Ajman

  The town of Ajman is the capital of the Ajman Emirate. The town features the Ruler's Palace, the Ajman Culture Center, the Ajman Museum, a beautiful old fort and several mosques. The emirate is formed of two major regions: Masfout, the agricultural area located southeast of the city and Manama located towards the North. Ajman is also blessed with a natural harbor in which the port of Ajman is situated. Shopping in Ajman is available in both modern malls, which offer many of the designer and luxury items you would expect from a modern shopping mall in the UAE, and the traditional shops where local products such as traditional pottery can be purchased. Tourists to Ajman have always enjoyed a visit to the Dhow Yard which is the biggest and one of the busiest Dhow building yards in the United Arab Emirates. Here visitors can see Dhows being built in the traditional manner, exactly the same as they have been built for centuries. The Dhow Yard also builds modern speed boats that compete in the Dubai Speed Boat races.  

The Ajman Museum is also well worth a visit. This museum was opened in 1981and is housed in a fort that dates from the 16th Century. The museum has a strong emphasis on the traditional culture of the region and visitors cannot only see ancient artefacts but also modern reconstructions of traditional Bedouin ways of life including both social and trade reconstructions. The Ajman museum also houses a large collection of artifacts from the Mowaihat archaeological site. The Mowaihat Archaeological site was discovered by workers laying a sewerage pipe in 1986. The site was then excavated as an archaeological site at which several copper implements numerous beads, a number of ceramic vessels and human remains among other artifacts have been unearthed. This site was the first site to be discovered that showed that the area was occupied in the Um al-Nar period.

Ajman borders Sharjah and is only 20 miles from Dubai making it easily accessible from both Sharjah and Dubai airports. Ajman is also only 45 minutes away from Ras al Khaima making it an ideal stop over destination enroute to a stay in Ras al Khaima. A Taxi from Dubai to Ajman will cost in the region of 150 dhs and the journey transfer time is approximately 30 minutes.

Winters are comfortably warm, with coastal regions enjoying a cooler climate than the mainland. The ocean often rises to a spa-like 37 degrees centigrade.

Between December and March, thunderstorms add an atmospheric brilliance to the dramatic landscapes. June is an arid month, whilst rainfall is largely isolated to February. Sandstorms being reduced visibility with powerful gales between April and February. Autumn and spring bring little diversity: conditions are only slightly subtler than those in summer and winter.

Luxurious Spring Times

During the more extreme months of spring, air conditioned indoor amenities have extreme value. Mid day is ideal for shopping, but just before the sun sets the cooler weather welcomes more active encounters with the desert landscape. Take on the dunes in a 4x4 safari guided by trained adventurers. As the sun sets, an eerie shadow is cast across the dunes, offering some incredible photographic opportunities. After the sun dips below the horizon, it's time to settle into an Arabian night featuring desert-style hospitality. Camel rides and belly dancing are accompanied by barbecued meals and local music.

Finding the Chill in Summer

Summer's extreme heat traps residents indoors until the sun sets, but the season brings some unique travelling opportunities. Camel racing is a sport that locals take seriously, and tourists can access events at Al Ain road's track four times weekly during the year's hottest months. The sight of camels galloping at break neck speed is a spectacle that is generally reserved for mornings.   Practice sessions are open to spectators throughout the day, but early risers will be treated to the coolest weather. Beaches are popular among those staying at hotels out of season, but cooler waters are needed to make mid summer tolerable.

Evading the Hordes

The autumn months between October and December are accompanied by weather that is primed for tourism, Plunging temperatures are a welcome change, opening the city for a host of novel experiences outdoors. At sunset, the dunes turn a startling shade of red, transforming the bland sandy palettes into fiery hued sandscapes. Participate in a tribal experience on full moon nights when guests gather at desert camps for drumming sessions.

Winter Getaways

Tropical destinations are at their best during the winter months, particularly when rainfall is negligible. The ocean dips to comfier temperatures, making this the ideal season for the UAE’s coastal regions. Swim up bars and poolside loungers take guests from chlorinated waters that lead to the sea. Avid scuba fans can see a diverse array of tropical fish that the local waters attract. Shark rays are the biggest draw card for guests of the Gulf of Oman. January and February are the most festive months of the year, as locals and visitors gather for the annual Shopping Festival.