Firmly rooted in the desert, Oman has two temperatures: warm and hot. Since nearly all of Oman’s tourism involves outdoor activities, hiking, and camping, it’s best visited during cooler months. If you must visit between April and October, head to Salalah for decent summer weather.

October – April: Because tourism is relatively light in Oman, it’s easy to visit during peak season and still avoid tourists to some extent. October and April are still on the hotter side, reaching averages of 90 Fahrenheit. Instead, visit between November and March, when averages range between the 70s and 80s. November is the best month to visit hands down, with almost non-existent rain and great temperatures. Note that Oman gets some rain between January and March, but it’s minimal.

Omani restaurants are surprisingly hard to find, both outside of and within Oman. Only in Muscat will visitors be able to try some true Omani food (unless they make some local friends along the way).

The national dish of Oman would have to be shuwa, lamb or goat slow-cooked in an underground oven and served over a bed of rice. It’s delicious, and usually served on holidays and during family gatherings.

Other delicious dishes include harees (wheat and meat porridge), makbous (a spiced rice dish topped with meat), and ghuzi (rice mixed with lamb wrapped in bread), amongst many other delicious eats. Don’t forget to try camel meat if you’re adventurous and don’t miss Oman’s fresh dates, either.

If you’d like to get a true taste of the food scene in Oman, consider taking this awesome food tour!