What is the social life like?

Like anywhere else, the social life in Saudi Arabia is what you make of it. There are organized trips to historical sites, sports competitions, and other recreational activities. Dinner parties, desert trips, and beach parties are common. There are concerts at embassies and expatriate-operated amateur theater and musical ensembles. And in the last few years, cinemas, Western concerts, Western sporting events, etc., have become common. See our video or article Having Fun in Saudi Arabia

Where will my new friends and colleagues be from?

The expatriate community in Saudi Arabia is made up of citizens from around the world: Americans, Canadians, Australians, British, German, Irish, Egyptians, Indians, Pakistanis, Sri Lankans, Bangladeshis, Filipinos, Malaysians, South Africans, etc.

In 2020, the CIA World Factbook estimated Saudi Arabia's population to be 34 million, of which around 38% are expatriates.

What types of sports are available?

There are endless opportunities to get and stay fit. There are organized athletic events, such as tennis, ball hockey, running, rugby, and soccer. There are also marathons and desert camping. Fitness clubs are available but can be costly, so most people stick with the pool facilities, gyms, and tennis courts commonly available on the hospital grounds or in housing complexes. There are grass and sand golf courses, such as at the Intercontinental Hotel (where both men and women play).

Is drinking alcohol legal in Saudi Arabia?

Things are changing! In February 2024, it was announced that an alcohol shop would be opened in Riyadh's Diplomatic Quarter. (As of February 2024, this is the only shop of which we are aware.)

Is smoking cigarettes legal in Saudi Arabia?

Smoking is legal in Saudi Arabia, but women cannot smoke in public.

Are there any types of books, CDs, or DVDs that are illegal in Saudi Arabia?

Do not bring books which are critical of Saudi Arabia or which are politically controversial into the country. Pornography is strictly prohibited. Travel guides about Saudi Arabia are completely acceptable. If your books have covers or pictures that may be offensive, remove them. DVDs may be checked at customs.

Is English-language reading material available?

There main English papers are Arab News and Saudi Gazette. There are several English-language bookstores, but the stock can vary. There are book-sharing clubs among expats and small libraries at the hospital. Books can also be ordered online from websites such as Amazon.com. An eReader, such as Kindle, is also an option.

What is the food like?

Saudi Arabia allows expatriates to go on a culinary world tour. In addition to sampling authentic Middle Eastern cuisine (such as tabouleh, hummus, pita, baba ghanoush, etc.), there is Italian, French, Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Filipino, Mexican, Turkish, and Indian. For a taste of "home," the standard American chains such as McDonald's, Pizza Hut, Dunkin' Donuts, and Dairy Queen are available. Many of the foods in the supermarket will be familiar to you, from ketchup to Twinkies to skim milk. Although produce is readily available at supermarkets, fruit and vegetable souqs (markets) also provide excellent fresh produce. Alcohol and pork products are not permitted.

What is available in the stores?

Most things that are available in North America are available in Saudi Arabia, with the exception of items that are prohibited, such as alcohol, pornography, and pork products.

• Pharmacies are open at convenient times, and many pharmaceuticals can be obtained over the counter.
• High-end designer clothing and sportswear items are easy to find, but you can't always try them on! The country also has many good tailors who can make items for you.
• It can be difficult to find bathing suits — even more so when there is a chance you might not be able to try it on — so bring a couple from home.
• Electronics stores abound, selling the latest in computer, audio, and video equipment. Videos and DVDs are also available, but many of these will have been censored.
• Jewelry shopping in the gold souqs is so popular with expatriates that most leave Saudi Arabia with a sizeable gold collection.

What languages are spoken in Riyadh, Jeddah, Jubail, Dhahran, etc.?

The official language is Arabic. English is commonly spoken, and Hindi, Urdu, and Tagalog are also spoken by many of the expatriates who live there. English is the language of operation of all hospitals and translators are available for communicating with patients who do not speak English.

What is the weather like in Saudi Arabia?

Saudi Arabia is a desert country with, believe it or not, a wide range of temperatures.

Riyadh, which is in the centre of the Kingdom and set in the middle of the desert sees the greatest temperature differences with an average low of 8C-21C (46F-70F) in the winter and an average high of 42C (108F) in the summer.

Jeddah is slightly cooler than Riyadh but also more humid thanks to its location along the Red Sea. Jeddah sees an average low of 18C-29C (64F-84F) in the winter and an average high of 37C (99F) in the summer.

When you leave the city on your camping/hiking/touring adventures, be sure to bring a heavy sweater. The desert can actually get quite chilly at night.