lebanon trip cost

Is Lebanon expensive? A 10-day Lebanon travel budget breakdown

If you want to travel to Lebanon, you might discover that the country is more expensive than you’d think. I was blown away about the prices in Lebanon but I wouldn’t have wanted to miss it for the world. But how expensive is Lebanon really ? Can you visit Beirut and Lebanon on a budget? Here is my 10-day travel budget breakdown to show you how expensive Lebanon really is.

During my trip to Lebanon, I paid for everything in full myself. I was not paid or sponsored and all my opinions (and expenses) are my own.

Probe around the Globe does use affiliate links. If you decide to book or buy something via one of my links, I earn a small commission. This comes at no extra cost to you.

I visited Lebanon in 2019 when prices were high but travel in Lebanon was affordable. Since then, the prices have gone up considerably and money is sparse in Lebanon, causing major problems for locals. The conversion to USD is still the same, but simple things as food and basic needs have become nearly non-affordable.

This post should be used as a guide on how money and exchanging money work in Lebanon. Not as a definite calculation of actual prices in Lebanon. I also offer you several valuable tips on how to save money and what is worth splurging on.

Is Lebanon Expensive? My 10-Day Lebanon Travel Budget Breakdown

My trip to Lebanon

On all my trips, I keep track of every penny and dime I spend. Usually, I don’t really set a budget per day, but I do make conscious decisions about going out to eat and not ordering the most expensive item on the menu. I do this, so I can share my expenses with you!

As a solo female traveler, especially in the Middle East, my safety and peace-of-mind is my most valuable asset and I spend quite some extra money on feeling safe and comfortable.

In my younger travel days, I used to sleep in 16-bed shared dorm rooms and consider reading a book on a park bench a well-spent afternoon. Now, I go out, explore more and make the most of what the country and culture have to offer.

Money in Lebanon

Lebanon has the Lebanese pound (LBP), also known as the Lebanese Lira (LL). It is the official currency of the country but it is hard to get abroad. Since 1997, the rate of the LBP is set at 1507.5 LBP for 1 US Dollar. Roughly, this translated to 1500 LBP per 1 US Dollar.

You can get notes of 1,000 LBP, 5,10, 20, 50 and 100 thousand LBR. Uncommon but possible, are the coins of 500, 250 and 100 LBP.

Lebanon currency: Lebanese Pound or US Dollar

The Lebanese Pound is strongly linked to the US Dollar. One dollar is 1500 LBP and it is very common to pay (or get your change) in US Dollars. As a traveler, this is super easy and saves you time and money.

If you arrive in Lebanon, there is no need to go to an ATM or exchange office to get Lebanese Pounds. Of course, you can exchange money at Beirut Airport or at the many exchange offices in Beirut and across the country. It is just not necessary.

If you bring some US dollars, you can pay with those. You can even choose to receive the change in Lebanese Pounds or in US Dollars.

As everyone uses the same exchange rate (1500 LBP for 1 US Dollar), you get the same, whatever that is in your hotel, at the hands of your cab driver, or in the supermarket.

Prices in Lebanon

Prices in Lebanon are indicated usually in Lebanese pounds, or with LL (Lebanese Lira) on a sign. Usually written as 2,000 LL or something on the market. A taxi driver or a bus driver will hold up 2 fingers, to indicate you need to pay 2,000 Lebanese pounds.

In general, I found the prices across Lebanon pretty much the same. A shared taxi ride, either in Beirut or the south or the north of the country, will cost you 2,000 Lebanese pounds. Gas prices and entrance fees were pretty similar across the country.

The deviations start with prices for food and drinks.

On the same street in Beirut, you can get a falafel sandwich for 3,000 LBP or 13,000 LBP. The same goes for tours, private drivers, and the likes. It is well worth haggling in those situations or comparing prices.

I visited Lebanon in 2019, before the protests and the changes in the government. Prices and valuta deviations can occur, depending on the developments within Lebanon. Check for the current rates and currency exchange rates here .

What did I spend in Lebanon?

So, how much did I spend during my 10-day trip to Lebanon?

Lebanon is surprisingly expensive as it has a lot to offer. I’ll break my travel expenses for Lebanon down into separate categories, and when possible I’ll offer money-saving tips.

Prices to fly to Beirut, Lebanon

Beirut International Airport is the only way to enter Lebanon at the moment. The border with Israel remains closed.

At the time of my travels, the border with Syria was closed, but it has opened near Anjar but this is still not a reliable way to travel. You can enter Lebanon by boat or by plane.

Several airlines have direct flights to Lebanon, like Gulf Air, MEA, Lufthansa, and Transavia.

All direct flights will go via the Middle East (Jordan, Turkey, Cyprus, Saudi-Arabia, Bahrein, etc) or some countries in Europe.

Low-cost airlines to Beirut

I’m based in the Netherlands, and a local, low-cost airline called Transavia offers direct flights from Amsterdam to Beirut. You can easily fly to Amsterdam, explore the city for a day or two and then continue to Beirut, Lebanon. 

Budget TIP: One-way flights from Amsterdam to Beirut go for as low as €49, up to roughly 100€. This is the basic fare, which doesn’t include sitting together or adding a piece of hold luggage.

As the flight is over 5 hours, I decided to treat myself to the ‘plus’ package, which includes one piece of hold luggage, two pieces of carry-on luggage and a bigger seat with extra legroom.

I booked my flight roughly 5 months in advance and I paid €265 for the return flight Amsterdam-Beirut.

That is $294, 225 GBP or 443.725 LBP.

Search your low-cost flight to Beirut by clicking on this link here.

Depending on your dates, you can score a return flight for as low as 98€. They also have direct flights to Beirut from Lyon and Paris Orly.

Hotel Prices in Lebanon

Now, once you’ve booked your flight to Beirut, Lebanon, it is time to decide where to stay.

Lebanon has a wide range of chain hotels (mostly in Beirut), boutique hotels, self-catered accommodations, and hostels. 

Depending on where to stay, depends also on what you’ll do during your time in Lebanon. Will you use Beirut as a base and take day trips from there? Or will you travel around the country? This decision will influence your budget greatly. 

Hotel prices in Beirut

Beirut has by far the best offer of hotels and accommodations. You can book several hotels for $1000 a night, or go as low as 20$ in backpacker accommodations. 

Budget TIP: If you book several nights in a row, hotels in Beirut can offer nice deals and discounts so it really pays to compare your hotel prices in Beirut.

In general, you’ll want to stay in the Hamra area or in the North-West of the city, near the corniche and the beach or downtown. Don’t just book the cheapest hotel you can find, because Beirut has some serious no-go areas for tourists.

I decided to book 3 nights in Beirut, at the J Hotel and Spa in the Hamra area. I had a private double room with a mini-fridge, bath and breakfast included. 

For these 3 nights, I paid €141, which was quite a low to mid-range price for Beirut.€141 is $157, GBP120 or 236.048 LBP.

High-end options in Beirut are:

• Radisson Blu SAS Martinez Hotel
• Lancaster Plaza
• Or the Raouche Rock Suits with views of the famous rock of Beirut.

For more budget-friendly options in Beirut, check out the following hotels:

• 35 Rooms in Hamra
• Lavender Home Hotel Beirut
• Hostels in Beirut with shared dorms

I found that most of Beirut’s budget accommodation options are more like apartments in a bigger complex with a small kitchen and a bed.

They don’t always have reception, breakfast options, or tour information. Although cheaper, to cater for your own food, it might not be the best social option and not for everyone.

Hotel prices in the rest of Lebanon

When I decided I would rent a car, and drive around Lebanon I needed to find accommodations in the rest of Lebanon.

I quickly noticed that options are much more limited and prices are much higher in the rest of Lebanon than in Beirut.

For example, 10 nights at J Hotel and Spa in Beirut would have only cost me €548. Instead, I spent €659 for 10 nights across Lebanon.

I always use this hotel booking website . They have the most accommodations in Lebanon, a lot of reviews, good pictures and in most cases, you can cancel free of charge too.

Where did I stay in Lebanon and how much did I pay?

So, as you can read above, I spent a total of €659 on hotels. That is $732 or 562 GBP or 1,103,900 LBP. Where did I stay and what did it cost? Check the prices below.

• 3 nights in Beirut at the J Hotel and Spa for €141 ($156, GBP120 or LBP 235.979). That is €47 a night for a double room with AC and breakfast included. It was located right in the heart of Hamra and I could walk around the neighborhood at night without any problems. They also have a Spa, but I was too busy exploring Beirut so I didn’t get to that.
• 1 night in Jbeil/Byblos at the Aleph Boutique Hotel for €65 ($72, GBP55 or LBP 108.796). Once I saw images of this lovely boutique hotel, I was hooked. They offered free on-sight parking, a view of the Byblos beach and ruins and an amazing breakfast buffet that was included in the price. I’d stay here again in a heartbeat.
• 1 night in Tripoli at Azur Apartments for €52 ($58, GBP 44 or LBP 87.032). There were not that many options to stay in Tripoli. This apartment had a fully equipped kitchen and was located in the safe El Mina area. There was free parking in the street. The owner went out of his way to accommodate and welcome me. But in the end, it might be easier to stay in a luxury beach resort just south of Tripoli and take a half-day trip to Tripoli.
• 2 nights in Bcharre in the Qadisha Valley at Bauhaus Chalets for €183 ($203, GBP 156 or LBP 306,188) . That is €91,50 per night. This was a fully equipped apartment that sleeps 2 people. As it was only me, I paid full price. It was centrally located and it felt like a comfortable home base in Bcharre. There were other resorts that were much more expensive or more budget options but they all looked very shabby and run-down. In the end, I was happy with my choice but it was a lot of money for very few square meters.
• 2 nights in Zahlé at the Beit el Kroum Boutique Hotel for €153 ($170, GBP130 or LBP255,946). That is €76,50 per night. I choose Zahlé as a 2-night base to explore the Bekaa Valley. Of course, you can also stay in Baalbek but I choose Zahlé as a base. The city had several options for hotels, but I chose this home-stay option instead. With free parking and great views, it really is a good base to explore the Bekaa Valley by car.
• 1 night in Barouk at the Palais des Cedres Hotel for €65 ($72, GBP 55 or LBP 108,774). This is what I call very affordable luxury. The hotel was amazing. Big bright rooms with views of the cedars, amazing beds and a warm and welcoming feel. It has an on-site restaurant which comes in very handy as there isn’t much else around. You really need a car to get here but you’re almost staying inside the Cedars National Park.

As you can see, I tried to stay around the €50 per night range, with some exemptions on the higher end.

For €50 a night, you can easily stay comfortable in Beirut but then you have to take more expensive day trips to see the rest of the country.

Use Beirut as a base vs staying in different places in Lebanon

For me, this was quite a hard decision to make. If you look at accommodation prices, staying in Beirut as a base, is cheaper than traveling around the country.

Local buses are cheap and shared taxis are not expensive too. So you can see a lot of the main highlights of Lebanon on a budget. However, you do need to keep in mind some other factors when you use Beirut as a base:

• You need taxis to drive you from Beirut to the intersections where the buses leave
• Buses are infrequent and somewhat uncomfortable and you need to wait until full. It will cost you a lot of time to get to the more remote areas.
• Exploring Lebanon by local transport is not impossible but some really nice areas are quite remote. It will take a lot of buses and taxis to get there in the end.

On the other end, car rentals and hotels across Lebanon are not that cheap either, but it does give you endless amounts of freedom to go explore where you want, for how long you want, and see more local life in Lebanon than just Beirut. 

If you’re really trying to squeeze every penny from your budget and you’re a solo traveler, it might be more economical to stay in Beirut.

You’ll not see the same amount of sights as with a rental car and a circular itinerary across Lebanon, but it might save you some money.

Budget TIP: If you travel with 2 persons or more, I think renting a car will reduce the costs of travel and sightseeing in Lebanon greatly. You can divide the cost of the car rental between more people and when you rent an apartment you’ll only pay a little bit extra for more people.

How much to pay for tours, entree fees and sightseeing in Lebanon

But I didn’t come to Lebanon to spend all my time in Beirut. I wanted to explore the rest of the country and I did my best to see as much as possible, in the little time I had.

In general, entrance fees for sites are very affordable, ranging from 6.000 or 7.000 LBP to 15.000 LBP to visit Baalbek. The exception was the LBP 18,315 entrance fee for the Jeita Grotto, just north of Lebanon.

What I paid for tours and entrance fees in Lebanon

Below, I’ll give you a list of all my expenses and entrance fees that I spent during my 10-day trip to Lebanon. If you wish to have a more detailed breakdown of what these sights are or what I did there, I recommend reading my 10-day Lebanon itinerary .

Free things to do in Lebanon

Luckily for you, not all things in Lebanon are expensive. As a matter of fact: there are some splendid things to do for absolutely free. Here is a list of free things to do in Beirut and Lebanon:

• Walking tour of Beirut. I spent the whole day walking around Beirut. I passed mosques, government buildings, Roman Ruins, and amazing Beirut buildings. The history of the city unfolded before my eyes, aided by general information from my guidebook or informative signs across the city.
• Walking around the Corniche in Beirut and taking in the Raouche Rock (especially at sunset) is also free!
• Cedars of God National park has no entrance fee, although a tip is highly appreciated.
• Hiking or exploring the Qadisha Valley is free of charge!
• Wine tasting in Zahlé is free.

Entrance Fees in Lebanon

In general, most sites require a (small) entrance fee. For children, the elderly, or students, massive discounts exist (some enter for free) but for the rest, expect to pay some entrance fee. You can pay in Lebanese Pounds or US Dollars.

• Roman Ruins in Tyre: 6.000 LBP
• Castle of Sidon: 4.000 LBP
• Entrance to Jeita Grotto: 18.315 LBP
• Entry into Byblos ruins: 8.000 LBP
• Castle of Tripoli: 5.000 LBP
• Tannourine National Park entrance: 5.000 LBP
• Faqra Roman Ruins: 3.000 LBP
• Entrance to Baalbek (without a guide): 15.000 LBP
• Ruins of Anjar: 6.000 LBP
• Entrance to all parks of the Shouf Cedars: 7.000 LBP

In total, I paid 80,595 LBP. That is €48 or $53 or GBP 41. For 10 days of sightseeing (independently), that is not that much. None of this included a guide or a guided tour. As you can see, the entrance fees are not the biggest cost.

Add in a driver, transport cost or car rental, and a tour guide, then the amount adds up quickly. 

Transport Costs in Lebanon

Although Lebanon is a tiny country, it does cost money to get around. If you don’t have your own transport, you need to add up the costs of shared taxis around the city. Local buses or a driver or tour.

Shared Taxis in Beirut and other cities

The perfect solution in big cities like Beirut. I used quite a few in Beirut, Tyre and in Tripoli. As I had my own rental car for the other areas, I don’t have any experience with shared taxis in Byblos or the Bekaa Valley.

In general, all taxis are shared taxis unless it says so otherwise. In Beirut, it is really hard to find a private taxi. Just wave a taxi down and get in. Expect to pay LBP 2.000 per shared ride. Tell the driver where you want to go and either pay right away or when you want to get out.

From the Hamra area to the Cola intersection, it was a quick 10-20 minute taxi ride and I paid 2.000 Lebanese pounds each time. Even if it is a little bit further, the fare will always be LPB 2.000 as it is super easy to exchange money this way.

In Tyre I also took shared taxis. Although the distance was far less than what we drove in Beirut, it was also 2.000 LBP. In Tripoli, it was a bit cheaper and I paid LBP 1.500 for a ride from El Mina to downtown but I gave the driver 2.000 LBP anyways.

Private Taxis in Beirut

If you’re coming from the Airport and want to get to downtown Beirut, a private (pre-arranged) taxi is super useful. No waiting or haggling. Just someone waiting for you with a sign in his hands.

I arranged my taxi with my hotel, but you can also use Allo Taxi app or book your Taxi transfer here.

Expect to pay 27$ (40,000 LBP) when you come from Beirut Airport and want to go downtown. From downtown to the airport, it is much cheaper. Expect to pay LBP 25,000 ($16,50).

Budget TIP: With all private taxi rides, make sure to negotiate the fare before you leave. Does the fare include a single journey or a return journey? Is there waiting time involved or not?

If you can’t communicate with your private driver, especially for tours and trips, odds are there will be some miscommunication and you might pay more than you bargained for.

Local buses in Lebanon

I only used local buses in Lebanon to get from Beirut to Tyre and Saida. But buses frequent the rest of Lebanon too. Getting along the cost to Byblos or Tripoli is super easy. Also, Zahlé and Baalbek have regular bus services from Beirut.

Getting to the Qadisha Valley and the rest of the Bekaa Valley or the more remote Shouf Cedar park needs more time. Expect several buses, shared taxis or even private taxis if you’re coming from Beirut.

I paid LBP 2.000 for the bus ride from Beirut to Saida. From Saida to Tyre was another LBP 2.000 and back was the same price. These were the local buses from Cola Intersection. They leave when full and it can take some time. There is not that much space for luggage either.

Expect to pay more on the private buses going to Tripoli. They run less frequently but at set times. They run on a schedule and have luggage space.

For more details on my day trip to Tyre from Beirut, including the breakdown and comparison of local buses vs tours and private transport.

Car Rental in Lebanon

As you know by now, I rented a car in Lebanon. After 2 full days in Beirut (of which one was a day trip by local transport), I returned to Beirut airport to pick up my car rental.

Lebanon is a small country and a rental car offers you the ultimate freedom to visit more remote areas and stop wherever you want. 

Budget TIP: Book your car rental as much in advance as possible. Odds are: prices will only go up. Especially in high season, lock down that budget car rental price! Find the best rates and conditions here.

Renting a car and driving in Lebanon is not for everyone, so make sure to read my guide.

8 days of car rental in Lebanon

I decided to do it anyway. I rented a car from Beirut airport for 8 days after spending time in Beirut. All car rental offices were closed on Sunday, except for the ones at the airport.

The prices were somewhat in my favor, so I was happy to go to the airport and pick up my rental car.

I booked my car rental 5 months in advance and rented the smallest car. It was also the cheapest one. I was very happy with my Kia Picanto as it fitted me and my luggage. If you’re with more people, you might want to trade up for more space and comfort.

I paid €227 for 8 days of car rental.

This included unlimited mileage, but also full protection. This means I would pay 0.0 € in case I’d damage the car. As driving in Lebanon isn’t without risk, I’d say this is insurance well spent! In the end, I didn’t need it but it was a small price to pay for peace of mind.

The car rental fee was €140, plus €87 for the added insurance. Totals: €227 (or $252, GBP 193).

I needed to refuel twice, once for 25.000 LBP and the other for 32.000 LBP. The total amount of gas was: 60.000 LBP, €36, $40 or GBP 30,50.

I drove 681 km (423 miles) and spent a total of €263 ($292 or GBP223,50) for gas and the car rental. That is roughly €33 per day. If you’re going with 2 or 3 or even 4 people, you pay exactly the same as I did as a solo traveler.

Parking fees in Lebanon

I only had to pay LBP 2250 at the Jeita Grotto for parking. Everywhere else, it was free to park my car.

I did look deliberately for hotels with free parking but overall, I found parking fees in Lebanon not really a thing. Even at the very touristic Baalbek ruins, there were free parking places.

Tours in Lebanon

The reason why I decided to rent a car in Lebanon, was the high costs of tours and private drivers. Expect to pay 100$ for a driver for the day, tips and entrance fees are not included.

Lebanon does offer a lot of guided tours.

For example, a guided day trip from Beirut to visit the Jeita Grotto, Byblos and Harissa is a completely carefree day. You don’t need to worry about logistics, waiting for transport, or hiring a guide. Check for prices and options here .

Another great tour to book is a day trip to explore Anjar, Ksara, and Baalbek, including guides, transport, and lunch. Check for options here .

Whichever day tour you decide to book, always ask about the pick-up location. Is transport included? Is a dedicated guide included or will the driver just point out some things along the route? What is the maximum number of participants and are entrance fees included?

Weigh all your options carefully. If you’re with a small group, it can be beneficial to just rent a car for 1 or 2 days and venture off on your own. If you’re looking for a company, the guided day tours from Beirut are super sociable and a great way to meet new people.

Cost for food and drinks in Lebanon

A woman gotta eat, right?

And where better to do it than in Lebanon?!

I found the cuisine of Lebanon abundant with lush and delicious fresh foods from all walks of life.

They make amazing kebabs, falafel, and salads. Their grilled meats are mouth-watering but almost all dishes can be vegetarian or even vegan too.

Wherever you go in Lebanon, you can expect freshly cooked foods, seasoned options and a colorful spread of yumminess.

I’m not going to list all the meals I had in Lebanon, but here is a list of things I ate or drank and their price:

• 30.000 LBP for a Halloumi salad with drinks in Beirut
• 3.500 LBP for a street-side kebab with drinks in Tyre (the best I ever had)
• 7.000 LBP for cheese zawouk with soda in Byblos
• 12.000 LBP for quesadillas and potato wedges to go in Tripoli
• 22.000 LBP in Bcharre for a sit-down dinner with fattoush salad and cheese rolls.
• 8.000 LBP for a club sandwich and a soda at a roadside stop
• 24.000 LBP for hot mezzes and kofte dinner in Shouf
• 14.000 LBP for a drink and croissant at Starbucks

I visited several supermarkets that really have everything under the sun for sale.

I noticed they either have a really big package that feeds the whole family, or small, one-bite wrappers.

The price level for a bag of rice, canned tomatoes or bread was similar to what I pay in Europe and North America in supermarkets.

I mostly bought breakfast food, snacks, and drinks at the supermarket.

In total, for restaurant food, drinks, and supermarket supplies, I paid: €210 ($233 or GBP 179 or LBP 351,187.)

That is roughly €21 or $23 a day, which is quite a lot if you consider I didn’t have a sit-down lunch, breakfast was mostly included or I bought my own at the supermarket, and at dinner, I chose cheaper options.

Budget Tip: Some of the best food I had, was from street-side vendors. Some have a small table and a chair, others only serve food to go. If you’re looking for a quick kebab or falafel, then this is the place to go.

Tipping in Lebanon

Tipping is not mandatory in Lebanon, but like everywhere in the world: highly appreciated.

In some restaurants, I left a tip of 2 to 5.000 LBP but not in all cases. Remember that Lebanese people are super friendly and welcoming. They will accept a tip with modesty and delight but don’t feel you must tip everyone with 20%.

Beirut Nightlife

Beirut has everything. You can go to Syrian restaurants, American dinners, French jazz clubs, and chain fast-food restaurants.

African, Middle-Eastern and European influences are everywhere and Beirut Nightlife is buzzing.

If you plan to stay in Beirut for some days or intend to explore the nightlife, bring a lot of money. Cocktails don’t come cheap, alcohol is widely available, but not the cheapest option on the list.

I didn’t drink alcohol while I was in Lebanon.

It is available and accepted (some establishments excepted) to drink but I didn’t want to pay 3 to 5 times more for a simple beer. If you do drink or want to enjoy Beirut’s nightlife, expect to pay top dollar!

Budget Tip : Don’t drink alcohol. It will increase your budget enormously. If you do feel like drinking, look for happy hour and other bargain deals at cafés.

Other things to buy in Lebanon

Of course, you can buy a house or business in Lebanon, a car, or a nightclub. You can buy the world of souvenirs and spend all the money you own. It is easy and possible.

