Currency & Payment

Oman uses the Omani rial (OMR, sometimes shown as RO), divided into 1,000 baisa. The rial is one of the highest-value currencies in the world, so amounts look small but each rial is worth a lot. Coins and notes are in baisa and rial denominations; keep small baisa notes handy for taxis and small shops.

Banks and dedicated exchange houses are widely available in Oman, especially in Muscat and other cities, and generally offer good rates. US dollars are easy to exchange, and other major currencies are usually accepted at exchange houses. Compare a couple of counters, and it is easy to change money in city centres and malls.

Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in Oman at hotels, malls, larger shops and restaurants, with Visa and Mastercard the most common. However, traditional souks (markets), small local shops, taxis and some smaller eateries often prefer or only take cash, so carry some baisa and rial for those situations.

ATMs are common in Omani cities such as Muscat, at banks, malls, petrol stations and the airport, and they generally accept international Visa and Mastercard. Withdraw rial for markets and taxis. Watch out for foreign-card fees, and if asked, decline home-currency conversion (DCC) to get a better exchange rate.

Mobile and contactless payments are growing in Oman, especially in Muscat and larger towns. Apple Pay and Google Pay work at many card terminals that support contactless, so a phone linked to a Visa or Mastercard is handy in modern shops, cafes and malls. Outside cities and in traditional markets, cash is still king.

Tipping in Oman is appreciated but not obligatory. In upscale restaurants a tip of around 10% is common if a service charge is not already included, so check the bill first. Small tips for hotel staff, drivers and guides are welcome. Rounding up is a simple, polite gesture.

Prices in Oman are shown in rial and baisa, and because the rial is high-value, small numbers can represent meaningful amounts. Everyday street food and local cafes are affordable, while hotels, tours and desert or coastal excursions cost more. Fuel is relatively cheap. Budget a little cash for taxis, souks and small purchases.

Oman applies a value-added tax (VAT) of 5% on most goods and services. A dedicated tourist VAT-refund scheme is still developing and may be limited or not widely available, so do not assume you can reclaim VAT on shopping. If a refund matters to you, check the current rules with the official Omani tax authority before you rely on it.