Advantages: Fantastic for diving/snorkling Disadvantages: Very few other attractions
...else to do. Marsa Alum town consists of one main street with a few souvenier shops - beware shop owners trying to charge excessive amounts for items to purchase - barter with them or walk away.
That also goes for the hotel complex - one persistant guy trying to sell you massage treatment who wont take no for an answer. There have been many complaints about him & I really don't see him holding down the job for much longer.
Try to book as a package ... ...& therefore had to pay an entry visa $15 each & arrange our own transfers.
Be aware also that there were no taxis outside the airport so we had to blag a lift with a tour bus & pay €30 for the journey to the hotel. It's near impossible to arrange transfers from the UK so if you are in this situation I suggest contacting the hotel & arrange for a taxi to meet you.
Note also the hotel has no facility to obtain cash. For this you need to arrange a ...
jezza22uk 25.01.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Marsa Alam (Egypt)
Advantages: Weather, diving, underdeveloped - get away from the crowds Disadvantages: Not if you want nightlife, or don't snorkel/dive
We went to Marsa Alam direct from Gatwick (unfortunately with Excel - read my other review!), which was a half hour transfer from where we were staying. The weather was a hot 33 degrees celsius, cooling down to needing sleeves in the evenings, and underwater was between 26-28 degrees.
We stayed at an all inclusive, basic diving resort, with a beautiful reef right in front of our doorstop. It cost £650, which included flights, transfers, accommodation, ... ...for 5 days.
The surrounding area is vastly under-developed so there were no shops / restaurants / discos / pubs and it was ABSOLUTE heaven to get away from it all. You could go on Bedouin desert trips or quad biking for something different to do, but it's all sand-related!
Our accomodation was the middle option - own room and shared toilet/shower facilities. Everything was kept immaculate, and I didn't get a dodgy stomach once, which is unheard ...
emsky2001 04.10.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Marsa Alam (Egypt)
Marsa Alam is a 4 hour ride from Hurghada but, don't worry, the new airport opens in November - at least this is what the locals say! Quite who will use the airport is uncertain as there are only 2 or 3 hotels in the area.Shams Alam looks great in the foyer and the rooms are quite good, however, the food is almost inedible so prepare to lose weight.The dive centre is really good and boays set off daily at 8.30 returning at 5 pm. There are dolphins ...
whetton 21.09.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful Review of Marsa Alam (Egypt)
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