Capital: Beirut
Time zone: GMT + 2 (GMT + 3 during the summer)
Telephone services: Country Code: 961
Outgoing Code: 00
Emergency telephone numbers: Police – 386 440 425 (Emergency police – 16), Fire – 310 105, Ambulance – 386 675
Tourist information: Lebanon Tourist and Information Office, 90 Piccadilly, London W1V 9HB Tel: (020) 7409 2031 Fax: (020) 7493 4929.
Passport information: Valid passport required by all except: Nationals of Syria arriving from their country with valid national ID. Passports must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the estimated duration of stay. Return Ticket required. Requirements may be subject to short term change. Contact the relevant authority before departure.
Visa information: Required by all except: Syrians, Nationals of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates can obtain their visas on arrival at Beirut airport. Do not enter with Israel stamps on your passport. Obtain a visa in advance – three month visa costs 100,000 Lebanese Lira. If you have an Israeli stamp in your passport you will be refused entry to Lebanon even if you have a valid visa.
Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended.
Yellow Fever: A vaccination certificate is required from travellers coming from infected areas.
Other Health Risks: Cholera, Rabies.
Food & drink: Water is untreated and not safe to drink.
Currency: Lebanese Pound (L£) = 100 piastres.
Credit cards and travellers cheques have limited acceptance
ATM availability: Over 30 locations.
Cost of living: Relatively expensive. Accommodation can be especially expensive for the traveller looking for a cheap place to stay. Food, however can be cheap if purchased from sandwich and snack bars.
Languages: Arabic. French and English are spoken. Kurdish and Armenian are spoken by a small minority.
Weather: Summer (June – Sept) is hot along the coast and cooler in the mountains. Winter (Dec to mid Mar) is mostly rainy with snow in the mountains. Spring and Autumn are cool and pleasant.
Electricity: 110/220 volts, AC 50 Hz.
Post: Usually 5- 6 days to Europe, up to 8 days to the USA.
Transport: BUS: Intercity buses are cheap and efficient but may be uncomfortable. TAXI: Fares should be agreed in advance. They are usually shared and a 50% surcharge will be added after 2200 hours. CAR HIRE: chauffeur-driven cars are recommended although self drive cars are available. DOCUMENTATION: IDP is recommended although not legally required.
Special information: Because of the situation of global and regional insecurity at present, travllers should exercise extreme caution and make only necessary journeys to this country. If you intend to travel despite this advice you should be aware that you should always carry ID. Muslim traditions and practices should be respected. Casual must modest dress is suitable for day-time clothing. The main danger spots are in the south which can be subject to Israeli shelling or air raids. Do not travel in the Israeli Occupied Zone. PHOTOGRAPHY: Only take photographs at obvious tourist sites.