A Digital Nomad Guide to Dahab

Dahab Visa

Most foreigners are allowed entry in Egypt with an e-visa or a visa on arrival allowing them temporary stay between 3-6 months based on nationality. However, it is still possible to get an extension if you find yourself falling in love with Dahab and wanting to stay longer. While the procedure isn’t as straightforward and is open to changes, this is what most foreigners residing in Dahab do to get an extension on their visa: 

• Head to the visa office in Naqb, outside Sharm El Sheikh. 
• You can only apply for a 6-months visa extension if you got the visa-on-arrival at the airport. It is a single-entry visa in most cases, unless you work or own a property in Sinai. 
• Get a taxi going from Dahab to the visa office for around EGP 600. In most cases, if you post on groups like Dahab-Sharm car pool or Digital Nomads in Dahab, you’ll find someone to go with you and you can split the costs. 
• Bring with you a passport-photo, copies of your passport info pages as well as a copy of the $25 visa sticker with the entry stamp. 
• When you arrive at the visa office, ask for a form and make sure you write down that you want a 6-months visa and that the purpose of residency is tourism.
• You’ll pay EGP 15 for the form and receive a receipt that will tell you when to come back, which is usually the next day. 
• When you return to the visa office the next day, hand the officers your receipt and wait for them to call out your name. They’ll hand you a bill of EGP 555 and instruct you where to pay it.

Double check that the immigration officer adds the correct stamp on the visa sticker page and not any other page or you could end up paying a fine of EGP 1,160. 

In most cases, it is also possible to do the same procedure at another visa office: El Tur. However, sometimes the officer might not agree based on your location. 

Culture and Food in Dahab

In Dahab, it is very easy to forget that you’re in Egypt as it offers an entirely different culture. The whole vibe and atmosphere boosts relaxation and a laid-back and peaceful ambience. For example, you needn’t worry about what to wear in Dahab as you’ll find that everyone resorts to comfort over style. Expect to find Dahabians roaming the streets in swimsuits, flip flops and coverups or even dressed in the most popular loose patterned trousers and sherwals being sold in Dahab. The locals and expats living in the area are very friendly, helpful and looking to have a good time and so, expect the general atmosphere to be merry, inviting and one that allows you to have an absolute blast. 

During the day, the city’s water activities and beaches are the highlights and where you’ll find everyone. From sitting by the beach, snorkelling, diving and kitesurfing, the days in Dahab are filled with fun in the sun. 

Most Bedouin tribes still follow their traditions and rural way of living and still rely on sheep, cows and goats for their dairy products and meat intake. In Dahab, most Bedouins work as divers, tour guides, camel riders and guides or sell merchandise in local shops or stores. The Bedouin women not only take care of their homes, but they also make artisanal crafts and stunning handmade items that you can easily find being sold in the bazaar. These traditions and customs heavily add to the strong heritage of Dahab that compliments the city and brings forth a perfect mix of old and new that every digital nomad will truly appreciate. 

As for the cuisine, because Dahab is a blend of numerous cultures, it does not have a specific cuisine but offers a wide variety of culinary options that cater for expats, Bedouins and locals alike. In Dahab, you’ll find seafood is a huge hit with fresh daily fish being provided on a regular basis. Ali Baba Hotel is one of the seafood delicacies that is an absolute must-try. 

However, what makes Dahab truly fabulous in terms of cuisine is its diversity. One of the best Italian restaurants in Egypt resides in Dahab and is Ramez & Paola Restaurant as well as Dai Pascatori Dahab which offers authentic Italian cuisine straight on the beach. You’ll also find heavenly Russian cuisine at Red Cat restaurant as well as one of the finest bakeries and a traditional Dahab breakfast at Ralph’s German Bakery. 

While the food in Dahab is not your typical Egyptian cuisine, it is bound to satisfy your taste buds and add to your incredible experience in Dahab. 

Dahab Nightlife

While Dahab is more of a day-time activity and filled with wonderful views and experiences in the morning, you’ll still be able to enjoy your nights in Dahab. The nightlife is not filled with clubs and bars that you can hop around from one to the other, but that doesn’t mean that you won’t find a place to drink or to dance if that’s what you crave. Here are a few things to do at night in Dahab to make sure you have a blast: 

Tota Downtown

Tota DowntownIf you’re looking for a night out and not just sipping a beer at the beach, this iconic ship-shaped bar is the place to be. Located in the Mashraba area, Toota offers a sea-view, music and dance and is where most of the expats will be during the night. 

