Beirut has a typically Mediterranean climate, characterised byhot, dry summers and cool, wet winters. The hottest month isAugust, with temperatures reaching 86°F (30°C), and the coldestmonths are January and February, with temperatures between around50°F (10°C) and 63°F (17°C). The best time to visit Beirut is inspring (May) or autumn (September), when the weather is perfectlymild and there is plenty of tourist accommodation available.
Lebanon has three different climate zones: the coastal strip,the mountains, and the Beqaa Valley. Coastal areas experience aMediterranean climate, with hot, dry summers and mild, rainywinters. Mountainous regions have typical alpine climates and arecool in the summer and cold with heavy snowfalls in the winter. TheBeqaa Valley has hot, dry summers and cold, dry winters with snow,frost and cold winds.
The sun shines for an average of 300 days a year and the averagetemperature in Beirut is 70°F (21°C), with a range of 50°F (10°C)in winter to 86°F (30°C) in summer. Coastal regions can climb toover 95°F (35°C).
Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport
Location: The airport is situated four miles (7km) south of thecity.
Time: GMT +2 (GMT +3 from the last Sunday in March tothe last Sunday in October).
Getting to the city:
Taxis are available outside the arrivals hall and can beorganised through hotels or reputable companies online prior toarrival, and Uber is also available in Beirut. Authorised vehiclesbear the airport logo on their side and charge an official rate.Other taxis are also available but their charge is subject tobargain.
Car Rental:
Car rental companies located at the airport include Dealers,Budget, City Car, National, Avis, Europcar, and Hertz. The carrental operators' desks can be found in the arrivals hall.
Airport Taxis:
Organising taxis through reputable companies online or throughhotels prior to arrival is the easiest way to get a reliable taxi.Otherwise, certified airport taxis are usually available outsidethe arrivals hall and have a unified official rate. Uber is anincreasingly affordable and reliable option.
Fascilities:
Airport facilities include ATMs, currency exchangeservices, offices, a bank, pay phones, a post office, luggagewrapping services, lost baggage complaints, business lounges, wifiaccess, separate Muslim and Christian prayer rooms, and first aidand emergency medical services.
The Information Centre staff members aremultilingual, generally speaking Arabic, French, and English. Thereare a number of cafés and restaurants open to the public, locatedin the arrival zone. There are also a number of shops, includingduty free.
Parking
Parking for 2,350 cars is available at the airport. The parkingarea is connected to the terminal by an underground walkway.Parking rates start at LBP 5,750 for less than an hour, and go upto LBP 22,000 per day.
Money:
The official currency is the Lebanese Pound (LBP), which isdivided into 100 piastres. The Lebanese Pound is locally known asthe Lira. ATM machines are widely available in Lebanon except inisolated towns and cash can be withdrawn from banks during businesshours. Credits cards are widely used.
Language:
Arabic is the official language, though Lebanese Arabicis its own dialect, often a patois including at least one otherlanguage. French and English are the most common European languagesand most people are bilingual.
Electricity:
Electrical current is 230 volts, 50Hz. The Europeanround two-pin plug is standard (type C), but a variety of otherplugs are used.
Entry Requirements:
US citizens must have a passport that is valid for at least onemonth beyond their estimated duration of stay in Lebanon. A visa isrequired for all travellers and can be obtained on arrival atBeirut International Airport for one month. However, some visas dorequire prior arrangments with the Lebanese government to ensurelonger stays.
British citizens must have a passport that is valid for at leastone month beyond their entry date into Lebanon. A visa is requiredfor all travellers and can be obtained on arrival at BeirutInternational Airport for one month. However, some visas do requireprior arrangments with the Lebanese government to ensure longerstays.
Canadian citizens must have a passport that is valid for atleast one month beyond their estimated duration of stay in Lebanon.A visa is required for all travellers and can be obtained onarrival at Beirut International Airport for a maximum stay of onemonth. However, some visas do require prior arrangements with theLebanese government to ensure longer stays.
Australian citizens must have a passport that is valid for atleast one month beyond their estimated duration of stay in Lebanon.A visa is required for all travellers and can be obtained onarrival at Beirut International Airport for a maximum stay of onemonth. However, some visas do require prior arrangments with theLebanese government to ensure longer stays.
South African citizens must have a passport that is valid for atleast one month beyond their estimated duration of stay in Lebanon,and need a pre-arranged visa to enter Lebanon. When prearranged,they can obtain a visa on arrival for a maximum stay of sixmonths.
Irish citizens must have a passport that is valid for at leastone month beyond their estimated duration of stay in Lebanon. Avisa is required for all travellers and can be obtained on arrivalat Beirut International Airport for a maximum stay of one month.However, some visas do require prior arrangments with the Lebanesegovernment to ensure longer stays.
US citizens must have a passport that is valid for at least onemonth beyond their estimated duration of stay in Lebanon. A visa isrequired for all travellers and can be obtained on arrival atBeirut International Airport for one month. However, some visas dorequire prior arrangments with the Lebanese government to ensurelonger stays.
New Zealand citizens must have a passport that is valid for atleast one month beyond their estimated duration of stay in Lebanon.A visa is required for all travellers and can be obtained onarrival at Beirut International Airport for a maximum stay of onemonth. However, some visas do require prior arrangements with theLebanese government to ensure longer stays.
Passport/Visa Note:Visa:
Most foreign nationals can obtain a visa on arrival in Beruit(BEY), Lebanon, provided that: (i) they are holding confirmedreturn/onward tickets, and the necessary travel documentation fortheir next destination; and (ii) they can supply a valid addressand telephone number for themselves while in Lebanon; a familial orcorporate sponsor are good examples of appropriate sponsors.
