The Atlantis on The Palm in Dubai is a five-star hotel and a dazzling and adventurous getaway location featuring a massive waterpark, world-class aquatic attractions, fine dining and global cuisine, and much more. Making the journey and deciding which of the many attractions to choose from can be a daunting task, but with the right preparations you can plan an unforgettable vacation.
StepsPart 1Part 1 of 3:Planning Your Travel
1Visit between November and March for the best weather. The summer months in Dubai can get quite hot with temperatures exceeding 100 F, so it’s best to book your trip between November and March if possible.XSome travellers book trips during the summer months or off-season in order to get better deals on hotel and flight prices. If you choose to do so, just be aware of the higher temperatures.If you choose to visit during the holy month of Ramadan (between May and June in 2018 and 2019), it may be difficult to find food being sold between sunrise and sunset, and it may come off as culturally insensitive if you choose to consume food publicly during this time.
2Plan your trip at least six months in advance. Dubai is a popular tourist destination, so make your plans at least six months in advance to avoid higher pricing and ensure you can plan the best trip possible.
3Plan to stay in Dubai for at least one week. Atlantis and Dubai are filled with things to do. In order to make the most of your stay and avoid feeling rushed, it helps to have at least a week to relax on the beach, take in all of the sights, and travel around the city.The weekend in Dubai goes from Friday to Saturday, so keep this in mind while planning your trip and note that some businesses may be closed on these days.X
4Pack clothes for summer weather. Between November and March the highs are in the 70s and 80s F with lows in the 60’s, so pack warm-weather clothing. Dubai’s culture tends to be more conservative than American or European culture, so it’s advised to dress modestly and avoid clothes that are excessively tight-fitting or revealing.XIt’s a good idea to bring a jacket or cover-up for night-time and air-conditioned indoor spaces like malls and restaurants.Dubai is a global, forward-thinking city and is generally tolerant of world cultures, so no need to try to mimic Arabic styles of dress. Wearing casual street-clothes that you would wear in your home country is fine as long as the clothes are relatively modest.
5Make sure your passport is up-to-date and apply for a visa if necessary. If you’re an American citizen, you do not need to apply for a visa beforehand and can get one when you arrive at the airport in Dubai.XBe sure to have a confirmed round-trip ticket and a passport valid for six months after arrival when you go through customs in Dubai in order to ensure you’ll be granted a visa.Visa requirements differ by country, so check the UAE immigration website to see whether you qualify for a visa on arrival or need to apply ahead of time. Visit https://www.emirates.com/english/before-you-fly/visa-passport-information/uae-visas/.Part 2Part 2 of 3:Booking Your Trip
1Purchase a round-trip plane ticket to Dubai International Airport (DXB). From New York, round-trip flights range from roughly 600 USD to 1200 USD. Flights will be more expensive from the west coast and likely cheaper from Europe or Asia.
2Book a deluxe guest room for views of the Arabian Sea or The Palm. A standard deluxe room is roughly 250 USD per night, and the price will vary based on the view from the room, the size and layout, whether you purchase the included meals, and whether you choose the non-refundable option.XIf you’re looking to splurge, consider the club suites a signature suites, which include spacious family-sized room options and exciting options like the Poseidon and Neptune Underwater suites.All hotel rooms at Atlantic come with complimentary unlimited access to the Aquaventure Waterpark and the Lost Chambers Aquarium.XIf you need special accommodations, call ahead and ask the concierge what options are available.
3Make dinner reservations ahead of time. This is especially important if you plan to visit the celebrity restaurants, including Nobu Japanese Restaurant or Gordon Ramsay’s Bread Street Kitchen and Bar.There are several more casual and outdoor restaurants that don’t need reservations if you prefer to play it by ear.
4Plan your route from the airport to Atlantis. Taxis and rental cars are the best options, so pick whichever you prefer. Complimentary valet parking services are available once you arrive at Atlantis.Taxis are relatively cheap in Dubai, and it’s easy to navigate the city solely by taxi. App-based ride services like Uber and Careem are also available.Dubai is expanding its metro system, but it currently doesn’t have a station at Atlantis.X
5Book a helicopter tour for a special and memorable way to experience Dubai from above. Tour packages range from 15 minutes to 60 minutes and can be booked online.XHelicopter tours can be arranged by emailing the concierges at Atlantis.Part 3Part 3 of 3:Enjoying the Attractions
1Go on slides and water rides in the Aquaventure water park. Atlantis is famous for its exhilarating water slides, including the Leap of Faith, a nearly vertical 9-storey drop that propels you through a clear tube surrounded by sharks.The Aquaventure water park includes interconnecting waterways where you can float on an innertube and journey throughout the park. The Rapids are a 1.6 km river ride, and The Torrent is a wave generator that produces tides reaching over a meter high. XGuests must be at least 12 years old and 4 feet tall (1.2 meters) in order to ride the larger water slides at Atlantis, including the Aquaconda, the world’s largest water-slide. The Splashers Play Area offers water slides, climbing frames, and water cannons that younger children can enjoy.X
2Swim with dolphins at Dolphin Bay. Visitors are able to get up-close to the dolphins and play with them. Atlantis offers programs for guests of all ages and swimming abilities.The Dolphin Encounter is an opportunity for guests of all ages to wade in a pool and interact with dolphins, while the Dolphin Adventure takes place in a deep pool and includes a belly-ride with a dolphin. Tickets should be purchased well in advance, and range from 200 USD to 400 USD per guest.
3Observe the marine life at the Lost Chambers Aquarium. Here you can get a look at diverse marine life while exploring the myth of the city of Atlantis. If you’re bringing children, this is a great option to consider, as there are no age requirements.The aquarium contains 10 themed chambers and is home to over 65,000 marine animals and more than 250 species of fish. XThe Lost Chambers Aquarium offers several educational tours and guided experiences, including a yoga class. Some of these, including the yoga class, have limited space and need to be booked in advance to guarantee a spot.
4Relax at the Shuiqi Spa. The Shuiqi Spa offers activities focused on relaxation and skincare. The associated Shuiqi Salon offers a variety of hairstyling services.Shiseido is a facial and body treatment designed as a combination of Eastern and Western traditions, techniques, and technologies.X
5Take a trip to downtown Dubai. The city is famous for its vibrant metropolitan life and impressive architecture. Consider visiting famous landmarks like the world’s tallest structure, the Burj Khalifa, the famous Dubai Mall, and the Dubai Fountains.You can access downtown Dubai from Atlantis in 30 minutes by car or taxi ride.The Dubai Mall located in downtown is the largest shopping mall in the world, and it is the most-visited retail and entertainment building on the planet, welcoming tens of millions of visitors every year.X
6Get in touch with the local culture at the Al-Fahidi historical neighborhood or souks along Dubai Creek. There is much more to Dubai than just the big metropolitan attractions and luxury resorts, so consider exploring some of the areas that give you a taste of the traditional and local culture.If you take a day trip to downtown Dubai, within a short taxi ride you can find Al-Fahidi historical neighborhood, where you can see an example of the old way of life in Dubai and get exposed to traditional-style architecture.XEncircling the downtown area is the Dubai Creek, where various merchants and traders presenting items from around the Middle East have set up stalls to market and sell their goods.X
