General Travel Information
Click on Lebanon Tourism Center for information from the Lebanese government, and then use your back key to return to Getting Away.
General Information
Passports and Visas
Customs and Departure Taxes
Weather Information
Currency and Other Money Matters
Shopping in Lebanon
Language
General Information
Click on Lebanon
Tourism Center for information from the Lebanese government.
Passports and Visas
All foreigners except nationals of the Gulf
Cooperation Council (GCC) must have a valid visa to enter Lebanon. Passports
must be valid for at least three months beyond the estimated duration of stay in
Lebanon. GCC nationals are issued a three-month visa on arrival. Refugees
must hold travel documents according to the London Convention of 1946 and the
Geneva Convention of 1951, issued by any country other than Israel. Single
and multiple entry visas can be obtained from any Lebanese consulate or embassy.
The government of Lebanon refuses entry and transit to holders of Israeli
passports. Entry is also refused to: Residents of Gaza holding a
Laissez-Passer issued by Egyptian authorities unless the holder has obtained a
visa from a Lebanese representative abroad. Holders of passports
containing a visa for Israel, (valid, expired, used or unused). They may only
transit Lebanon on the same aircraft within 24 hours and without leaving the
airport. Exceptions are members of travel groups (organized by travel agents and
comprising more than three persons) who are holding a passport with a visa for
Israel.
Nationals of India need a return or onward ticket, if their profession gives
rise to the suspicion that they may look for employment in Lebanon (e.g. manual laborers).
Passports of USA nationals must be validated prior to departure from the USA
stating that travel to Lebanon is authorized by US Secretary of State in
Washington DC. This is a US government regulation.
As visa regulations are subject to change, visitors should check with their
nearest Lebanese embassy or consulate prior to making travel arrangements.
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Click Here for more complete information and then use the back key to return to Getting Away.
Customs and Departure Tax
Visitors are allowed 200 cigarettes and one liter of
alcohol. The import and export of foreign currency is not restricted. The export of antiquities is prohibited without an export
license.
There is a US$15 departure tax for visitors leaving the country by boat, or
economy class air ticket. First class airline passengers must pay US$30.
Currency and Banking
The unit of currency in Lebanon is the Lebanese pound (LL), known locally
as the lira. There are only notes (LL 50, 100, 250, 500, 1000, 10,000) in
circulation as the currency lost much of its value during the war. Most
shops, restaurants and hotels will accept US dollars.
The currency fluctuates according to the international market and to
political developments in Lebanon and the Middle East. Most banks will only
change US dollars and UK pounds in cash and travelers checks, but
moneychangers will buy and sell almost any currency.
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Shopping Information
Beirut is full or shops and markets selling everything from hand woven
rugs to electronic equipment, including fashionable clothing. Locally
produced handicrafts include pottery, blown glass, embroidered materials,
caftans, copper and brass ornaments, mother-of-pearl inlaid trinkets and
furniture and rugs. A good selection of handicrafts is offered at La Maison de l'Artisan
opposite the French Embassy. They sell work by artisans from around the
country for a reasonable price.
Click here for language helps, dictionaries, electronic translators, language software and other helps for learning a foreign language. Being able to speak at least some of the language in the country you are visiting will help you have a better time and enjoy your trip more. Jim.
Weather Information
Lebanon has a Mediterranean climate -- hot and dry
summers and cool, rainy winters. The sun shines 300 days a year. The annual
rainfall on the coastal plain is around 35in, and more than 50in in the
mountains.
Humidity is high along the coast in summer and daytime temperatures average 30°C
with night temperatures not much lower.