I always have a category of ‘other travel expenses’. In the case of Lebanon I spent the following amounts:

• $50 for a Lebanese SIM card with 5GB + some minutes to call. Nobody calls in Lebanon though. Everyone sends each other speech messages via WhatsApp. I used up quite a lot of GB as Wi-Fi in hotels was slow and patchy and as a travel blogger, I like to share my travel videos and pictures directly with you!
• 28.000 LBP for some antibiotics at the pharmacy. I got quite ill in Lebanon because of a stomach bug and I needed something to calm my stomach. I also got some rehydration drinks for that amount too.
• Soap souvenirs. It was hard not to buy soap, shawls, and jewelry at every boutique shop and bazaar I passed. Lebanon has so much amazing stuff to buy. In the end, I bought some small blocks of soap for 2.000 LBP and one bigger one for 10.000 LBP in Tripoli.

In the end, together with some tips here and there, I spent LBP 120,875 or €72 ($80 or GBP 61,50). 

Budget Tip : The best Lebanese souvenirs you’ll find at the bazaar. Wander around, find a bargain, and haggle for the best prices.

How to get money in Lebanon

Well, that more or less sums up what I’ve spent in Lebanon. We briefly discussed the currency in Lebanon and how to pay around Beirut. But I’d like to delve a little deeper into how you can get money in Lebanon and how you can pay for things.

Credit Cards in Lebanon

I have two credit cards. One is from MasterCard and has the maestro logo and was widely accepted in the bigger hotels and chain restaurants (like Starbucks).

I also carry an American Express which gave some issues here and there but overall was also accepted in most places that accepted credit cards.

Especially in Beirut, it was easy to pay with a Credit Card. The hotel, the rental car, the restaurants I ate at in Beirut, all accepted cards.

Outside Beirut, things were a bit more difficult. I only paid for a few hotels with credit cards, the rest was mostly cash only.

Cash is King: Lebanese Pounds or US Dollars

It is best to have cash in Lebanon. Especially because you’ll pay a small amount everywhere. 2,000 Lebanese pounds for a shared taxi. 4 US Dollars for the entrance fee, and a few thousand Lebanese pounds for a street-side kebab. 

It is best to come to Lebanon with US Dollars and pay with them as you go.

For example, you go out to dinner and you need to pay 35 $. Give 100$ and you’ll get the 65$ back in change but in Lebanese pounds. Enough to pay for the shared taxi ride home and some souvenirs at the bazaar.

Lebanon on a budget: backpacker tips

Now, as you can see by now, Lebanon definitely was not cheap. If you travel on a backpacker budget, then I have some tips for you:

• Buddy up. Solo travel allows for infinite ranges of freedom but is also more expensive. If you take a taxi, the rate is the same for 1 person or 2 people. If you’re with a group of 4, you can negotiate better prices for tours and trips.
• Sleep in a dorm room in Beirut. Beirut has quite a small range of shared hostel-style accommodations to meet other solo travelers, hang out and have a cheap place to sleep. Find your hostel here . If you can, buddy up with someone else and rent an apartment or room with the two of you.
• You can book a tour, rent a car or share a taxi, but you can also travel by local transport. It takes longer and you cannot do as much in one day, but you’ll meet a lot of locals and explore the country on a budget.
• Eat local food. Small kebab shops, shawarma, and falafel are your best friends. For a few thousand Lebanese pounds, you can have a fulfilling meal for the day.
• Look for low-budget airlines to fly to Lebanon. There are now several budget options from Amsterdam to Beirut. Find your cheap flight here .

How expensive is Lebanon? The grand total

Well, YES Lebanon is expensive. We cannot escape that. For such a small country, 7 to 10 days is quite a good amount to first get to know the country and see some amazing sites.

But because of this, you might cram a lot of sightseeing into your itinerary, and then the costs go up.

When I look at my separate travel costs for Lebanon, the amounts are not that high. 4 dollars here, 10 dollars there. But things add up to a whopping amount.

This is what I spent:

• Return flight from Amsterdam to Beirut: €265 ($294 or GBP226). This did include 1 piece of hold luggage, 2 carry-on items, and a seat with more legroom.
• 10 nights of accommodation: €659 ($732 or GBP562)
• 10 days of food, drinks and supermarket purchases: €210 ($233 or GBP179)
• 8 days of car rental, petrol and parking fees: €261 ($290 or GBP222)
• 10 days of taxis, shared taxis and buses: €60 ($67 or GBP51)
• 10 days of tours, sightseeing and entrance fee: €48 ($53 GBP41)
• and 10 days of miscellaneous expenses like a SIM card, souvenirs, and tips: €72 ($80 or GBP61,50)

In total, I spent 2,638,418 LBP (€1.575, $1,749 US or £1.343) for 10 days in Lebanon. 

That is a lot of money!

It comes to over €150 per day which is a lot of money.

And I was quite careful. I didn’t eat out 2 times a day nor did I drink alcohol or chose the most expensive thing on the menu.

And I did skip some sights and attractions because I found them too expensive.

However, I did choose comfortable double room accommodation across the country and I rented a car. I also opted for a slightly more expensive flight.

My Lebanon budget breakdown

As you can see from my pie chart with my Lebanon travel expenses, you can see that the flight was a small percentage of the travel costs.

Only 16.8% of the total expenses. If you can travel with carry-on luggage only and don’t mind where you’re sitting, you can strike a good deal for the airfare.

The cost of accommodation is a whopping 41.8% of the total costs. Which sounds absurd to me. But I did spend numerous hours searching online for the best accommodations.

I weighed the costs against the options of driving into town, parking fees and lesser accommodations. In the end, I was very happy with the hotels and pensions I chose, so no harm there.

Transport, car rental, and entrance fees make up 23.5% of the total budget. I think this is very reasonable if you consider I saw a lot of Roman Ruins, Unesco World Heritage Sites and other historic places and sights.

In the end, the rich history of Lebanon was the main draw to visiting the country, so it comes at a price.

13.3% for food is also not that bad. It doesn’t seem excessive but I think if you like long sit-down dinners, with drinks and copious amounts of mezzes and salads, the bill will be much much higher than what I’ve paid for. In the end, you have to be careful with every meal.

• Bradt Lebanon Guidebook is a good guide for information and practical travel tips. Purchase your copy here .
• Book your hotels in Lebanon via Booking.com or Hotels.com
• Book your direct flights to Beirut, Lebanon here
• Travel in style with your Lebanon Passport cover! Absolutely love these !
• Unfortunately, things can and do go wrong when you travel in Lebanon. World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.

Is Lebanon expensive?

There is no other way to answer this question with a loud: YES.

Lebanon is very expensive. In the end, I thought it was worth every single Lebanese pound and US dollar that I’ve spent.

I spent a similar amount for 10 days in Jordan , but that didn’t feel nearly as satisfying as my trip to Lebanon.

Sadly, travel costs money, but in the case of Lebanon, it was very well worth it.

If you want to read more travel tips or be inspired to travel to Lebanon, consider reading my other stories about Lebanon:

• Practical things to know before traveling to Lebanon
• Renting a car in Lebanon
• Tyre and Sidon day trip from Beirut
• Roman Ruins in Lebanon
• Epic Outdoor Adventures in Lebanon for Nature Lovers
• 10-day Itinerary for Lebanon
• 17 Amazing Things To Do in Beirut – Lebanon

Do you keep track of your travel expenses? Do you set a travel budget before you travel? If you’re considering a trip to Lebanon, I hope I got to answer the question of how expensive Lebanon really is and what your money can buy you in Lebanon. 

Leave a comment below if you wish to share your experiences with travel in Lebanon or keeping track of your travel spending. If you found this useful, feel free to share it on social media.

Author: Naomi

Hi Naomi, I am planning a trip to Lebanon also and I stumbled upon your very informative post! I would like to ask you why you didn’t plan on exchanging USD in LL on the black market as you would have gotten a much better rate. Thanks again for all the info and Happy new year

Hi Stefano. Thank you for your comment. At the time of my visit, there was not difference for exchange on the black market, as the rate of the LL was very stable against the USD. Obviously, times have changed drastically and this can save you a lot of money. Have a great time and enjoy the lovely country of Libanon!

i second that, since 2019, the USD/LBP is really volatile… the cost of food versus dollar is peanuts (2$ for a sandwich/10$ good restaurant -70$ extra fancy at restaurant/0.5-1.5$ coffee) but hotels and taxis and card cost the same… you can easily find cheaper airbnb or hotels in Lebanon price per night 30-100$ including breakfast cash is king nowadays

May want to correct your update the rate is not the same there are like 3 or 4 different rates in lebanon at the moment you may want to do some research about it but as of today the black market rate (if you bring cash usd and want to buy lbp) is arround 18000lbp to 1usd (ps: this rate is very volatile) also do not count on using any bank infrasturcture you could actually lose a big part of your money

Comments are closed.

Lebanon Travel Costs – Is Lebanon Expensive to Travel?

Categories Cost of Travel , Lebanon , Middle East

When researching Lebanon and Beirut in particular there’s one thing that will always come up- the cost of travelling to Lebanon, because ‘is Lebanon expensive to travel’ is a common question because it’s not known as a budget destination.

I knew I wanted to go to Lebanon and after reading a few Lebanon blogs I gauged the understanding that it was quite expensive in Lebanon and on par with Western European prices rather than Middle Eastern prices like Turkey and Jordan.

I really wanted to go and couldn’t let the price of Lebanon put me off, and I’m so glad I didn’t because it doesn’t have to be an expensive as you think and you can visit Lebanon on a budget if you try! This is how!

Lebanon Travel Costs

Is Lebanon expensive to travel?

Before I tell you how much money I spent in Lebanon so you can budget for your trip to Lebanon let me explain that Beirut is a city of contrasts . The locals will tell you people are rich or they’re poor, and this is obvious when exploring Beirut , even as a tourist.

Downtown Beirut is where the modern Beirut Souks/ Shopping Mall is, it’s full of high street and designer brand, International restaurants and fancy looking cafes.

Then there are areas like Gemmayze which is the ‘hipster’ type area and also where I stayed when I was in Beirut at The Grand Meshmosh Hotel . This neighbourhood as some fancy coffee shops and restaurants too but not as fancy as Downtown and it’s easy to find cheaper places too.

Then you have areas like Hamra where the American University although I didn’t spend that much time there.

I wanted to tell you this that so you know that, like every city, Beirut has different options available so it’s hard to answer ‘is Beirut expensive to travel?’ because you can eat in fancy places, go out and enjoy the Beirut nightlife, smoke all the shisha which will make you spend a lot of money in Beirut, or you can stay in a hostel and eat in local, small restaurants and  spend not too much, which is what I did!

• For more of my Lebanon posts see:
• How To Spend One Day in Beirut!
• A Day Trip to Byblos from Beirut!
• The Meshmosh Hotel Review!

Lebanon Spending Costs

Here is what I spent whilst I was in Lebanon to help you budget for your trip. I stayed for 6 nights and 5.5 days and the conversion rate is based on $1.00USD to 1,500 Lebanese Pound .

(Lebanese Pounds and US Dollars are both accepted in Lebanon)

Taxi from Airport at Midnight – €30.00 / 45000LP

Lunch – Vegetarian Wrap at a Restaurant in Gemmayze – $2.56 / 4000LP

Coffee at Hotel –  $2.56 / 4000LP

Dinner – Salad at Hotel – $5.30 / 8000LP

Lunch & Coffee at Hotel – $6.60 / 10000LP

Dinner – Salad in Restaurant in Gemmayze – $4.65 – 7000LP

Biscuits from Small Shop – $0.65 – 1000LP

Taxi to Byblos – €30.00 / 45000LP

Byblos Castle Ticket –  $5.30 / 8000LP

Lunch in Restaurant in Byblos – $14.00 / 21000LP

Taxi from Byblos – $33.00 / 50000LP

Ice cream in Beirut Souk – $3.30 / 5000LP

Beirut Free Walking Tour Tip –  $6.60 / 10000LP

Dinner – Wrap in Gemmayze –  $3.30 / 5000LP

Day Tour to Chouwen with Explore Lebanon Tours – $80.00 / 120000LP

Harissa Entrance Ticket – $6.00 / 9000LP

Coffee at Harissa –  $3.30 / 5000LP

Fruit for Dinner from Small Shop – $0.75 / 1500LP

Lunch Falafel Warp in Hamra – $2.30 / 3500LP

Drink at Starbucks – $5.65/ 8500LP

Taxi in Beirut – $9.30 / 14000LP

Local Beer at Hotel – $4.00 / 6000LP

Taxi to Airport in Afternoon – $13.25 / 20000LP

Total $274.00 / 413,000LP  (Not including accommodation)

You’ll need a sim card when you arrive in Lebanon, make sure you read up on buying a sim card in Lebanon .

I wish I had pre-booked a taxi from the airport as it was a very stressful situation using a local taxi driver from outside who conned me with the price because I did not have a sim card and couldn’t use Uber. I would book this Beirut Airport to City transfer in future, or this one , they are the same price but less hassle!

Day Trips around Lebanon will increase the costs of your trip as they are not that cheap, but that’s because it’s not much of a visited Country meaning you get a unique experience (there is a positive!).

Prices of day trips from Beirut have decreased since I went with more on offer. This is the cheapest day tour online which takes you to many places:  Cheapest Day Tour to Book: From Beirut: Jeita, Harissa, and Byblos Tour – 8 hours

Also  have a look at these tours to get an idea of how much they will cost you so you can plan how much it will cost to visit Lebanon because I think you have to leave Beirut in order to really enjoy Lebanon! One thing I found is that there are not booking offices in the City like in other places, day tours will need to be booked online.

I really don’t think what I paid for nearly 1 week in Lebanon in a Middle Eastern Country which is said to be expensive is that bad!

Note that I didn’t go out drinking, which Beirut is popular for, and I didn’t take many taxis, instead preferring to walk/risk my life walking (Uber is a popular and cheap way to get around Beirut). I travelled to Lebanon solo rather than as a family with children , I didn’t eat any crazy fancy meals but I ate well, and I did do 2-day trips which as you can tell equated to over half my spending alone, but they were well worth it!

Accommodation in Beirut:

Beirut doesn’t have as much accommodation on offer as many other cities it’s size however there a number of hostels and lots of hotels in Beirut covering all budgets.

Have a look for the best option for you on Booking.com here!

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Tuesday 22nd of January 2019

Hey thanks! I actually found a tour company that also does airport transfers, called Zingy Ride. They charge $20 each way. Not too shabby! Our hotel is charging $25-$30 one way, so Zingy Ride is better.

TheWanderingQuinn

Wednesday 23rd of January 2019

Wednesday 16th of January 2019

Hello, I saw Trip Advisor quoted 20-30 USD for a one-way taxi. In your breakdown your taxi back to the airport was $13.25. Just wondering how you got or negotiated that price? Thanks!

I got my hostel to book the taxi back for me so it was a better rate at 20000 as a flat rate. I did pay $30 / 45000 from the airport into the city at night though. I guess that’s the ‘just arrived in Beirut tourist rate’ plus it was midnight and I went back to the airport during the day. Hope that helps! :)

Plan Your Trip to Lebanon: Best of Lebanon Tourism

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• Travel Planning Guide

How much does a trip to Lebanon Cost?

How much money should you budget for your trip to Lebanon?

• How much does a one-week trip to Lebanon cost?
• How much does a two-week trip to Lebanon cost?
• How much does a one-month trip to Lebanon cost?
• Hostel Prices
• Hotel Prices

The Cost of a Trip to Lebanon

A trip to Lebanon for one person usually costs between $1 and $4 per day and $2 to $9 for two people. This is a wide range of costs, and the daily average per person from our data is $2 (L£206,967) per person. This average includes food, accommodation, sightseeing, and local transportation expenses contributed from other travelers. Prices can vary based on travel style and activities. While the overall price for a trip to Lebanon is dependent on your personal travel style and the specific places you visit, if you book standard accommodation and travel with an average level of convenience, then your budget should be somewhere within this range. Also, the prices for individual destinations such as Beirut may vary, but generally fall somewhat close to this range. Below you can find a breakdown of travel expenses by category, plus a comparison of guided tour costs versus traveling independently.

For budget travelers in Lebanon, planning for around $1 (L£90,225) per day should cover essentials such as accommodations in hostels and budget hotels, affordable meal options, local transportation, and engaging in various activities. If you're a mid-range traveler, setting aside around $2 (L£206,967) per day would allow for more comfortable stays in typical hotels, dining at regular restaurants, and exploring a diverse range of popular attractions. Luxury travelers, on the other hand, should consider a daily budget of approximately $4 (L£400,152) to accommodate higher-end hotel stays, dining at nicer restaurants, and indulging in more exclusive private tour options. It's important to note that these price ranges are derived from our extensive travel cost data for Lebanon, which is based on valuable insights from other travelers as well as hotel and tour data provided by travel companies. For a more detailed breakdown of travel costs, you can refer to our comprehensive travel cost data for Lebanon .

How much does a one week trip to Lebanon cost?

When planning a one-week trip to Lebanon, most visitors to Lebanon spend between $7 and $31 for their trip, with the average cost falling around $16. This estimate includes essential aspects such as sightseeing, local transportation, food, and accommodations. With a full week, you'll have sufficient time to explore one, two, or possibly three locations within Lebanon, depending on the amount of time you want to spend in each place. The most popular places worth considering are Beirut . Keep in mind that these numbers are based on overall averages and may vary depending on your individual preferences.

How much does a two week trip to Lebanon cost?

With two weeks, you should budget between $14 and $63 for your trip to Lebanon. The average price for a two week trip is $32. Two weeks will allow you enough time to visit between three and five places. If you're on a budget, you might want to consider some of the more affordable places such as smaller towns.

How much does a one month trip to Lebanon cost?

When embarking on a month-long trip to Lebanon, expenses can range from $30 to $134, with an average cost falling around $70. For those fortunate enough to have a full month, considering a vacation rental with a kitchen for at least a portion of your stay can help save money with meals. Backpackers often opt for hostels due to their affordability and the added benefit of a social vibe.

Hostel Prices in Lebanon

With more than 6 hostels in Lebanon, the average price is $17 per night for a dorm bed. Hostels are a terrific option for younger independent travelers looking to save money while staying social during their trip. With many types of hostels, it can be overwhelming to sort out the best places, though. Our analysis of the hostels in Lebanon not only found the average price, but also uncovered some surprises about the overall quality, amenities, and atmosphere of hostels in the region. You can see more details from our analysis about typical hostel prices in Lebanon here .

Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in Lebanon.

• $15 for a dorm bed at Hostel Beirut in Beirut more details

Hotel Prices in Lebanon

You'll find a wide range of hotel options across Lebanon. Below are prices for some of the destinations, and for more details see our analysis of hotel costs in Lebanon .

Elite Hotel & Spa

Should you do an organized tour or travel independently in lebanon.

When planning a trip to Lebanon, there are two primary options to choose from: organized tours and independent travel. Organized tours offer a convenient and hassle-free experience, as all the details of your trip are handled by travel experts. Additionally, you'll have the benefit of an expert guide who can provide valuable insights and knowledge during your journey. This option is often favored by travelers who appreciate the convenience and ease it offers, with many tours providing transportation and expert guides to enhance the overall experience.

On the other hand, independent travel provides a different set of advantages. It offers a higher level of freedom and flexibility, allowing you to customize your itinerary and explore at your own pace. This option appeals to travelers who value the ability to make spontaneous decisions and have more control over their travel plans. The independence of traveling on your own can provide a sense of adventure and the opportunity to immerse yourself in the local culture on a deeper level.

Ultimately, the choice between organized tours and independent travel depends on your personal preferences and travel style. Consider your desired level of convenience, the amount of guidance you prefer, and the level of flexibility you seek when making your decision. Both options have their own merits, and the decision should be based on what aligns best with your travel goals and preferences.

Comparing Trip Costs in Lebanon

When we compare the prices of organized tours to the average costs of independent travelers, we can see that sometimes the prices are fairly even.

Tours vs. independent Travel: Pros & Cons

Organized tours.

• An expert guide familiar with the culture
• Convenient transportation
• Fellow travelers to socialize with
• Well researched activities
• Efficient and thought out itinerary
• The security of have a trip leader if something goes wrong
• Limited options
• Usually not customizable
• The fast pace often means you can’t visit one place in depth
• Usually more expensive than independent travel
• There may be limited time to interact with the local culture and community

Independent Travel

• Completely customizable
• Opportunity to visit off-the-beaten-path destinations
• Can fully immerse yourself in the local culture
• Freedom to move at your own pace
• Flexibility to change your itinerary at any time
• More affordable
• Challenging to plan an efficient itinerary
• Transportation may be challenging or inefficient
• Booking and trip planning can be a hassle
• Popular sights may sell out well in advance
• If something goes wrong, you're on your own

Are organized tours more expensive than independent travel in Lebanon?

Organized tours typically average around $263 per day and provide the convenience of an all-inclusive package with one comprehensive payment. On the other hand, independent trips usually average around $2 (L£206,967) per day and involve individual payments for accommodations, local transportation, meals, and sightseeing. Both organized tours and independent trips have their own unique challenges and benefits, so it's crucial to thoroughly understand the aspects of each to make a fair comparison. For a detailed analysis of tour prices in Lebanon, check out our comprehensive guide on tour prices in Lebanon here .

Here are a few sample tours in Lebanon:

• Beirut Mini Break ($495) 4 days, 2 destinations more details
• Tailor-Made Best Lebanon Tour with Daily Departure & Private Guide ($3,269) 8 days, 10 destinations more details
• Lebanon Encounters ($1,735) 8 days, 10 destinations more details
• Land of the Phoenicians ($4,664) 10 days, 10 destinations more details

More for Lebanon

If you're planning a trip to Lebanon, check out these other informative travel guides.

We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works .

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Lebanon Travel Guide

Lebanon may not be a highly sought after tourist destination, but this little Middle Eastern country does have some amazing archaeological sights from Roman times.

One of the highlights would be the Baalbek ruins, which can be visited on a day trip from the Beirut area.

Read through this complete Lebanon travel guide for more info on what to expect!

Quick Facts

Arabic; 'Thank you' is 'shoukran'

Islam & Christianity

Lebanese Pound (LBP)

Visa on arrival for most nationalities

Mediterranean; hot, sunny summers & mild, rainy winters

Power Plugs

Type C / D / G

Uber, Careem

The only international airport in Lebanon is in Beirut (code: BEY), which has direct flights from other countries in the Middle East and beyond. You can shop for flights to Lebanon on Skyscanner.

Lebanon is a relatively safe place to travel, with some caveats. The UN violent crime rate is  4 per 100k inhabitants (36% lower than the global average), but terrorist attacks and kidnappings have occurred from time to time, so Lebanon may not be the best pick for solo travelers.

In any case, I would recommend avoiding crowds and practicing situational awareness. The other thing to note is that Lebanese culture is conservative, so clothing in public should be reasonably modest.

The climate for coastal parts of Lebanon is Mediterranean, with hot, sunny summers and mild, rainy winters.

The hottest months are July to September, but even in these months the heat is not nearly as severe as Middle Eastern countries like Kuwait or Qatar. Summer temperatures for Beirut generally don't go above 85 °F (29 °C).

The mildest weather for visiting Lebanon is during the spring or fall months, but any month of the year would be alright.