These tourist visas are either free (for stays of up to onemonth), or will be charged according to the nature and duration ofthe visit (for a maximum of up to six months). Visa extensions arepossible from within the country. Business travellers and largetourists groups (min. 8 people) registered with a local touroperator can get visas on arrival for up to six months. Note thatholders of passports containing a visa for Israel (whether valid orexpired, used or unused), or containing any Israeli stamps orendorsements, will not be allowed to enter Lebanon. A yellow fevervaccination certificate is required to enter Lebanon, if arrivingwithin six days of leaving or transiting through an infectedarea.
NOTE: It is highly recommended that your passport has at leastsix months validity remaining after your intended date of departurefrom your travel destination. Immigration officials often applydifferent rules to those stated by travel agents and officialsources.
Travel Health:
Health risks for travellers to Lebanon are not excessive. Updateroutine vaccines such as measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine,diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine, chickenpox vaccine, and poliovaccine, as well as flu shots.
There is no risk of yellow fever, but a vaccination certificateis required for travellers arriving from an infected country.Typhoid vaccinations are recommended to all travellers, with theexception of those who intend to stay in Lebanon for only a shortperiod and take their meals in major restaurants and hotels.
This is especially applicable around the rainy season, whencontaminated water may filter into the cities. Medical facilitiesand healthcare in Lebanon are good but expensive and all paymentsare expected in cash, regardless of insurance. Make sure medicalinsurance covers any possible expenses and consider provision formedical evacuation.
Tipping:
Tipping is customary in Lebanon and service staff are usuallytipped around 10 to 15 percent of the bill. Porters, hotel staff,valets, and doormen usually receive a nominal fee, depending on thearea, service, and establishment.
Safety Information:
Safety warnings change regularly and Lebanon is unpredictable atbest, featuring on numerous consular warning lists. Most recently,twin suicide bombings in November 2015 killed 43 people and wounded239 others in the southern suburbs of Beirut.
Vigilance is essential, as family, neighbourhood, and factionalviolence is spontaneous, sporadic, and often lethal. Certain areasmust be completely avoided, particularly at the Syrian and Israeliborder. Any travel south of the Litani River is discouraged.
Politically or economically motivated kidnappings occur, andother crimes, such as burglary, petty theft, vehicle theft, andbreak-ins, are present in Lebanon, but are low by internationalstandards. Visitors should be streetwise and exercise normalprecautions otherwise.
Local Customs:
Lebanon is a religious country where Islam and Christianityhaving the two largest followings. Though more liberal thansurrounding destinations, visitors are still expected to dress andbehaviour modestly at religious sites and during religious holidayslike Ramadan.
Cosmopolitan areas in places like Beirut are far more liberalthan the rest of the country and wider region, meaning travellerscan relax and express themselves in more ways. Possession, use, andtrafficking of controlled drugs are serious offences that carrycustodial sentences. Most jurisdictions consider homosexuality acriminal office.
Overstaying without the proper authority is also a seriousoffence. Photographing military personnel or installations andgovernment buildings may lead to confiscation of photographicequipment and possibly imprisonment.
Business:
Many businesspeople speak English but an interpreter may beneeded. Work attire is conservative and local business customs mayat times take precedence in an increasingly Westernised businessenvironment, especially for smaller companies.
Business people consider it rude to negotiate without chattingover tea first. Direct eye contact, physical closeness andfriendliness are important points for gaining confidence in abusiness meeting.
Cross-gender negotiations are more reserved and don't usuallyinclude physical greetings. Gift giving is common and it's worthasking a legal consultant to explain the legal boundaries of whatcould be considered a gift.
The working week runs from Monday to Saturday but some Muslimbusinesses may be closed on Fridays. Business cards are widelydistributed.
Communications:
The international dialling code for Lebanon is +961. Theoutgoing code is 00, followed by the relevant country code (e.g.0044 for the UK). City codes are in use, e.g. (0)1 for Beirut, (0)6for Tripoli. Internet services are provided at places likeStarbucks. There is good mobile phone coverage and many networkshave international roaming agreements.
Duty Free:
Duty free allowances for travellers to Lebanon over 18 are 800cigarettes/50 cigars/1kg of tobacco, two litres of spirits and fourof other alcoholic beverages, and perfume for personal use. Allcurrency should be declared on arrival, and a valid import licenceis required for any arms or ammunition. All prescriptionmedications should be accompanied by a Dr's letter and check a listof contraband medication prior to travel.
Public transport in Beirut is not very well established as mostresidents use their own vehicles for getting around the city. Busesoperate along set routes, but schedules can be erratic. They aregenerally modern, comfortable, and air-conditioned.
To avoid embarrassment, men should be aware that seats at thefront of the bus are usually reserved for women. Taxis are apopular mode of transport and easily hailed off the street. Theyare not metered so it's best that passengers agree on the farebefore getting into the vehicle. Visitors should try to usereputable companies or a ride-hailing app to get fair prices.
Car hire is available and a viable option for travelling aroundBeirut, though traffic congestion can be extreme during peak timesand Lebanese roads have a very poor safety record. Travellersshould consider this option carefully.
Capoeria in Hamra Street
Youssef Chaker
Exhibit
american_rugbier
Corniche Evening
Samfay
Al Omari mosque
Aboluay
Jeita Grotto caves of Lebanon
kcakduman
Baalbek Temple Complex
upyernoz
Our Lady of Lebanon
Serge Melki
Sidon Port
Heather Cowper
