Doha Tourist Traps

If you are in the crowded public places a lot of private Taxi drivers will offer you their service.
They are using "normal" cars without any form of Taximeter.
So if you do not negotiate a price before starting your journey they will try to get a very high price from you at the end.

Unique Suggestions: Negotiate a price before you start driving. Ask for the price and you can suggest a lower one . Then you can usually get something in the middle of both prices.

Fun Alternatives: In my oppinion the cheapest and easiest way to travel in Doha is by using the "official" KARWA taxis with drivers wearing uniform. They have a taximeter and can print out a receipt at the end of the journey.

You have to remind the driver at the start to switch the Taximeter on!!! If you do not you can get in the same problematic situation like in the private taxis.

I am from india . My friend has wanted to me to come to doha around 27/28 oct 2008 before leaving from dubai. so I want to meet my friend in doha and return to dubai and accompany my daughter and my family who are coming from toronto on 1st nov and all of us will leave from dubai by emirate flight to india. kindly advise me what to do ? i dont require hotel accommodation at doha as my friend is available. but in dubai i shall be booking accomodation.

the soque's are bad about wanting to charge you us dollars which they end up chargeing you more than what the object is worth they are nice in a sece you can get quallity stuff for cheap

Unique Suggestions: the best way to get something for the price you want is to tell the a real low price (what you would be willing to pay for it) stay with that price if they say no to ur price start to walk away
they will usually go ahead and sell it to you for the price that you stated
remember stay firm

the area other wise is a wonderful place and should be even nicer in the comeing years

Fun Alternatives: you have to visit the soques

Well, this sounds awful but this whole place feels kind of like a tourist trap. Don't get me wrong, there are some exciting things to do and see here. But a lot of it feels forced.

Unique Suggestions: Roll with it. You're at the authentic Corniche and you see a giant bill board for Coca-Cola. Not much you can do but grin and bear it.

Fun Alternatives: If you're looking for authenticity stay away from the city center. The place is a commercial giant and any quaintness was pushed far away.

Avoid Hotel restaurants. Although the food may be decent (or even quite good), they are needlessly expensive in a city loaded with inexpensive places to eat, offering just about every kind of food imaginable.

Unique Suggestions: If you MUST go to a big hotel restaurant, don't order alcohol... it'll really run up the bill.

Camel rides are all worth it. It all depends on your location.

Unique Suggestions: Do take a camel ride if you really want to. Why not? But do not be mislead. These little excursions will vary in price and duration of the trip. But they are neat creatures.

Fun Alternatives: There are so many other activities you can do while you are in Qatar. If being near camels will complete the experience, but riding them seems to be not worth the price. Check out when the local camel races will be held. That usually brings a crowd and can be quite entertaining.