Why You Should Consider A Trip To Saudi Arabia

The first time that I went to Saudi Arabia, the war in Israel had just begun a month before. As a woman traveler, I was incredibly nervous, not only by the war, but also the customs that I had only read about in the news. I can positively say that what I heard in the news was not what I saw once I arrived.

Al Ula
The first stop on this exciting trip was to the enchanting destination of Al Ula. However, to get there, you had to either take a flight to Riyadh or Jeddah from the United States. I decided to take the flight to the United States and then a short connecting flight over to Al Ula. Al Ula is located about an hour outside the main airport. I chose to rent a car to take me to Al Ula, and I’m so glad I made that decision. First, renting a car was incredibly easy and hassle-free, and second, I was able to explore many more attractions and hidden gems because I drove myself around the area. To my pleasant surprise, no one looked at me in a strange manner as a woman driver in Al Ula. During my stay, I opted for two of the top hotels in the region - Habitas and Banyan Tree. The hotel grounds were absolutely spectacular, and there was so much to do in and around the area! During my travels, I had the lovely opportunity to meet a black family from Jeddah who were traveling to Al Ula for a vacation. They had never met a black American before, and conversely, I had never met black individuals from Saudi Arabia before. We talked and laughed for what seemed like hours, enjoying our cultural exchange. One notable thing I observed was that women were playing prominent roles in the tourism industry in Al Ula. I have visited many countries, and only have had a handful of tours led by women, which made this experience all the more unique and noteworthy.

Riyadh
After leaving the beautiful Al Ula, I returned to the bustling city of Riyadh. While there are many English speakers in Al Ula, this was not the case in Riyadh. That didn’t matter, though, as the locals were incredibly friendly and eager to assist. I vividly remember getting lost late at night while trying to find an Uber to get back to my hotel. Thankfully, kind passersby stopped to help me find my bearings, ensuring I made it back safely. I didn’t feel unsafe at all while walking around late at night in Riyadh, which further added to the positive experience of my visit.

Final Thoughts
I would definitely recommend travel to Saudi Arabia for anyone seeking a unique experience. The country is clean, safe, and the people are warm and inviting. For women, I would not be apprehensive about visiting here, as many of the laws and regulations have changed significantly to foster inclusivity. Of course, you will need to dress conservatively to respect the local customs, but I didn’t find that to be a hindrance at all. In popular places like Al Ula, it is permissible to wear bathing suits while on the resort property and to have more revealing clothing in certain areas. The best time to travel would be from late October to February, as temperatures during that period are much more agreeable and pleasant.