Sharm El Sheikh

[dukas68]

Hi , I'm going to Sharm El Sheikh next July , Just wondering if anone has any tips or advice?
thanks
scott

[missmuppet]

Hi Scott, Sharm's a lovely place, lots to do. Would really recommend a trip to the coloured canyon and Fantasia, also a camel ride and bedouin dinner is a must do in my opinion. If you're going and not planning to leave the Sinai area, so say not planning on going to Cairo or Luxor you will not need a visa. People don't tend to tell you this as they're quite happy for you to pay �15 for a visa you don't need. When you're on the plane you'll get a boarding card, if you don't plan to leave Sinai just write on the back of the card "Sinai only" and then sign it, take it to passport control and they'll stamp your passport anyhow. Lots of beautiful places for snorkelling if that's your kind of thing. Currency is the Egyptian pound but I only take about �100 worth cos there's plenty of places to change sterling in Naama Bay. Naama Bay is the main touristy area, nice place lots of nice places to eat and drink. Try to find the camel bar on the main strip, it's on your left if you're walking down the strip, this is a great English bar, shows lots of football matches but also nice roof bar too. It'll be hot in July so be prepared. Lovely in the evenings too. Old Town is the more local area, well worth a visit but be prepared, it's a lot dirtier than Naama but I much prefer it, it gives you a taste of the real Egypt. Also you will get a lot of hassle from people wanting you to go into their shops and restaurants, all I do is be polite, have a quick chat but be firm too. You don't need to do anything you don't want too. I'm a lone female traveller and have never felt unsafe or intimidated by anyone whilst there. My next visit will be my 11th so as you can tell I like it there. Hope you have a good time. Missmuppet x

[JonnoGenie]

I agree with what Muppet says, couple of things...

- The 'Sinai coast only' (non-visa) entry, allows you to enter Sharm, go up the coast as far as Taba, and visit St. Katherines monastry. But if you want to visit any National Park (most notably Ras Mohammed National Park for the diving) you need a visa. You can get this on arrival for �10 (sterling, or US$15). Some agencies will facilitate your getting this visa on arrival and charge you �15, I don't think paying any premium is worth it.

Don't change any � to 'EL' (Egyptian Pounds) in the UK. You will be scalped on the exchange rate. You can change an amount of � on arrival if you feel you must at a 'cambio' (bank booth) before you go through immigration, while you get your visa. Be alert, arrivals at Sharm can be a bit of a zoo, the visa/bank staff know you are tired and stressed, count your money slowly.

But you don't really need any EL at this point. If you want to tip the guy for puting your bag on the bus roof, or in the hold (no compulsion) he will be very happy with a �1 coin (or euro1, or US1). Same goes for the guy who brings your bags to your hotel room. There are many ATMs in Naama Bay, including two HSBC branches/ATMs, ATMs are all I use to get cash, the exchange rate is good (I also take say �100 cash, and what ever other various euro and US$ I have lying around 'in case of emergency').

As Muppet says, it's going to be hot in July! And it will be so dry you might not register quite how dehydrating it is. You will need to drink a lot of water (the local mineral water 'Baraka' is good and cheap (about EL2.5, (20p) for a 2 litre bottle)). If I am diving I drink about 5 litres/day in the summer. Basically... er... you want to be passing a near colourless 'stream' when you have a pee.

[JonnoGenie]

Apart from that, take careful sun precautions, particularly if you are out on a boat. The UV will be off the scale. I'd stay under cover from about 12-4.

It is a great place, and I hope you have a wonderful time!

(Next time (Jan07) will be my 10th visit to Sharm!)