Friends, picture a day that starts with a short boat hop into a turquoise canyon, breaks for cool limestone swimming, climbs a sweeping road to terraced highlands, and ends with a guided peek inside a gleaming performance hall—all stitched together by simple logistics and clear costs.

This guide focuses on visas, seasons, transport, and must-see stops with real ticket prices and time windows to keep planning easy.

Visas made simple

Most nationalities use Oman’s official eVisa portal; common tourist options include a 30-day single-entry at OMR 20 (about $52) and a one-year multiple-entry at OMR 50 (about $130). Processing is typically 1–3 business days when applying online, and published guidance notes single-entry tourist visas can run OMR 5–20 depending on duration. Always submit through the Royal Oman Police site and confirm the exact fee for the chosen visa type before purchase.

Best time

For Dhofar’s famed “Khareef” season, plan mid-July to end-August when monsoon mists cool Salalah and surrounding hills into a green landscape with cultural festivities and family activities. In 2025, marquee festival dates are listed as July 15–August 31, while the broader season can bring cooler, drizzly weather from late June into September.

Airport to city

Muscat Airport taxis are digitally metered; expect a base of about OMR 1.5 and roughly OMR 0.25 per kilometer, with typical city fares around OMR 9–10 depending on distance and traffic. The official rank sits outside Arrivals, and the OTaxi app posts up-front pricing if preferring an app-based ride within the regulated system.

Driving costs

Economy rentals in Muscat commonly list from about $28–$33 per day when booked ahead, with midsize cars still close to the low-$40s outside peak periods. A broad scan across providers shows small cars around $32/day on average, and SUVs trending higher, often $70–$115/day depending on season and lead time. For flexibility beyond Muscat, booking a 4WD for mountain routes can be worth it, particularly for the Al Jabal Al Akhdar plateau.

Highland checkpoint

The road up to Jabal Akhdar is fully paved yet limited to 4WDs; there’s a police checkpoint above Birkat al-Mawz where a 4WD, license, and registration are checked before the steep ascent. If arriving without a 4WD, local drivers at the base run up-down transfer services at posted or negotiable rates during daylight hours.

Wadi Shab

Park near the boat jetty and pay approximately OMR 1 cash per person for the short return boat ride to the trailhead; operating windows typically span early morning into late afternoon. Experienced hikers report departures as early as around 6:00–6:45 and returns closer to 17:30–18:00 depending on season, with WhatsApp numbers available for confirmation. Bring water shoes, sun protection, and dry bags; expect a mix of hot, rocky trail sections and refreshing swims through shallow sections.

Bimmah Sinkhole

Hawiyat Najm Park, home of the Bimmah Sinkhole, is free to access, with a short paved path and staircase leading to the water. Facilities include toilets and shaded seating, and modest swimwear guidance is posted at the gate; early visits help beat heat and mid-day crowds. Multiple visitor reports confirm no entry fee and easy, family-friendly access near the coast road.

Opera house peek

The Royal Opera House Muscat offers guided house tours most days, typically 08:30–17:30 Saturday–Thursday, with general tour tickets presently listed at OMR 7.350 (including VAT). Recent visitor data and published schedules confirm the tour window and pricing, with on-site ticket purchase and short, informative circuits through the venue.

Nizwa loop

Nizwa Fort’s standard entry is about OMR 5 per person, with posted daily hours often 08:00–20:00; note that Friday entries can close earlier for interior access. Combine the fort and souq in a single morning, then head for nearby mountain viewpoints or the plateau roads if traveling with a 4WD and comfortable on steep grades.

Salalah notes

If flying south, car rental desks show starting rates near $39/day for compact classes in Salalah, with SUVs higher in peak Khareef. During festival dates (July 15–August 31 in 2025), bookings and prices rise—reserve rooms and vehicles well ahead to secure inventory near major viewpoints and waterfalls.

Typical costs

- eVisa: OMR 20 single-entry (30 days), OMR 50 multiple-entry (1 year); verify on ROP portal.

- Muscat Airport taxi: OMR 9–10 into town on metered rates; OTaxi provides up-front fares.

- Wadi Shab boat: about OMR 1 return per person (cash).

- Bimmah Sinkhole: free entry.

- ROHM tours: OMR 7.350 per person; daytime hours often 08:30–17:30.

- Nizwa Fort: about OMR 5; check Friday hours.

- 4WD for Jabal Akhdar: required beyond checkpoint.

Smart tips

Carry small cash for boatmen and rural kiosks even if most city services accept cards or apps. Start wadis early to secure parking and shade; confirm last boats at Wadi Shab if entering late afternoon. For highlands, confirm fuel and daylight, bring layers for cooler evenings, and factor checkpoint time into the Jabal Akhdar drive.

Conclusion

Ready to link a canyon swim, a free coastal sinkhole, a hill-town fort, and a polished house tour into a one-week route that’s high on scenery and light on friction. Which arc fits best: a Muscat–Wadi–Nizwa–plateau loop with a 4WD, or a Khareef-season Salalah stay with misty drives, market strolls, and easy coastal detours.