Al-Qabil City Guide
Image via

Oman

Al-Qabil City Guide

Al Buraimi Governorate

Al-Qabil is a small agricultural village in eastern Oman near the Sharqiya Sands desert. It offers a look at traditional Omani life and is located on a main highway. The area is quiet and less developed compared to bigger cities.

Lifestyle🍽️

🍽️
Food Scene
Good
6

Local Omani dishes are common. International food is limited. Vegetarian options exist but meat dishes dominate. Late-night food options are rare.

Local Dishes:
Shuwa, Harees, Grilled Fish
International Cuisine:
Indian, Pakistani
Vegetarian Friendly
🌙
Nightlife
Poor
1

Nightlife is minimal with no clubs or bars. Oman has a quiet nightlife outside Muscat.

Coffee Culture
Good
7

Traditional Omani coffee (Qahwa) is central in social life. Modern coffee shops are fewer here.

💰
Tipping
Not Required

Tipping is appreciated but not required. Around 10% in restaurants if service charge is absent.

Top Attractions
Sharqiya Sands Desert
Nature
Extensive desert area suitable for trips and exploration.
Local Market
Culture
Traditional market offering local goods.
Wahibah Desert
Nature
Nearby desert known for its dunes and wildlife.
SIM Cards

SIM cards are sold at airports and mobile operator stores. You'll need your ID to buy one. Omantel and Ooredoo have wide coverage.

Available at:
Omantel Store
Ooredoo Store
Recommended Apps
Otaxi(Transport)
Talabat(Food)
Google Maps(Navigation)
Omantel(Communication)
Ooredoo(Communication)

Services & Infrastructure

Street Cleanliness
Good
7

Cleanliness standards are generally good.

24/7 Services
Poor
3

Few 24/7 services; limited late-night shops and pharmacies.

Groceries
Carrefour
Lulu Hypermarket

Local markets and small grocery shops are common. Larger supermarkets are found in bigger towns. Shops may close during afternoon and on Sundays.

Cashless Payments
Cash preferred

Cards are accepted in major places, but you'll need cash for small shops and markets.

ATMs

ATMs are found in larger towns nearby, but they might not be in Al-Qabil itself. Carry enough cash when visiting.

Schools
Local only

Local schools teach mainly in Arabic. No known international schools in Al-Qabil; these are in larger cities.

Available Schools:
Al Qabil Primary School
Al Qabil Secondary School

Work & Digital💻

Coworking Spaces
Not Available
Work-Friendly Cafés
Poor
Digital Nomad Community
Poor
1

No digital nomad community due to small size and traditional lifestyle.

Nature & Activities🌿

Green Spaces
Limited
5

Some green agricultural areas exist, but no major parks.

Running
Limited
5

Safe for running, but routes and infrastructure are limited.

Gyms
Not Available

No known gyms in Al-Qabil; gyms are available in larger towns nearby.

Tennis
Poor
1

No known tennis courts.

Padel
Poor
1

Padel courts are not available.

Yoga
Poor
1

No dedicated yoga centers in Al-Qabil.

Martial Arts
Poor
1

No known martial arts facilities locally; available in bigger cities.

Skiing
Poor
0

No skiing in Oman.

Water Sports
Poor
1

Water sports happen only on the coast, far from Al-Qabil.

Surfing
Poor
1

No surfing near Al-Qabil; surf spots are by the Arabian Sea coast.

Diving
Poor
1

Diving is popular near Muscat but not near Al-Qabil.

Health & Safety🏥

Healthcare
Good
7

Basic healthcare is available with emergency services nearby. Larger hospitals with English speakers are in bigger cities.

Hospitals:
Al Buraimi Hospital
Khawr Rawri Hospital
Pharmacies:
Al Nahda Pharmacy
Al Rawdah Pharmacy
Tap Water Safety
Safe to drink

Tap water is treated and safe in towns, but many prefer bottled water for taste.

Common Scams
Very low risk of scams; general travel caution advised.

Community & Family

Family Friendly
Good
6

Family life is valued but local kid-friendly facilities are limited. Parks and playgrounds are more common in larger towns.

LGBTQ+ Friendly
Poor
2

LGBTQ+ rights are not recognized and public displays are risky. Discretion is essential.

Pet Friendly
Poor
3

Pet policies are strict. Services are limited locally.

Communities
Expats in Oman (Social)
Muscat Mums (Family)

Quick Facts

Population
846,747
Power Reliability
Excellent
9/10

Electricity is mostly stable with few outages.

Mountains
Available

Close to the Sa'dah basin and Al-Khasbah Peak. Good hiking found in the nearby Hajar Mountains.

Languages
Arabic(90%)
English(40%)
Emergency
999
Ambulance
999
Fire Services

⚠️Natural Disasters Risk

🌊
Tsunami
Very Low Risk
0
🏔️
Earthquake
Very Low Risk
1

🌦️Seasonal Issues

Extreme heat
June, July, August, September
Temperatures can surpass 40°C with sandstorms possible.

No reviews yet

Be the first to share your experience at this place

💬 Feedback & Bugs