Living a Happy Life in Dahab, Egypt

Nov 06, 2025 0

Dahab, perched on the Red Sea, offers a unique blend of stunning landscapes, a welcoming culture, and a vibrant community. When you walk along the promenade by the water, you see pointy, majestic desert mountains behind you and the underwater world spread out in front of you. It's a place that leaves a mark on you, offering an adventure every day.

The Warmth of the Local Community

“Come as a guest, leave as a friend.” You’ll find this statement printed in many of the hotels and restaurants, and it isn’t just a cheap throwaway comment to keep tourists happy. As most people who’ve visited Dahab will know, the kindness and generosity of the locals is quite something and they’ll always remember you long after you leave. The ability to have a tab in the local shops and be trusted to pay another day.

The local Bedouin children leaving bracelets, fresh bread and even an English style teacup and saucer outside my front door. These are just a few of the things that made me feel very secure and cared for in Dahab. There were also lots of projects to get involved in if you’re that way inclined. Voluntary teaching, beach clean ups, assisting at the various local festivals or annual children’s circus, helping to neuter or rescue stray dogs and cats. The list is endless.

The Significance of "Inshallah" and "Hamdullah"

INSHALLAH is a word that I used constantly in Dahab, which means “God willing”. The context is if I was making plans to meet someone or do something, I always had to say “Inshallah” at the end of the sentence. So “see you tomorrow inshallah”, “OK Mr Plumber I’ll see you at 10am tomorrow inshallah”, or “my friend arrives from the UK on Thursday inshallah”. It means that nothing can be taken for granted in life - if God plans it, it will happen. But perhaps he’ll have other ideas, in which case we should accept them. It’s a beautiful belief that I am certain is the reason that most people there are so serene. They put their trust entirely in God, through good and bad times.

HAMDULLAH is used in almost every conversation I had with the local Egyptians and Bedouin. It translates as “all praise and thanks to God”. Whatever happens, God must be acknowledged for it. This means that even if someone asks how you are, you must include “Hamdullah” in your reply - in other words, “I’m alive and walking these streets. Thank you God.” Dahab overflows with gratitude and such a positive outlook on life.

Dahab: A Mythical Destination Come True

You know how some places sound great on paper, but in person they just don’t make you feel anything in particular-while other places make you feel more than you could ever have expected? I first heard about Dahab almost 14 years ago on my first ever big solo trip, in India. Over the years I planned multiple trips there-but each time, the plan would be canceled at the last minute due to circumstances beyond my control. As such, Dahab retained its mythical status in my imagination.

Dahab is perched on the Red Sea, and when you walk along the promenade by the water, you see pointy, majestic desert mountains behind you and the underwater world spread out in front of you. At almost any point along the shore you can walk in with your snorkel and a find world-class array of undersea life-coral mountains galore, bright-colored tropical fish, and a whole range of strange and puzzling creatures.

Formerly nomadic, most of today’s bedouins have settled in small towns across Egypt’s Sinai, Israel, and Jordan, but they are fiercely collectivist and retain a unique set of customs and values. For example, when a conflict or crime occurs within the Bedouin community, they don’t go to the police. As people from a very group-oriented culture, they immediately and easily treated me like one of their own. They would routinely invite me in to drink tea and coffee with them.

The Unique Blend of Cultures

In most places I’ve done the digital nomad thing, it’s normal for foreigners and locals to be cordial and friendly but somewhat separate. Dahab is the only place I’ve ever lived where around half of the digital nomad community was comprised of local Egyptians from other parts of the country. Most of them had more progressive values than the average, so they were opting out of traditional life to come live and work from the little liberal bubble that is Dahab.

Another thing that makes Dahab unique, I discovered, is the fact that it’s not known for one particular ‘thing,’ but many-despite being a town of only a few thousand people. It’s a renowned water sports destination, particularly for windsurfers, scuba divers, and free divers. It’s a total hippie haven for spiritual seekers, artists, and 420-friendly chillaxers.

Although Dahab is indeed a little international bubble, it’s still in a Muslim country with Islamic values. During Ramadan, the streets come alive with special delicacies after sundown, and every day, multiple times a day year-round, you can hear the hauntingly beautiful call to prayer, or Adan, echoing through the various mosques around town. Some Egyptians who move to Dahab to work remotely are either not religious or are questioning their religious upbringings, while others are strict Muslims.

