Bahrain is a small island nation tucked away in the Persian Gulf, bordering Saudi Arabia and Qatar. It is known for its oil reserves, offshore banking, and tourism. Despite being a Muslim country, it does not enforce strict Islamic laws like its neighbors, paving the way for a relaxed atmosphere that attracts a large number of tourists. Bahrain's biggest annual event-Baharain Grand PrixÊF1 race is held every year in April. The best time to visit Bahrain is from February to April and October to December. The sky is clear and a little sunny. Here are some Bahrain Travel tips and Bahrain Travel Restrictions that will help you to plan your vacation to this beautiful destination.
MAJOR TOURIST ATTRACTIONS IN BAHRAIN
The long and rich past of Bahrain has left its mark everywhere. Dilmun Burial Grounds gives us a glimpse of prehistoric times, while the Oil Museum is a testimony to recent development, the Bahrain Fort speaks to its colonial past. The impressive National Museum, the world-class National Theater, and the International F1 circuit are all evidence of the country's state-of-the-art facilities. Some of the most famous tourist destinations in Bahrain are:
- Bahrain National Museum: Housed in an elegant building that seems to float easily in calm waters, the National Museum of Bahrain is the most visited attraction in the country. With its various exhibits, including traditional handicrafts, manuscripts, and burial mounds, it offers a comprehensive and fascinating tour of the country's archaeological, artistic and cultural past.'
- Shaikh Isa Bin Ali House- Once the seat of power of the ruling Sheikh, this magnificent building of Beit Sheikh Isa Bin Ali Al Khalifa is one of the finest and best-preserved traditional Gulf buildings to be found anywhere. A marvel of architecture, by an innovative system of draft towers, the rooms are kept very cool in the summer sun. The meticulous decoration in the numerous rooms, although unfurnished, deserves hours of study.
- Oil Museum- Bahrain owes much of its prosperity to the oil deposits on the island, and the Dar al-Naft Oil Museum, located in an impressive white building on the site where oil was first found, offers insights into the oil industry in Bahrain through exhibits and images. One can also appreciate the country's first, very primitive oil well, dating from 1932.
- Bahrain Fort- The imposing, centuries-old Qal'at al-Bahrain, originally built by the Portuguese to protect their outposts in the Gulf, lies just outside Manama. The site has been in use for almost 5,000 years, and the archeological digs around the fort display the rich past of the city, including the remains of two former forts.
- Tree of Life- An old theory is that Bahrain was the site of the Garden of Eden: this magnificent tree is believed to be all that is left of it. Over 400 years old, this lonely mesquite tree has survived in the desert for millennia and is believed to be a location where ancient cults performed ritual worship. A small visitor center welcomes tourists to the site.
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LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS IN BAHRAIN
Bahrain is a socially liberal nation, but many Bahrainis are conservative. There are some Bahrain rules for tourist that are to be followed. They are as following:
- Respect local traditions, customs, laws, and religions at all times and be mindful of your acts to ensure that they do not offend, particularly during the holy month of Ramadan and Shia religious festivals. Bahrainis observe some religious anniversaries that may not be celebrated in neighboring Gulf countries.
- Both locals and visitors must have a photo ID. Under Bahraini law, it is an offense not to be able to display a photographic ID if you are asked to do so by a member of the Bahraini authorities, and you will be asked to pay a fine of up to 300BHD.
- Dress conservatively in public places, particularly in religious places.
- Don't bring video cassettes or DVDs to the country. They can be withheld upon arrival at the airport.
- Bahraini law does not criminalize same-sex conduct between consenting adults at least 21 years of age, although sodomy is illegal. Bahrain is a liberal country relative to most other countries in the region, but many Bahrainis hold conservative social views. There are several recorded cases of individuals punished for same-sex activity, but in practice convictions for homosexual behavior are relatively uncommon.
- It is important for women who work in Bahrain, perhaps as a journalist, to risk evaluating work assignments to be carried out in an unpredictable climate. Be mindful of religious festivals and events, particularly those in the Shia calendar, as they are likely to be a cause for further protests and riots. There is also a potentially high chance of protests and chaos on Fridays after midday prayers.
BAHRAIN TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS AND REQUIREMENTS DUE TO COVID 19
There are various Bahrain entry restrictions to ensure the health of the visitors arriving there. So here’s a Bahrain Travel advisory that will help if you’re planning to visit Bahrain during the pandemic:
- Bahrain International Airport is open, for both, travel and transfer passengers, and visas have been reintroduced for 68 nationalities upon arrival. All arrivals in Bahrain will be expected to undergo and pay for enhanced arrivals testing of COVID-19 and must be self-quaratined until the test results have been obtained. On the 10th day following their arrival in the Kingdom, any person staying in Bahrain for ten days or more must repeat the testing procedure. In advance of the exam, you will be required to download the "BeAware" app. For the most up-to-date details, you should search Bahrain's visa portal, https://www.evisa.gov.bh/
- Flights may also be subject to suspension or reduced/changed service. Before traveling to Bahrain, you should consult with your airline for the most up-to-date information and follow the Bahrain News Agency for more updates, as these restrictions may be subject to change.
- The Saudi Arabia causeway is now open. In addition to meeting the visa criteria, travelers arriving in Bahrain via the Causeway are required to undergo and pay for the same enhanced test procedure and self-quarantine until the test results have been obtained. Alternatively, the Certificate of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) accredited by the Saudi Ministry of Health within 72 hours after the COVID-19 test is valid for entry to Bahrain without the need for additional testing and quarantine.
- If you plan to travel from Bahrain to Saudi Arabia, only certain categories of foreigners holding valid visas (exit/entry, business, residence/Iqama and visit) will be able to enter and exit the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from 15 September 2020. You can check the requirements on the official government website.
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TESTING ON ARRIVAL
All travelers to Bahrain have to undergo a COVID-19 test which will cost 30 Bahraini Dinar and need to self-isolate on arrival until the results of the test have been received. At the end of the 10-day cycle, a further coronavirus test, also costing 30 Bahraini Dinar, is required.
QUARANTINE REQUIREMENTS
All passengers arriving in Bahrain will be subject to Covid-19 testing procedures and will require self-isolation before the test results are obtained. People who have been found positive will be subject to further quarantine and health care in hospitals or quarantine centers. Those that have tested positive but have no symptoms are allowed to self-isolate at home. An additional coronavirus test is necessary ten days after arrival, which can be booked via the "BeAware" app or by calling 444.
The Government of Bahrain has announced that anyone subject to self-isolation/quarantine must follow all the rules or will face three months in prison and a fine of up to 10,000 BHD.
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CONCLUSION
The above-mentioned information provides all the necessary Bahrain Travel tips including the Bahrain covid Restrictions. Although, keep a watch on Bahrain Travel news because the rules and regulations might change according to the circumstances.
