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Dahab is full of touts wanting to get you into their shops to sell you their goods. Lots of it is mass-produced tourist tat! Look around for what you are after and haggle hard! Offering 20% of the asking price is not unreasonable, if they don’t chase you as you leave the shop you’ve gone too low! Browsing is an exercise in patience, remember that the guy who’s is hassling you probably works on commission, don’t get angry, he’s just trying to make a living (but don’t get ripped off either!)

If you’ve forgotten to pack something, you can pick up most essentials around town but the choice of swimwear, particularly for women, is restricted. Other clothes tend to be overpriced and of not particularly good quality.

Small supermarkets are everywhere. Some have a rather flexible approach to pricing, a good test is to ask the price of a 1.5 lt. of drinking water, if it’s more than 2 or 3 Egyptian pounds, it may be worth looking elsewhere. Be very careful at pharmacies, many rip off tourists badly. Ask someone you trust where to go and what to pay. On the plus side, many medications are generally available here that are prescription only at home.

Diving gear is good value in Dahab, most of the big brands are available at, around, 25% less than European prices. Again, look around, find what you like and always try to bargain, not as much as in the tourist shops, but you may get something off (or something thrown in for free!)

A popular item to buy is a ‘sheesha’, also called a ‘water-pipe’ or ‘hookah’. If you want a good quality one at a good price, get a trusted local to help you. They may take a small commission, but overall you will probably get a much better deal. Make sure you stock up with the different flavours of tobacco (double apple is a favourite) it may be hard to find at home!