Yalla Bar

Yalla Bar Another famous nightlife location in Dahab is Yalla Bar. With comfortable seatings, cocktails and drinks, good music and friendly staff, it’s one of the nightlife highlights in Dahab that you should definitely check out. 

Churchill’s

Churchill’s Looking for a sports bar or pub-like atmosphere where you can watch the game playing while enjoying a drink or two? Churchill’s is definitely the answer to your query. With a large screen to make sure you never miss a game or a rooftop terrace to enjoy the night overlooking the Red Sea, you’re in for a treat at this bar. 

Bedouin Dinner at Twilight Mountain

Bedouin Dinner at Twilight Mountain If you’re looking for a different kind of nightlife, then we’ve got just the thing for you. At Twilight Mountain you can enjoy a Bedouin dinner with the famous Arabic floor seatings, a fire show or other performances that will definitely make your night a unique one. 

Dahab Camping

Dahab Camping Another popular night activity in Dahab is of course camping. Whether you’re looking to camp on the beach or in the desert, Dahab offers different options that will give you the camping experience. In some cases, they can be combined with a bedouin dinner, bonfire night or other local performances that will blow your mind away. 

Hike St. Catherine mountain

Hike St. Catherine mountain Because the best time to climb the mountain is at night, it is definitely an experience you should do at least once. You’ll find different trails you can take depending on the difficulty level and how much time you would like to spend on the actual climb. No matter how tiring, exhausting or long the trip up is, the view from the top as you watch the sunrise is absolutely stunning and will fill your heart and soul with a sense of euphoria that is difficult to describe. 

Take a stroll on the Mamsha

Take a stroll on the Mamsha. When all else fails, you can always enjoy taking a stroll on the Mamsha, sitting in any of the restaurants, cafes, bars or clubs available there. Or you can go shopping and enjoy hanging around with the locals and seeing what merchandise they have to offer. You can always tell so much about the city from its locals and here you can make friends that will help you get the best out of Dahab during your stay. 

Things to do in Dahab

Because Dahab is a coastal city, it has so many exciting, adventurous and beautiful things to do. Whether you’re looking to sit back and relax or have the adventure of a lifetime, you’ll be able to enjoy Dahab. 

• Learn to kite surf/windsurf

  Because Dahab is known for its watersports, it is a very common kitesurfing and windsurfing destination. Here, you can choose to treat yourself to a discovery session, beginners course with some of the best instructors or even rent out the equipment and enjoy the Dahab waters from a different perspective. 

• Go diving

  Dahab has some of the most beautiful underwater scenery you can find in Africa and is a top diving destination where people from all around the world come to. Here, you can see a whole colourful world under the sea and be mesmerized with the different species as well as the beautiful corals that will take your breath away. One of the reasons many people come to Dahab is because it is one of the cheapest places in the world to become a certified open water diver and so, why not make use of the prices, and take up diving? 

• Go snorkelling

  If diving deep blue seas and being under water scares you, but you’d still like to encounter the incredible marine life evident in Dahab, then snorkelling is your best bet. Not only will you get to take a dip in the Red Sea and feast your eyes on some amazing views, but you can also find numerous snorkelling spots in Dahab that you absolutely must experience. These include the Blue Hole and 3 pools, The Canyon, Ras Abu Galloum, Eel Garden, Lighthouse reef and many more. 

• Visit the Blue Hole

  You cannot be in Dahab and not visit the Blue Hole. It is a worldwide popular diving and snorkelling destination. Because the sea is very deep, the blue colour is something else. It’s an excellent trip to spend the day and enjoy the fascinating views, go for a swim, snorkel or dive. You can also enjoy eating at one of the cheap restaurants that overlook the area. 

• Take a boat to Ras Abu Galoum

  North of Dahab, you’ll find the spectacular area known as Abu Galoum. Here, many people take a boat ride, stop in the middle of the sea and spend the day snorkelling, diving or even hiking up the mountain.  

• Go on a Camel Safari/ horseback

  Why tour the beautiful deserts and coasts of Dahab on foot when you can do that on horseback or even on a camel? The experience itself will be exciting and you’ll get to feast your eyes on some of the best views that Dahab has to offer. 

