Things to do in Dubai with no money

Not a sentence you’ll probably ever admit to saying.

For some reason everyone back home automatically thinks you are loaded now you live in Dubai, and who are you to argue when anything is possible in this fantasy bubble.

The virgin visitor is the bank breaker. Dubai is an impressive city with a vast array of opulence where east meets west and everything in-between so there’s lots to cover in a short frame. Thankfully the second, third, fiftieth time they visit is a lot less painful on the pocket as a little sun and a few (too many) drinks are all that’s generally required. 

So how do you get past the first round with a smile on your face as you painfully part with your pennies?

Preparation is paramount and having said that I don’t know one single person who wings it when they have first time guests in Dubai, after all you want them to come back or possibly stay.

Thank heavens for the Internet. Discovering Dubai has never been so economical. A few great discount sites to look at are Groupon, Cobone and vouchercodesuae.com. You’ll find some surprising discounts on possibly all of the activities you want to show off to your guests. Maxing out your days with sun and adventure will also help minimise your nights. Walk your guests around Dubai Creek and the old town or around Dubai Mall and you may find/ hope they are ready for bed by 7pm. If not, don’t forget discount sites also have vouchers for many restaurants and to quench your thirst there are endless Happy Hours around Dubai, not forgetting ladies nights too. For those of you who are all "Dirham'd out" then don’t forget there are possibly only a handful of attractions you really need a photo with to prove you’ve vacationed in Dubai and so far it’s free to stand outside buildings, so worse case scenario you could just get snap happy, let’s hope you don’t have to walk everywhere.

Another great way to save money, which many disregard, is rent. To have an extra bedroom for guests can cost you a whopping 60,000Dhs extra a year, or more. For that amount you could actually check 10 couples into a hotel for a week so before you go crazy with rent, think about how you would have rented back home. A couch or a carpet was good enough for my guests but then again, this is Dubai.

Desert safari for the 79^th time shouldn’t have to feel like a nightmare especially if you start squirrelling away a little money every month and take full advantage of any discounts, you’ll be surprised how many of your guests are actually secretly relieved to pinch the pennies because don’t forget, they may also be reluctant to admit they’re pretty broke too.