Lebanon may not be the most budget friendly travel destination, but it's not completely cost prohibitive either. Hostels are available from 300k Lebanese pounds ($20 USD) and private hotels starting from 600k . Meals are about 90k to 225k pounds depending on location.

Transportation in Lebanon is generally by motorbike or car, and these can be rented, but hiring a driver is preferable if you're new to the Middle East. Transportation apps like Uber and Careem are available here for short distance trips.

The best Lebanon tours & activities

My latest blog posts about Lebanon

How To Visit The Baalbek Temple Ruins In Lebanon

One of the highlights of my visit to the Middle East would have to be Baalbek Lebanon, with its Roman ruins and giant megalithic stones. This temple …

20 Lebanon Pictures That Will Make You Want To Travel

Lebanon may not be a highly sought after tourist destination, but this little Middle Eastern country does have some amazing archaeological sights from Roman times. Check out …

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Discover the Hidden Gems of Lebanon: Unveiling the Trip to Lebanon Cost 2024

by Trip.com

July 28, 2023

Lebanon, a captivating country in the Middle East, offers a unique blend of history, culture, and natural beauty. Planning a trip to Lebanon? Wondering about the cost? Look no further! In this article, we will provide you with the best tips for saving money without compromising on quality. From affordable hotels to delicious local cuisine and efficient transportation, we've got you covered. So, let's dive into the trip to Lebanon cost details!

When it comes to the cost of a trip to Lebanon, it's essential to consider various factors. For a round-trip ticket from major cities in the United States, you can expect flight costs to range from $800 to $1,500. As for accommodation, the prices vary depending on your preferences. Budget hotels or hostels can cost anywhere between $20 to $60 per night, while luxury hotels may range from $100 to $300 per night.

Lebanon boasts an extensive and efficient public transportation system, making it convenient for travelers to explore the country. A one-way subway or train ticket can cost around $1 to $2. When it comes to food, Lebanon offers a wide range of options to suit every budget. You can enjoy a delicious meal at a budget restaurant for approximately $5 to $10 per person, while mid-range restaurants may charge around $15 to $30 per person.

Now, let's talk about how much a budget traveler and a mid-range traveler can expect to spend per day in Lebanon. For budget travelers, a daily budget of around $50 to $70 should be sufficient to cover accommodation, meals, transportation, and some activities. On the other hand, mid-range travelers can expect to spend around $100 to $150 per day, allowing for a bit more comfort and flexibility. Remember, it's always wise to plan ahead and research activities and costs to create a budget that works best for you.

• How much does it cost for 2 nights and 3 days when traveling to Lebanon?

Are you dreaming of a trip to Lebanon but wondering how much it will cost you? Well, the cost of a 2-night, 3-day adventure in this beautiful country can vary depending on several factors. Your travel style, choice of accommodation, transportation, and activities all play a role in determining the overall expenses. But fret not, I'm here to give you a rough estimate of what you can expect as a budget traveler.

Let's break it down, shall we?

First things first, you'll need to book your flights. The cost of a round-trip ticket to Lebanon from major cities around the world can range anywhere from $500 to $1500, depending on your departure location and the time of year you plan to travel.

Accommodation

Next up, accommodation. As a budget traveler, you'll be pleased to know that there are plenty of affordable options available. Budget hotels in Lebanon typically range from $30 to $80 per night. So for 2 nights, you can expect to spend around $60 to $160.

Transportation

Getting around in Lebanon is relatively easy and affordable. A one-way subway or train ticket will cost you approximately $1 to $3, depending on the distance. For 3 days of transportation, you can estimate a total cost of $6 to $18.

Food and Drinks

Now let's talk about food, because who doesn't love indulging in delicious local cuisine? At budget restaurants, you can enjoy a meal for as low as $5 to $10 per person. But if you're looking to save even more, street food and convenience store meals can cost you even less. As for drinks, prices vary depending on the type and location. Non-alcoholic beverages like water or soda can range from $1 to $3, while alcoholic drinks can go up to $10 or more. For 3 days of food and drinks, you can expect to spend around $60 to $120.

Sightseeing and Activities

Lebanon is a treasure trove of breathtaking sights and exciting activities. Some popular attractions, such as the National Museum of Beirut or the Jeita Grotto, may be free or have a small entrance fee of around $5 to $10 per person. However, if you're up for more adventurous experiences like paragliding or exploring ancient ruins, the cost can be a bit higher, ranging from $50 to $100 per person. For 3 days of sightseeing and activities, you can estimate a cost of $30 to $150.

So, to sum it all up, as a budget traveler, you can expect to spend approximately $656 to $1508 for a 2-night and 3-day trip to Lebanon. Keep in mind that these are rough estimates and actual costs may vary depending on your travel style, activities, and other expenses. But hey, don't let the numbers scare you! Lebanon is a destination worth every penny, offering a rich cultural experience and unforgettable memories.

• How much does it cost for flights when traveling to Lebanon?

Planning a trip to Lebanon? One of the first things you'll need to consider is the cost of flights. The price can vary depending on several factors, including your departure location, the time of year, the airline you choose, and the availability of tickets.

When it comes to booking flights to Lebanon, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. The cost can range significantly based on these factors, so it's important to do your research and compare prices to find the best deal for your travel needs.

Let's take a closer look at the general range of flight costs in US dollars for both one-way and round-trip tickets from major cities around the world to Lebanon. Keep in mind that these prices are approximate and can fluctuate based on the factors mentioned earlier.

If you're departing from a major city like New York, London, or Dubai, you can expect to pay anywhere from $500 to $1500 for a one-way ticket to Lebanon. The price will vary depending on the time of year and the airline you choose. For a round-trip ticket, the cost can range from $800 to $2500.

For those traveling from cities in Europe, such as Paris, Rome, or Berlin, the cost of a one-way ticket to Lebanon can range from $400 to $1200. Round-trip tickets are generally priced between $700 and $2000.

If you're flying from cities in Asia, like Beijing, Tokyo, or Mumbai, the cost of a one-way ticket can vary from $600 to $1500. Round-trip tickets from these destinations typically range from $900 to $2500.

It's important to note that these prices are just a general range, and they can change based on factors such as the time of year and the availability of tickets. It's always a good idea to check with different airlines and travel agencies to find the best price for your specific travel dates.

So, when planning your trip to Lebanon, be sure to consider the cost of flights. By doing your research and comparing prices, you can find the best deal that suits your budget and travel preferences. Bon voyage!

• How much does it cost for hotels when traveling to Lebanon?

Planning a trip to Lebanon? One of the key factors to consider is the cost of hotels. The price of accommodation in this beautiful country can vary depending on several factors. From the location and season to the type of accommodation you're looking for, these factors play a significant role in determining the cost of your stay.

When it comes to major cities like Beirut, Tripoli, and Sidon, it's important to keep in mind that hotels tend to be more expensive compared to smaller cities or rural areas. The bustling urban centers offer a wide range of luxurious accommodations, but they come at a higher price tag.

For those seeking a mid-range hotel room in major cities, the average cost per night ranges from $80 to $150. This price range ensures a comfortable stay with essential amenities and services. However, if you're looking to indulge in luxury, be prepared to spend anywhere between $200 and $500 per night for a lavish hotel experience.

On the other hand, if you're planning to explore the lesser-known cities and smaller towns in Lebanon, you'll be pleased to find more affordable options. In these areas, the average cost of a mid-range hotel room per night can range from $50 to $100. For those seeking a touch of opulence, luxury hotel rooms in smaller towns can cost anywhere between $150 and $300 per night.

So, whether you're a budget traveler or a luxury seeker, Lebanon offers a range of accommodation options to suit your preferences and budget. Keep in mind the location, season, and type of accommodation you're looking for, and you'll be able to find the perfect hotel that fits your needs.

• How much does it cost for food when traveling to Lebanon?

When planning a trip to Lebanon, it's important to consider the cost of food and dining. The prices can vary widely depending on several factors, such as the type of food, the restaurant's location, and the level of formality or luxury. So, let's dive into the delicious world of Lebanese cuisine and explore the different price ranges you can expect.

Lebanon offers a diverse range of culinary delights, from mouthwatering street food to exquisite fine dining experiences. Let's take a look at the general price ranges in US dollars per meal, without specifying the exact dishes:

• Street food or fast food: $2 - $5
• Casual dining or local restaurants: $5 - $15
• Mid-range restaurants: $15 - $30
• High-end or luxury restaurants: $30 and above

As you can see, there are options to suit every budget. If you're looking for more affordable alternatives, Lebanon also has convenience stores and supermarkets where you can find a variety of food options at reasonable prices. This can be a great option for those who prefer to prepare their own meals or grab a quick bite on the go.

Now, let's talk about tipping. In Lebanon, tipping is customary and expected in most restaurants. It is generally recommended to leave a tip of around 10% of the total bill. However, it's always a good idea to check if a service charge has already been included in the bill before deciding on the tip amount.

So, whether you're a food enthusiast looking to indulge in Lebanon's vibrant culinary scene or a budget-conscious traveler seeking affordable dining options, Lebanon has something to offer for everyone. Get ready to tantalize your taste buds and embark on a gastronomic adventure like no other!

• How much does it cost for souvenirs when traveling to Lebanon?

Well, let me tell you, the cost of souvenirs in Lebanon can vary as much as the flavors in a Lebanese feast! It all depends on what you're looking for, where you're shopping, and the quality of the item. Whether you're searching for a small trinket to remind you of your trip or a unique piece of Lebanese craftsmanship, Lebanon has it all. Let me give you a taste of what to expect. Picture yourself strolling through the vibrant streets of Beirut, where you can find colorful keychains for as low as $1. If you're a fan of traditional Lebanese sweets, a box of mouthwatering baklava can range from $10 to $20. For those seeking a touch of elegance, a beautifully handcrafted silver necklace can set you back anywhere from $50 to $100. And if you're a bookworm, you'll be delighted to know that a signed copy of a renowned Lebanese author's novel can be yours for around $30 to $50. Keep in mind that while many souvenir shops in tourist areas have fixed prices, you might have some room for negotiation in other types of stores, such as flea markets or antique shops. So, don't be afraid to haggle a bit and snag yourself a bargain! Remember, a trip to Lebanon is not just about exploring its breathtaking landscapes and rich history, but also about bringing a piece of this enchanting country back home with you.

• How much does it cost for transportation when traveling to Lebanon?

Planning a trip to Lebanon? One of the important factors to consider is the cost of transportation. Whether you're exploring the vibrant streets of Beirut or venturing into the breathtaking landscapes of the countryside, knowing how much you'll be spending on transportation is essential. In this article, we'll break down the cost of transportation in Lebanon, giving you an idea of what to expect.

The cost of transportation in Lebanon varies depending on the mode of transportation and the distance traveled. Let's take a closer look at the different options available:

Unfortunately, Lebanon does not have a well-developed train system. As a result, there are no trains available for transportation within the country.

Similar to trains, Lebanon does not have a subway system. Therefore, this mode of transportation is not an option for getting around in the country.

Buses are a popular and affordable mode of transportation in Lebanon. The cost of a bus ticket can range from $0.50 to $2, depending on the distance traveled. Buses are a great way to explore the cities and towns of Lebanon, offering a convenient and budget-friendly option.

Taxis are another common means of transportation in Lebanon. The cost of a taxi ride varies depending on the distance and the taxi company. On average, a short taxi ride within the city can cost around $5 to $10, while longer rides can range from $20 to $50. It's always a good idea to negotiate the fare before getting into a taxi to avoid any surprises.

If you prefer the freedom and flexibility of having your own vehicle, renting a car is a viable option in Lebanon. The cost of renting a car starts at around $30 per day for a basic compact car. However, prices can vary depending on the rental company, the type of car, and the duration of the rental.

It's important to note that Lebanon has transportation passes and discount tickets available for visitors. These passes can be a good value if you plan to do a lot of traveling in a short period. For example, the Beirut Transport Card offers unlimited travel on buses within the city for a certain duration at a discounted price.

In conclusion, the cost of transportation in Lebanon varies depending on the mode of transportation and the distance traveled. Buses and taxis are popular options for getting around, offering affordability and convenience. Renting a car is also a possibility if you prefer more independence. Don't forget to explore the transportation passes and discount tickets available, as they can save you money if you plan to do extensive traveling during your trip to Lebanon.

• How much does it cost for sightseeing when traveling to Lebanon?

Planning a trip to Lebanon? Wondering how much it will cost you to explore the beautiful sights and attractions this country has to offer? Well, the cost of sightseeing in Lebanon can vary widely depending on the location, attraction, and activity you choose. From historical landmarks to stunning natural landscapes, Lebanon has something for everyone, and here's a breakdown of the cost ranges you can expect.

1. The Jeita Grotto: This mesmerizing underground cave complex, located just outside of Beirut, offers a unique experience. The cost of admission ranges from $12 to $20, depending on the type of ticket you choose.

2. Byblos: Known as one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world, Byblos is a must-visit for history enthusiasts. Entrance fees to the archaeological site and museum range from $6 to $10.

3. Baalbek: Home to some of the most well-preserved Roman ruins, Baalbek showcases the grandeur of ancient architecture. The entrance fee for this UNESCO World Heritage site is around $10.

4. The National Museum of Beirut: If you're interested in Lebanon's rich history and cultural heritage, a visit to the National Museum is a must. Admission costs around $5.

5. The Cedars of God: Nestled in the mountains, this majestic forest of ancient cedar trees is a symbol of Lebanon's natural beauty. Entrance to the reserve is approximately $4.

6. Sidon Sea Castle: This medieval fortress, situated on the coast of Sidon, offers panoramic views of the Mediterranean Sea. The entrance fee is around $2.

7. Tyre: Explore the ruins of the ancient Phoenician city of Tyre, including its famous Roman hippodrome. Entrance fees range from $3 to $5.

8. The Pigeon Rocks: These iconic rock formations, located in Raouche, Beirut, are a popular spot for locals and tourists alike. Best of all, they can be admired for free!

Aside from these popular tourist attractions, Lebanon also offers numerous free or low-cost sightseeing options. You can take a leisurely stroll along the Corniche in Beirut, visit the vibrant markets of Tripoli, or explore the charming streets of Byblos without spending a dime. With its rich history, stunning landscapes, and warm hospitality, Lebanon truly has something for every budget.

• How much does it cost for Wi-Fi & communication when traveling to Lebanon?

When planning a trip to Lebanon, it's essential to consider the cost of staying connected. Wi-Fi and communication options vary, but fear not, we've got you covered! Let's dive into the nitty-gritty of Wi-Fi costs in Lebanon, so you can stay connected without breaking the bank. First up, rental Wi-Fi routers. Depending on the rental company and plan you choose, prices can range from as low as $5 per day to $15 per day. These nifty devices allow you to connect multiple devices simultaneously, ensuring you're always connected on the go. Another option is getting a SIM card. Prices for SIM cards depend on the data plan and provider you opt for. You can expect to pay anywhere from $10 to $30 for a SIM card with a decent data plan. This option is great if you have an unlocked phone and prefer the convenience of having a local number. But wait, there's more! Free Wi-Fi is also available in Lebanon. Some hotels and accommodations offer complimentary Wi-Fi for their guests, so be sure to check before booking. Additionally, certain smartphone apps, like Wi-Fi Finder and Free Wi-Fi Map, provide access to free Wi-Fi hotspots throughout Lebanon. These apps are a traveler's best friend when it comes to staying connected on a budget. Now, let's talk about the cost variation. The price of Wi-Fi in Lebanon can fluctuate depending on the method of access and the data plan you choose. However, rest assured that there are numerous options available for travelers to stay connected while exploring this beautiful country. So, whether you opt for a rental Wi-Fi router, a SIM card, or take advantage of free Wi-Fi hotspots, staying connected in Lebanon is within reach. Don't let the fear of being disconnected hold you back from experiencing all that this incredible destination has to offer. Plan ahead, stay connected, and enjoy your trip to Lebanon without worrying about the cost of Wi-Fi and communication.

• How much does it cost for visa when traveling to Lebanon?

Planning a trip to Lebanon? Well, let's talk about the cost of visas and passports! When it comes to traveling to Lebanon, the visa application fees can vary depending on your country of citizenship and the type of passport application. It's important to note that some countries may even offer visa-free access, saving you some extra bucks. However, for those who do require a visa, let's dive into the specifics. For example, citizens of the United States can expect to pay around $75 for a single-entry visa, while those from the United Kingdom may have to shell out approximately $35. Keep in mind that these figures are subject to change, so it's always wise to check with your local embassy or consulate for the most up-to-date information on passport and visa requirements and fees. Additionally, it's worth mentioning that some countries may impose additional fees for visa applications or other travel documents. So, be sure to do your research and budget accordingly. Happy travels!

• How much does it cost for insurance when traveling to Lebanon?

The cost range of travel insurance for a trip to Lebanon can vary depending on several factors. These factors include your age, the length of your trip, the type of coverage you need, and the insurance provider you choose. To give you a general idea, here are some guidelines for travel insurance costs:

For a single trip, the cost of travel insurance can range from around $50 to $200. This range is influenced by factors such as the duration of your trip and the level of coverage you require. It's important to note that these prices are in US dollars.

If you are a frequent traveler and plan to visit Lebanon multiple times within a year, an annual travel insurance policy might be a more cost-effective option. The cost of an annual policy can range from $200 to $500, depending on the coverage and duration of your trips.

If you want comprehensive coverage that includes not only medical expenses but also trip cancellation, baggage loss, and other potential risks, the cost of travel insurance can be higher. A comprehensive policy for a trip to Lebanon can range from $100 to $300, depending on the coverage limits and duration of your trip.

It's important to compare travel insurance policies from different providers to find the coverage that best meets your needs and budget. Make sure to carefully read the policy details and understand what is and isn't covered, as well as any deductibles or exclusions. Additionally, some credit cards and travel booking sites offer travel insurance as a benefit or add-on, so it's worth checking those options as well.

Comparing different travel insurance policies will help you find the best coverage for your trip to Lebanon. Remember to read the policy details carefully and understand the coverage, deductibles, and exclusions. Don't forget to consider alternative options such as credit card benefits or travel booking sites that offer insurance. By doing so, you can ensure a worry-free and protected trip to Lebanon.

• How much does it cost for family, couples or single when traveling to Lebanon?

So, you're thinking about taking a trip to Lebanon? Well, let me tell you, the cost of traveling to this beautiful country can vary quite a bit depending on a number of factors. We're talking about things like how long you plan to stay, the type of accommodation you prefer, the level of luxury you're after, the activities you have in mind, and of course, the number of people you'll be traveling with. It's a lot to consider, but fear not, I'm here to break it down for you.

First things first, let's talk about airfare. The cost of a round-trip ticket from the United States to Lebanon can range anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand dollars per person, depending on where you're departing from and when you plan to fly.

Now, let's move on to accommodation. If you're on a budget, you can expect to pay around $30 to $50 per night for a budget hotel or hostel. If you're looking for something a bit more comfortable, a mid-range hotel will set you back around $80 to $150 per night. And if you're feeling fancy and want to splurge on luxury, well, you can expect to pay anywhere from $200 to $500 per night for a top-notch hotel or ryokan.

Next up, let's talk about food and drink. If you're looking to save some cash, you can grab a budget meal at a local restaurant for around $5 to $10 per person. If you're in the mood for something a bit more upscale, a mid-range meal will cost you around $15 to $30 per person.

Now, let's not forget about transportation. A single metro or train ticket will set you back around $1 to $2, depending on the distance. If you're planning on taking a long-distance bullet train, you can expect to pay anywhere from $20 to $50 per ticket. And of course, taxis and car rentals can add to your transportation costs, so keep that in mind.

Overall, the cost of a trip to Lebanon can range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars per person, depending on your travel style and preferences. Whether you're traveling with your family, your significant other, or going solo, you can expect to spend anywhere from $500 to $5000 for your trip. So start saving up and get ready for an unforgettable adventure in Lebanon!

• Methods to Save Money When Traveling to Lebanon

Planning a trip to Lebanon can be an exciting adventure, but it's essential to consider the costs involved. To help you make the most of your travel budget, we've compiled a list of effective money-saving strategies. So, without further ado, let's dive right in!

First and foremost, when it comes to accommodation, consider staying in budget-friendly guesthouses or hostels instead of luxury hotels. These options not only offer comfortable stays but also allow you to connect with fellow travelers, creating a unique and memorable experience.

Furthermore, to cut down on transportation expenses, opt for public buses or shared taxis, which are not only cost-effective but also provide an opportunity to interact with locals and immerse yourself in the vibrant Lebanese culture.

When it comes to dining, explore local eateries and street food stalls, where you can savor authentic Lebanese cuisine at a fraction of the cost compared to high-end restaurants. Don't miss out on trying the mouthwatering falafel, shawarma, and mezze platters!

Another great way to save money is by visiting free or low-cost attractions. Lebanon is blessed with stunning natural landscapes, historical sites, and vibrant markets that won't cost you a fortune to explore. From the iconic Baalbek ruins to the picturesque Jeita Grotto, there's something for everyone.

Lastly, be sure to haggle and negotiate prices when shopping at local markets or souks. Bargaining is a common practice in Lebanon, and you'll be surprised at how much you can save by using your negotiation skills.

So, there you have it – a handful of effective methods to save money when traveling to Lebanon. By following these tips, you can make the most of your trip without breaking the bank. Happy travels!

• Tips for traveling to Lebanon

Are you planning a trip to Lebanon? Well, you're in for a treat! Lebanon, a country nestled in the heart of the Middle East, is a hidden gem waiting to be explored. From its rich history to its vibrant culture, there is so much to see and experience. But before you pack your bags and hop on a plane, here are eight essential tips to make your journey smooth sailing.

1. Get your travel documents in order: Before embarking on your Lebanese adventure, make sure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your planned departure date. Additionally, check if you need a visa to enter the country and apply well in advance to avoid any last-minute hassles.

2. Dress modestly and respectfully: Lebanon is a country with strong cultural and religious traditions. It is advisable to dress modestly, especially when visiting religious sites or conservative areas. This means avoiding revealing clothing and opting for more conservative attire.

3. Learn a few Arabic phrases: While many Lebanese people speak English, it's always a good idea to learn a few basic Arabic phrases. Not only will it help you navigate your way around, but it will also show the locals that you have made an effort to connect with their culture.

4. Explore the local cuisine: Lebanese cuisine is renowned worldwide for its delicious flavors and fresh ingredients. Don't miss the opportunity to indulge in mouthwatering dishes like falafel, hummus, and shawarma. Be sure to try the local street food too - it's a culinary adventure you won't want to miss!

5. Be cautious with the water: While tap water in Lebanon is generally safe to drink, it's always a good idea to stick to bottled water, especially if you have a sensitive stomach. Stay hydrated and avoid any potential tummy troubles that could put a damper on your trip.

6. Embrace the chaos of Beirut: Beirut, the capital city of Lebanon, is a vibrant and bustling metropolis. Embrace the chaos of its crowded streets, lively markets, and vibrant nightlife. Immerse yourself in the city's energy and discover its hidden gems.

7. Visit the ancient ruins: Lebanon is home to some incredible ancient ruins that are a must-visit for history enthusiasts. Explore the Roman temples of Baalbek, marvel at the ancient city of Byblos, and wander through the ruins of Tyre. These archaeological wonders will transport you back in time.

8. Respect local customs and traditions: Last but certainly not least, it's crucial to respect the customs and traditions of the Lebanese people. Be mindful of local etiquette, such as greeting with a handshake, removing your shoes when entering someone's home, and avoiding sensitive topics of conversation.