• Enjoy the sunset in any of Dahab’s sea-view restaurants

  If Dahab is famous for one thing, it is the mesmerising views that boost relaxation and peace of mind. If you’re looking for a place to chill, you can head to the mamsha and choose any of the restaurants or cafes that are straight on the beach. You’ll even find a few with swings that are in the water and make for excellent photographs to keep as memories of the wonderful Dahab. 

• Climb Mount Sinai

  While this is not in Dahab, there are many day trips you can organize that take you to hike mount Sinai. This is usually done over night in order for you to reach the top by dawn and watch the sunrise. There’s nothing more beautiful than seeing the spectacular views of Sinai when the sun rises. Just make sure that you dress heavily as it can get very chilly at night and wear comfortable shoes. 

• Enjoy a Bedouin night

  Because Dahab is filled with Bedouins, it is very easy to arrange a night in the desert, situated around a bonfire with folkloric music, performances and festivities that last all night. This is a great experience that you’ll not only enjoy but remember for the ret of your life. 

• Visit the bazar

  Located in the heart of Dahab, you’ll find small stores and street stalls filled with Bedouin crafts, souvenirs, swimming/snorkelling and diving equipment as well as traditional Dahab clothing that offer the laid back and comfortable attire you’ll find everyone wearing in Dahab. You’ll also find artists displaying their work and many tourists coming to this bazar at night to buy souvenirs.

Best Time to Visit Dahab

Dahab has a desert climate, which means it is mostly hot all-year-round. However, because it is a coastal city, the wind and breeze offered by the sea helps make the weather a bit more bearable than usual. 

Summer

The hottest months in Dahab are obviously during the summer which start from May-September. This is also the driest weather and the months with the most humidity, too. During the summer, the temperatures are quite high with highs of 30-35 degrees Celsius and lows of 25-26 degrees Celsius at night. August is usually the hottest month of the year and one that is quite difficult to bear unless you’re in the water all day long. 

Spring

Spring in Dahab is the best time you can visit and enjoy all the Dahab activities. Starting from February-May, the sun shines and being in the water is a phenomenal experience. During this time, expect to find a temperature of highs of 21-28 degrees Celsius and lows of 15-22 degrees Celsius. While the sun is still out, you’ll probably find a slight breeze during the day that will make you enjoy just sitting by the beach, too. At night, it could get a little chilly, but still warm enough to enjoy going about your day. During Easter, you’ll find many Egyptians and foreigners vacationing in Dahab as it is the perfect spot to be in that weather. 

Winter

The weather in Dahab is moderate during the winter but that doesn’t mean that it doesn’t get cold at night. During the winter, there are some people who find it too cold to take a dip in the water as the weather offers highs of 19-21 degrees Celsius and lows of 14-17 degrees Celsius. While the coldest month is usually January, on many days, you’ll still find the sun shining and at noon feel it’s possible to head to the beach. 

Autumn

Another favourite time amongst locals and foreigners alike is during the autumn season. From September-November, the weather is absolutely fantastic. You can enjoy the activities in Dahab without getting sunburnt or feeling suffocated, but still be wearing summer clothes. Another busy month in Dahab is October as there is an official holiday in Egypt on the 6th of October that many people like to bridge their weekend with and enjoy Dahab’s gorgeous weather. During this time Dahab offers highs of 24-30 degrees Celsius and lows of 17-25. 

Dahab for Families

Dahab is not your typical family destination and is not ideal for a digital nomad looking to stay with family. However, if absolutely necessary, you will find a couple of schools and daycares in Dahab as well as a whole lot of activities and fun things to do with children. 

Just keep in mind that educating your children in Dahab could really compromise their education, especially that most schools in Dahab offer a national curriculum which not only requires them to understand Arabic but also might not be accredited abroad. Here are a few national schools in Dahab. 

• Futures Dahab School 
• School Ibn Abi Taleb Secondary Dahab 
• El Kabany Language School

International Schools in Dahab

The only international school in Dahab available that offers an IB curriculum is Notion International School. However, it only offers education for primary and middle school students. 

