Entry
Because visa rules vary by passport, see the official site below. Sources give conflicting answers about which applies - an electronic authorisation, an eVisa or a visa on arrival - and about the fee and the length of stay. A Bahraini embassy can also be asked; otherwise use the official eVisa service for the current rule and to apply, and skip paid middlemen. Pack a return ticket, hotel details and a passport with 6 months of validity. Anyone planning a crossing of the King Fahd Causeway into Saudi Arabia should also check whether a Saudi visa is needed.
Culture and laws - take note
Small and open, Bahrain is a Muslim island nation that is easier-going than many of its neighbours yet still conservative. Cover shoulders and knees when out in public; swimwear is for hotels and beach resorts alone. Alcohol is served only in hotels and restaurants with a licence, and drinking in public and driving after drinking are never acceptable. In daylight during Ramadan, avoid eating, drinking or smoking in public. Criticism of the ruling family or religion is to be avoided, as is photographing government and military sites, and drones require a permit. Friday-Saturday is the weekend. Halal food is available everywhere. Summer heat and humidity are severe, so outdoor plans are best made for early morning or evening.