So, there you have it - eight essential tips for your trip to Lebanon. Now, go ahead and start planning your adventure in this captivating country. Get ready to immerse yourself in its rich history, indulge in its mouthwatering cuisine, and create memories that will last a lifetime. Happy travels!

* All user reviews in this article have been translated by machine.

* The information above is subject to change at any time. For the latest information, please check the websites of hotels and attractions.

Trip to Lebanon Cost 2024

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Everything You Need to Know Before Traveling in Lebanon

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I was hosted by TourLeb while visiting Lebanon. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Want to experience Lebanon firsthand? Come with me on a GROUP TRIP to Lebanon this Summer (Aug 19 – 27, 2023). Space is limited. Reserve your spot with a deposit by clicking this link .

“Have you been to crazy countries before, or is this your first time?” 

My guide, Nada, asked me moments after I slid into her car at the busy Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport, weary after the 20-hour journey from Los Angeles to Beirut.

“Yes?” I replied, after making eye contact with my boyfriend Jacob sitting next to me in the back seat. My family is from the Philippines and Jacob’s is from Mexico , after all. Despite it being our first time in the Middle East, we didn’t feel out of place in a country worlds apart from our own, both geographically, culturally, and socio-politically. In fact, my heart was racing for a different reason. I was thrilled to finally set foot in a place I’d dreamt of visiting since I was 13.

“Good,” she chuckled, and with that we whizzed off to Beirut. Welcome to Lebanon! 

Despite being one of the smallest countries in the world, Lebanon is fascinatingly, multi-dimensionally rich. Within just 4,036 square miles, Lebanon encompasses six million people, 18 religions, multiple languages and dialects, diverse geography, and more than 6,000 years of history that has carved the country into what it is today. 

While traveling in Lebanon is relatively safe, there are lots of things you should know before you visit this country. Familiarizing yourself with Lebanon’s culture, religions, safety, politics, and economic situation will help you orient yourself more quickly.

Once you do, you’ll be able to better appreciate the spirit of Lebanese people, their joy, their food, and their joie de vivre.

So, let’s get into it. Here are 14 things you should know before traveling to Lebanon!

14 Things You Must Know Before Visiting Lebanon

1. Guide vs Solo: Should You Visit Lebanon On Your Own?

First, do you need a guide when traveling to Lebanon? As a frequent solo traveler and avid trip planner, I am used to being fiercely independent when I travel abroad. So, I tend to only seek out local guides for individual activities, like walking tours and cooking classes. 

But, after spending 10 days traveling in Lebanon, I can say with certainty that I wouldn’t have been able to do or see even half of the things I got to experience without having a local guide.

Lebanon is a chaotically beautiful country and many things work differently than you might be used to.

Some examples of this include:

• Street signs often only shown in Arabic or French 
• Local guesthouses often not searchable on platforms like Booking.com and Airbnb
• Guesthouse staff, on occasion, not speaking English 
• Navigating different cultural intricacies, from visiting mosques to traveling to more conservative parts of the country – like Tripoli and Saida 
• Money being more difficult to understand in general (more on this later)
• More sensitive areas, like the Beqaa Valley near the Syrian border, having heightened precautions in order to visit safely

And so on. 

Visiting Lebanon With TourLeb

I visited Lebanon on a private, almost fully-guided itinerary with TourLeb , a women-owned tour company-meets-social enterprise that prioritizes responsible tourism and uplifting local businesses.

The TourLeb staff are unmatched in their knowledge of Lebanon, and I often joked throughout my trip that Nada has the entire country’s six million people on speed dial. In fact, she and her co-founder Joelle started TourLeb after traveling around Lebanon to interview 6,000 people across 1,000 villages to publish a book, Hyphen Islam Christianity , about the people and stories that interweave together to create the oft-hyphenated identities of Lebanon.

So, yes, they’re extremely well connected!

TourLeb offers a couple different options to help travelers visit Lebanon: 

• Fully Bespoke Private Tours: Ranging from $900-$1500 per week for a couple (or $250 per day for parties of up to 4). This is what I did when I visited Lebanon!
• Itinerary Planning: $30/day to give you a blueprint for your own self-guided Lebanon holiday.
• Day Trips: Whether you want a private day trip (like, to visit the Beqaa Valley or Tripoli) or are interested in joining one of TourLeb’s weekly day trips that explore off-the-beaten-path Lebanese villages, they often provide excursions that can help you see more of the country even if you’re on a budget.

Want to Visit Lebanon with Me?

I’m hosting a group trip to Lebanon this summer! From August 19 – 27, 2023, we’ll walk the footsteps of ancient Romans, cheers to delicious mediterranean wines, dance the night away in Beirut, experience unmatched Lebanese hospitality, uncover palaces and hammams, soak up the sun at the beach, and eat like you’ve never eaten before.

See the full itinerary here or click the button below to reserve your spot! (LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE)

While I recommend having a local guide for your Lebanon trip, you might prefer flying solo. If you do, I still recommend hiring a driver – at least for your first visit – because navigating the roads, army checkpoints, and any unexpected situations in this country would be very tricky without one! 

RELATED: Top Woman-Owned Travel Companies That Should Be on Your Radar

2. How to Get to Lebanon

Getting to Lebanon is actually easier than you might think!

While there are currently no direct flights from the USA to Lebanon, you can often find routes that only require one layover. Airlines like Emirates, Turkish Airlines, Qatar Airways, and Air France have regular Beirut routes with layovers in Dubai, Istanbul, Doha, or Paris. Compare airlines and prices on Google Flights or Kayak to see which route is best for you. 

When you arrive in Lebanon, you’ll be landing in Beirut. You’ll fill out a brief immigration document and go through customs upon arrival. Unlike the bad rap US customs officials get, customs officials in Lebanon are actually so kind and welcoming to tourists!

The only thing you need to remember? You cannot have any Israeli passport stamps or security stickers in your passport . If you do, you’ll be denied entry to Lebanon.

3. Lebanon’s History

From the ancient Phoeniciean and Assyrian eras, to Roman and Byzantine regimes, to Crusaders, Mamluks, and eventually, Ottoman Rule, this ancient land had been molded and shaped by countless layers of influence and culture. 

When 300 years of Ottoman rule dissolved after WWI, Lebanon finally became the country we know today. But, its complex history only gets even more nuanced in the last 100 years. Starting with the French Mandate (which is why you’ll hear French as commonly as you will Arabic) in the early 1900s, to the war in the 70s, to the economic and electricity crises of today, to the Beirut Blast of 2020, Lebanon has been dealt a series of hurdles – emerging from each even more resilient than the last. 

Spend some time exploring this country and you’ll begin to see these layers reveal themselves.

You’ll see it in the ruins that rival those of Athens, the French and Arabic dialects that echo across the souks, the ancient fish fossils of Byblos, the neighboring churches and mosques, and the chic cafes that are serenaded by daily calls to prayer.

4. Safety in Lebanon: Is Lebanon Safe to Visit?

You might be asking yourself – is Lebanon safe? And with everything going on, is it safe to travel to Lebanon now ? 

General Lebanon Safety Overview

In general, traveling to Lebanon is quite safe for tourists. Much safer than the news and our government-issued travel advisories would have us believe. I want to stress this, because the country is desperately in need of tourism and many Lebanese people are quite eager to shed the negative perceptions of their country that the media have long associated with Lebanon.

In fact, I was often met with a combination of surprise (that an American would be visiting their village, restaurant, or hotel!) and delight that resulted in some of the most unbelievable hospitality I’ve ever experienced. 

Geographic / Political Situations Surrounding Lebanon

Now, with that said, Lebanon still presents safety issues you should be aware of.

You shouldn’t visit refugee camps or the borders between Lebanon and Syria, particularly without a guide. The southern region of Lebanon is also the main location of Hezbollah’s conflict with Israel as well, and you’ll begin to see a UN presence once you reach the southern seaside town of Tyre for that very reason.

However, I traveled to both Tyre and the Beqaa Valley near the Syrian border, and in both cases I felt safe and had absolutely no issues. I was super happy to have my TourLeb hosts explaining the history, sociopolitical tensions, and safety protocols every step of the way so I knew what to expect at all times.

In fact, one of my favorite meals was in Rayak, just minutes from the Syrian border crossing to Damascus. 

On the day we traveled to the Beqaa Valley, there was one moment I was particularly grateful to have a local guide. We were visiting the Baalbek ruins, and saw a wedding near the entrance to the site. Our guide told us to anticipate gun shots, as shooting up into the sky is a common way of ‘celebrating’ the new couple’s union. Within moments, we heard gun shots off in the distance. Had we not been briefed on this cultural practice, we would’ve been so spooked!

Economic Situation in Lebanon

Lebanon is undergoing an ongoing economic, fuel, and electricity crisis. While crime rates are actually fairly low in the country, desperate times can mean some desperate situations, and petty theft isn’t unheard of as local people navigate unprecedented economic hardships. Keep close watch of your belongings but also, use this as an opportunity to patronize local businesses and support the local economy with your tourism dollars. 

Safety for Women and Solo Female Travelers in Lebanon

Economic and political landscapes aside, I can’t tell you how many times I was told that Lebanon is one of the safest places for woman to travel solo in the Middle East. Likening this to Lebanon’s Arab and Muslim influence (combined with the fact that English and French are widely spoken, making it easier for solo travelers that don’t speak Arabic to get around), people strive to treat solo female travelers the way they’d treat their own sisters, and want to make extra sure these travelers feel safe and welcome when moving throughout the country. This is especially true in the areas more commonly frequented by travelers, like Beirut, Byblos, Batroun, Jounieh, and Tyre. 

Above all else, you can read as much as you want about safety while traveling in Lebanon ahead of time. But, one of the best things you can do is check in with locals throughout your trip. They’ll often have the latest advice on what’s safe, what isn’t, and what precautions you might want to take.

5. Languages Spoken in Lebanon

The national language of Lebanon is Arabic. However, as I just mentioned, French is also super prevalent due to the country’s French Mandate era of the early 1900s. Today, just under half of the Lebanese population is French-speaking, and another 15% are partially French-speaking, as most schools still teach using French as a second language.

Because of the coexistence of French and Arabic, Lebanese people have derived some unique expressions that blur the lines between the two languages. One example of this is saying “merci kteer” instead of “merci beaucoup” to express “thank you very much.” “Merci” is French for “thank you,” while “kteer” is Arabic for “many.” 

Beyond that, English is commonly spoken by around 30% of the population, especially those in the tourism and business industries. Younger generations also lean heavily towards English in day to day conversation.

6. Religions in Lebanon

It is often said that without Lebanon’s enduring political and economic issues, the country could be a model for how the rest of the world can coexist. As a small country with more than 18 religious communities, Lebanon is a multi-faith society where mosques and churches coexist and bell towers and calls to prayer are equally common sounds of daily life. 

Approximately 60% of the Lebanese population is Muslim (including Shiite, Sunni, Druze, Ismaili, and Alawi), and 40% is Christian (including Catholic communities like Maronites, Armenian Catholics, Greek Catholics; and non-Catholic communities like Greek Orthodox, Armenian Orthodox, Protestants, etc). 

Lebanon is not without its own religious tensions and disagreements. But, as a country that recognizes and respects several religious communities, it is a remarkable thing to witness as a visitor! Here, you can visit mosques and churches in pretty much any city, hike through the Christian monasteries of the Kadisha Valley, and witness the Druze community’s Jumblatt Palace in the Chouf. All of it makes up equal importance in the fabric of what makes Lebanon, Lebanon. 

7. Currency and Exchanging Money in Lebanon

Due to decades of debt, Lebanon is experiencing a financial crisis that can be felt in all aspects of daily life. It’s so bad that Lebanese people are largely unable to withdraw money from their bank accounts, and many salaries that were once livable are now worth mere fractions of what they once were. 

Lebanon uses the Lebanese Pound or Lira, and you’ll see online that $1 USD = approximately 1,513 Lebanese Pounds. But (and it’s a BIG but!), Lebanon widely operates on a black market exchange . On the black market, $1 USD = anywhere from 24,000 – 35,000 Lebanese Pounds at the time of writing this article. 

Because of this, you’ll want to bring your own local currency to Lebanon and exchange currency there, versus trying to find Lebanese currency abroad (most likely, you will not be able to anyway). Once in Lebanon, exchange your money at a reliable place using the ‘black market’ exchange rate, which fluctuates hourly. This way, you’ll get a fair exchange against the actual market value of everyday life in Lebanon. 

I found that navigating the money exchange in Lebanon was one of the most confusing parts of visiting the country. Fortunately, my guide helped with this throughout my 10 days in Lebanon.

8. Lebanon Geography and Places to Visit

When we think of the Mediterranean, most people may first think of Greece, Italy, or Croatia. But Lebanon is a Mediterranean gem in its own right, with beautiful coastlines and many stretches of crystal clear, aquamarine waters. 

Bordering Lebanon are Israel to the south, and Syria to the north and east. No doubt, this is a region all too familiar with conflict and tension. However, in my experience – going with a guide allowed us to travel all over Lebanon while remaining both informed and safe. There are military checkpoints throughout the country monitoring the roads. At one point after visiting Baalbek in the far east, we found ourselves wine tasting on a vineyard just a stone’s throw from the Syrian border. Again, with our guides monitoring the daily conditions of the region, we felt incredibly safe and welcomed by the people in the Beqaa Valley!

Though Lebanon is a tiny country, it will surprise you – from Mediterranean coastlines, to mountain regions fit for skiing in the winter, to verdant green valleys and relaxing wine regions, Lebanon’s geographic diversity is truly unbelievable. 

Some of the Top Places to Visit in Lebanon Include:

• Beirut : The Paris of the Middle East and the capital city of Lebanon, Beirut should be on any first-timer’s list when traveling to Lebanon. Come here historical city center and neighborhoods, stay for the incredible food and nightlife!
• Byblos : Also known as Jbeil or Jebeil, the seaside village of Byblos is a remarkable symbol of civilization. Byblos has been continuously inhabited throughout the past 8,000 years, and today, the historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Jounieh : A once sleepy fishing village that now hosts a long list of attractions, Jounieh is just 30 minutes outside of Beirut and well worth a visit. Take the Teleferique cable car, visit the Casino du Liban, explore the famous Jeita Grotto, or go paragliding over the Mediterranean coast. The views are unbelievable!
• Tripoli : You shouldn’t miss the dizzying, magnificent city of Tripoli in northern Lebanon. Here, you’ll find the largest crusader fortress in Lebanon, a labyrinthine network of souks, and the chilled out fisherman’s village of El Mina which is not to be missed.
• Baalbek : The ruins of Baalbek are so impressive, they are absolutely worth the trek. Here, you can find some of the finest remaining structures of the Roman Empire, like the Temple of Bacchus.
• Saida and Tyre : You can visit the southern seaside towns of Saida and Tyre on a single day trip. Visit the Crusader Sea Castle and the old souks in Saida, and the Hippodrome and Al Mina ruins in Tyre, before ending the day on the Tyre Port and Christian Quarter.
• Chouf : Chouf (also referred to as ‘The Chouf’) is a beautiful region filled with palaces, mountainside villages, a cedar tree reserve, and a large population of Lebanese Druze. Don’t miss the Jumblatt or the Beiteddine Palaces.
• Kadisha Valley : The famous Holy Valley is located high up in the Mount Lebanon chain, and has been home to countless monastic communities for centuries. The drive through the Kadisha Valley is one of the most stunning in all of Lebanon, featuring rugged landscapes dotted with churches and monasteries throughout. You can visit them by car or even hike between the monasteries on foot.

Read my list of all the places you should visit when traveling to Lebanon next!

9. Culture and Etiquette in Lebanon

Lebanon is home to a myriad of cultures and customs, and while there is no sole “fixed” way of doing things, I found the country to be incredibly welcoming and inviting for foreign travelers.

I observed Lebanese teens in Beirut dressed in shorts and sneakers hanging out with friends at local bars, streets filled with locals smoking shisha and playing cards until late in the evenings, veiled and unveiled women at restaurants sharing tea and gossip, you name it. 

With all that said, there are some things you should keep in mind when visiting Lebanon.

General Tips to Follow When Traveling to Lebanon:

• You can dine with both hands – dining with the right hand only doesn’t really apply in Lebanon 
• PDA isn’t extremely taboo, but outside of holding hands, tourists should probably do it sparingly (no need to attract unnecessary attention or judgment, especially from more conservative onlookers). And, unfortunately I’d say LGBTQ+ couples should exercise more caution here and adhere to a zero PDA policy when out and about. 
• Punctuality isn’t really a thing in Lebanon – hours are more fluid and you shouldn’t judge your tours or reservations if they don’t start immediately on time. 
• Lebanese hospitality is unparalleled. I can’t stress this enough! I’ve never had a better breakfast, better hosts, or better conversations than I did while on this trip. Be a gracious guest and try everything when offered homemade food, be prepared to stay long periods of time and engage in conversation, and bring gifts when appropriate. Hosting is seen as an honor and a privilege, and it isn’t uncommon for even those with the smallest homes to invite you in for a coffee as their guest. 
• To most Lebanese, Israel is a huge point of contention. Regardless of your understanding of the situation, it’ll serve you well to simply respect the opinions of locals. And, if you’ve ever traveled to Israel in the past, make sure there is no evidence of that trip in your passport when entering the country. 
• While daily life can be quite relaxed in Lebanon, you should never forget that the country is in the crossroads of conflict. Always remain alert and vigilant with your belongings and with the locations you travel to when traveling to Lebanon, and rely on the advice of locals at all times.

10. Weather in Lebanon

Lebanon generally has a mild Mediterranean climate, with hot summers and rainy winters. The coastline will be hotter and more humid than inland and mountainous regions, which can even get enough snowfall in the colder months for skiing and snowboarding. 

If you’re wondering when is the best time to visit Lebanon based on the weather, March – May, and September – October are ideal. However, we came in early November and it was still so warm. We even took a dip in the Mediterranean! The only caveat is that in the winter months, the sun will set around 4:30 pm and your daylight hours will be shorter.

Depending on where you plan to go, I recommend packing a variety of clothing fit for both the coastal areas and mountain regions, with some extra layers for any chilly evenings.

11. What to Pack for and Wear in Lebanon

Lebanon is a pretty liberal country. So, what you pack will be dictated by your activities and the places you want to visit, rather than based on any particular custom or requirement.

You’ll generally find very casual as well as stylishly dressed people in Beirut, and naturally, a bit more traditionally and modestly dressed people in less densely populated areas. No matter where you go, it won’t be uncommon to see women in modern sundresses and jeans alongside women in veils or burkas in the same setting. 

My Packing Tips for Lebanon:

• Avoid dresses and skirts / shorts that are extra short, as well as plunging necklines or backless tops (to me, this was honestly less about feeling inappropriate, and more about making sure I was not making any local men or women feel uncomfortable) 
• Pack swimsuits with a bit more coverage (bikinis are totally fine, but I personally didn’t bring any that were more skimpy) 
• Stick to breathable fabrics – Lebanon can be hot especially along the coasts! 
• Bring layers if you plan to visit Lebanon’s mountain regions, particularly in the winter months 
• Bring a variety of scarves, as you’ll need to cover your hair and shoulders when visiting mosques out of respect. I tied one to my purse every day so I could throw it on when needed.
• When visiting mosques, as well as more conservative cities like Tripoli and Saida, it’s best to wear pants or a skirt / dress that falls below the knees 
• Take your shoes off when entering a mosque. If you don’t like the idea of being barefoot, wear socks. The floors will most likely be carpeted!
• Men should avoid wearing shorts or tank tops in mosques, as your shoulders and legs need to be covered, too

12. Transportation and Getting Around when Traveling in Lebanon

You could theoretically rent a car and drive while traveling in Lebanon, but I wouldn’t recommend it. Especially if it’s your first time traveling to the country. The roads are confusing, everyone drives with their own rules, and there are military checkpoints throughout the country that – while generally safe – can seem intimidating for foreigners. 

Careem, a transportation app similar to Uber and Lyft, is supposed to be available in Beirut and Jounieh. But, I didn’t get a chance to confirm this for myself while I was there. If you use this app (or any others) when visiting Lebanon, let me know in the comments!

All that said, if you can swing it, I highly recommend booking tours with transportation included, and / or hiring a private guide like we did with TourLeb. If we had driven ourselves, we probably would’ve done less than half of the things we had on our itinerary. The logistics would’ve been too much to navigate, and there are certain parts of the country – like Tripoli and Baalbek – where it really is best to visit with a local that knows their way around. 

13. Food, Alcohol, and Tipping in Lebanon

Lebanese people are serious about their food – and it is my absolute favorite cuisine in the world for this very reason. 

Their Mediterranean climate combined with fresh Middle Eastern herbs and centuries-old traditions make even the simplest dining experiences a phenomenal occasion. You’ll want to try all of it, and you’ll want to do a good amount of walking during your visit to balance it all out 🙂

Some of my absolute favorite bites of food in Lebanon included: 

• A simple, yet crisply fried falafel pita (which cost less than $1 USD) in Saida 
• Handmade zaatar and cheese manakish (well, anything covered in zaatar, to be honest) 
• Savory sesame-studded ka’ak filled with cheese and, you guessed it, zaatar
• Sweet, indulgent knafeh covered in orange blossom syrup and stuffed into a pita, which coincidentally made for a fantastic hangover breakfast 
• Mezze for every meal of the day 
• Lahme baajin made on the side of the road in the Chouf 
• Freshly prepared kibbeh at a cozy restaurant tucked into the mountains of Ehden

I could keep on going – the food is just that good.

Alcohol Etiquette in Lebanon: Do People in Lebanon Drink?

Lebanon is one of the most liberal countries in the Middle East, and you can easily – and abundantly – enjoy alcohol throughout most of the country. In fact, Lebanon proudly produces tons of local beer, wine, and even spirits.

The only restrictions on this will be in the more conservative parts of the country, like Tripoli and Saida, where alcohol will be sparse or nonexistent out of respect for larger concentrations of Muslim populations.

Outside of this, you will be able to easily find and enjoy a drink in Lebanon freely and without worry.

Tipping in Lebanon: Is It Appropriate?

When it comes to tipping in Lebanon, it’s generally advisable to either round up or pay 10 – 15% at restaurants depending on the service you received.

You’ll also want to carry small bills for other tipping encounters, including supermarket trips (if they carry your groceries to your car), gas station stops (an attendant will fill your tank), and buying drinks at a bar.

14. Travel Insurance For Traveling to Lebanon: Do You Need It?

Whether or not you need travel insurance is your own personal choice. But, keep in mind that without insurance, any incidents (stolen gear, hospitalization, etc) will need to be covered out of pocket while abroad.

Some reputable travel insurance companies with good reviews include:

• World Nomads
• Allianz Travel Insurance

It’s hard for me to put into words how much I loved my time traveling in Lebanon, so I’ll end by saying this: if you’re feeling adventurous and considering visiting Lebanon, you must do it. Lebanon has been without a doubt one of the most culturally enriching, delicious, eye-opening, educational, authentic, raw, and fun countries I’ve visited to date, and I can’t wait to go back!

P.S. Skipped to the end? Don’t fret! While you can travel to Lebanon on your own, some might feel more comfortable visiting with a local tour company. If that’s you, you might want to consider traveling to Lebanon with TourLeb. Mention ‘Rachel Off Duty’ when booking to get up to 15% off a private tour of 3 days or more. Contact them here .

