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Visas
All foreigners must have a valid passport and visa to enter
Lebanon. Passports must be valid for at least six months.
Visas can be obtained in advance at Lebanese embassies and
consulates around the world. Nationals of many countries can
also obtain business or tourist visas upon arrival at the
Beirut Airport and at other ports of entry on the Lebanese
border. At the Beirut Airport, visa stamps can be purchased
at a window directly across from passport control. You can
pay in cash in U.S. dollars or Lebanese pounds. The price
of a 15-day visa is US$17 (LL25,000). A single entry, three-month
visa is US$35 (LL50,000).
Contact the Lebanese embassy or consulate in your country
or see the General
Directorate of General Security website for additional
visa information.
Important Note: Travelers holding passports that contain
visas or entry/exit stamps for Israel are likely to be refused
entry into Lebanon.
Customs
All ordinary personal effects are exempt from customs duty.
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The official Lebanese currency is the Lebanese pound or lira
(LL). Notes are available in denominations of: LL1,000; LL5,000;
LL10,000; LL20,000; LL50,000; and LL100,000. There are also
LL250 and LL500 coins.
U.S. dollars are used widely throughout the country. Restaurants,
hotels, and stores often quote their prices in U.S. dollars,
and many establishments will convert and provide U.S. dollar
prices for you upon request. If you plan to use U.S. dollars,
it is advisable to bring small bills (US$1 to US$20 notes).
The US$/LL exchange rate is relatively stable, hovering around
US$1=LL1,500. The appreciation of the Euro since early 2002
has benefited European travelers. The Euro/LL exchange rate
has fluctuated from €1=LL1,400 in June 2002 to €1=LL1,800
in April 2006. Check the Yahoo!
Currency Converter for the latest exchange rate before
you go.
Money or travelers checks can be exchanged at banks, private
money exchange shops, and major hotels. Major credit cards
(Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Diners Club) are accepted
at most large establishments throughout the country. ATMs
are also widely available in Beirut and larger cities and
will usually dispense both U.S. dollars and Lebanese pounds.
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While Arabic is Lebanon's official language, English and French
are widely spoken. Most Lebanese speak at least two or three
languages, and visitors will find no problems communicating.
Many establishments provide signs, menus, and information in
both Arabic and English.
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Lebanese time is G.M.T. +2 hours in winter (October to March)
and +3 hours in summer (April to September), when daylight savings
time is observed.
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Shops and businesses are typically open Monday through Saturday,
9:00-18:00. Hours vary, and in summer many establishments close
early. Restaurant hours vary, and many restaurants, especially
in Beirut, are open late.
Banking hours are Monday through Saturday, 8:30-12:30. Working
hours for government offices and post offices are typically
8:00-14:00.
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Thanks to its diverse population and different religious groups,
Lebanon has a full calendar of official holidays. Although all
banks, government offices, and schools are closed on holidays,
it is often possible to find shops and restaurants open for
business.
Holidays with Fixed Dates:
- New Year's Day – January 1
- Christmas (Armenian-Orthodox) – January 6
- St. Maroun's Day – February 9
- Labor Day – May 1
- Martyrs' Day – May 6
- Resistance and Liberation Day – May 25
- Ascension Day – August 15
- All Saints' Day – November 1
- Independence Day – November 22
- Christmas – December 25
Religious Holidays with Moveable Dates:
- Catholic Good Friday
- Orthodox Good Friday
Catholic Easter
- Orthodox Easter
- Ras As-Sana (Muslim New Year)
- Eid Al-Fitr (three days)
- Eid Al-Adha (three days)
- Al-Ashoura
- Moulid An-Nabi (Prophet Muhammad's Birthday)
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Communications |
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Telephones
While the telephone system in Lebanon is well-developed, there
are few public pay phones, and international phone calls are
expensive. Most Lebanese use mobile phones, and coverage extends
throughout the country.
The country code for Lebanon is (961). This is followed by
the local area code and the telephone number. The area code
for mobile phones is (03) and the area code for Beirut is
(01). If you are dialing Lebanon from outside the country,
omit the (0) in the area code.
Internet
There are Internet cafés available throughout Lebanon, and
many larger hotels now offer high-speed and wireless Internet
access for free or for a small fee.
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Electricity |
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Electric current is 110/220 volts, 50 cycles. A two-pin plug,
with round pins is commonly used (Type C, similar to many European
countries), but other types of plugs are also in use so it is
best to check before you go.
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Health |
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Lebanon is a developed country with relatively good health facilities.
Similar to travel to other foreign countries, hepatitis A and
B vaccines are recommended; also make sure tetanus-diphtheria
and measles vaccinations are up-to-date. A typhoid vaccine is
also recommended for travel to Lebanon.
Although Beirut's tap water is considered safe to drink,
it's probably best to drink bottled water as the Lebanese
do. As is the general traveler's rule, to be absolutely safe
drink water only from bottles with intact caps, do not take
ice in your drinks, and eat only cooked food and fruits that
you can peel.
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