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A mountain village far below the ridges of the Hajar range near Jebel Jais

Home›Destinations›United Arab Emirates›Ras Al Khaimah

United Arab Emirates

Ras Al Khaimah Luxury Resorts and Al Marjan Island

Ras Al Khaimah combines luxury resorts on long beaches with desert dunes and the UAE's highest mountain, all under an hour from Dubai. With Al Marjan Island and its coming Wynn resort, it is also one of the region's fastest-rising places to buy property.

Updated

Presented byRas Al Khaimah’s Founding Partners

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At a glance

Ras Al Khaimah at a glance

Best months
October to April; Jebel Jais is cooler year-round
From New York
About 12 hours nonstop to Dubai on Emirates, then a short drive
Drive from Dubai
About 45 to 60 minutes
Airport
Ras Al Khaimah International (RKT)
Alcohol
Served in licensed hotels and restaurants
Visa for US passports
Free visa on arrival, usually 30 days; passport valid six months
Time difference
8 hours ahead of US Eastern in summer, 9 in winter (no daylight saving)
Weekend
Saturday and Sunday
Currency
UAE dirham (AED), pegged at about AED 3.67 to US$1

From the United States

Ras Al Khaimah for travelers from the US

The essentials for American travelers, at a glance.

Entry for US passports
Visa on arrival; 30 days, extendable; no fee. Visa details
Getting there
Nonstop to Dubai from New York, Boston, Washington, Chicago, Orlando, Miami and more on Emirates (about 12 hr 30 min from New York); Abu Dhabi from New York, Boston, Washington, Chicago, Charlotte and Atlanta on Etihad (about 12 hr 45 min from New York). All nonstops
Time difference
8 hours ahead of New York (9 in the US winter)
Money
UAE dirham, pegged to the dollar: US$1 = about AED 3.67. Cards and Apple Pay almost everywhere.
Power plugs
Type G (the British three-pin), 230 V: bring an adapter (most phone and laptop chargers are dual voltage)
Weekend
Saturday and Sunday (Friday afternoon is quiet)

Checked October 18, 2026. Rules and schedules change, so confirm on the official portal before you book. Connecting on a Gulf or Turkish carrier? See stopover programs, and plan with your first trip.

Why go

Why go to Ras Al Khaimah

Ras Al Khaimah, or RAK, is the UAE's northernmost emirate, a place of mangrove lagoons, red dunes, date gardens and the dramatic Hajar Mountains. Jebel Jais, the highest peak in the UAE, has the world's longest zipline and a mountain road with views to the Gulf. The coast is lined with resorts that offer more space and calm than the big cities.

History runs deep here, from the ancient trading port of Julfar to the forts at Dhayah and the abandoned pearling village of Al Jazirat Al Hamra. Today the emirate is focused on tourism, sustainability and investment, with a Wynn integrated resort on Al Marjan Island set to open in 2027. See our UAE guide for the wider picture.

A lagoon, golf course and Arabian-style villas at Al Hamra Village in Ras Al Khaimah.
Photo: Bob McCaffrey · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Getting there

Most US travelers fly nonstop to Dubai on Emirates and continue by chauffeured car, about 45 to 60 minutes. Ras Al Khaimah International Airport receives regional flights and private jets; see private jet charter and arriving privately. October to April is ideal for beaches; summer is hot on the coast but noticeably cooler on Jebel Jais.

Best Ras Al Khaimah

The best Ras Al Khaimah luxury resorts

The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Wadi Desert

★★★★★ Al Wadi nature reserve

Tented-style villas with private pools in a desert reserve where Arabian oryx and gazelle roam. Falconry, horse riding and a superb spa.

Official site ↗

The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Hamra Beach

★★★★★ Al Hamra

Beach villas with private pools on a quiet stretch of coast, with a hammam spa.

Official site ↗

Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah

★★★★★ Al Hamra

A grand, palace-style beach resort beside Al Hamra Golf Club.

Official site ↗

Anantara Mina Al Arab Ras Al Khaimah Resort

★★★★★ Mina Al Arab

Overwater villas and lagoon pools beside a mangrove reserve.

Official site ↗

InterContinental Ras Al Khaimah Mina Al Arab Resort & Spa

★★★★★ Mina Al Arab

A contemporary beach resort with a long lagoon pool.

Official site ↗

Sofitel Al Hamra Beach Resort

★★★★★ Al Hamra

French-inflected luxury on a white-sand beach, with a strong dining offer.

Official site ↗

Mövenpick Resort Al Marjan Island

★★★★★ Al Marjan Island

A modern beach resort with swim-up rooms and views of the Wynn site.

Official site ↗

Rixos Bab Al Bahr

★★★★★ Al Marjan Island

A lively upscale all-inclusive resort with a long beach.

Official site ↗

Hilton Ras Al Khaimah Beach Resort

★★★★★ Al Dhait

A family-friendly classic with a private beach close to the city.

DoubleTree by Hilton Resort & Spa Marjan Island

★★★★ Al Marjan Island

A large, well-run family resort with an all-inclusive option.

Official site ↗

Coming soon

Coming soon to Ras Al Khaimah

Opening 2027

Wynn Al Marjan Island

Al Marjan Island

An integrated resort from Wynn Resorts with about 1,500 rooms and suites, dining, entertainment and gaming. Wynn has announced a September 2027 opening. See Wynn Al Marjan Island.

