Kuwait City Safety Guide
Health, security, and travel safety information
Emergency Numbers
Save these numbers before your trip.
Healthcare
What to know about medical care in Kuwait City.
Kuwait City operates a two-tier system: government hospitals provide free emergency care to citizens, while private clinics cater to residents and visitors with shorter wait times.
Al-Salam International Hospital in Jabriya treats tourists for everything from dehydration to cardiac events. Bring your passport for registration. Al Seef Hospital accepts most international insurance on the spot.
Widely available, with 24-hour branches like Boots in Al Hamra Tower. Pharmacists dispense common antibiotics and rehydration salts without prescription, though controlled drugs require local doctor approval.
Travel insurance is not mandatory but strongly advised. Upfront payment is required at private facilities, which can be steep for complex procedures.
- ✓ Carry a printed copy of your insurance card. Hospital Wi-Fi can be spotty when you need to show digital documents.
- ✓ Pack electrolyte tablets, tap water is desalinated and drinkable. But the mineral balance can upset stomachs.
Common Risks
Be aware of these potential issues.
May-October temperatures regularly exceed 45 °C (113 °F); pavement radiates heat long after sunset.
Opportunistic grab-and-dash from café tables or unlocked rental cars.
Aggressive lane-changing and high speeds on Gulf Road and ring highways.
Scams to Avoid
Watch out for these common tourist scams.
Men in traditional dress offer to sell "freshly harvested" pearls for bargain prices. The pearls are cultured imports from Bahrain.
Drivers claim the meter is out of order and demand inflated flat fares, from the airport.
Safety Tips
Practical advice to stay safe.
- • Men and women should cover shoulders and knees inside malls. Security may refuse entry to those in sleeveless tops above the food court level.
- • During Ramadan, eating or drinking in public during daylight hours is illegal. Discreetly use mall restrooms or hotel lobbies.
- • Rent only 4WD vehicles for desert excursions. Deflate tires slightly for traction on soft dunes.
- • Carry extra water and a GPS beacon. Cell signal drops within 30 km of the city limits.
- • Stick to hotel beaches on Messilah coast. The public beach near Scientific Center has strong currents and no lifeguards.
- • Jellyfish season peaks in July, look for purple warning flags and rinse stings with vinegar, not fresh water.
Information for Specific Travelers
Safety considerations for different traveler groups.
Solo women can move freely in Kuwait City, in Salmiya and downtown malls. But should expect curious glances rather than harassment.
- → Sit in family sections of restaurants. Single ladies' sections are often quieter and better lit.
- → If followed in a mall, approach mall security, uniformed guards are stationed every 50 meters in Avenues.
Same-sex relationships are illegal and punishable by fines or imprisonment, though prosecutions are rare.
- → Book twin beds rather than doubles in conservative hotels outside the marina area.
- → Keep orientation off the table with local friends. Lock your social profiles so no one can poke around.
Travel Insurance
Protect yourself before you travel.
Airlifting to Dubai or Europe can cost mid-five-figure sums; a solid policy will pay for emergency care and reimburse you if heat forces a cancellation.
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