Or, travel with me to Lebanon on a group trip this summer (August 19 – 27). See the itinerary and reserve your spot by clicking this link .

Are you considering traveling to Lebanon? Did you find these tips helpful? Let me know your plans in the comments! 

Read This Next:

• 10 Unforgettable Places to Visit in Lebanon
• 10+ Effortless Ways to Start Saving Money for Travel
• The Best First-Time Solo Female Travel Destinations
• Solo Female Traveler Safety Tips Every Woman Should Know

Pin For Later:

Hey there! I’m Rachel, a travel writer and a full-time advertising / marketing expert. In 2019, I traveled more than 25 times while working 9 to 5, and since then I’ve committed myself to living a more adventurous life, even if it means bringing my laptop along for the ride. Are you hungry to travel more, but overwhelmed with how to juggle work and play? You’ve come to the right place!

Recent Adventures:

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• Updated on: March 1, 2023

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Lebanon travel guide: a 2-week itinerary

By Joan Torres 58 Comments Last updated on May 8, 2024

This is a compelling travel guide to Lebanon that shows how to visit the Levantine country during the crisis, including where to exchange in the black market. It also includes things to do, how to move around, where to stay and more.

Despite its tiny size, Lebanon is the most diverse country in the Middle East, a nation that chaotically combines both Arab and European Mediterranean culture, with their love for good wine and the most exquisite food in the region, without never losing their Arab essence.

Lebanon, however, is not in their brightest moment.

A deep economical crisis fuelled by the port explosion and also COVID-19 has left an impoverished country with terrible inflation, and an absolutely desperate population.

As a traveler, Lebanon has changed a lot, the crisis is particularly palpable but that should not stop you from visiting such an alluring country, which is also desperate for foreign currency .

This guide contains travel tips for Lebanon, as well as a complete itinerary.

In this Lebanon travel guide:

Table of Contents

• Traveling during the crisis
• Power shortages
• Useful books
• Travel insurance
• Moving around
• Day 1,2,3 – Beirut
• Day 4 – Byblos
• Day 5 – Zahlé
• Day 6 – Baalbek  
• Day 7, 8 – Tripoli
• Day 9, 10 – Kadisha Valley
• Day 11 – Sayda & Mleeta
• Day 12 – Tyr
• Day 13 – Go off-beat – Lebanese-Israeli separation wall
• More Information

our recommended travel insurance for Lebanon

IATI Insurance is the most versatile insurance for any destination, including Lebanon.

🪪 Visa for traveling to Lebanon

Most nationalities can get a free 30-day visa on arrival at the airport in Beiru t , which is extendable for 2 additional months.

You just get an easy, friendly stamp, that’s it, and it’s valid for multiple entries.

💻 Internet and connectivity in Lebanon

Wi-Fi connection has improved over the last few years, but it’s still not the best, it tends to fail in most budget hotels, and that’s why I recommend buying a SIM Card.

One company I used was Alfa , their internet packages costing the equivalent of around 20USD.

Get a VPN for traveling in Lebanon

You should always use a VPN when you travel, especially when you connect to public Wi-Fi networks.

Your connection will be much safer. 

Moreover, you will be able to access content which is typically censored in Lebanon. 

I recommend ExpressVPN – Extremely easy to use, fast and cheap. 

If you want to learn more about VPN, check: Why you need a VPN for traveling .

Read: A travel guide to Palestine

💰 How to travel in Lebanon during the crisis

As mentioned, Lebanon is immersed in a hugely deep financial crisis, and below are the things that might affect you as a traveler.

1 – Need to know about money in Lebanon during the crisis

In Lebanon, the official currency is the Lebanese Pound (LBP) .

The official exchange rate versus US $ is 1 USD equals 1500LBP .

That’s the official (and old) bank rate. However, because of the crisis, the official rate in the black market is today:

1 USD = 27,000 LPB

The Lebanese pound has devalued more than 15 times its original value in just a few years, it’s absolutely crazy.

Lebanon travel tip – I recommend you download Lira Exchange on your smartphone, an app that gives you the current black market exchange rate.

However, for some reason, Lebanese banks like to keep the old rate.

This means that you should never ever use your credit card in Lebanon, never pay by card, and never withdraw from an ATM, never ever because you’ll get the old rate.

Lebanon is today a cash economy, bring all your money in cash, don’t use your credit card. In the hypothetical case you run out of money, ask someone to send you cash via Western Union or similar, but never without your debit card.

How to exchange money in the black market of Lebanon

They call it black market but basically, the black market for exchanging money in Lebanon is anywhere, including the official money exchange offices which can be found everywhere, especially along Hamra Street in Beirut.

Which currencies do they accept?

You can exchange Euros (€), US dollars, or British Pounds, among others.

If the Lebanese Pound has devalued more than 15 times, does that mean that everything is 15 times cheaper?

No. The currency devaluation has brought massive inflation too.

For example, before the crisis, a bottle of beer in a supermarket used to cost 1,500LBP. Today, you can buy it for 15,000LBP.

2 – Need to know about power shortages in Lebanon

One of the biggest consequences of this unfortunate crisis for the Lebanese people is their shortage of electricity. When you travel in Lebanon, you’ll see that power cuts occur very often, every day.

As a traveler, if you only stay in fancy hotels and eat in top-end restaurants, the power cuts won’t really bother you, since pretty much all use powerful generators.

However, in cheaper hotels, as well as outside of Beirut, power cuts occur pretty often.

By the way, one top travel tip for Lebanon is not to order meat from certain cheap restaurants, since their fridge might not be always on due to the power cuts.

3 – Is it safe to travel to Lebanon during the economical crisis?

Lebanon has never come without its own issues but this has always been one of the safest countries in the Middle East , a country home to a huge cultural and religious diversity, where there’s never been a place for extremists.

In the last couple of years, however, since the unfortunate crisis started, many travelers are questioning the country’s safety, claiming that traveling to Lebanon isn’t safe anymore, but I strongly disagree.

Crime has always been pretty insignificant in Lebanon and, despite that many Lebanese are in urgent need of cash, it still remains low, and there are no travel reports telling otherwise.

Public demonstrations

Since the crisis started, the only place or moment of potential violence has been during the street protests. If you bump into a public demonstration, it’s recommended to stay away from it.

Moreover, one of the most tangible legacies of the Lebanese Civil War , is that many people in Lebanon have guns at their homes, and many still like to carry them outside of their respective houses.

Once, I took a shared taxi in Beirut , from Hamra to Burj Hamood, and one of the passengers was carrying a gun, yet, nobody seemed to care about it.

This is the reason why in most public demonstrations, some demonstrators have guns, and they tend to like shooting into the sky. Being around those people is, obviously, dangerous.

🛫 How to get to Lebanon

How to travel to lebanon by air.

The national airline in Lebanon is Middle East Airlines (MEA) , which has several connections across Europe and the Middle East.

Moreover, you can also fly to Beirut International Airport from Paris (Air France), Frankfurt (Lufthansa), Barcelona (Vueling), Istanbul (Turkish and Pegasus) and pretty much any country in the Middle East .

How to travel to Lebanon by land

Lebanon shares a border with Israel and Syria.

• Traveling to Lebanon from Israel: The border with Israel has always been closed, not possible to cross it.
• Traveling to Lebanon from Syria: It’s fully open and very easy to cross. We use it all the time for our group expeditions .

For more information, read my Syria travel guide .

How to travel to Lebanon by sea

Apparently, the ferry from Cyprus to the northern city of Tripoli isn’t running anymore but you can take a ferry from Tasucu, Port of Mersin (Turkey). However, there isn’t any reliable information online regarding departure timings so overlanders should just show up in Tasucu.

Travel reports are more than welcome 🙂

📚 Useful books for traveling in Lebanon

Lebanon travel guide by bradt.

This is the most up-to-date travel guide to Lebanon. I am a Bradt Guides fan because all their guides are extremely insightful, both from a local perspective and also, because they give plenty of tips for independent travelers which help you easily plan your itinerary for Lebanon.

Middle East Travel Guide by Lonely Planet

It has only one chapter about Lebanon but, at least, the information here is updated.

🚑 Travel insurance for visiting Lebanon

Lebanon is one of those countries where you must travel with insurance, as it is a wild place where people drive crazily.

I recommend IATI Insurance  because:

• Plans for all budgets.
• Covers all countries in the Middle East, including Syria and Iraq
• Full COVID coverage
• It covers senior citizens too
• Readers of this blog can get a 5% exclusive discount

🕌 The country: people & culture

For me, the highlight of traveling to Lebanon is by far, the Lebanese people.

However, I am not talking about their kindness and hospitality – since that would be falling into the classical cliché one can say about any country in the Middle East – but I am talking about the cultural diversity.

There’s no other country – at least that I am aware of – where there can be so many groups of people living in such a tiny space.

Shia, Sunni, Catholics, Orthodox and Druze, but also Armenians, Palestinians, and Syrians.

From Hezbollah areas to Christian districts inhabited by European-like people and Sunni women wearing the niqab , the cultural mix in Lebanon is so chaotically mixed that it can’t be defined as a whole, and that’s what Lebanon is about.

Which language do they speak in Lebanon?

The official language in Lebanon is Arabic.

English is widely spoken in Beirut among well-educated Lebanese, especially in the districts of Hamra and Gemmazyeh.

Outside of Beirut, English is less spoken.

French is also spoken among a tiny part of the Lebanese population.

🍲 Food in Lebanon

Lebanese food is a Mediterranean cuisine with influences from both the Middle East and the French colonial era and, as in Spain, Italy or Greece, olive oil is the base of any dish.

Typically, most restaurants serve mezza , an array of small dishes similar to the Spanish tapas, which includes both vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes.

From the classic  hummus,   kibbeh (a local steak tartar), kebabs and   syadye  (rice, fish, and almonds in a gravy sauce) to a tasty olive oil of the standard of any southern European country and a strong wine culture, Beirut is home to the best food in the entire region.

Read: Iraqi Kurdistan travel guide

🛺 How to move around Lebanon

Everything in Lebanon can be reached in less than 2 or 3 hours.

Except for the northern mountains, where you might need to stay overnight, if you wanted, you can visit the entire country on different day trips from Beirut .

However, in order to enjoy all the places to their fullest, I really recommend spending some nights outside of the capital.

Traveling around Lebanon by public transportation

Lebanon is a very easy country to move around.

There are public buses and mini-vans going to almost every corner in the country from Beirut, where there are 2 main stations named Charles Helou and Cola Station . Charles Helou is ideal for traveling to the north, whereas Cola is to the South.

For more information about these 2 stations, check my Beirut Travel Guide and for more details about how to reach each city in Lebanon, check the Itinerary Section on this post .

Travel around Lebanon by taxi

If you can share the costs with other travelers, traveling by taxi around Lebanon is relatively cheap and pretty convenient, since most places can be reached from Beirut on a day trip.

One easy option would be calling an Uber, but I recommend getting in touch with a local taxi company. One I tried is located in Hamra street . They have fixed rates for going anywhere in Beirut.

Self-driving in Lebanon

You can also rent a car, no problem.

Just be aware, however, that the driving in Lebanon is pretty insane, but definitely not more than in Saudi Arabia , Iraq and any other country in the Middle East .

As per rental car companies, some travelers recommend a local company named Mike Rent a Car , but Hertz or Europcar are also available.

📍 Lebanon travel guide: a 2-week itinerary

Here you will find the best itinerary for Lebanon.

It might be a bit challenging to include all of these places in just 2 weeks but, if you plan ahead, it is totally feasible.

Day 1, 2 – Beirut – The most liberal city in the Middle East

What can I say about Beirut that I haven’t said already?

The Lebanese capital is the most westernized and liberal city in the Middle East (outside of Israel), only comparable to Tehran and a city full of contrasts and owner of deep and interesting history.

Beirut is composed of several neighborhoods, each one with its own subculture, so different from each other that, when you are wandering around them, it looks like you are in a different city, from the hipster neighborhood of Gemmazyeh to Hezbollah areas, Armenian, Christian, refugee camps and fancy districts with the most glamorous stores and the best restaurants in the region.

For more information about Beirut, read my article: A travel guide to Beirut

Where to stay in Beirut

Budget Hotel –   Embassy Hotel  – This is the cheapest hotel in town. The rooms are getting quite old but, at this price, you won’t find anywhere better. The location is great, however, in Hamra, a very cool area to hang out.

Backpacker Hostel –   Hamra Urban Gardens – Located in the main Hamra Street. It offers both suite and dorm rooms with a seasonal outdoor pool and bar.

Mid-range Hotel –  O Monot Boutique – Strategically located at the heart of Beirut, this property was highly recommended by many because of their amazing facilities especially their rooftop bar with a panoramic view of Beirut.

Top-end Hotel –  Radisson Blu Hotel – If you are looking for a comfortable place which has a delightful design, a good restaurant and other various facilities, this 5-star hotel is a perfect choice. Located in Dunes shopping center and 5-minute walk away from the beach.

Day 3 – Byblos – The native home of the modern alphabet

With 8,000 years of history, Byblos is considered one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world and the place where the first inscriptions containing the modern western alphabet were found.

Byblos derives from the Greek word bublos , meaning papyrus , as the town was the stopping place for the Phoenicians who shipped papyrus from Egypt .

Besides a super interesting museum that explains the history of the creation of the alphabet, in Byblos you can also visit a crusader castle from the XII century, built by the Franks, a restored souq, a beautiful Mediterranean harbor full of restaurants, where you can eat seafood feasts, and some archeological sites containing mainly Roman ruins but also from many other civilizations, from the Neolithic settlements 8,000 years ago to Phoenician, Egyptian, Greek and Ottoman.

Book a tour to Byblos from Beirut It also includes Jeita & Harissa CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE

How to get to Byblos from Beirut

Byblos is around 50km from Beirut. Buses depart from Charles Helou station.

Where to stay in Byblos

Byblos can be reached on a day trip from Beirut but, in case you wanna stay here, here’s a few options:

Budget Hotel – Sea Valley – The cheapest hotel in Byblos is a very decent aparthotel. 

Mid-range hotel – L’Hotel de mon pere – With stunning panoramic sea views and really awesome breakfast, this super pretty modern hotel serves the best quality in Byblos, at the lowest price. It is really close to the beach and even closer to the Old City of Byblos, so you can’t ask for more!

Top-end hotel – Byblos Sur Mer – This boutique hotel is at the most privileged location in the whole of Byblos, next to the ruins, on the seaside and at the heart of where the exquisite social life in Byblos is, which consists of eating at the seafood fancy restaurants that compose the harbor.

Day 4 – Zahlé – The face of Lebanon you didn’t know about

What I loved about Zahlé was that, even though it is a Lebanese city located in the heart of the Bekaa Valley, it is more similar to the villages of Mediterranean Europe than to Lebanon itself, as this city, with a Christian majority, is famous for its wineries and for its restaurants, serving the best mezza in the whole country.

In Zahlé, you can’t miss Berdawini , located just outside of the city, a green area with a river flowing, plenty of high-quality restaurants, slightly pricey for my taste but delicious.

When I went there, it was not only full of Lebanese people from the middle-upper class but also, there were plenty of Western diplomats escaping from Beirut for the weekend.

I also recommend you go to Ksara Winery , the oldest and most famous winery in the whole country.

I always prefer visiting small, traditional wineries, rather than big corporations (check my Kakheti travel guide ) but I have to admit that the wine I tasted here was excellent. Their tour was OK but there wasn’t any need to book it in advance.

Book a wine tour from Beirut which includes 3 different wineries in the Beqaa Valley CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE

How to get to Zahlé from Beirut

Zahlé is on the way to Baalbek, so you should first take a bus to a town named Chtoura. From there, you can get on a second bus to Zahlé.

I got it at Cola Station but there may be a direct bus from Charles Helou station.

Where to stay in Zahlé

There is no cheap accommodation in Zahlé: the most budget accommodation starts at 70USD, so if you are on a budget, you should spend the night in Baalbek or go back to Beirut.

Mid-range Apartment Hotel – Berdawni Apartments – This apartment-hotel is nothing outstanding but it really fulfills its function, with very comfy beds and the best location, right next to Berdwani river, the highlight in town. It is a good value money for money option and, in any case, you won’t find anything cheaper!

Top-end Hotel – La Place Hotel – Located in the old part of town, people love this hotel because it manages to combine the old and traditional with very modern facilities and exquisite decoration. The breakfast is great and they have the purest and kindest Middle Eastern service.

Day 5 – Baalbek – The most impressive and off-the-beaten-track Roman ruins

Lebanon travel tip – Pay the entrance ticket in Lebanese Pounds (LBP), not in USD, since they will give you the official bank rate, meaning that you’ll pay no more than 1 dollar to enter the site. Before the crisis, the entrance fee was $15

Visiting Baalbek is one of the best things to do in Lebanon, a city that has some impressive Roman ruins, built on a giant scale and often considered the most important in the Middle East and, controversially, one of the least visited off-the-beaten track Roman ruins in the world, even lesser visited than Palmyra in Syria , which used to receive hundreds of thousands of visitors before the war.

The temple of Jupiter and the temple of Bacchus are the buildings that dominate this stunning architectural masterpiece.

Seriously, these Roman ruins are just outstanding and, when I went there, I had the ruins completely to myself.

Book a tour to Baalbek from Beirut the easiest way to visit the site with no hassle CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE

How to get to Baalbek from Beirut 

Baalbek is 90km from Beirut.

From Cola Station, there are buses going to Chtoura, situated half-way, a town from where you should take a second bus to Baalbek.

Where to stay in Baalbek

Even though you can visit Baalbek on a day trip, I strongly recommend spending one night there to see the ruins at sunset time.

Budget Hotel  – Jammal Hotel – This is the most budget hotel in Baalbek but you can’t book it online. It is OK for 1 night. 

Mid-Range Hotel  –  Palmyra Hotel  – This is, perhaps, the most famous hotel in the country and the reason is that it has never been closed since it was opened in 1874. it has hosted famous people such as Nina Simeone and the President of France It is also located next to the Roman ruins. I personally think the hotel is absolutely overpriced, since there hasn’t been any renovation for decades.

Day 6 – Tripoli – The most traditional Lebanese city

Tripoli is the second biggest Lebanese city, a city that would probably fit in what you think are the Lebanese standards, with its beautiful old souq of spices, ancient medieval architecture, and a citadel from where you get fantastic views of the city.

In Tripoli, a city famous for its sweets, live the Lebanese people who have the famous Arabic hospitality, as it’s impossible to be wandering the streets, kind of lost, without several locals offering you their help.

This is a city to get lost in around its narrow alleys and an old city belonging to the XIV century.

Furthermore, you can’t miss the fortress of Raymond de Saint Gilles, built in the XI century and the lovely neighborhood around the harbor.

By the way, you probably heard that the U.S. Embassy describes Tripoli as a dangerous city to travel to. Why is that so? Since the Civil War, there have been one-off clashes between Sunni and Alawi Muslims who reside in the neighborhoods of Bab al-Tabbaneh and Jebel Mohsen, respectively. Throughout the years, these clashes have killed several people.

This is a one-off conflict happening in a specific area, far away from the city center. It’s a fight between two small districts and doesn’t go beyond.

The rest of the city is totally cool and safe. However, since I’m an extremely curious human being, I also went to Jebel Mohsen . And what can I say? Life there was merely normal. Again, clashes and bombings happen once a year, not more.

How to get to Tripoli from Beirut

Located 80km, there are buses leaving from Cola Station continuously, as well from Charles Helou.

Where to stay in Tripoli

There are very few options in Tripoli but these would be the most popular:

Budget Guest House –  Haddad Hotel– The facilities and rooms are very old but the staff is a lovely family that will give you a very charming welcome and a great, traditional breakfast. With an awesome location, close to the old city, this is the best place for budget travelers and backpackers. Online booking not available. 

Mid-range Hotel – Via Mina Hotel – Being the top rated hotel in Tripoli, Via Mina has a kind of rustic style but with very modern facilities at the same time. It is located right in front of the sea, has a great pool and the staff will bless you with great hospitality.

Day 9, 10 – Kadisha Valley – Lovely Christian mountain villages

If you either want just to relax, eat good food, visit beautiful Christian monasteries or to go hiking, the Kadisha Valley in Lebanon will always be the perfect place for you.

Kadisha means ”holy” and owes this name to the fact that this valley is home to some of the most ancient communities of monastic Christians  in the Middle East.

In case you don’t know, monasticism is a way of life for which the person (in this case Christian monks) renounces everything to devote himself completely to spiritual work.

The valley is full of natural caves, difficult to access, that once served as places of isolation for the monks living lives devoted to Christ.

How to get to Kadisha from Tripoli (or Beirut)

If you come from Beirut, you will have to go to Tripoli first.

Once in Tripoli, there are buses leaving from 9am to a small village named Bsharri, which is a great base to explore the rest of the valley. For coming back, the last one is at 4:30pm.

Where to stay in Kadisha Valley (Bsharri)

Kadisha is one of those places where you really should spend one night at least, especially if you come by public transportation. Otherwise, you will just have 1 hour to explore it entirely.

Budget Guest House – Tiger Guest House – This is an ideal place for budget backpackers and, basically, the only cheap accommodation in town. Everything is very simple but the family is lovely and very helpful.

Mid-range Hotel – Bauhaus Chalets Apartment – Breathtaking views, a very accommodating owner, and pretty modern facilities, this hotel is pretty good, given the low range offer in Bsharri.

Day 11 – Sayda and Mleeta – Hezbollah territory

Sayda is a small city located 40km from Beirut. Slightly conservative, Sayda is a nice place to visit on a day trip, wandering around its labyrinthine, covered souq, full of cafés where the Lebanese are sitting outside, looking with expectation at the few foreigners that pass by.

Perhaps, the most iconic building in the city is the castle, built in the XII century, located on a tiny island just 80m from the shore, whose walls turn into a beautiful orange during the sunset.

Mleeta, the Museum of Hezbollah

A fantastic day trip from either Beirut or Sayda is visiting the Mleeta Museum, aka the Hezbollah Resistance Museum .

Hezbollah is a Shia militia and armed group created in Lebanon during the war against Israel.

They don’t like to be called militia, however, but they consider themselves a resistance organization against a common enemy named Israel.

The area around Mleeta was their headquarters and stronghold during the war and today, they have built an amazing museum where you can visit the underground tunnels they used to hide in, as well as some captured Israeli tanks and artillery.

The museum only costs a few $ and it includes a guided tour with a member of the militia.

While it’s true that his explanations are pure propaganda, the guides are open to absolutely any question, and they are actually very pleasant people. A must-see.

How to get to Sayda from Beirut 

To get to the south of Lebanon, Cola Station is the best and only option.

Where to stay in Sayda

Sayda isn’t famous for its accommodation. To be honest, I didn’t stay here but came on a day trip from Beirut. In any case, if you plan to stay here, these are the most feasible options:

Budget / Mid-range Hotel – Yacoub Hotel – A very old hotel from 1920, Yacoub is located very close to the old city and the beach, the main city’s tourist attractions. However, many people have complained about cleanliness, especially because it is not a cheap hotel for what you get.

Mid-range Hotel – Al Qualaa Boutique Hotel – This boutique hotel isn’t bad but, for what you pay, the experience should be way better. The location is unbeatable, next to Sayda Old Fort and, overall, it is in a very cute building and the breakfast is just great. However, people complain about small details, like power cuts, the shower was not working and a large etcetera.