If you’re looking for daycare, there are a few services you can find: 

• Habiba childcareThis nursery provides childcare services for toddlers aged 1 and over on weekdays from 7.45 am – 2.15 pm. 
• Dahab Activity HouseAdopting the true Dahab vibes, this daycare centre doesn’t believe in traditional classrooms or following a standard syllabus. Instead, it focuses on learning groups based on every stage offering a more hands on approach to what they’re ready to learn. 

Living in Dahab

Dahab Transportation

Because Dahab is a small city, getting around is pretty easy, but heavily depends on where you’re staying as well as what kind of activities you’re planning. In Dahab, you’ll find three main transportation methods: 

Cycling

One of the first things most digital nomads do when setting foot in Dahab is find a bicycle. You can choose from various options of renting a bike per day, per month or even go all out and decide to buy one yourself. Before you invest in a new bike, be sure to ask around if any of the digital nomads know of someone leaving and selling their second-hand bike. 

Once you get familiar with the locations and where everything is, you’ll find cycling makes everything easier. Just be careful when cycling on the mamsha as it can get pretty busy with pedestrians and cyclists. 

Walking

Another popular alternative is walking. When you live in the heart of the city, most daily excursions will be within walking distance or offer a spectacular view that makes walking actually fun. However, during the summer, the weather can get pretty hot and humid taking away any enjoyment that comes with a stroll. 

Pickup taxi service

Instead of seeing cars and cabs running the city, one of the most common means of transportation in Dahab is using a pickup truck. As soon as you arrive, you’ll encounter a local, digital nomad, foreigner or someone who has the number of a pickup truck driver who will drive you around. Depending on how many people are in your group, you can sit right next to the driver at the front, or take a seat in the back open-spaced area. Drivers are very friendly and will give you their number to call them when you need to get back or head to a different location. Transportation is actually quite cheap and could cost you from EGP 10-20 per person for every ride depending on the distance. 

If you’re looking to head to Sharm El Sheikh, Nuweiba’ or other close destinations in Dahab, you can arrange with a taxi service. Most hotels in Dahab have taxi services or connections that can help you get what you need. 

Fitness and Health

It comes as no surprise that the main form of fitness and fitness activities in Dahab will be related to water activities. If you want to take on fitness on your own, then swimming will be an activity you can do pretty much all year round. Other water sports such as paddling, canoeing, kayaking and kite/windsurfing are also popular that will offer fitness while having a whole lot of fun. But that doesn’t mean that the water is your only option for getting fit in Dahab, here are a few other fitness activities you can do:

Yoga

Yoga is actually quite popular in Dahab. With the amazing serenity and peaceful vibes that Dahab offers, it is a popular yoga-retreat destination. Many expats and nomads living in Dahab also offer regular yoga classes that you can enjoy on the beach or with a sea-view. Nour Wellbeing Dahab, Routh Yoga Studio, Eel Garden Yoga, Blue Beach club as well as many others offer yoga classes where you can drop in or sign up for a full package. 

Running

Taking a run during sunrise or sunset by the sea is bound to get you fit when in Dahab. Not only will you be getting the exercise and cardio you need on a daily basis, but this routine will allow you to enjoy an incredible setting and make use of living by the beach. 

Cycling

Since its the best form of transportation in Dahab anyway, why not use it to your advantage and incorporate it into your day as a form of exercise, too? You’ll also find cyclists riding together, going on rides and organising cycling events that will help you stay fit and on top of your game. 

Qi Gong

Looking to try out a group workout that you’ve never tried out before? Why not try the ancient Chinese practice of Qi Gong? This low-impact workout is a form of meditation and can be practiced on the beach. 

HIIT

High intensity interval training is an excellent way to start your day, get you all pumped up and release any anxiety or negativity you might have. Working out in a group is always an optimum solution if you’re looking for a high intensity workout. You can find classes available at Coral Coast and Fantasia Divers Dahab. 

Gyms

However, if you’re looking for a gym you can sign up with the equipment you need, then you can checkout some of the below gyms in Dahab. Some of these gyms offer classes and other fitness workouts to do, while others only offer a membership/subscription to be able to use the equipment on the premises. 

