Oman is a land of contrasts, where turquoise pools sit beside sun‑scorched dunes and modern highways cut through age‑old mountains. In 2025, renting a compact car costs about $40–$60 per day, plus roughly $20 daily for fuel.

Road signs are in English and Arabic, making navigation easy, and most sites are linked by smooth highways. This guide delivers precise costs, travel times, and insider tips to plan a seamless Omani adventure.

Emerald Oasis

Just 2½ hours southeast of Muscat, Wadi Bani Khalid unveils a series of jade‑green pools framed by towering cliffs.

Entry is free year‑round, and picnic tables under date palms invite a leisurely lunch.

Swimmers should don water shoes (about $8 locally) to avoid slippery rocks.

Allocate two to three hours here before driving onward—ideal for families and first‑time visitors.

Desert Thrills

Head 200 km southeast to Sharqiya Sands for adrenaline‑fuelled dune bashing.

Half‑day 4×4 tours run $100–$150 per person and include a safety briefing and bottled water.

Camel treks cost $20, while traditional desert camps start at $70 per tent (dinner and breakfast included).

As night falls, the sky explodes with stars—perfect for amateur astronomers armed with a simple blanket.

Capital Charms

Muscat blends heritage and luxury along its crescent‑shaped harbor.

A taxi from Muscat International Airport to downtown costs around $20; car rentals are $40–$60/day.

Spend at least two days exploring the spice‑scented alleys of Muttrah Souq, where frankincense stalls start at $5.

Don't miss the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque (free entry; dress modestly) and the Royal Opera House (tickets from $25).

Fjord Cruise

A 1‑hour Oman Air flight to Khasab ($90–$120 one‑way) sets the stage for Musandam's "Norway of Arabia".

Half‑day dhow cruises are $50, including lunch and snorkeling equipment rental.

Keep lookout for pods of dolphins frolicking alongside the wooden vessels.

Overnight guesthouses in Khasab begin at $60 per night, often with complimentary Omani coffee.

Historic Nizwa

Drive 160 km from Muscat (or take the Mwasalat bus for 5 OMR/≈$13) to Nizwa, Oman's cultural heart.

Nizwa Fort charges a nominal 2 OMR ($5.20) for adults to explore its watchtowers.

Fridays bring lively goat auctions at the souq—free to watch, with local goats fetching 5–10 OMR each.

Budget guesthouses start at $40 per night; mid‑range hotels hover around $80.

Sunkissed Sinkhole

On the Muscat‑Sur highway, a 90‑minute drive leads to the Bimmah Sinkhole's luminous blue waters.

This public park is free to enter and offers restrooms, changing rooms, and shaded picnic spots.

Swimmers can dive into the 20 m‑diameter crater or relax on grassy banks as tiny fish nibble at their toes.

Plan for 45 minutes here en route to Sur or Ras Al Jinz.

Canyon Trek

Wadi Shab sits 150 km southeast of Muscat, reachable by car in about 2½ hours.

A $1 motorboat ride carries you across to the canyon trailhead.

From there, a 45‑minute hike through palm‑lined gorges leads to hidden waterfalls and cavern pools.

Guided tours (including life vests and headlamps) run $25–$40; independent hikers should bring a dry bag.

Mountain Hamlet

Perched in the Al Hajar Mountains, Misfat al Abriyeen is 2½ hours from Muscat via winding roads.

Guesthouses in this ancient village cost $50–$80 per night and serve farm‑to‑table Omani dishes for about $10.

Falaj‑fed terraces burst with pomegranates and bananas, and self‑guided hiking maps are available at the local café.

Stroll its mud‑brick alleys at dawn for cool air and soft golden light.

Grand Canyon

About a 4‑hour drive from Muscat, Jebel Shams stands 3,028 m above sea level as Oman's highest peak.

Booking a guided W6 Balcony Walk tour costs $180–$200 per person, including transport and packed lunch.

The 3–4 hour trail clings to the canyon rim, delivering vertigo‑inducing vistas and sunrise views worth waking up at 4 AM.

Camping on the plateau is free—just bring a 4×4 rental or join an organized expedition.

Turtle Night

Ras Al Jinz, 45 minutes past Sur, is one of the world's most important green‑turtle nesting sites.

Entry to the Visitor Centre and a guided night patrol costs $20 per person.

Stay at the on‑site eco‑lodge for $60/night, which includes pre‑dawn hatchling tours (May–October).

Advance booking is essential during peak season—spots fill up weeks ahead.

Conclusion

From moonlit dunes to canyon‑bordering treks, Oman is an explorer's paradise with transparent pricing and easy logistics.

Whether you seek heart‑racing adventures or serene natural pools, this Sultanate delivers beyond imagination.

With daily car rentals from $40 and activities starting as low as $1, Oman in 2025 offers unmatched value.

Pack your sense of wonder, book early, and prepare for memories that outshine every photograph.