Ibra Travel Guide

One of the biggest reasons why Ibra doesnt see more travellers because independant backpackers are unheard of and are extremely rare because travellers are unaware of the transportation scene. Travelling Oman alone is a challenge and half and I reckon it is the most difficult place to travel around in the Middle East (more difficult than Yemen or Iran) because of the lack of infrastructure. Despite the hardships, there are ways to get around and one of them is the national bus lines. There is a bus that leaves from Sufalah Ibra (from the Penguin fast food restaurant) for Muscat at 8am and 230pm for 1. 5 rials and the same goes for travellers wanting to go to Sur. Other than these two daily buses, there is nothing.

Everyone thinks that the Middle East is dangerous and they naturally associates it with the Israel conflict but the truth is that most of the smaller towns including Ibra are probably safer than your town or city in your home country. One danger that is prevalent everywhere in the Middle East is the danger arising from cars. The drivers zoom through these towns at a rate that would make your head spin so be careful crossing the streets (especially near the roundabout in Alayah and Souq in Sufalah) because drivers will zoom past driving 120 km an hour in a town area which is insanity. Other than the driving, there are no dangers and I feel safter in Ibra than in Eastern Canada. For example, I actually forgot my wallet at the petrol station for two days with over $100 dollars in it and when I returned two days later, every bill was there as though it was never touched.

Ibra is one of the least visited cities in Oman so it doesnt attract huge tourist groups that Nizwa or Muscat gets. The only real tourists are the ones that pass through on their way to Sur or to the Wahiba Sand Dunes. The only chance of being ripped off would be in the Wednesday souq but even then the locals will not take advantage like people in Turkey or Jordan. Dont worry you will have a great time in Ibra :)