Official site ↗
To be confirmed

Saij, a Mantis Collection mountain lodge

Jebel Jais

The first mountain lodge on Jebel Jais, expected to open in late 2026; confirm its status before booking.

Opening 2027 (to be confirmed)

Nobu Hotel Al Marjan Island

Al Marjan Island

Nobu's beach hotel and restaurant, announced for the island.

Things to do

Things to do in Ras Al Khaimah

Jebel Jais Flight

Jebel Jais

Fly nearly three kilometers on the world's longest zipline, high above the mountains.

Official site ↗

1484 by Puro

Jebel Jais

Dine at 1,484 meters, the highest restaurant in the UAE, with sweeping views.

Dhayah Fort

Dhayah

A hilltop fort with panoramic views over palms and sea.

Al Jazirat Al Hamra

Al Jazirat Al Hamra

A preserved coral-stone pearling village, now a heritage site. See pearling history.

Al Hamra Golf Club

Al Hamra

A championship links-style course around lagoons. See golf.

Desert and falconry

Al Wadi

Dune drives, falconry displays and sunset camel rides. See desert experiences.

Finest dining

Finest dining in Ras Al Khaimah

Resort dining at Al Wadi Desert

The Ritz-Carlton, Al Wadi Desert

Dinner on a desert terrace as the dunes turn gold, with Arabic and grill menus.

Lexington Grill

Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah

A classic steakhouse with a long wine list, a favorite of golfers at Al Hamra.

Al Marjan Island beach restaurants

Al Marjan Island

Seafood and Mediterranean dining along the island's resort strip.

Nearby

Ras Al Khaimah borders Oman's Musandam peninsula, famous for its fjord-like inlets and dhow cruises; see our Musandam guide, noting that a separate border crossing applies. To the east lies Fujairah and its Gulf of Oman beaches, about an hour's drive through the mountains. Dubai is close enough for a day of shopping or a dinner reservation.

Al Marjan Island property

Living in Ras Al Khaimah: Al Marjan Island property

Al Marjan Island, four reclaimed islands off the coast, has become one of the UAE's most watched property markets, with branded beachfront residences rising around the Wynn resort. Freehold ownership is open to foreign buyers in designated areas, and a qualifying purchase can support a UAE golden visa, subject to current rules. See our Ras Al Khaimah Luxury Real Estate guide, Ras Al Khaimah 2030 and investing in property near landmarks.

Questions

Questions about Ras Al Khaimah

How far is Ras Al Khaimah from Dubai?

About 45 to 60 minutes by car from Dubai International Airport, depending on traffic.

When does Wynn Al Marjan Island open?

Wynn Resorts has announced a September 2027 opening. Check the official site for updates.

Is Jebel Jais cooler than the coast?

Yes, often around 10 degrees Celsius cooler, which makes it a summer escape and a crisp winter outing.

Is alcohol available in Ras Al Khaimah?

Yes, at licensed hotels, resorts and restaurants.

Travel TodayBefore you travel, check the US State Department's current advice for the United Arab Emirates. See the advice ↗

Ultra-Luxury Real Estate · Own Here

Own a home in Ras Al Khaimah

The places you discover as a guest are the places to own. Freehold for foreign buyers in designated areas, with a golden visa route from AED 2 million.

Ultra-Luxury Tourism & Ultra-Luxury Real Estate

Ras Al Khaimah’s Founding PartnersThe Founding Partner Agencies and Developers for Ras Al Khaimah, side by side.Ras Al Khaimah Luxury Real EstateWho can buy, the best areas, fees and how to buy.Buy from abroadVisit first, buy without boarding a plane, or invest as an institution.Can Foreigners Buy Property?The rules in all fourteen countries.

Weather

Ras Al Khaimah weather by month

Average day highs, night lows, sea temperature and rainy days for each month, in Fahrenheit and Celsius side by side. The months in gold are the most comfortable for visiting.

Ras Al Khaimah weather by month, in Fahrenheit and Celsius
MonthDay highNight lowSeaRainy days
°F°C°F°C°F°C
Jan74°23°60°16°74°23°5
Feb77°25°64°18°72°22°1
Mar83°28°68°20°76°24°1
Apr89°32°74°24°79°26°1
May97°36°82°28°86°30°0
Jun102°39°87°30°92°33°0
Jul103°39°89°32°94°35°1
Aug102°39°89°32°94°35°0
Sep99°37°85°29°92°33°0
Oct94°34°79°26°89°32°0
Nov86°30°72°22°83°28°1
Dec79°26°65°18°77°25°1

Averages for 2020–2024, Open-Meteo historical weather (ERA5). Sea temperatures: 2023–2024. Rainy days: days with at least 1 mm (0.04 in) of rain. Weather data by Open-Meteo.com.

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This page is general information to help you start your research. It is not financial, legal, tax or immigration advice. Rules, prices and thresholds change; confirm every detail with a licensed adviser and the official authority before you act.

Checked October 2026. Prices and dates are approximate and can change. See our standard.

Luxury Real Estate

Staying longer? Own a home in Ras Al Khaimah

See the homes, the communities and how buyers from abroad can own in Ras Al Khaimah, on its Luxury Real Estate page, where its Founding Partners, chosen by TheMiddleEast.com, are presented.

Ras Al Khaimah Luxury Real Estate ›

Places for Ras Al Khaimah’s Founding Partners are open. For agencies and developers ›