Practical Information for visiting Bahrain

The currency is the Bahraini dinar (BHD), pegged to the US dollar at about 0.376 to one, which makes it one of the highest-valued currencies in the world — a dinar is worth around US$2.65, and it divides into 1,000 fils.

Cards are accepted almost everywhere including taxis and small restaurants, and contactless is standard. Cash is useful in the souq, where bargaining is expected.

ATMs are widespread. Exchange houses in Manama give better rates than hotels or the airport.

Tipping is appreciated rather than obligatory. Many restaurants add a service charge plus government levy; check the bill before adding more. Ten per cent where nothing is included, and a dinar or two for porters and drivers.

Coverage for mobile networks is complete and fast across the whole country, with 5G throughout — Bahrain was among the first nations to deploy it nationally, which is easier on an island this size. Batelco, stc and Zain are the operators.

Tourist SIMs are sold at the airport and cost little; a passport is required to register.

Wi-Fi is free and fast in hotels, malls, cafes and much of the public realm. Fixed speeds are high.

Note that some VoIP calling has at times been restricted, as elsewhere in the Gulf, though Bahrain has been more permissive than its neighbours. Messaging works normally.

Bahrain has very low violent crime and is a safe destination for visitors, including for women travelling alone. The realistic hazards are heat, traffic and a small amount of political sensitivity.

• Heat between May and September is the genuine physical danger. Heat exhaustion arrives quickly in this humidity, and walking outdoors for any distance in summer is unwise.
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• Road traffic accounts for most serious injuries. Driving is fast and lane discipline is poor, particularly on the causeway approaches.
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• Political demonstrations occur occasionally, mostly in Shia villages away from the tourist areas. Avoid them entirely, and do not photograph any gathering or police presence.
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• The law catches visitors out. Public drunkenness, public displays of affection and rude gestures are offences. Drinking is legal in licensed venues only.
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• Drugs carry severe penalties, including for trace amounts, and some medicines legal at home are controlled here.
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• Photographing military, government and some industrial sites is prohibited.

Healthcare is good, with modern private hospitals in Manama and a well-regarded public system. Visitors pay privately, and costs are moderate by Gulf standards, but insurance is sensible.

Vaccinations: routine cover is sufficient; hepatitis A is sometimes advised. There is no malaria and no yellow fever requirement unless arriving from an affected country.

Heat and dehydration are by far the most likely problem. The combination of 45°C and high humidity defeats the body’s cooling, and visitors misjudge it because air conditioning masks how much fluid they have lost. Drink continuously and avoid the middle of the day outdoors in summer.

Medication rules are strict: codeine, tramadol and some other common drugs are controlled. Carry prescriptions and original packaging.

Dust during shamal winds affects asthma and other respiratory conditions; bring an inhaler if you use one.

Tap water is desalinated and safe, though most residents drink bottled by habit.

Dress modestly in public. Bahrain is the most relaxed of the Gulf states, but shoulders and knees covered is still the standard away from hotel pools and beaches, and swimwear is for those only.

Alcohol is legal for non-Muslims in licensed hotels, restaurants and bars, and is sold in a small number of licensed shops. Drinking or being drunk in public is an offence, and the driving limit is zero.

Ramadan. Eating, drinking, smoking or chewing gum in public during daylight is prohibited for everyone, visitors included, and is enforced.

Right hand for eating, giving and receiving. Remove shoes entering a home or a mosque.

Public affection between couples is not acceptable. Homosexuality is not explicitly criminalised, unusually for the region, though social attitudes are conservative and discretion is necessary.

Photography. Ask before photographing people, especially women, and avoid military and government buildings.

Emergency numbers: 999 reaches police, ambulance and fire, with English-speaking operators and fast response across an island this small.

Medical. Salmaniya Medical Complex is the main public hospital; the private Bahrain Specialist Hospital, American Mission Hospital and King Hamad University Hospital all treat foreign patients and expect payment or an insurance guarantee.

Diving. There is a recompression facility on the island, which matters given the pearl-bank and wreck diving offshore.

Heat. In summer, the Ministry of Health issues warnings and outdoor work is banned at midday. Treat a heat warning as you would a storm warning elsewhere.

Keep an offline copy of your passport and insurance. Most embassies are in Manama, in the diplomatic area near the financial harbour.