Day 12 – Tyre – Your beach destination in Lebanon

The most southern city in Lebanon, Tyre brags about being the place where you find the best beaches in the country.

In summer, every day, tons of Lebanese come from Beirut to spend the day and chill at its beaches and eat awesome seafood at the many restaurants that are found around the harbor.

In Tyre, you also find a castle, Roman ruins, a corniche, and a beautiful and colorful harbor, full of seafood restaurants.

How to get to Tyre from Beirut

Tyre is 90 kilometers from Beirut and buses leave from Cola Station.

However, you should first take a bus to Sayda and, from there, take the second one to Tyre.

Where to stay in Tyre

In Tyre, accommodation is super expensive. I didn’t stay there but, if you are a beach lover and you can afford it, this is the most popular hotel:

Mid-range Hotel – Asamina Boutique Hotel – Tastefully furnished and with really cozy rooms and comfortable beds and located in the old city, very close to the sea, this is one of the best boutique hotels in the country. They serve an amazing traditional breakfast, with really fresh products and the staff are just extremely accommodating. I think this is the best option in Tyre, better than any of the other resorts, which kind of lack of personality and authenticity.

Day 13 – Go off-beat – The wall that separates Lebanon from Israel

Both Lebanon and Israel have been in continuous war for several decades and, today, diplomatic relations between both countries don’t exist, since they still consider each other to be enemies. This is one of the most sensitive borders in the world.

These two Middle Eastern countries share a 79-kilometer border. For the most part, it is unreachable, as it’s located too far from the road. But I was told that there’s one area where you can actually get close to it. I liked the idea pretty much, so I decided to go there.

Visiting it is an adventure, as the whole area is full of military facilities and soldiers from the United Nations, who are guarding the border.

You need to be very cautious when visiting it. I was there by myself, with a camera, and I got arrested. If you wanna read my full story, check out this article: The day I was accused of being an Islamic State spy .

Please note that this is a Hezbollah area, which means that a permit is required . It’s very easy to obtain and you can get it at the police station in the city of Sayda.

They give it to you instantly but remember that a permit makes you eligible to enter the area and it doesn’t mean that you can take pictures or walk freely along the wall.

How to get to the Wall from Beirut

Be aware that it is not recommended to get there by public transportation, as you will trigger the suspicion of the Hezbollah Army.

It is not about walking around the wall but just that tourists never go there, so seeing a dude wandering there by himself is kind of weird, according to their eyes.

As I said, I got arrested when I was there but, in part, it was because I had a camera hanging from my shoulder.

Going there on your is your own responsibility but, if you decide to go, here’s how to get there by public transportation.

From Beirut, go to Cola Station and take a bus to Sayda. From Sayda, take a bus to Nabatiyeh. In Nabatiyeh, you need to take a shared taxi towards Kfarkela. You have to drop off as soon as you see the wall. Please note that you may have to wait for over an hour for the taxi to be completely full.

❗ More information to complement your Lebanon itinerary

📢 In my Travel Resources Page you can find the list of all the sites and services I use to book hotels, tours, travel insurance and more.

All guides and articles for traveling in Lebanon destination

• Beirut Travel Guide
• Solo Female Travel Guide in Lebanon
• The day I was accused of being an Islamic State spy
• Is Lebanon Safe

Travel guides to other countries in the Middle East

• Iran Travel Guide
• Iraq Travel Guide
• Travel Guide to Oman
• Travel Guide to Saudi Arabia
• Syria Travel Guide
• Palestine Travel Guide
• Yemen Travel Guide

You will also be interested in: Where in the Middle East is safe? and The most beautiful places in the Middle East .

58 comments

Wow, Lebanon looks beautiful! I like the mix of elements it seems to have based on your photos. I’ve always been a fan of the food too 😉

Hey Shannon, thanks for your comment. It’s a very underrated country and, the mix of elements you say, is what makes the country great ;9 ª

I am Lebanese!!! And i’m so happy you enjoyed your trip to Lebanon

Really? That’s awesome! It’s one of my favorite countries 🙂 !

I’m so glad I just stumbled on your blog. I am a Syrian/Lebanese American traveling to Lebanon for the first time in a few days. I have family in a village east of Tripoli named Aalma, I have yet to locate them but I do know that is where my family came from before migrating to the US. I will be spending a week traveling across Lebanon, a journey I have dreamt of for a long time coming.

Not to keep you for too long but I wanted to thank you for shedding light on Lebanon. A country which is mistakenly given a bad reputation due to strict travel warnings from my government.

Hey man! That’s amazing that you are going on a trip to Lebanon to know more about where your family comes from. Are you going to stay with some relatives? Please, do let me know if I can help you with anything. Cheers,

Hey, do you think I can show up at the cheap hotels in Tripoli and Baalbek and there will be a room available? By the way when you speak about Zahlé you say it’s called Berdawini but it’s Berdawni.

Hard to say, man. I went during low season and one of the hotels in Baalbek was fully booked… If there’s the option, I would book in advance!

Wanting to travel to Lebanon do many people speak English? Do I need a guide? If so what’s the charge. And where is the airport? Close to what country

Hi Linda. Most educated people speak English. You don’t necessarily need a guide, it’s up to you. The airport is in Beirut.

Amazing Joan. What a special place.

Is it possible to arrive by boat from Cyprus? And how much is a visa?

Yes, it’s possible and visa is free

Hey i am planning a one week Lebanon. Is it possible to cover all the famous destinations within one week?

Hi, maybe you could cover Beirut, Baalbek, Byblos and Tripoli, yes, why not.

Can all these be done as day trips? The hotel in Tripoli is expensive.

hi, do you think having my wedding in LEBANON (BERUIT) is a good idea/

Sure, why not 🙂 ?

Hello there,

Your blog about Lebanon is really great ! My parents are lebanese and Im going there for the 1st time this summer. I really liked your itinerary. I was wondering if we needed a private driver to go from one place to another when we leave Beirut, since there isn’t really public transportations outside of Beirut. For example, I want to visit the cedars, and I would also like to go from byblos to Baalbek. Cheers!

Hello! There is public transportation all over the country, you don’t need to worry about anything. Only to the cedars, you may need to hire a taxi, including the taxi. In the article itself I give plenty of transportation tips, like how to get from each city to the other

Hey Joan Thanks for your blog! I enjoyed reading it. I’m going to Lebanon for eight days, so far I plan to stay in Beirut for three nights, nearby Chouwen lake for two nights and then to Byblos and/or Tripoli. Do you think I’m trying to cram too much in? I’d love to hear any thoughts you might have on that plan. Thanks

Hi Madeline, 8 days is good enough for what you want to visit and I think you can even visit both Byblos and Tripoli, spending 1 night in each.

we are looking for a great in -Lebanon travel organiser to essentially fix all elements of our trip for us. Maybe not the flight from the UK but everything else. 8-10 days. Can you recommend either the best local company for that or even one based here in the UK looking to come in either May or October.

Many thanks for this blog.

Hi Keith, I don’t know about any specific travel agency for Lebanon, sorry. I did everything independently

Fab information! Do you know if having a Lebanese stamp in your passport will stop you from entering any countries – and if so, which?

Thanks! Emily

Hey Emily, no, it won’t stop you from going anywhere. Please, refer to this for more information: https://againstthecompass.com/en/avoid-israeli-passport-stamp/

Hi there, I enjoyed reading your blog. We’re going to Lebanon from the UK for two weeks in October. We’re planning on spending a week in Beirut, and maybe three nights in Byblos and Batroun. Does this seem a good way to divide our time? Thanks!

Hi Ellbin, it’s all right, but try to save one day for going to Baalbek at least!

Hi Joan, Just a few questions as you seem pretty familiar with the middle east. Will it be an issue entering Israel with visas from Sudan, Kurdistan and Syria? Am planning a trip to cover Lebanon, Israel and Jordan early next year and am considering adding on Kurdistan or Syria. Any ideas on itineraries. Will have to do at least one flight from Kurdistan and also from Lebanon to Jordan if not crossing through Syria.

Hi Melody! I suggest you check out this post 🙂 https://againstthecompass.com/en/avoid-israeli-passport-stamp/

Hi! I just booked my tickets to go to Lebanon in September. I’ll stay there for 2 weeks! I’ll spend about one week in Beirut (visiting some places from there), and then I’ll explore the Q. Valley and do lots of hiking. Thanks SO much for this information, it’s been very helpful! I also love the Middle East. I’m getting ready to go to Israel (second time) with my kids :). We’ll spend more time in the North this time. Blessings!!!

Thank you, Laura, have a great time in Lebanon!

Hi Joan, I read your blog and a couple of others and booked a trip to Lebanon a couple of months ago and was really exited. However, I have just read that if you have the exit stamp into Jordan on your passport you won’t get passed border control (even when flying from the UK) in Beirut. We went to Israel and Jordan in 2018 so I have the entry, exist and “residence for one month” stamps in my passport. Do I need to cancel my trip? We are due to leave on Sunday so I’m not really concerned we won’t be able to go. Thanks, Alex

P.S. I have already read your blog “avoid Israeli stamp” but there was only one stamp on the passport photo in this blog. We have two which I assume is entry and exit as we left and then returned to Israel. Surely these would be the stamps you would get if you entered and exited the country from anywhere?

Where did you enter and exit from, via airport or by land?

Hi Alex, a Jordanian stamp is fine but you won’t get into Lebanon with an Israeli stamp. Just change your passport, report it lost or something, probably cheaper than cancelling your trip.

Hi, please advise if it is still safe to go to Tripoli, I supposed to meet my engaged and get married there next month…I will wait for him at Beirut airport and then go to tripoli….

Yes, Tripoli is very safe

I’ve been to Lebanon a year ago and agree with most of what is said, except for food and accommodation because I was hidted by locals.

Naqoura and the very South are a gem undisturbed by big hotel complexes. A permit us indeed needed but not because it’s un Hezbollah territory but because it’s UNIFIL zone. You do have to get it in Salida but it takes a while and the process is quite opaque. Plan in advance if you can

Sorry about the typos, I should have read before posting.But I guess the text can be understood. And it’s Saida, not Salida, of course

Dear Joan, Thank you for your excellent information on Lebanon. A remark and a question: – The text of LEBANON TRAVEL GUIDE: A 2-WEEK ITINERARY appears only in Spanish (English flag not working) – Is it OK to get visum at Beirut Airport if passport contains stamp from Iran? Thanks.

Thanks for telling me, I really appreciate it. It’s been fixed now 🙂

Yes, no problem to enter Lebanon if you have an Iranian visa or stamp.

Hello Joan, This is a request that I take the liberty to put on your blog. As part of a master class in photojournalism with the National Geographic magazine I am looking for a ‘story’ in Beirut. For this I need to find a local guide to ‘develop’ this story. To show me around Beirut, make the contacts etc. Not so much the tourist sites but the life itself, after the explosion. I would be very grateful for your suggestions.

Thanks for the info. As of Oct. 29, a Covid test is no longer required.

Many thanks for an excellent blog post! Great to know about bringing currency to exchange before visiting Lebanon. I am visiting Lebanon for the first time in May for two weeks. I intend on booking a hostel online in Beirut to base myself for day trips for the first week and then go hiking around Kadisha Valley and spending time around Baalbek before flying onwards.

My question is – approximately how much $US/day would you recommend bringing over with you? I plan on staying in hostels/budget hotel, using public transport where possible and doing a bit of solo hiking. Just wanted to know a ballpark figure so that I don’t find myself short and have to use my debit or credit card and deal with the terrible exchange rate offered by the banks.

Hi Sam! I think you need around $50 a day, so I’d bring the equivalent of 70 a day, just in case! But it’s always hard to say. There are so many restaurants and night bars in Beirut, so you also need to think about that!

I was thinking about this itinerary, private tour, two people, hotel 3/4 only breakfast, if is possible italian speaking guide: 1 arrival beirut 2 beirut 3 Jeita Grottoes – Harissa – Byblos 4 Tripoli-Ehden 5 Valley of the Cedars – Baalbek -Zahle 6 Anjar – Beittedine – Deir al Qamar 7 Tire – Sidon 8 Beirut – Italy Greetings. Ilario giacometti

Thank you so much for this fantastic post! I was wondering how late are the last buses from places like Byblos and Baalbek since most of the hotels are expensive/booked out? Thanks again for making such a great page!!!

Hi Dhruv, I am not entirely sure, maybe around 7pm?

Hola Joan. Gracias por tu gran e interesante y profesional información de tu blog. De todos los países que visitas En cuanto a Líbano.. no es conveniente llevar euros? Se usa más dolares? Gracias

Hola Poli, en general, puedes cambiar de euros a libras libanesas sin problema alguno.

Sin embargo, hay hoteles que solo aceptan pago en efectivo y en dólares.

Lo que resulta mejor es llevarlo todo en euros y para el hotel, cambiarlos allí mismo a dólares. La tasa que ofrecen es mucho mejor que si compras dólares en Europa.

Lo que yo hago es llevar todo en euros, y lo cambio todo a libras o a dólares.

Hi, I´ve seen some comments and foregin governments advising not to go to Baleek. Is there any threat of doing this? Seems like a very touristic place. Going to Lebanon in october.

Hi Simon, it’s fine, it’s just that in that region there’s been local issues related to drug trafficking

Hi this is an awesome resource thanks so much for putting it together. Just wondering what the weather is like in October ( first couple of weeks). Want to go when it’s hot. Thanks

October is autumn, not super hot but pleasant

Hi, Do you still recommend going to Lebanon in March?

Beirut and more north than that should be fine to travel

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Lebanon in a week: the ultimate road-trip guide

Sep 17, 2010 • 4 min read

With just a week to spare in Lebanon, that tightly packed powerhouse of Middle Eastern history perched beside the Mediterranean, you can – with the help of four trusty wheels – embark on a road trip across some of the Middle East's most spectacular scenery, and to some of its most fascinating, friendly and off-the-beaten-track destinations.

Start: Beirut

Touch down in  Beirut and hire a car. You will need to be a competent, unflustered driver to handle the Lebanese penchant for no-rules driving. Take it slow, but be prepared to hold your line in traffic; nobody is going to let you in unless you force the issue. Out of the driver’s seat, you’ll find a magnificent welcome across the country.

Day 1: Saida and Tyre

Rather than going into the chaotic traffic of central Beirut, drive south along the coast to Saida (Sidon), an ancient Phoenician port city sporting a fine 13th-century Crusader sea castle , the magnificent Great Omari Mosque and a super-atmospheric souq . Wander the narrow lanes and stop in at the  Musée du Savon (Soap Museum) to see how the sudsy stuff is traditionally made, before continuing south to  Tyre , whose ancient ruins, clean beaches and fine hotels make it a fascinating destination. The two principal archaeological sites include Byzantine streets, an immense funerary complex and a huge, well-preserved Roman  hippodrome . Afterwards, dine out with locals on the Rue Abou Deeb or linger over seafood by the harbour. Spend the night in style at waterside Dar Alma or Asamina Boutique Hotel .

Day 2: Chouf Mountains

Retrace your steps to Saida and then turn inland, climbing into the Chouf Mountains. There are various gateways to the biosphere reserve that is home of many of Lebanon’s famous cedars, but make for Maasser Al Chouf, where you can stroll on short trails among these magnificent trees in the cool, crisp mountain air. Head back down to explore lavish 19th-century Beiteddine Palace and the lovely village of Deir Al Qamar , near which is the lovely rural hotel of Beit Al Qamar .

Day 3: Baalbek

Hop back into the car and drive over a spectacular pass to reveal the glorious Bekaa Valley spread out beneath you. Follow the main road north to reach the ancient town of  Baalbek , where the magnificently preserved Temple of Bacchus and the vast adjacent Temple of Jupiter hold their own against any Classical ruins in the whole Mediterranean. Baalbek is also headquarters of the Hezbollah party. You are unlikely, however, to see many traces; instead, check into the creaky old Palmyra Hotel where luminaries including Jean Cocteau and General de Gaulle once slept.

Day 4: Bcharré and the Qadisha Valley

Head west into the mountains again up spectacular hairpins to a pass (usually closed in winter), over the other side, where you'll find  The Cedars , the country’s most popular ski resort. Below here, pretty Bcharré , birthplace of legendary poet Khalil Gibran, is a fine lunch stop and gateway to the Qadisha Valley . This scenic gorge is dotted with ancient monasteries: hiking between them is the way to go if you have an extra day, though you should visit Deir Mar Elisha , the closest to town, even if you don’t.

Day 5: Tripoli

From the Qadisha, it’s an easy but steep descent down to the coast and Lebanon’s principal northern city, Tripoli . The traditional Sunni old town has a superbly characterful souq, where stalls and shops occupy 14th- and 15th-century khans (travellers’ inns) and locals duck in and out of numerous historic madrassas (religious schools), hammams and mosques. Stay at Beit El Nessim or Via Mina in the seaside district of Al Mina and eat fresh fish at Silver Shore .

Day 6: Byblos

Head down the coastal highway, stopping in Byblos for a look at its seashore and archaeological site that covers everything from Neolithic remains to a Crusader castle via everything in between. Have lunch outside the site at marvellous Feniqia and make sure to check out the amazing fossils at Mémoire du Temps . Staying the night here is worthwhile if you have extra time.

Day 7: Beirut

Expect heavy traffic as you drive from Byblos to the capital, but you’ll be a dab hand at Lebanese driving by now. Leave the vehicle firmly parked in the hotel (or drop it off at the airport) while you explore Beirut's diverse districts . Stroll Downtown, extensively reconstructed following Lebanon’s long, painful civil war; mingle with students and hipsters over shisha or craft beer in Hamra; stroll the seafront Corniche at sunset and hit Mar Mikhaël for a contemporary eating scene and the city’s most vibrant selection of bars and clubs. Hit the rooftop at Junkyard  and then take on the dance floor at subterranean B 018 , watching Beirut’s beautiful people out to play and toasting the completion of a road trip with which few others back home will be able to compete.

Last updated June 2018

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How Much It Costs To Travel In Lebanon

In comparison to neighboring Syria, Lebanon is an expensive country to travel around. This is not only due to the higher prices, but also due to the availability of excellent restaurants, endless cafes and bars that never fail in enticing travelers to stop in for just one more drink. And that’s not to mention the French bakeries serving delicious cakes! You can basically find anything you want in Beirut and as a result, travelers tend to spend a bit more.

The ultra-budget travelers among us could possibly survive in Lebanon for about $25 USD per day, but this would require you to once again sleep on rooftops and eat little more than Middle Eastern sandwiches. And on this budget, you’re mode of transportation will have to be your own feet, with perhaps the occasional shared taxi thrown in.

For those interested in a little more comfort and activity, be prepared to spend around $50 USD per day for a private budget hotel room, more frequent sit down meals, taxi rides and a daily cup of coffee from one of Beirut’s interesting cafes.

And if you decide to test out Beirut’s famous nightlife, you could easily double your daily expenses just from dishing out money for the entrance fee to a nightclub and paying for one beer!

The current exchange rate is approximately: $1 USD = 1500 Lebanese Lira (LL) (US Dollars are widely accepted as well)

Here’s a more detailed look at the costs to travel in Lebanon:

Obtaining a visa at the border is quite straightforward for about 100 different nationalities, all of which are offered a free one-month visa upon arrival. In addition, these visas can easily be extended for up to three months if needed. Most other nationalities can also receive a visa at the border although they may have to pay for it. According to the sign in the immigration office, the fees range from $10 USD – $50 USD depending on the length of your stay.

ACCOMMODATION

Budget accommodation in Lebanon is quite basic. Don’t expect spotless bathrooms, outstanding service or much organization for the money you spend. The lack of decent budget hotels was actually quite surprising in Beirut as there really isn’t even an actual hostel-type operation. Instead, there are about five cheap hotels that offered little more than a thin mattress to lay your head.

Here’s what to expect in terms of costs:

Rooftop: Mattresses, blankets and pillows provided – approx. 15000 LL ($10 USD)

Dorm Room: Usually 3-5 beds per dorm – approx. 15000 – 25000 LL ($10 – $17 USD)

Single Room: Either with shared/private bathroom – approx. 45000 LL ($30 USD)

Double Room: With private bathroom – approx. 60000 – 90000 LL ($40 – $60 USD)

Most hotels do not include breakfast, although they may throw in some complimentary tea and coffee if you’re lucky.

Dining in Lebanon proved to be more tricky than I would have imagined. Budget options, such as shawarma and falafel stands, while not plentiful, are scattered around, while more expensive cafes and restaurants are much easier to find. Here’s what to expect…

Falafel sandwiches and chicken shawarmas – 2500 – 6000 LL ($1.66 – $4 USD)

Lebanese Fast Food (manakeesh, hummos, kebabs) – 4000 – 7500 LL ($2.66 – $5 USD)

Bakery items (mini-pizzas & pastries) – 1500 – 4500 LL ($1 – $3 USD)

Salads (try out Brisk on Hamra Street!) – 4000 – 7500 LL ($3 – $5 USD)

If you’re willing to spend a little more, you will have endless options, especially in Beirut where you can find not only traditional Lebanese cuisine, but Mexican, Japanese, Italian, French, Chinese, Indian and more. And if you’re really looking to splurge, you’ll have no problem finding a restaurant where $200 USD will barely cover a dinner for two!

Mid-range Lebanese restaurant – 12000 – 16500 LL per person

Hip pizza cafe – 20000 – 30000 LL per person

Non-Lebanese ethnic cuisine – 20,000+ LL per person

Upscale meal in downtown Beirut – 60,000+ LL per person for meal with wine

In Lebanon, especially in Beirut, vegetarians will have no problem at all finding good food. There are plenty of mid-range cafes and restaurants offering salads, vegetarian soups and other vegetable dishes on their menus. In Beirut, simply head to Hamra Street or the Gemnayze neighborhood for the best options.

TRANSPORTATION

Getting around Lebanon is quite easy, with frequent bus and shared minivans running between most major destinations. And given Lebanon’s small size, you’ll almost never have to take a journey of more than 2 hours. For most journeys of about an hour, buses cost around 1500 LL per person and shared minivans cost around 3000 LL per person.

For destinations such as small towns and villages located in the mountains, there may not be regular bus or minivan service and as a result, the only way to reach these places (such as Beit Eddin, the Cedar Forest and Mleeta) are by actual taxi. The best idea is to take a public bus to the closest major town and negotiate a taxi from there as booking a taxi from Beirut for long day trips tends to be quite expensive. For example, you can expect to pay around $10 per hour to hire a taxi from the town of Saida in order to visit some of the interesting areas of Southern Lebanon.

In most towns and cities (including Beirut), walking is definitely the best way to get around, although when you do get tired, you can always flag down a servis (shared taxi) which will take you to your destination for around 2000 LL while picking up and dropping off other passengers along the way. There are also plenty of public buses in Beirut that will eventually get you to where you need to go for a very cheap fare.

*The four hour overland journey between Beirut and Damascus can be done either by bus for 500 Syrian Pounds ($11 USD) or by share taxi for 800 Syrian Pounds ($17 USD). Simply show up at the bus station in Damascus or Beirut (Charles Helou Station) and you’ll have no problem finding the ticket offices or share taxis. Actually, the drivers will find you quite quickly! You don’t need to make reservations ahead of time and transportation runs throughout the day.

