Below are a few hints that may help you when planning for your trip to Lebanon:
VISA
For South African passport holders, a visa is required to enter Lebanon. This visa must be obtained prior to departure from South Africa. The passport must not show any Israeli stamps.
CLOTHING
Lightweight clothes in the summer, and warmer clothes in winter. You should take a jacket no matter what time of year you visit Lebanon, as the evenings can sometimes be surprisingly cool, even in summer. Comfortable shoes are a must for exploring the historical sites.
CLIMATE
The coastal areas generally have a Mediterranean climate with hot summers and cool winters. Temperatures range from very hot (35 – 40 degrees Celsius) during summer (June, July, August and September), but the evenings can still be refreshingly cool. In the winter (December – March) the average daily temperature in Beirut is approximately 15 degrees Celsius. During winter, make sure you have a warm jacket or anorak. Lebanon's mountainous areas have an alpine climate, with heavy winter snow.
LUGGAGE
All passengers on group tours are restricted to 1 suitcase each, in addition to hand luggage. For the flight, take toiletries, reading material etc. in a holdall. Please pack all medication in your hand- luggage, as well as a change of clothing, in the event of delays.
CURRENCY
The official currency of Lebanon is the lira (“LL” or LBP) known locally as the "pound". The approximate equivalent is US$ 1.- = LL 1500.-.
Your travel allowance should be taken in U.S. dollars.
Please ensure that you have some small US dollar notes available ( eg $ 1 - $ 5 - $ 10).
Money can be changed at Bureau de Change offices, banks and in hotels, the rate seems to be fairly standardised everywhere. Before changing traveller’s cheques, clarify what commission will be charged. Major credit cards are accepted by bigger hotels and stores. Some passengers have reported difficulties using American Express and Diners Cards to pay for their meals etc. in their hotels. These credit cards are not as widely accepted as Visa and Mastercards.
TOILETRIES
We recommend that you bring some kind of washing soap to do your hand washing of clothes. It is also a good idea to bring a blow-up hanger, or some other light hanger, as not all hotel hangers can be removed from the cupboards, for hanging wet washing on. Remember to bring suntan lotion, and we also recommend that you bring a sun-hat if visiting Lebanon during summer.
ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES
Lebanon has the same voltage as South Africa (220V). The majority of electrical sockets take a two-prong plug. An adaptor- set (multi plug) is recommended.
TIPPING
You will generally find that the Lebanese to be willing and eager to help you without expecting a reward, but we still urge on to conform to world-wide trends in this regard. Hotel porters should receive a small tip (approximately $ 1.-), for carrying your luggage (unless travelling in a group in which case this may be included in the tour cost). Guides and drivers should also receive a gratuity and the customary 10 % is recommended for restaurant visits and room service.
Recommended average rates for passengers are:
Passengers on group tours (10 passengers or more travelling together):
Guide: US$ 4.- per passenger per day for a full day’s services
Driver: US$ 2.- per passenger per day for full day’s services.
Hotel staff: Usually 10 % of restaurant/room service bill.
Passengers not on group tours:
For passengers not travelling as part of a group but rather with individual services – please increase your tipping accordingly – we suggest doubling above rates for Guide and Driver
HEALTH
Only drink bottled water, which is readily available and cheap. Make sure that the bottle has been properly sealed before you buy it. Don't take ice-cubes in your drinks. Take care with fruit-juice as well, as it may have been prepared from a concentrate to which tap water is added. For your peace of mind, we recommend that you contact the British Airways Travel Clinic for up-to-date health advice prior to your visit to Lebanon.
PHOTOGRAPHIC EQUIPMENT
Lebanon is full of opportunities for great photography. It can sometimes be a bit tricky taking photos of people, so it is always better to ask first. Be careful when taking photos of anything that may resemble a military area.
FOOD AND DRINK
Lebanese cuisine is world famous and encompasses a wide selection of dishes. A meal usually starts with Mezze (a selection of traditional hot and cold hors-d'oeuvres), amongst these Hummus with olive oil, Baba Ghanouj (an eggplant dip), Labneh (thickened yoghurt), Tabouleh, a salad of cracked wheat, parsley, onions & tomatoes. The national dish is Kibbe, finely minced lamb with spices and bulgur wheat. The traditional flat bread, Khoubiz, is served with most meals. Schwarmais another traditional dish, which has reached worldwide fame.
RE-CONFIRMATION OF RETURN FLIGHTS
Please remember that it is imperative to re-confirm your flight at least 72 hours prior to departure. Failure to do so will result in the automatic cancellation of your flight.
IF FLYING EGYPT AIR
If you are flying Egypt Air, please note that it is a “dry” airline, i.e. no alcohol is served on board. You are free to “bring your own”, and soda water, tonic and other soft drinks / mixers are freely available on board.
GENERAL
A suggestion from several passengers: If you enjoy your tea/coffee, take a small immersion heater (plus international adaptor set to make sure the electrical plug will fit), a mug, tea/coffee bags, sugar and milk powder/Cremora. Ordering coffee/tea from room service is expensive!
Tea and coffee making facilities are available in most of the 5* hotels.
