A decade ago, I arrived in Dubai with my very first suitcase bought by my dad and a simple plan: work in the UAE for two years, save some money, then go back home to the Philippines.
Twelve years later, I'm still here. Like many Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), I came to the UAE for work. What I didn't expect was that this country would become one of the places where I'd spend most of my adult life. Despite a few attempts to leave, life somehow kept bringing me back.
This year, I finally accepted that I'm probably not leaving the UAE anytime soon. Instead of constantly planning my exit, I decided to rediscover the country I've called home for more than a decade, one weekend adventure at a time.
As someone with a limited travel budget, no driver's license, and only weekends to spare, I've learned that exploring the UAE doesn't always require luxury resorts, expensive tours, or a packed annual leave calendar. Sometimes all it takes is a free weekend, a bit of curiosity, and a willingness to leave the city behind.
At the same time, I realized I never created a space where all my adventures in the UAE could live together. So, I decided to build this page: a collection of my experiences exploring the country I currently call home.
Whether you're new to Dubai, a fellow OFW looking for weekend ideas, or simply curious about what lies beyond the skyscrapers, I hope you'll find something here that inspires your next adventure. Happy exploring!
Quick Facts About My Adventures in the UAE
🇦🇪 Living in the UAE since 2014
🥾 Favourite activity: Hiking and mountain adventures
🚇 Getting around: Public transportation, taxis, carpooling, and occasionally convincing friends to drive
💰 Travel style: Budget-conscious weekend explorer
🏢 Reality check: Full-time corporate employee exploring mostly on weekends and public holidays
📍 Most explored emirates: Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, and Sharjah (so far)
Hiking in the UAE
If there's one thing that changed the way I see the UAE, it's hiking. Beyond the skyscrapers and city limits, I have been to wadis, rocky landscapes, remote mountain villages, breathtaking viewpoints, and rugged mountains that became my playground whenever life got rough.
This isn't a complete list of every hike I've done in the UAE. However, these are some of the trails that became my all-time favorites.
My All-Time Favorite Hiking Trails in the UAE:
- Stairway to Heaven, Ras Al Khaimah
My all-time favorite hike in the UAE and the trail that completely ruined "normal" hikes for me. This is definitely NOT for the faint-hearted or beginner hikers, though! - RAKTRAVERSE 2020 Hiking Trail Route
A series of several hiking trails connected together by my hiking group that showcases the rugged beauty of Ras Al Khaimah. - Wadi Naqab Loop Trail
One of the most rewarding and longest village-to-village hiking experiences I've had in the UAE. Giving up some sleep is required! - Hidden Oasis Trail from Jebel Jais
A scenic route leading to one of the most unique natural spots with stunning views of Jebel Jais from a completely different perspective. - Wadi Al Far Trail
A beautiful trail featuring mountain scenery, traditional villages, and plenty of elevation gain. It's the complete package! - Wadi Shawka Loop Trail
One of the best beginner-friendly hikes in the UAE and a great introduction to hiking in the region. Short but sweet!
Each trail title links to my detailed hiking guides. You can also check all my hiking guides outside the UAE!
Outdoor Adventures & Active Living
As much as I love hiking, I can't do it every weekend because I don't drive and many trails are not accessible by public transportation. Over the years, I found other ways to stay fit, sane, and happy while still exploring the UAE.
From running events and outdoor community gatherings to cycling experiences (despite not owning a bike), these activities have helped me explore the UAE beyond the hiking trails. And lately, cycling has quietly become my therapy.
Cycling:
- Biking Experience in Mushrif Park
- Cycling in Al Qudra Cycling Track
- Dubai on a Bike with Careem Bike
Outdoor Community Events:
- Columbia Hike Society Outdoor Festival in the UAE (2025)
- First Hike with Columbia Hike Society (Jebel Jais summit)
- Dubai Bike Ride 2021
- FOX.AE's Climb for a Cause 2021
- RAKTRAV 2020 (Longest hiking trail connected by FOX.AE)
Running Events, Activities & Gears
Dubai Adventures - Tourist Trail and Beyond
When I'm not hiking, I occasionally spend my weekends playing tourist in the city I call home. While Dubai's attractions and trends constantly evolve, these are some of the adventures I've collected and recently documented.
(And yes, many of my early Dubai adventures were never documented on the blog—including visits to Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall, Madinat Jumeirah, and more.)
- Old Dubai Walking Tour
One of the most iconic experiences in Dubai for a reason and something I'd happily do again and again either with friends or visitors. - XLine Dubai Marina
A thrilling ride on the world's longest urban zipline—and one of the most memorable adrenaline-filled experiences I've had in the city. - Expo 2020
My first-ever World Expo experience and one that fueled my passion for travel even further. Although I haven't revisited the Expo site since, except for a staycation in Rove Expo 2020, I still find myself returning to this post whenever I want a trip down memory lane. - Museum of the Future Dubai
One of Dubai's most recognizable landmarks and a glimpse into how the city imagines the future.
Staycations & Weekend Escapes
Staycations aren't usually my thing, but these are a few memorable escapes that I genuinely enjoyed and would happily recommend.
Beyond Dubai: Exploring the Other Emirates
While Dubai is my home base, I've also had my fair share of adventures in the other emirates. From mountain activities and road trips to random discoveries along the way, the other emirates deserve a little spotlight too.
Not all of them made it to the blog (yet), but I'm hoping to revisit some of these places and continue adding more experiences here in the future.
For now, here are a few adventures from beyond Dubai.
Practical UAE Travel Resources
Over the years, I've also written a handful of practical guides based on my experiences living and traveling from the UAE. If you're planning a trip or need help navigating some travel logistics, these resources might come in handy:
My UAE Adventures
This isn't your typical "complete guide to the UAE." Instead, it's a living collection of adventures from a Filipina who came to Dubai for work and somehow ended up building a life here.
I may not be rich in monetary terms, but one day I'd like to look back on these experiences and remember that I did more than just work, sleep, and eat during my years in the UAE. There were mountains climbed before sunrise, weekend adventures squeezed between workdays, random detours that became lasting memories, and countless moments that reminded me there was more to life than the daily routine.
For now, this page serves as my little corner of the internet where those memories live.
I hope you found something useful, inspiring, or perhaps even worth adding to your own UAE bucket list. And as long as I'm still here, I'll keep exploring—and updating this page along the way.