ENTRANCE FEES

There isn’t much consistency to the entrance fees in Lebanon and you can expect to pay anywhere from 2000 LL to 12000 LL in order to enter any ruins site, museum, palace, caves, Cedar forest, castle, etc. All sites will accept payment in either Lebanese Lira or in US Dollars.

For those who need to spend a decent amount of time working or blogging or just checking emails, you’ll find plenty of cafes, restaurants and bars in Beirut that offer Wi-Fi. Just sit down, order a drink for around 5000 LL and nobody will bother you. However, the speeds and strength of the connections definitely vary from barely existent to quite decent, so sometimes it may be difficult to really get anything accomplished. The two best places I found were Saifi Urban Gardens in Gemnayze, which is a quaint and quiet outdoor cafe that serves cheap food and drinks, and Brisk , a cafe on Hamra Street that offers freshly prepared, ultra-healthy salads and sandwiches for 4000 – 7500 LL and whose friendly staff don’t mind at all if you spend a few hours using their Wi-Fi.

Actual internet cafes aren’t as common in Beirut as I expected, with the two most popular and reliable cafes located on Bliss Road right in front of the American University of Beirut. An hour of fast internet costs 3000 LL at each.

Outside of Beirut, most towns will have at least one decent internet cafe but available Wi-Fi signals become quite rare.

WORK OPPORTUNITIES

Earning money in Lebanon is definitely a possibility and I met a handful of travelers who had found some sort of work here. While many were teaching English (and earning about $10-$15 USD per hour), others were working at cafes, bars or even making their way as yoga or meditation instructors.

Wages are not nearly as high as you would think given all of the wealth that is present in Beirut, so Lebanon might not be the best of places for travelers looking to reboot their bank account. But if you’re less concerned about the amount of money you earn and more interested in the cultural experience, then any job you could find in Beirut would surely prove to be most rewarding.

Of course, I was only in Lebanon for a short time and didn’t really search for work opportunities, so I’m sure that there are other possibilities out there that I simply didn’t discover. (If anyone knows of any, please let us know in the comments!)

FINAL TIPS:

• It didn’t appear that cheating foreigners is too common a practice in Lebanon although there were a handful of times, mostly when taking shared minivans, where it was clear that the driver was trying to charge me a higher rate than the locals.
• When hailing a taxi in Beirut or other cities, you have two options. If you tell the driver ‘Servis’ and he accepts, then you simply pay 2000 LL and the driver has the right to pick up other passengers. However, if the driver tells you ‘Taxi’, then he is offering you a private ride which will cost as much as 12000 LL. You can always refuse and keep on hailing taxis until you find a taxi willing to take you on a Servis basis.
• If you plan to stay for an extended time, it may be more cost-effective to rent a short-term apartment in Beirut for a month or two and then explore the rest of the country using Beirut as a base. You will find good, cheap apartments for rent (usually a private room in a shared flat) being advertised in many cafes, especially the one at the Saifi Urban Gardens mentioned above.
• Most cafes, restaurants and shops accept credit cards, although budget hotels generally do not.
• Many ATMs allow you to withdraw Lebanese Lira or US Dollars and some even offer Euros.

If I’ve left something out or if you have any questions about the cost of traveling in Lebanon that I failed to answer, please leave a comment below or send me an email!

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45 Comments

Hi, any update on this post? I’m planning to travel next month for 8 days.. any tips or recommendations plz?

We are planning a trip to Lebanon later this year. To travel around comfortably, once accommodation is paid for Would a budget of $100 per day for food and nightlife be enough for a comfortable trip?

$100 a day would be Comfortable, depending on how expensive your taste is.

Hello everyone, I’m lebanese, and I would like to answer a few of your questions.

First of all, regarding the safety.. just stay in beirut, metn, jbeil, batroun, chouf… basically draw a circle around beirut, and that’s the safe zone in lebanon. Anything near the borders is not that safe, especially for travellers. In addition to that, while in lebanon,try not to get in an argument with the locals. And if you see two people fighting, just stay back, do not get involved. Other than the occasional street fighting , lebanon is safe, and the people will try to help you as much as possible. When lebanese hear a foreign accent, they will try to do their best to help you and welcome you. They are friendly people, as long as you don’t offend them. So you’re safe. To avoid offending them, just don’t speak about religion nor politics, and u should be fine.

All lebanese speak arabic, the older generation speaks also french (not all of them) and few speak english, and the younger speaks both french and english ( not all of them). And we have a gd amount of Armenians who also speak Armenian.

As for the prices, just add like 1-5$ for each item, and you’ll have your new price list. ( Not sure if applicable to hotels and hostels. I have no idea of their prices. )

Fun fact: Lebanese people love their bellies and the nightlife, and that’s why it tends to be expensive for food and clubs. However, nature is not rly their thing, so places with nature, history, archaeology tend not to be that expensive. I would recommend taanayel, baakline river, balou balaa, and of course jeeta grotto… also the batroun area.

If you need any more information, I’ ll be happy to help.

my dad served as a UN soldier protecting the Lebanese border in the early 1980’s as the NORBAT ( norwegian battalion). I want this to be a surprise trip for him so i don’t want to ask where he was stationed specifically. if we tell locals what he did at the time, will this present any risk?

I think you will just need to be mindful of who you are talking to.

In the south there are still areas you will need a permit to go to because how close they are to the border with Isreal. From what I’ve read I think your father would of been based there. So worth making sure you have time to get permits.

Please let me know more about Lebanon I am probably going there in the next year but i just dont know what to do there or where to go i am an older man but physically strong.i am mostly interested in the history part but can do mostly anything.

hi earl, im planning to go to lebanon soon, is this prices still valid? in dollars i mean ?

Hi Earl, I’m planning on heading in that direction eventually and was wondering if you could speak a little about the safety in Lebanon? Thanks a bunch in advance for your help!

It’s been a few years since I was there so I can’t speak for the security situation at the moment. But from what I read, it might not be a good time to go there these days at all.

People talk about lebanon As if it were a strange place And forget its been part of the world since very ancient times And was always a tourist spot.

Its had an international airport since the 1950’s and lebanese people are spread right across the globe . It is a basic element of the whole middle east If any country or group interferes in lebanon the whole world is affected.t There are over 14 million ex lebanese All over the world . Lebanese were on the titanic when it sank . Lebanese kicked out the syrians from lebanon And its time the israeli views of lebanon were shattered as media is no longer believed. The internet is sifting out warped views that try to taint a country because of politics. Its a new age so comments about safety in lebanon is being questioned by tech savvy individuals.

Trippr girl, I can speak a bit on the safety not through personal experience, but based on a good bit of research I’ve started as part of a plan to move to Lebanon as soon as I can afford to make the trip. From what I’ve read, it seems that it is not Lebanon that is markedly unsafe, but Syria and Israel (the border countries) that you really must avoid; near the borders is sketchy with some shelling and extremist activity as well. However, Beirut seems to be just as safe as any major city in the world at this point. Small towns and rural areas seem relatively safe as well. Key word is SEEM, as I have to fact check all of this with Lebanese friends and relatives in the next week or two before my plans can continue (if you’re serious about traveling to Lebanon I can share firsthand safety info as I get it). All in all it would seem that if you do wish to travel to Lebanon and any other Middle Eastern countries, you must do it as soon as possible and as smart as possible, because it’s only a matter of time before the whole beautiful and culturally rich area becomes inaccessible to travelers. I hope this helps 🙂

Great article, Earl! I hope this information has held up over the last few years, because if so it’s feasible for me to move to Beirut. Seems like there would be plenty of internet access for work, cheap vegan food options, and easily found long term accommodation.

I’m heading out to Lebanon on the 6th of July. If you have had an update on the safety situation it would be great to get another person perspective.

I have a friend who lived there for two years and said it was a Tense place to be at times, but i think he was out closer to the Syrian border.

Either way your advise would be welcome.

Thanks, Jordan

Jordan, My family travels there frequently and still haven’t seen any problems. There most definitely is a lot of tension on the border with Syria and for that reason the border cities like Tripoli are to be avoided. Furthermore there’s a good bit of tension between Lebanon and Israel so avoid border cities with Israel as well. Beyond that, just don’t travel there alone and be smart and respectful like you would anywhere else. I hope you have a great experience in Lebanon!

Hey Earl! I’m planning on visiting Beirut for a couple of days in June and would like to know how I can get to those rooftop accommodations! They sound really great and I would love to experience them! 🙂

Hey Nic – You can find those rooftops at the very budget hotels in the Ashrafieh neighborhood. With that said, I can also recommend the very nice Saifi Urban Gardens guesthouse in the same area, probably the best budget place to stay in town!

Great info, watching No Reservations on youtube now – Anthony Bourdain. Any issues with your gear (theft) on the roof from the lockers?

Hey Keith – No issues at all. You can keep your stuff locked up and nobody will touch it. Hotels such as these don’t want to risk losing all of their business (all it takes is one person mentioning that their stuff was stolen on line for reservations to disappear) just to steal some stuff.

hello there. thanks for the tips! Could u please kindly list me the 5 budget hotels in beirut? I am quite surprised there isnt any hostels when i golgled around. thank u so much for ur help! 🙂

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I was really happy to see here that there are advertisements at cafes for short-term apartment rentals. Dan and I have been toying around with the idea of using Beirut as one of our “work breaks” for a couple of months, perhaps in 2011. Do you have any memory of what an average monthly cost would be? Would you recommend visiting Beirut in November or earlier/later? I’ve heard the summer can be brutally hot.

Sorry for all these practical questions, but your posts from Syria and Lebanon have got the wanderlust for the Middel East started!

Hey Audrey – I think Beirut would be a great work break base for some time. And the prices I saw advertised ranged from $250 – $400 USD per month, although if I remember correctly, the cheaper options were basically a room in a shared house. However, these ‘shared houses’ are typically massive multi-level buildings with several common rooms, a good kitchen and plenty of privacy. But in the $350 or more range, it seemed as if you could get your own place. The key is to pick the neighborhood carefully as some might not be as safe and others might be so far away from the city center that it would cost quite a lot for transportation.

As for the time of year, I personally love super-hot weather, but I did hear a lot of people complain that it was ‘too hot’ during the summer. I myself cannot imagine such a thing 🙂 November was quite ideal, with temperatures of about 25 during the day, although this year was apparently warmer than normal at that time of year. And I did just hear that it has been snowing in Lebanon the past couple of days, so December doesn’t seem like the best time to be there!

echo everybody wanting to travel to Lebanon. How long did you stay there, you sound like you have a really good handle on things…great post, bookmarking this.

Hey Joshy – I was only in Lebanon for 13 days, but I know that this kind of information can be useful and so I tried my best to get a good grasp on the travel costs involved!

Nice to see the prices listes. Always heard it was a little more pricey than the rest of the Middle East.

Hey Forest – It is a bit more pricey but still reasonable for budget travelers, especially if you spend more time outside of Beirut (and all of its expensive temptations).

I am really surprised at the cost of accommodation. For some reason I thought it would be cheap. Would be interested to know re working if working visa are required. They are really stamping down on that in Turkey.

Hey Natalie – From what I gathered, working visas are required to work here and some people I met had no problems obtaining one and others had quite a bit of difficulty. But it’s definitely possible and the biggest factor seemed to be persistence, as is the case when dealing with red tape in any part of the world!

My family is from Lebanon but I’ve never had the chance to travel there… I’m planning to make a trip sometime next summer, and I can’t wait ^_^

Hey Henway – That should be an excellent trip. Hopefully you still have some family living there that can show you around and give you an entirely different perspective!

Sounds a little expensive but they say the food is great! I’ve heard you talk about sleeping on rooftops in your posts. Are you serious? Sounds like an adventure to me.

From what I have heard it seems like an American friendly place.

Thanks for the great travel tips..

Hey Randall – Yes, definitely serious about sleeping on the roofs. It’s actually quite common in both Syria and Lebanon and as one might expect, it is by far the cheapest option. Sometimes it’s just a mattress and other times it’s a proper bed, but if you don’t mind sleeping outside, it’s an excellent option for the budget traveler!

And Lebanon is definitely American friendly…not nearly as much as Syria, but you shouldn’t have any problems at all.

Hi Earl, the prices are higher but still not too bad. Did you have any trouble with the visa as an American? Is English useful or do you speak French or Arabic most of the time?

Hey Jennifer – Visas are quite easy to obtain…just show up at the border and that’s it. There was no problem at all and it took about 20 seconds to pass through immigration. English is widely spoken in Lebanon so language wasn’t a problem, but Arabic and French (especially with older Lebanese) do come in useful as well…

Good tip on the taxi and on Lebanon in general. I like the sound of sleeping on the rooftop as long as it doesn’t rain. Wonder if there’s an outlet up there ;p

Hey Jill – It’s funny, I wondered the same thing and at the place I stayed there was no outlet on the roof. However, generally people just hung out in the lobby (which had outlets) and only went to the roof just before they wanted to go to sleep. And the night it did rain, the hallways of the hotel were full of mattresses…people even slept in the hotel’s kitchen!

I guess the amount of money you end up spending in Lebanon depends on what kind of traveler you are. If you are more into the sights, you can get by cheap. If you take it in through food and accommodations, probably not as cheap.

Wow it’s a bit more than I had expected but still manageable if you’re smart with your money.

Hey Ayngelina – It does seem to surprise most people that Lebanon is a more expensive destination to visit. But as long as you don’t go out every night and don’t mind eating falafel, you can definitely manage to keep expenses somewhat low.

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Nice job on this….wish I’d seen it before I went to Beirut. I struggled a bit there and ended up going to one of the crappy places for $15 a night and then leaving it for something better. For some reason–even though I had travel guides, etc.–I just wasn’t in reality. I was also rushing a bit.

I did much better (really enjoyed myself) when I went up to the Qadisha Valley. Anyway, great info–will refer to it next time I go!

Hey Lisa – I wish I had some more detailed info before my visit as well, especially since I arrived just before Eid, which as a side note, is perhaps the busiest time of the year for accommodation. Luckily I found a decent budget place but I could see how it would be tempting to just pay more for a better hotel and forget about your travel budget for a few nights!

Definitely! I think that Lebanon is a good place to consider a mini splurge–especially if you’ve just been in Syria and didn’t spend much.

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Home » Middle East » Lebanon » Backpacking Guide

Backpacking Lebanon Travel Guide 2024

Backpacking Lebanon is a truly amazing experience on many levels. If you love history, you are a fan of delicious food and get excited by getting off the beaten path travel destinations, then Lebanon is the perfect country for the ultimate adventure.

The Middle East has no shortage of compelling countries to visit. For experienced backpackers, perhaps no country in the region is more safe, interesting, and fun to visit than Lebanon.

The best part? Lebanon is a small country and you ca Couchsurfing n see most of it in a relatively short period of time. Plus, Lebanon is nearly void of any main-stream tourism and the possibilities to explore it are endless.

Whilst backpacking in Lebanon is ultra rewarding, traveling here is not without its challenges and quirks. This Lebanon travel guide will bring you up to speed on all of the need-to-know information you will want to have a truly epic backpacking trip.

Below, I provide honest advice on where to go backpacking in Lebanon, backpacker accommodation, suggested Lebanon itineraries, top things to do in Lebanon, how to travel the country, daily travel costs, best hikes, Lebanon budget travel hacks, and other important bits and pieces.

Can you taste the hummus and manoushe  yet? Let’s get to it…

Why Backpacking in Lebanon?

Lebanon is defined by two distinct topographies: the Mediterranean sea and the interior mountain ranges. You may be surprised to learn that Lebanon does not have any deserts. Depending on where you are at any given moment, the landscapes, food, culture, and people can vary greatly across the board.

Almost certainly, you will start your backpacking journey in the capital Beirut .  From Beirut, the coastal cities to the north or south are dotted with interesting UNESCO World Heritage sites, beaches, and towns to explore. Besides Beirut, Tyre , Saidia , and Tripoli are the main urban centers along Lebanon’s coast.

The Bekaa Valley , Lebanon’s famous wine growing region, is home to the largest and best-preserved Roman temple in the world at Baalbek .

For outdoor adventures, Lebanon’s mountains are prime for hiking, photography, and simply experiencing a bit of chill time after the traffic and pollution found on the coast.

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The Chouf Reserve , the Cedars of God , and the Baatara Gorge are among Lebanon’s most impressive natural areas.

Sprinkled in-between the villages in the mountains are some truly beautiful monasteries, rivers, forts, and ruins.

Remember that one can drive from the southern tip of Lebanon to the northern frontier in less than half a day. There really is a ton of awesome places to explore in a concentrated area. Backpackers can achieve an ideal balance of visiting ruins, soaking in the culture, eating tasty food, hanging out at the beach, and hiking—all over the course of just a day or two.

Lebanon certainly has something for every keen backpacker. Now, let us take a look at some of your itinerary options for your epic Lebanon trip…

Best Travel Itineraries for Backpacking Lebanon

Places to visit in lebanon, top things to do in lebanon, backpacker accommodation in lebanon, lebanon travel costs, best time to travel to lebanon, staying safe in lebanon, how to get into lebanon, how to get around lebanon, working in lebanon, what to eat in lebanon, lebanese culture, some unique experiences in lebanon, final advice before visiting lebanon.

Below I have provided a few Lebanon travel itineraries to help you make the most of your time in the country.

These routes are just suggestions based on the itineraries I utilized during my time spent backpacking Lebanon. Each of these routes can be customized or reworked to fit your interests and schedule.

#1 Lebanon 7 Day Itinerary:  Highlights of Lebanon

To start your trip, you should dedicate at least one full day to exploring Beirut . You can easily spend two or three days in Beirut, but because of time limitations, one full day will have to do.

From Beirut, you can head south and explore Saida and Tyre . Spending the night in each city is well worth it, especially in Saida as it is bigger than Tyre.

From Tyre, you can make the drive/take buses to the Bekaa Valley . In the town of Baalbek , you will find the most incredible Roman ruins I have ever seen. Because of the distance between Tyre and Baalbek, you should opt to stay the night in Baalbek.

Your last few days can be split between Byblos and Beirut. From Byblos, you can easily make day trips to check out the truly spectacular Jeita Grotto and Baatara Gorge (home to the famous 200-meter waterfall).

The distances between all of these places are never more than a couple of hours, more, however, if you are using public transportation. If you don’t want so much go-go-go and nightly accommodation changes, you can base yourself in Beirut, Saida, and/or Byblos and just day trip from there.

#2 Lebanon 10 Day Itinerary: From South to North

So what is worth seeing in Lebanon with a few extra days? The short answer: LOTS. Tripoli in the north of Lebanon is an interesting city to visit, though I must say that Tripoli is not for everyone…

On one hand, Tripoli is loaded with ancient mosques, an impressive hilltop castle, great food, and a diverse population. On the other, it is a very chaotic city: polluted, noisy, and massive. I personally like discovering chaotic Middle Eastern cities… but in small doses.

The drive from Beirut to Tripoli does not have to be done in one shot. Spend the night in Byblos and/or  Batroun and save only one full day for Tripoli.

Rather than head to Tripoli, an alternative option is to spend more time discovering Lebanon’s interior. The Chouf Reserve and Cedars of God are gorgeous and prime destinations for hiking and camping (camping in non-winter months only).

#3 Lebanon 2 Week Itinerary: Cities, Coast, Mountains, and Ruins

Instead of starting your journey in the south, head north of Beirut . Stop off at Byblos , Batroun , and Tripoli , before making the drive inland to Bcharre . I recommend staying in Bcharre for at least two nights.

In the winter, Bcharre almost looks like a town you might find somewhere in the Alps. There are lots of cool monasteries and hikes to go on in and around Bcharre.

Depending on road conditions, you can access the Bekaa Valley via a mountain road that passes by the Cedars of God reserve. Note : in the winter (or after the first big snow), crossing from Bcharre to the Bekaa Valley is impossible. The road is buried under snow.

Again, depending on road conditions, you can head towards the Baatara Gorge depending on road conditions. Another fine town for a stopover is Deir El Qamar —probably the most beautiful Lebanese town I visited.

You can finish your Lebanese adventure down south in Saida and Tyre before circling back to Beirut.

From the sea to the mountains, Lebanon is loaded with awesome places to explore. Save for a few pockets near the Syrian and Israeli borders, there really are not many “no go” places in Lebanon.

Beirut is the undisputed social, political, and commercial artery of the country. It’s all happening in Beirut.

It should be known that since the civil war in Lebanon ended (and long before it started as well), the country has been divided (unofficially) into Christian areas and Muslim areas, with crossover from both groups present in many regions as well.

Southern Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley are now Muslim majority, where in places groups like Hezbollah have a die-hard following. Tripoli in the north is also a Muslim majority.

The central hill country overlooking the coast is majority Christian. In fact, since most, if not all, of the Christians formerly living in the south fled during the war and resettled in the central hills and coast, there has been an insane development explosion in this part of the country.

All of that said, the treatment of backpackers does not change in the slightest from one region to another.

Some of the most magical places in Lebanon are products of its rich historical legacy. Its ancient forests and cedar groves, seaside fortresses, archaic churches, mosques, monasteries, and old souks all come together to compliment and highlight the diversity of the country.

Let’s take a look at some of the top places to visit in Lebanon…

Backpacking Beirut

The Lebanese capital of Beirut suffered a HUGE amount of devastation during the Lebanese Civil War and is just now beginning to resemble how it looked pre-war… in places.

As I said, Beirut is Lebanon’s cultural, political, nightlife, and commercial center. Because of that fact, Beirut offers a taste of Middle Eastern-flavored cosmopolitan life. I have heard Beirut referred to as the “Paris of the Middle East.” I dug deep, but nowhere in my imagination could I find the link between the two cities.

That said, I really enjoyed my time in Beirut! Some of the top places to check out in Beirut include:

• Hamra neighborhood: Hipster, university-vibes, good live music.
• Mar Michael : Another hipster enclave lined with nice bars, restaurants, and shisha spots.
• Mohammad Al-Amin Mosque : Massive mosque dominating an entire city block. Close to downtown. The army dudes out front told me that non-muslims could enter after prayer time for photo ops.
• Raouche : Rock formation in the sea. You can wander around on the bluffs just opposite it for good views.
• Souk el Tayeb : One of the few organic/local food product markets in Beirut.
• Vieux Quartier de Gemmayzeh : the best place to see typical pre-war Lebanese architecture.
• City Center : Full of boutique shopping and high-end cafes. Not really a backpacker scene but worth a walk through, considering all of the restoration work that has happened here.
• Abandoned building exploration : There are endless dilapidated, war-ravaged buildings still standing in Beirut. Some are quite interesting to explore. Be careful though!
• Old Holiday Inn : Once the largest hotel in Beirut, the Old Holiday Inn became a symbol of the Lebanese Civil War. Its heavily bombed skeleton still stands near downtown Beirut today.

My favorite place to eat meze in Beirut was at Cafe Em Nazieh . Great vibes/food, good shisha, and all around beautiful space to grab a drink and chill.

Backpacking Jounieh

If you are passing through, Jounieh warrants a few hours of your time. Check out the old town streets, shops, and cool architecture of some of the ruins. Jounieh is also famous for being an epic paragliding destination if that is of interest to you.

A few minutes drive from Jounieh will bring you to the town of Harrisa (not the spice FYI). From here, you can catch some pretty stunning views of the sea (if the pollution isn’t too bad) stretching all the way to Beirut and north to the mountains. The Greek Orthodox church in Harrisa has some very impressive mosaic work covering the walls.

