Kuwait Guía de viaje
Información esencial de viaje — números de emergencia, seguridad, moneda, visados, costumbres y cómo moverse.
Kuwait is one of the safer countries in the Middle East, with low rates of violent crime against visitors. The main everyday risks are aggressive driving and high traffic-accident rates, extreme summer heat, and occasional petty theft. Regional tensions in the wider Gulf can affect the security picture, so monitor your government's travel advice. Strict laws on alcohol, drugs, and public behavior mean even minor infractions can carry serious penalties.
Kuwaiti Dinar (KWD)
Type G (the British three-pin plug); 240V, 50Hz
Tipping is not deeply ingrained but is appreciated. Upscale restaurants may add a service charge; if not, rounding up or leaving 10 percent is common. Small tips for hotel porters, valets, and drivers are welcome but not obligatory.
Major providers are Zain, Ooredoo, and STC (formerly Viva). Prepaid tourist SIMs with data are sold at the airport and at provider shops in malls; you will need your passport to register. Coverage and 4G/5G speeds are excellent in urban areas. Note that VoIP calling apps like WhatsApp voice/video calls have historically been restricted.
Visa requirements vary by nationality. Kuwait has at times offered visa-on-arrival or e-visas to citizens of certain countries (including many Western nations), but these arrangements have been suspended and reinstated over the years, so always verify the current policy with a Kuwaiti embassy or the official e-visa portal before travel. Passports should be valid for at least six months. Israeli passport holders and those with Israeli stamps may be refused entry.
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Public transport relies on buses operated by KPTC (Kuwait Public Transport Company) and private operators like CityBus and KGL; buses are cheap but mainly used by lower-income workers and can be slow and crowded. There is no metro or tram system. Most residents and visitors drive or use taxis and ride-hailing apps.
Careem, Uber, Bolt
Kuwait is small, so most travel is within Kuwait City and its suburbs. There are no passenger railways. Intercity and regional bus connections to Saudi Arabia and beyond exist but most visitors rely on cars and taxis. Distances are short and well served by a modern motorway network.
- • Greetings are important and often lengthy; men typically shake hands and may exchange light cheek kisses among friends, but always wait for a woman or an elder to extend their hand first. Use the right hand for greeting, eating, and handing over items, as the left is considered unclean.
- • Hospitality is central: if invited into a Kuwaiti home you may be served Arabic coffee (gahwa) flavored with cardamom in small handleless cups; accept at least one, and gently shake the cup side to side to signal you have had enough.
- • Dress modestly in public, especially in souqs, government buildings, and mosques. Kuwait is more conservative than nearby Dubai; both men and women should keep shoulders and knees covered.
- • Kuwait is a dry country: alcohol is completely illegal to import, sell, buy, or consume, and penalties are severe. Do not bring any alcohol into the country, even in transit.
- • Public displays of affection between couples are frowned upon and can attract police attention; keep contact discreet.
- • During the holy month of Ramadan, do not eat, drink, smoke, or chew gum in public during daylight hours, as this is illegal even for non-Muslims and can lead to fines or detention.
Conservative and modest. Men should avoid shorts in formal or official settings; long trousers are the norm. Women should cover shoulders and knees and carry a scarf for mosque visits; a headscarf is not required in everyday public life but is appreciated at religious sites. Beachwear is for private resorts and pools only, not public areas.
Kuwait is a Muslim country and Islam shapes daily life. Non-Muslims are generally not permitted inside the Grand Mosque except on organized guided tours, where modest dress and head covering for women are required and shoes are removed. Respect the five daily prayer times, when some shops briefly close. Never photograph people at prayer or inside mosques without clear permission. Avoid eating or drinking in front of those fasting during Ramadan, and dress with extra modesty during the holy month.
Football (soccer) — Football is by far the most popular sport; the national team and clubs like Al-Kuwait SC, Al-Arabi, and Al-Qadsia have passionate followings, and matches draw lively crowds. Beyond football, Kuwaitis enjoy traditional pursuits such as falconry, dhow sailing, and camel and horse racing, alongside modern activities like motorsport, handball (in which Kuwait is regionally competitive), and sport fishing in the Gulf. The cooler winter months bring desert camping (kashta), where families set up tents in the open desert as a beloved national pastime.
February 25
National Day
Celebrates Kuwait's independence from British protection in 1961. Streets, cars, and buildings are decorated in red, white, green, and black; expect parades, fireworks, and exuberant foam and water-spraying celebrations along Gulf Road.
February 26
Liberation Day
Marks the liberation of Kuwait from Iraqi occupation in 1991 at the end of the Gulf War. Celebrated together with National Day in a two-day patriotic festival across the country.
Varies (lunar calendar)
Eid al-Fitr
The festival marking the end of Ramadan. Families gather, gifts and sweets are exchanged, and many businesses close for several days of celebration.
Varies (lunar calendar)
Eid al-Adha
The Feast of Sacrifice coinciding with the Hajj pilgrimage. A major religious holiday marked by prayers, feasting, and charitable giving over several days.