• Planet Gym Dahab
• Soldinej
• Shape Shifters
• Blue Beach Club
• Nour Wellbeing Dahab
• Hammer Gym
• Sharkfit Dahab

Dahab People

One of the best things you’ll enjoy in Dahab, apart from the sandy beaches and gorgeous views, is the people. The people in Dahab are one of the things that make it a gorgeous place to live in. Dahab is composed of Bedouins, locals and foreigners who chose Dahab as their home. Because the general atmosphere in Dahab is laid-back, anyone who falls in love with Dahab and chooses to stay here adopts the same chill vibe that is utterly contagious. 

In Dahab, the locals are very helpful and will be willing to help you in anyway they can. Whether it’s giving you tips and tricks on where to stay, helping you find accommodation, giving you info on where to eat, get your supplies or even best places for water activities, you’ll find a bunch of people at your service whenever you need be. Because the city is small and the inhabitants are not that much, it is very easy to make friends in Dahab. Seeing the same faces on a regular basis, you’ll be greeted with warm welcomes and even be invited for the occasional cup of tea that Egyptians are so famous for. 

The Bedouins in Dahab are part of what make it so special as they hold so much weight to Dahab’s heritage and culture. While they have their own primitive ways and hold on to their heritage, they are still laid-back,easy going and accustomed to living around foreigners. The Bedouins have a tradition of the male being the man of the family and is responsible for making the family income while the woman is responsible for tending to her family, taking care of the animals (as most Bedouins rely on cows and sheep for dairy and milk) as well as getting creative with bedouin crafts and traditional artwork that can be sold in the markets. 

As for the foreigners, many people who live in Dahab had initially come for a visit and just couldn’t leave. That 1-week holiday easily extends to a month or 6 making the expats and digital nomads in Dahab great company. Everywhere you go, you’ll find other digital nomads interested in the same things as you as well as willing to experience different Dahab activities making it very easy to have a social life and enjoy your stay in this dazzling city. 

Dahab Insurance and Medical Care

Since Dahab is a small city on the Red Sea, it’s medical care is far from top-notch. But that doesn’t mean that you won’t get any medical care. Located in the Mashraba Street, you’ll find Dahab Medical Care Hospital with all kinds of facilities and services. From multi-lingual physicians and professionals who can communicate with most digital nomads, Dahab Medical Care Hospital is able to provide highly qualified health care to digital nomads and tourists in the city when they’re in need of emergency care, surgeries, check-ups or even following up with chronic diseases.

 If you’re in need of an emergency ambulance in Dahab, call the 24/7 hotline on 00201223486209. 

Because most digital nomads staying in Dahab already have travel insurance, just make sure from your insurance company that your travel insurance covers your entire stay and will be accepted in Egypt. In some cases, travel insurance only covers emergencies and you’ll have to pay for any check-ups, but unless you’re undergoing a surgery, medical care shouldn’t be too expensive in Egypt. 

Make sure you are fully covered by reading our full Digital Nomad Travel Insurance guide.

Jobs in Dahab

Many nomads who find themselves in Dahab tend to pick up a few jobs that are very suitable for the area: 

Scuba Diving instructor: after living in Dahab for a while, many foreigners fall in love with the marine wildlife so much that they want to turn it into a profession. Becoming a Padi instructor allows you to live in Dahab, make money, enjoy marine life and get paid for having a whole lot of fun. 

There are a few Padi instructor courses you can find, some that allow you to teach theoretically, others that allow you to teach safety and equipment and finally courses that allow you to dive with your new divers. Courses start from € 1265 and can go all the way up to €1699. 

Requirements to become the next IDC

• 18 years old or above 
• PADI DM or Dive Leader 
• 95 dives minimum (60 for AI) 
• Open water certified for at least 6 months 
• Yoga or fitness instructorAnother common job if you have the experience is becoming a yoga or fitness instructor. Since many digital nomads come to Dahab and decide to stay, the need to take care of one’s health is always important. That’s why the demand for fitness and health instructors is always necessary. If you are a certified yoga instructor, you can easily find a job or start your own class by the beach. This can be done by making an agreement with one of the hotels, dive centres or studios in Dahab or even just advertising it on the many Dahab groups on Facebook. 
• ArtistIf you’ve got any sort of artistic talent, you can really hone your skills and make money out of it in Dahab. Whether you decide to sell your artwork in the bazaar or make an agreement with a store to display your work, you can capitalise on your talents when in Dahab. 

Check out our Digital Nomads Jobs Postings to find the best jobs available for Digital Nomads.