe for solo female explorers? My heartfelt perspective

The middle east is not a very common region to travel to. There are some hot spots like Dubai, Amman in Jordan or Qatar that visitors like to go to.
However, it is not a destination that many Westerners feel comfortable traveling to. Even when I told a well-traveled friend of mine, she replied that she didn’t know if it was safe. 

Oman wasn’t my first choice to travel to. I wanted to go to another part of the Middle East that wasn’t as safe. But with the war brewing in a neighboring country, I had to change my plans. 
While doing my research on Oman, I discovered it is indeed a safe country. Where you don’t need anything to worry about, even as a solo female traveler. 

This is my experience in Oman:

How travelers can get a sense of Oman’s gender-segregated culture

First, I want to point out that as a solo female traveler; I have a very different experience than a couple, two friends, or a solo male traveler. Yes, that’s everywhere, but I think in Oman how people respond to you depends highly on your gender and the fact if you are alone or with others.

Some examples, so you understand why I point this out. The first three days I spent alone in Muscat, doing some sightseeing. Experienced in taking Taxis in Muscat and haggling about the price.

Then I traveled with two Germans and an American. We met in a parking lot. I arrived early and a little later the American guy also arrived. We were waiting for the Germans and were chatting. After a while, an Omani guy came up, shook hands with the American, asked if everything was alright, and where we were from. He kind of ignored me. It was an interesting experience. It showed me that it might be possible that solo male travelers are more likely to be approached, maybe even invited. However, talking with a local about that, he told me that it is easier for female travelers to be invited to their homes.

Another example happened to me in Sur. I was walking to the Dhow building a museum on the sidewalk when two women with children were about to get in the car. One woman greeted me and asked me where I was from. As a joke she offered me her child because it’s not well behaved. I really enjoyed this chit chat with this Omani lady. That was one of the very few times I interacted with an Omani woman. 

I’m not sure if the women are holding back or if it’s just their culture. It was also interesting to see very few women on the streets or outdoors, but rather in the mall. And most likely at home with the children or doing the household.

Your travel experience as a woman differs completely from that of a man.

Omans police presence, and safety for female travelers

Although it is not very common, I walk a lot in Muscat. I like to walk in cities. But I have never been to a city that is so hard to walk around (maybe LA or Monterrey in Mexico). Muscat is really hard to walk around. You can do that only in a few parts of the city.
While walking I’m able to observe a lot of things, for example, the very low police presence in Oman. There is not much need for the police.
Once I asked some people on the beach if it was safe to just sleep outside and they replied, “It’s Oman, of course it’s safe.

I have met people who don’t look at their apartment door, in the capital city. What? Yes, it’s even safer than Austria. I never felt unsafe or insecure walking around in Muscat and any other city in Oman. Catcalling is even prohibited in Oman.

Foreign workers in Oman and how they make female travelers feel uncomfortable

However, regarding safety, I need to point out that Oman is home for many people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh. And they like to stare. Especially bad was that in Nizwa but also in Ruwi and Muscat. In Sur, I also had an encounter where I walked back to the hotel from a restaurant. It was in the evening and it was dark. I walked a road which wasn’t that frequented. But I wouldn’t have walked there If I knew it wasn’t safe.
A man walked in front of me. As the road got isolated, he turned around and asked me where I was from. We made small talk. He was from Pakistan. Soon he asked “room? room? room?”. His English wasn’t very good. But I understood it as a question. Did he want to know where my room was?

It made the impression that he wanted to come to the hotel room (still not sure if it was really what he meant, but it made the impression). I was shocked, felt nervous and very uncomfortable. I started to film and told him I will report him to the police. Even though he probably didn’t understand it, I just wanted to scare him. He continued to walk with me. So, I started to run. Sometimes it is just enough to make a scene. I did run super fast, but fast enough that others would be suspicious. He didn’t follow me to the hotel. Which wasn’t that far anymore.

The only issue I saw as solo female travel in Oman are these men from India, Bangladesh, Pakistan. They simply stare at you. It doesn’t help to stare back or ask them if everything is alright. The only thing that might help would be to dress up like an Omani woman with the full hijab.

Omans culture and helpfulness

While staying in Muscat for my first three days, I didn’t fully understand the helpful and kind culture of Omanis. Only later on while hitchhiking and exploring the country did I learn about the kindness of Omanis. It happened more than once that Omanis stopped while I was preparing (a sign) for hitchhiking, before I even put my thumb out. Multiple times people drove me further than their destination. Which was a bit out of the concept of hitchhiking, but very kind of them. 

Hosts will also make sure that you feel comfortable. Offer you tea, coffee and dates or turn on the AC for you. 

Although Omanis are very kind and helpful, it doesn’t happen often that they invite you into their home. Talking to other expats, they confirmed that. It is difficult to get invited to a family and experience their lifestyle and culture.