Tourist Scams in Kuwait — Safety Guide 2026

Unlicensed taxis and private car services outside Kuwait International Airport Terminal 1 and Terminal 4 quote foreigners KD 10-20 for journeys to central Kuwait City that should cost KD 3-6 on the official meter. Kuwait's airport lacks a transparent official taxi rank structure, making it easy for informal drivers to intercept arrivals.

How to avoid: Use the Careem or Uber apps (both operate in Kuwait) before exiting the terminal for transparent fare estimates. Official airport taxis have a rate card — ask to see it before entering. Confirm the fare in KWD before departure.

The gold jewelry section of Souk Al-Mubarakiya sells gold items labeled at specific karats (21K, 22K) where the actual gold content is lower than marked. Kuwait has an official gold testing authority (KFAS), but not all souk traders comply, and tourist purchases made under time pressure are vulnerable.

How to avoid: Purchase gold only from established jewelers who display current gold price boards matching the day's Kuwait gold rate, and who provide a stamped receipt specifying karat and weight. Request a purity certificate for significant purchases.

Online and in-person agents in Kuwait City offer to process tourist or work visas, residence permit renewals, and labor transfer services at inflated fees, sometimes collecting payment and providing nothing. Kuwait's government has digitized most visa processes through the PACI (Public Authority for Civil Information) portal, making intermediaries unnecessary for most standard processes.

How to avoid: Use the official PACI online portal for residency and visa processes. The Kuwait government's e-government portal handles most standard procedures. Never pay an unlicensed agent for services available directly through government channels.

A small number of tourist-facing restaurants in Kuwait City's central districts and near the Kuwait Towers present English menus with prices significantly higher than the Arabic menu given to local customers. The difference can be 40-60% for identical dishes.

How to avoid: Ask for the Arabic-language menu alongside the English version and compare prices. Restaurants in Kuwait are not legally permitted to charge different prices by language or nationality. Report significant discrepancies to the Ministry of Commerce.

Markets around Souk Al-Mubarakiya and in some Salmiya commercial areas sell counterfeit branded goods — watches, bags, scarves — labeled with luxury brand names. Kuwait's Customs Authority periodically cracks down on counterfeit imports, and visitors carrying fakes at international departure can have items confiscated.

How to avoid: Avoid purchasing any item represented as a genuine luxury brand at a price far below retail. Kuwait Customs at the airport can and does confiscate counterfeit goods from departing passengers. Purchasing knowingly counterfeit goods is illegal in Kuwait.

Tour operators in Kuwait City sell "authentic Bedouin desert experience" packages to the Kuwaiti desert near Wafra or the Mutla Ridge that deliver a brief drive in a 4WD and a basic camp setup, rather than the traditional experience implied by marketing materials. Prices for these tours are high relative to the experience delivered.

How to avoid: Book desert tours only through operators with documented itineraries specifying duration, location, and activities included. Ask whether the camp is permanent or a temporary setup. Read reviews that specifically describe the actual camp and desert experience received.

ATMs in less-monitored locations in the Hawalli and Farwaniya commercial areas have been subject to skimming device installation. Kuwait's high cash usage culture and the prevalence of foreign workers using ATMs for remittances make these areas higher-risk than central Kuwait City banking districts.

How to avoid: Use ATMs inside bank branches (NBK, Gulf Bank, Burgan Bank) during business hours. Shield the keypad when entering your PIN. Check for loose components on the card reader before inserting your card. Monitor account statements daily while in Kuwait.

Dhow (traditional wooden boat) cruises on Kuwait Bay are sold by operators near the Marina Crescent at prices ranging widely for an identical product — a 2-hour dinner cruise with the Kuwait City skyline view. Tourist-facing prices can be double those charged to local groups for the same vessel and route.

How to avoid: Compare prices between at least three operators at Marina Crescent before booking. A standard 2-hour dinner dhow cruise should cost KD 10-20 per person. Group bookings through hotels are sometimes negotiated at better rates.