Vipassana Meditation Center

The Vipassana Meditation Center (VMC) in Khatt, Ras Al Khaimah, runs residential ten-day courses in Vipassana meditation as taught by S.N. Goenka. It is for adults who can stay for the whole course and follow its code of discipline. There are also separate short courses for children and for previous students.

The centre

According to the centre’s website, VMC is at the Ain Khatt Touristic Resort near the Khatt hot water springs, opposite Khatt Police Station. The grounds cover more than 71,000 square feet and take 36 to 50 students per course. Men and women have separate residences, meditation halls and dining halls, and each room or chalet is shared by 2 or 3 students of the same gender.

How to join a course

1. Read the Code of Discipline on the centre’s website.
2. Choose a ten-day course on the UAE course schedule. First-time students must complete a ten-day course before they can apply for other course types.
3. Click “Apply” next to the course and complete the online form.

There are no drop-in visits. Instructions are mainly in English and Hindi. Recorded instructions in more than 40 other languages, including Arabic, French, Spanish and Farsi, can be requested in the comments section of the application form.

Cost and daily routine

There are no fixed charges, not even for food and accommodation. Courses are paid for by donations from people who have completed at least one ten-day course. The day starts with a wake-up bell at 4:00 am and ends with lights out at 9:30 pm. Students keep “noble silence” until the morning of the last full day, stay inside the course area, hand in phones and other devices until the course ends, and eat the simple vegetarian meals provided. Students must stay for the entire course.

Getting there

The centre gives the distance as about 106 km from Dubai International Airport Terminal 1, around 1.5 hours by car, using highway 311 or 611. Its estimate for a taxi from Dubai airport is AED 300 to 400.

Good to know

• Bring a bed sheet, a pillowcase and an extra blanket. Do not bring a sleeping bag.
• Pack modest, loose clothing for the whole stay. Laundry is offered on only a few days and takes two days.
• Leave perfumes and strongly scented products, personal food, laptops, and reading or writing materials at home.
• Bring the medicines you take regularly. If a doctor has prescribed a special diet, say so when you apply.
• Centre phone: +971 7 244 0553. WhatsApp numbers are listed on its contact page.

Description written from official sources, checked 17 October 2026: ae.dhamma.org. Confirm details with the business before you go.