Navigating the Quirks of Life in Dahab

Of course, not everything in Dahab is sunshine and rainbows. Informant culture is strong in Egypt. Many people are collaborating with the police as informants, which means that they may quite literally be watching you and reporting your activities back to the police if they suspect that you’re involved in any funny business.

Cross-border relationships in tense regions often face unique challenges. While Jews and Israelis are the group most likely to be watched, informants can and will snoop on anyone and everyone. Foreigners in relationships with Egyptians should be particularly cautious; sex before marriage is illegal in Egypt, so Egyptians can sometimes get in trouble for staying the night with a female companion. This rule is also enforced by many landlords.

In Dahab, life comes with a few quirks: water tanks run empty every week or two, requiring a call to the landlord to arrange a refill; electricity can go out for hours-even in scorching 40°C heat; and things around the house may break, with repairs covered or not by the landlord (though often affordable).

Neighborhoods of Dahab

Although Dahab is small enough to be very walkable, each neighborhood has a unique flavor:

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Assalah: This is my favorite neighborhood; it tends to be cheaper than others, and it feels the most local, although many digital nomads live there. It’s also the neighborhood where you’ll encounter the most dirt roads and goats walking around.
Lighthouse: This area is the heart of digital nomad/expat life and activities in Dahab. All of Lighthouse is near the sea, and it’s a very central neighborhood.
Mashraba: Located towards the southern end of Dahab, Mashraba is tourist central. Many short-term Egyptian as well as Israeli tourists stay there. It’s actually the best area for living; it’s a little more developed-feeling than Assalah, the living areas are quieter, it’s also somewhat cheaper, and the electricity goes out much less frequently. Oddly, digital nomads usually choose to live in other parts of town, despite the fact that Mashraba offers the best setup for them.
Lagona: This is where the kitesurfers and windsurfers usually live.

Cost of Living

In 2023, I paid around $300 per month for a newly-renovated, two-bedroom apartment with two balconies and a good living room for hosting friends. It was about a 5-minute walk from the sea. Apartments right on the sea went for around $1,000, while apartments further back in the town, around a 10-15 minute walk from the sea, could be found for $200 and sometimes even less.

Happy Life Village Dahab

Situated on the shore of the Red Sea, Happy Life Village Dahab is located in Dahab. The property offers an outdoor pool and a private sandy beach. The accommodation will provide you with air conditioning and a balcony. Standard features include a satellite TV, a minibar and a safety deposit box. Guests at Happy Life Village Dahab can enjoy the vibrant coral reef of the Red Sea through diving or snorkeling, both available at a surcharge.

The 4-star Happy Life Village Dahab hotel is located in Dahab, 100 km from Sharm el-Sheikh International airport. This accommodation offers rooms with a balcony and a seating area featuring a trouser press and climate control, along with cable channels. Bathrooms include a separate toilet and a shower, and such comforts as a hairdryer and bath sheets. Here you'll also find views of Blue Bay.

Happy Life Village has 2 restaurants: the main restaurant with a lovely sun terrace for breakfast and dinner and the “Love Boat” which is used for lunch. The management attaches great importance to an extensive food offer at the buffet, most of which is freshly prepared on site. Two pool bars, a beach bar (the “Aladdin Tent” / evening disco) and an air-conditioned lobby bar (the “Filo Bar”) complete the offer. Children’s playground, fitness room and spa with hairdresser and beauty treatments.

Hotel Amenities

2 Restaurants
3 Swimming pools
Water slides
2 Pool bars
Beach bar
Shisha Bar
24-hour room service
Local and international calls
Free towel service at pool and beach
Free beach and pool loungers
Laundry service
Shuttle bus to the centre of Dahab
Children’s playground
On-site clinic (possibility of diving fitness examination)
Baby cots on request

Here lies one of the only two house reefs that exist in Dahab. The Happy Life Village is unique in Dahab: A spacious complex that offers everything for a relaxing holiday. The management attaches great importance to family-like, courteous service in all areas - and delicious food. Here, every guest feels welcome, in good hands and at home after a short time.

Conclusion

In the end, Dahab turned out to be even more amazing than I’d imagined all those years ago. The mix of stunning landscapes, the welcoming Bedouin culture, and the vibrant digital nomad scene made every day an adventure. Sure, there were some quirks and inconveniences, but they were a small price to pay for the overall experience. Dahab isn’t just a place you visit; it’s a place that leaves a mark on you.