FastFax Lebanon
picture courtesy www.unep.org
Lebanon remains one of the safest and best places to visit in the Middle East. From its seaside corniche to the austerity of its mountains, the friendly people, and the best Arabic food in the world, Lebanon is sure to please and surprise anyone.
Beirut is most people's starting and ending points, though you can also travel on land through parts of Syria or over the Mediterranean from several points, including Cyprus.
Beirut is a fantastic hodge podge of cultural nuances you won't find anywhere else in the world. Muslim, Christian, and Jewish tradition all bump into each other and the borderlines are some of the more intriguing ones anywhere. Downtown Beirut has been fully reconstructed and you can walk around among thousands of people until dawn, or just sit in one of the many outdoor cafes and restaurants, whiling away the night and making new lifelong friends.
Nightclubs and discotheques and late night eating and drinking are the norm, especially in Beirut but also anywhere in the country. Be prepared to dress up and stay out late.
As you leave the cities, head for and stay in the smaller towns in Lebanon, particularly in the hills and mountains of the country. There you will find spectacular scenery, one of the most welcoming cultures, and some of the best food you've ever eaten in your life.
With the food, the Mediterranean climate, the historical ruins, its homemade araq and wines, the culture, the nightlife, the skiing, and more, Lebanon is one of the most fascinating and rewarding countries you can visit.
Weather
Lebanon is in the Eastern Mediterranean and even though it is a small country, it has several types of climates due to its variations in landscape. In general, however, Lebanon is quite hot during the summer months and can be very cold during winter. The best times to visit are the fall and spring.
The Mediterranean area is a great place to go to the beach, relax in the warm waters, or just sit in a corniche cafe and have a few cold or hot ones.
There are several mountainous regions in Lebanon and the weather there is generally cooler than other parts of the country. Lebanon also has several skiing areas and ski season runs from November through March. You can ski one day and drive down the mountains the next day and swim in the balmy Med!
Religion
Lebanon is one of the most religiously diverse countries in the Middle East, though about 65% of its population is Muslim. There is a sizeable Christian population and smaller amounts of Jews and other religions as well.
Lebanon's religious celebrations often mesh together and there is much intermingling of religious and cultural holidays. This makes for one of the most unique countries in the world, and one of the most interesting as well.
Language
For the most part everyone in Lebanon speaks Arabic. Many of the Christian Lebanese also speak French and most people in the country understand some English. To learn some Arabic visit our learning Arabic page.
Clothing
Lebanon is one of the more Western oriented countries in the Mideast. In Beirut, especially, you can wear pretty much what you want. Outside of the cities and main areas of town, however, you should wear long skirts and sleeves, and for the men, avoid shorts.
Visa
All visitors to Lebanon need a Visa. US, UK and Australian visitors, among many other countries, can get tourist visas upon arrival. It is preferable, and may be easier as well, to get your visa before you visit Lebanon from the closest Lebanese consulate or embassy.
If you have an Israeli stamp in your passport or are suspected of visiting Israel recently, you may be denied entrance into Lebanon. This includes people with passports from Israel.
Driving
Driving is one of the more insane activities you can do in Lebanon, if you aren't used to the driving culture here. You can, however, rent a car from one of the major rental car companies in Lebanon, particularly in Beirut. Rental or hire cars are somewhat more expensive than most other countries, however. Gasoline is fairly cheap.
Roads in Lebanon are in a generally bad state of repair. Drivers in Lebanon often speed and drive dangerously, including on the wrong sides of the road, on sidewalks, and in between pedestrians. Beirut has a big traffic problem. There are no real set speed limits in the country and very little traffic law enforcement.
If you are driving outside the cities, it can be even more dangerous. The best way to get around Lebanon is by taxi, or service taxi. Avoid the trains and buses. Negotiate fares before getting into the taxi and make sure to pay the correct amount.
Be careful when walking near busy streets or intersections as cars pay little attention to pedestrians. Be prepared to run!
Drugs & Alcohol
Alcohol is available throughout the country and the Lebanese have a strong cultural connection to drinking Araq, beer, and wine. Several wines and beer brands are made in Lebanon, including the lagers Al-Maza, and Laziza. The wine region of Lebanon is in its Bekaa Valley and Massaya area.
Drugs are also widely available in Lebanon, though should be avoided as the penalties for drug use can be severe. Your home embassy cannot help you if you are caught with drugs. In addition to wine, the Bekaa Valley area has been seen as a growing home to illegal marijuana and poppy fields as well.
Money
Lebanon is a fairly pricey place to visit. The currency in Lebanon is the Lira, abbreviated as LL, but commonly called the Lebanese Pound. One Lebanese pound is worth about $0.66 US and .36 Pounds Sterling. US currency (the dollar) is widely accepted in Lebanon, however, and you won't even need to exchange your money for Lebanese currency if you already have dollars.
ATMS and banks are found commonly in the cities, and credit cards and traveler's cheques are accepted in most places.
Vaccinations
None required unless you are coming from a yellow-fever infested area and then you need a certificate against yellow fever.
Annoyances
The driving in Lebanon is particularly crazy, avoid it if you can.
Lebanon is, however, a very welcoming and wonderful place to visit. It has a rich history and its populace feels like its ready to make large strides toward independence and rebuilding, though there have been several recent incidents of in-fighting among political powers, mainly between nationalistic Lebanese and Syrian influences (Syria has been largely governing the country for the past several years).
Avoid rural independent travel in Southern Lebanon, the site of much strife and war over the past 40 or so years. There are also several unexploded mines and ordinance in the area and little supervision or cleanup.
Gay and Lesbian Travel
Lebanon has one of the most open and welcoming gay communities in the Mideast, especially in Beirut where you can find several gay nightclubs. Male homosexuality is more tolerated and open than Lesbianity, however.
The gay scene is more subdued than several Western countries as well, and you should maintain some semblance of decorum when visiting less-urban areas.
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