Lebanon travel information
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Time: Local time is GMT +2 (GMT +3 from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October).
Electricity: Electrical current is 110/220 volts, 50HZ. The European round two-pin plug is standard, as is the two-pin flat blade plug, two-pin flat blade plug with 3rd round pin, two-pin round plug with male receptacle pin and the ‘Schuko’ plug.
Language: Arabic is the official language. French and English are also spoken.
Health: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for travellers arriving from an infected country in Africa or the Americas. Typhoid vaccinations are recommended to all travellers with the exception of those who intend to stay in Lebanon for only a short period and take their meals in major restaurants and hotels. Typhoid cases are reported in Lebanon every year around rainy season as water levels rise and contaminated water from the sewers come to ground level. Medical facilities and care in Lebanon is good. Doctors and hospitals usually expect immediate cash payment and treatment can be very expensive.
Tipping: Tipping is customary in Lebanon. Porters, waiters, hotel staff, guides and doormen usually receive a 10-15% tip.
Safety: Due to the continuing socio-political unrest in Lebanon, foreign embassies are urging all potential travellers to Lebanon to reconsider all non-essential travel to the country. The country remains tense due to the political crisis over the election of a new president, but on 21 May 2008 parliament elected army chief General Michel Suleiman as president, ending the deadlock which had left the post vacant since November last year. In early May 2008 there was violence in Beirut and elsewhere between pro-government and opposition groups, and security restrictions were severe in Beirut with the likelihood of further demonstrations. Crimes such as burglary, petty theft, vehicle theft and break-ins are present in Lebanon, but are low by international standards. Visitors should be streetwise and exercise normal precautions.
Customs: A large proportion of the population in Lebanon is Muslim so modest standards of dress and behaviour should be exercised. In certain areas, public displays of affection may cause offence and during Ramadan eating, drinking or smoking in public places between the hours of sunrise and sunset are frowned upon as it is forbidden by the Muslim culture. Possession, use and trafficking of controlled drugs are all serious offences in Lebanon and carry custodial sentences, and homosexuality is considered a criminal offence. Overstaying without the proper authority is also considered to be a serious offence. Photographing military personnel or installations and government buildings may lead to confiscation of photographic equipment, and possibly even imprisonment.
Business: Business attire in Lebanon is formal, usually a jacket and tie. Business cards are widely distributed and English is spoken by many local business people. General office hours are Monday to Saturday, but some Muslim businesses may be closed on Fridays.
Communications: The international dialling code for Lebanon is +961. The outgoing code is 00 (except for Syria, which is 02), followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the UK). City codes are in use, e.g. (0)1 for Beirut area, (0)6 for North Lebanon and (0)7 for South Lebanon. Internet cafés are widespread in Lebanon, particularly in Beirut and major cities. Internet services are also provided outside traditional Internet cafes, e.g. Star Bucks in Beirut provides a wireless Internet connection. There is good mobile phone coverage and many networks have international roaming agreements.
Duty Free: Travellers are allowed to import 800 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 1,000g of tobacco; 2 litres of champagne, whisky or cognac or a maximum of 4 litres of other alcoholic beverages; 1litre of eau de cologne and 100ml of perfume; personal belongings not exceeding £2,000 and prescribed dosages for medicine. Those aged under 18 years are permitted half of the specified quantities, except for tobacco and alcoholic beverages, which are forbidden. Prohibited imports include arms, ammunition, narcotics and immoral publications and recordings. Antiques without an export license are also prohibited for export.