If you have even more time, the trip into the mountains from Harrisa to the Saint Charbel Monastery is well worth it.

Backpacking Byblos/ Jbeil

Byblos (or Jbeil depending on who you ask) is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Archaeologists have found evidence of a permanent human settlement here dating back to 8800 BC!

Byblos has a very attractive, albeit a bit touristy, old town with souks, nice cafes with terraces, and plenty of spots to grab a bite.

Be sure to check out the Crusaders Castle , built in the 12th century. Entrance to the castle is 8000 LBP. The complex also features Roman columns and Phoenician ruins.

Unlike other historical sites in Lebanon, I was pleased to see a huge team of workers doing restoration on the castle and other sites within the complex. The entrance fees are actually doing what they are supposed to do, hurray! The Rock restaurant is an excellent place to grab a huge meze feast.

Backpacking the Jeita Grotto

A recent contestant to join the “ Wonders of the World ” list, the Jeita Grotto is the most impressive natural phenomena in Lebanon and perhaps in the entire Middle East.

The Jeita Grotto is a system of two separate, but interconnected karstic limestone caves spanning an overall length of nearly 9 kilometers! The caves are situated in the Nahr al-Kalb valley within the locality of Jeita, less than 20 km from Beirut .

Entrance to the Jeita Grotto is $12 USD . Admission includes a cable car ride and a short boat journey within the lower cave section.

Note : in the winter or after periods of heavy rain, the lower grotto may be closed . When it rains heavily or there is lots of snowmelt, the lower cave gets totally flooded and becomes inaccessible.

Honestly, pictures of the Jeita Grotto do not fully prepare you for how spectacular and massive the inside of the cave is. Some of the biggest stalactite formations in the world are found inside the Jeita Grotto.

It took millions of years for this cave to form. Obviously, avoid touching the rock, littering, or doing anything that may disrupt the fragile ecosystem of the cave. Photography is forbidden in the cave and this rule is enforced by the dudes stationed every 50 meters on the footpath.

Big thanks to Miss Pierrette and Dr. Haddad for granting special photography access to me for this article.

Backpacking Batroun

Batroun is another fine coastal town north of Byblos. I found Batroun to be the most attractive, clean, medium-sized coastal town north of Beirut.

You can dedicate a day to walking around Batroun without boredom. Like Byblos, Batroun is an ancient city that has been occupied for thousands of years by various groups.

The old port area is still an active fishing port where you will find the locals grilling their fresh catch, preparing the nets, and just generally chilling out by their boats when not out at sea.

Located just next to the port is the Saint Georges Cathedral . Be sure to walk out a bit north of the port area to see the old Phonecian sea walls .

Also worth a look is the Diaspora Square which has various buildings paying tribute the Lebanese diaspora living abroad.

Batroun does have an(if the pollution isn’t too bad) O ld Souk area as well, but it is rather small and underwhelming.

Ray’s Cafe is an excellent place to grab lunch or a coffee with sea views. For grilled fish at a decent price, hit up Chez Maggi (roughly 50 meters from Ray’s).

Backpacking Tripoli

Lebanon’s second biggest city could not have more of a different vibe than Beirut. Tripoli is indeed a full-on sensory experience of a different variety.

In my opinion, you can see what Tripoli has to offer in just one day, but if you do find yourself in Lebanon’s north, it would be a shame to miss out on Tripoli.

Though Tripoli might have horrible traffic jams that rival Beirut, a serious pollution problem, dirty streets, and, a large impoverished population, Tripoli also offers amazing street food, a really cool Old Souk area, and plenty of medieval mosques, forts, and churches to dazzle your historical fancy.

While it is true that Tripoli has a reputation for being one of the more dangerous cities in Lebanon, the violence Tripoli has experienced in recent years has died down considerably.

Likewise, the sporadic clashes between rebels and government forces that took place a number of years ago happened well outside of the city center.

If you just stick to the center, the old souk area, and the coast, there is pretty much zero risk of encountering any issues unless you happen to be very unlucky. Certainly, don’t skip Tripoli because you have heard it is unsafe.

Tripoli is massive so taking a taxi is certainly the way to go if you are trying to get across town. A taxi across the city should cost no more than 4000 LBP.

Top Places to Visit in Tripoli:

• Citadel of Raymond de Saint-Gilles/Tripoli Castle : This hilltop fort was finished in 1103 and is in great condition despit the repeated attacks and seizures it has endured.
• Old Souk : One of the biggest and most diverse souks (markets) I visited in Lebanon. You can find literally anything here. Be sure to haggle when buying stuff!
• Taynal Mosque : A beautiful mosque built in 1336. Photography is allowed inside. Remember to always remove your shoes when entering a mosque.
• Mansouri Great Mosque : One of the oldest and most important mosques in Lebanon.
• El Mina : The somewhat unattractive port area.
• Akra Restaurant : Good meze found near the entrance of the Old Souk. The menu is only in Arabic FYI.

Backpacking Akkar

If you like to hike, the natural areas around Akkar are some of the best in the whole north. You can even hike to old forts and water mills located way out in the bush.

Some of the footpaths can be confusing, so it may be worthwhile to “hire” a local kid to show you the way.

Akkar is home to a staggering number of Syrian and Palestinian refugees, so expect to see camps spread throughout the territory.

The   Qamouaa Plain is not in Akkar, but rather a few hours drive to the southeast. In the Qamouaa, you can find some equally chill hiking opportunities even in the winter.

Note: Large amounts of snow can be present in the winter. If planning a trek keep in mind that you will likely encounter snow above 1400 meters.

You can tackle a short hike in the  Qamouaa Forest just 10 minutes outside of the settlement of Fnaidek.

Backpacking Bcharre

Bcharre is one of my favorite places in Lebanon for several reasons. For one, the town is located just above the Kadisha Valley —one of the most historically and naturally significant valleys in the country.

Here you will find monasteries carved out of the rock, pristine olive groves, and part of the Lebanese Mountain Trail footpath.

Likewise, the Cedars of God reserve and ski station is just 15 minutes up the mountain from Bcharre. Even in the winter, you can opt to drive (or hike) to several of the low-lying and super impressive monasteries down in the valley.

The Deir Mar Antonios Qozhaya Monastery dates back to 1000 ad and is very well maintained.  Entrance is free and you can opt to spend the night (for a fee) so should you choose.

Another awesome monastery to visit is the Deir Mar Elisha Monastery . Somehow, its creators dug this beautiful building out of the rock and managed to make it all work. There is also an epic waterfall just a 5 minutes walk down the path from the monastery.

Backpacking the Cedars of God

The Cedars of God are very impressive as they are some of the oldest and largest cedar trees on the planet.

At the same time, when I visited was on a Sunday in January, it was true pandemonium involving thousands of people. It was a horrible experience with people blasting loud music, insane traffic jams, and, locals throwing trash everywhere.

By days end, there was so much trash and debris left by the locals that it looked like the aftermath of a week-long music festival involving hundreds of thousands of people. So sad. Definitely not the peaceful experience I was after.

I am sure this was just a fluke experience, but seriously avoid going to the Cedars of God on the weekends at all cost.

Also, the actual number of cedar trees is very small indeed. Don’t expect to find a massive forest. For that, go to the Chouf.

Note : there is a military base located just next to the cedar reserve and access is limited in places.

Backpacking Baalbek and the Bekaa Valley

Baalbek is not to be missed under any circumstances. The Bacchus Temple and the surrounding ruins are very, very impressive and worth every bit of the 15,000 LBP ($10) entrance fee.

Nowhere else on earth can you find such large and well preserved Roman ruins. The whole archaeological site is massive and you can easily take 3-4 hours to explore it properly.

Other highlights of Baalbek include a visit to the  Sayyida Khawla Mosque . This mosque features some truly extravagant mosaic work and was one of the more impressive mosques I saw in Lebanon.

You need to go through a security control (a dude watching football on his phone with an Ak-47 slung across his lap) in order to enter, but otherwise, it is pretty chill.

Located on the same property as the mosque is the  Islamic Resistance Support Association War Musem (IRSA) , Hezbollah’s main fund-raising institution. The museum is a pretty fascinating glimpse into the history and propaganda machine of Hezbollah and its co-conspirators.

The IRSA is a Hezbollah institution established in 1990 to manage and regulate the organization’s fund-raising enterprise. Originally, the institution was subordinate to Bayt al-Mal (Hezbollah’s bank, but IRSA’s subordination has been changed).

According to unconfirmed information, today the IRSA is directly under the control of Hezbollah secretary general Hassan Nasrallah.

The Baalbek Guest House is a great place to spend the night. Includes an awesome full-spread breakfast.

I had a hard time finding a proper grocery store in Baalbek, but there are plenty of cheap falafel/shawarma places on and off the main drag. El Kahyam is a great/cheap falafel spot.

In the Bekaa Valley, there are also massive Syrian and Palestinian refugee camps spread throughout the territory. Apparently, the Lebanese government does give them some assistance in the form of temporary tent housing as well as access to local social services.

Many refugees work in the agriculture sector that dominates the Bekaa. It was a trip seeing these huge tent villages with satellite dishes mounted on top of the tents. Priorities, right?

Backpacking Anjar

In case you didn’t get enough of the awesome ruins at Baalbek, you can head across the valley to Anjar. At Anjar, you can check out an impressive Omoyiad Citadel , which rivals Baalbek in terms of general acreage.

I’ll be honest with you though: after seeing the Bacchus Temple, the ruins at Anjar are just kind of “meh.”

If possible, visit the Anjar ruins first.

Thanks, Bacchus Temple, you have forever made other ruins in the world pale in comparison.

Other than the ruins there is nothing of interest in Anjar, so don’t sleep here. To arrive at Anjar, try to take the back roads if possible as they are dotted with fine pastoral landscapes and vineyards, and far less traffic-ridden than the main road.

Backpacking Ain Dara

For a chill night in a typical Lebanese mountain village, Ain Dara makes for a good stop over. There is nothing particularly riveting about Ain Dara itself but there is plenty of awesome hiking to be found in the nearby Chouf Reserve . A few nice churches, sandwich shops, and several small bakeries rank among the highlights.

If you are looking for a place to relax, Ain Dara is a good candidate.

Backpacking The Chouf Reserve

Located south-east of Beirut, the Chouf Reserve region comprises a narrow coastal strip notable for the Christian town of  Damour , and the valleys and mountains of the western slopes of Jabal Barouk, the name of the local Mount Lebanon massif , on which the largest cedar forests in Lebanon are found.

The Chouf is truly a vast area and is home to several unique animal species including lynx, wolves, porcupines, and wild boar.

In the summer, the Chouf is perfect for hiking and camping, though the high elevations during the winter are difficult, if not impossible, to access due to heavy snowfall. Accessing the Chouf by car from the Bekaa Valley is only possible when there is not heaps of snow blocking the road.

Backpacking Deir El Qamar

Deir El Qamar is a special place in Lebanon. There are sections of the town with gorgeous stone buildings and well-preserved cobblestone streets.

The main square of the town is dominated by an ancient mosque, which non-muslims can enter (which is true of all mosques in Lebanon FYI).

Nearby is the ultra-quirky, yet impressive Moussa Castle . The Moussa Castle was built by one talented dude over the course of 50+ years. Inside, there are life-sized, mechanized dioramas depicting traditional Lebanese life along with a substantial collection of antique weapons from all over the world.

The 15,000 LBP entrance fee to Moussa Castle is overpriced but is worth it considering there isn’t much else going on in the area in terms of attractions.

Once you see the amount of work that went into the building and designing of the castle, the price feels more justified.

Another impressive historical structure in the area is the  Beiteddine Palace . Entrance fee to this place is 10,000 LBP and is most definitely overpriced.

If history and architecture are important to you, 10,000 LBP may be a small price to pay, however, I opted not to visit it after learning what the price is.

For a rather indulgent night’s sleep, you can stay at the best place I slept at in Lebanon; at a friend of mine’s Airbnb .

This place is incredibly nice (super luxury for Broke Backpackers), especially if you have been sleeping rough or camping for a few days beforehand (which we were). The extra cash is worth it, if only for one night.

The breakfast was amazing and far too much food for two starving people to consume. Thanks, guys, your place rocks!

Backpacking the Baatara Gorge

Like the Jeita Grotto, the Baatara Gorge is just one of those magical places only found in Lebanon. This is another must-visit spot, no matter the time of year.

The Baatara Gorge sinkhole is a massive waterfall in Tannourine near Balaa. The waterfall drops 255 meters into the Baatara Pothole, a cave of Jurassic limestone located on the Lebanon Mountain Trail. The cave is also known as the Cave of the Three Bridges.

I tried three different times to come here in the winter and failed on the first two attempts due to snow on the road.

Note : In the winter you CAN’T access Baatara via the Bcharre-Tannourine road OR from any other of the small mountain roads EXCEPT the main road coming from Byblos, which the local government snow plows.

Camping is possible here, though in the summer Baatara can be quite crowded and you wouldn’t likely be able to set up shop until towards the end of the day. I saw people camping here in Janaury, but the night time temps were well below freezing. Summer camping may not be allowed, but I don’t know for sure.

How Not to Die at the Baatara Gorge

If you plan to go down to the man sinkhole/waterfall area be very, very careful . In the winter, the whole natural bridge is completely frozen with ice and the whole path down to it was also covered in snow and/or ice.

Once on the natural bridge, there is only a 2-meter width of standing space (on ice) and a 250-meter drop on either side. If you slip and fall off, you will most certainly die. Again this was totally iced over when I was on it, so please don’t do anything stupid or make any sudden movements while on the bridge at any time of the year. Use microspikes, trekking poles, and even crawl if you have to.

In the summertime, walking on the natural bridge is probably not as dangerous, but in the winter/when ice is present, you need to be fully focused and on high alert when you are anywhere near the edge of the sinkhole so that you can avoid a pointless and premature death. No photograph is ever worth dying for. Don’t be the next selfie-taking news headline.

Backpacking Saida/Sidon

Once back in southern Lebanon, be prepared to eat very well! The food in Saida is unreal. Wandering around the Old Souk, there are endless delicious looking pastries, street food options, and fresh fruit and veggie vendors.

The  kneffe  in Saida is on another level (an amazing warm, cheesy desert). Saida is probably my favorite big city in Lebanon. It’s got lots going for it: historical sites, awesome food, fun markets, nice locals, and some of the best (and cleanest) beaches in Lebanon are not too far away.

If you have the time, plan to stay in Saida for at least a couple of days.

Top Things to do in Saidia:

• Old Souk : One of the best souks I visited in Lebanon for sure.
• Soap Museum : Saida has been ground zero for soap manufacturing since forever. The soap museum is an interesting place to learn about the history and process of soap making here.
• Saida Castle on the Sea : Just what it sounds like. Entrance fee: 8,000 LBP.
• St. Nicolas Church : Plenty of cool mosaics and interior decor.
• Al-Omari Mosque : One of the oldest and most important Mosques in southern Lebanon.
• Falafel Akawai : Amazing falafel sandwiches for $2. Located in the Old Souk.

Backpacking Tyre/Sour

Just 45 minutes south of Saida is the coastal city of Tyre. Tyre is a short drive from the inaccessible border with Israel, so yeah, this is basically the end of the line geographically for most backpackers in southern Lebanon.

Tyre is also worth spending a few nights in. Like Saida, Tyre has a cool Old Souk (alright, most places in Lebanon have awesome Old Souks!). The Souk is divided into different sections based on what the merchants are selling (fish, veggies, meat, street food, clothes, etc).

The UNESCO World Heritage site known as the Old Egyptian Port (entrance 6000 LBP) is worth a visit. It’s a shame that the sea just in front of the site is horribly polluted with plastic shit and rubbish.

The Hara Neighborhood located by the fishing port is the best area in town to sleep. The streets are clean and have been restored with great skill following the end of the war. Grab a drink at the bar by the lighthouse for sunset.

On the opposite side of town, the seafront promenade “main drag” is the city’s main vein for shisha bars, cafes, restaurants and general nightlife happenings.

Over the last 50 years, Tyre has suffered terribly from one conflict after another. At the present moment, Tyre is peaceful, but its residents are all too aware of how close Israel is, and because of the tensions between the two countries, the potential conflict is just something that the residents must live with.

Hezbollah flags and propaganda posters are everywhere in Tyre, but again Hezbollah and its supporters could not care less about giving a backpacker a hard time.

Tyre is 100% safe. Just don’t go talking about how great Israel is and you will be fine (this is true whenever you are in Lebanon. Don’t say the “I” word.

Getting off the Beaten Track in Lebanon

The fact is that most of Lebanon is off the beaten path for travelers. I saw almost no other backpackers/tourists over the course of the near month I spent in Lebanon.

Apart from the famous sites like Baalbek, the Jeita Grotto, and parts of Beirut, the rest of Lebanon is not visited by foreigners in heavy numbers.

Lebanon is indeed one of the least-touristy countries I have ever been to. Only Pakistan has felt more off the beaten track as a whole then Lebanon.

As soon as you set foot out of Beirut or the other above mentioned sites, you are not bound to see many other foreigners, which leaves the door to discovery and exploration wide open.

One absolute gem of an unorthodox adventure, is Mt Mleeta Resistance Memorial otherwise known as “Hezbollah Land”. Situated on Lebanon’s Southern border with Israel, it is the former battle front from Hezbollah’s war with the occupying Israeli army which has been turned into an open air museum. The museum is operated by serving Hezbollah soldiers making it a controversial, but fascinating experience.

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Below I have listed the  10 best things to do in Lebanon.

1. Explore the Jeita Grotto

There is a reason that the Jeita Grotto was a nominee to join the “7 wonders of the world” list. This place is total magic and is not be missed!

2. Get Lost in the Old Souks

Oddly enough, Beirut does not have a massive regional souk. In just about every other city though, you can wind you way through ancient market streets and small forgotten allies to discover the true sights, smells, and tastes of modern Lebanon.

3. Stay in a Monastery

Lebanon is home to some truly incredible monasteries in the mountains, some of which you can spend the night at!

4. Eat Meze

Meze is a broad term for all of the amazing small/side dishes found in Lebanese cuisine. Meze can just be the appetizers, or it can easily turn into a huge spread for an entire meal. Hummus, baba ganoush, fatoush, grape leaves, labneh, spicy potatoes are all amazing meze dishes.

5. Visit the Mosques and Churches

Just about everywhere you go in Lebanon, you will find a beautiful mosque, a church, or both. Architecture, age, and interior design vary across the board and visiting these religious buildings offers a deeper insight into one of the major realities of Lebanese life: religion.

6.  Experience the Bacchus Temple at Baalbek.

As far as ruins go, the Bacchus Temple at Baalbek is the most impressive man-made structure from history that I have ever seen. Also, not to be missed!

7. Be Wowed at the Baatara Gorge Waterfall

Lebanon’s second most famous natural attraction is equally as mind blowing as the Jeita Grotto, but in a totally different way.

8. See the Ancient Trees at the Cedars of God Reserve

Whilst my own experience at the Cedars of God was far from a positive one, the trees here are incredible and if you get to see them on a day where hordes of people are not present, I am certain you will thoroughly enjoy yourself.

9. Go for a Hike in the Kadisha Valley

Monasteries, forts, waterfalls, and miles of hiking trail make the legendary Kadisha Valley one of the most compelling areas in all of Lebanon.

10. Try Arak

Arak is a popular liquor throughout the Middle East. It is an especially important beverage in Lebanon. I was told that if you eat any sketchy street meat, a couple of shots of Arak will all but guarantee that you won’t get sick as the parasites cannot survive a good Arak bath in your stomach.

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Finding cheap backpacker accommodation in Lebanon is not without its challenges. Save for Beirut, there are virtually no hostels to be found anywhere in the country!

Lebanon is just not set up to facilitate a backpacker scene as of yet, and the lack of hostels reflect that. That said, you do have some options. Just don’t expect to find $10 dorm beds anywhere in Lebanon.

Your best bet for finding cheap accommodation is to book midrange hotels and cheap Airbnb apartments.

Whilst not dirt cheap, you can find some decent places in the $35 – 50 per night range. If you go for an ultra-budget hotel, it is likely to be a shit hole in an unfavorable area, so unless absolutely necessary, avoid staying at the bottom of the barrel hotels.

Camping (in the mountains) and Couchsurfing are also legitimate options in Lebanon.

Th Best Places To Stay in Lebanon

Yeah… as you can see the hostel options are seriously lacking in Lebanon.

One of the most important questions any backpacker should be asking is, “is Lebanon expensive?” The short answer is that it is neither cheap nor crazy expensive. If there were a number of backpacker hostels scattered throughout the country, then yes, Lebanon would indeed be a cheap country to travel in.

Because there are in fact barely any budget hostels in Lebanon, it is hard to travel in Lebanon on a total shoe string budget.

Not including a rental car, one can travel in Lebanon on $40 – 60 per day and be comfortable and happy. If you have another person to split the hotel room costs, your costs will be in the $40 – 60 range easily.

Food in Lebanon is worth spending money on and generally isn’t insanely expensive either.

One can eat very well for under $10/day if you stick to street food like kebab type sandwiches and manouche (like a breakfast pizza covered in either Zaatar spices or Labneh ). For $20/day you can seriously eat like a king (meat dishes tend to be a little pricey though).

Entrance fees to major attractions range from around $5 USD to $15 USD depending on what the attraction is.

Groceries from a super market or small shop are reasonable and one can easily cook an excellent meal for $5 -10 worth of store bought ingredients.

I recommend Couchsurfing  as much as you possibly can. The more you Couchsurf and hitchhike, the more money you can spend on wine, good hummus, and activities like paragliding. Pure and simple.

As I mentioned before (and will again), having a good tent and sleeping bag are  crucial  to budget backpacking. Both will save you a ton of money on accommodation. Whilst backpacking in a hostel-less country like Lebanon, having the right gear and ability to camp out (when possible) is very important to keep costs to an absolute minimum.

Below is a list of what you can expect to spend on a daily basis (excluding car hire) whilst backpacking Lebanon.

Lebanon Daily Budget

Money in lebanon.

Fun fact : Lebanon has two currencies. That’s right!

Lebanon’s two currencies are the Lebanese Pound (LBP) and the US Dollar (USD ).

Both currencies are widely excepted everywhere in Lebanon. If you pay with USD you will likely get your change in LBP.

The Lebanese Pound has a stable exchange rate against the dollar: 1500 LBP = 1 USD. 

Paying with USD for things like hotel rooms and entrance fees to attractions is the way to go if you have the USD on you. Likewise, you don’t really need to have US dollars in Lebanon. I think the locals are now starting to trust their own currency because I rarely saw Lebanese people pay for anything using USD.

I recommend carrying cash on you as credit cards are not always accepted. All of the day to day transactions are done in cash, not with cards.

Also, I has some trouble with the ATM machines not accepting my foreign bank card. Make sure that when you head into the mountains, you have plenty of cash because the ATM machines are few and far between!

Tip : Find out whether or not your bank in your home country has fee-free international withdrawal. If so, activate it for your trip or for whenever you travel abroad. Once I discovered my bank card had that option, I saved a huge amount in ATM fees! When traveling to Lebanon on a budget, every dollar counts right?

Travel Tips – Backpacking Lebanon on a Budget

Camp : With plenty of stunning mountains and forests to explore, camping saves you money and can help you get off of the beaten path on an epic adventure.

Cook your own food:  Travel with a  portable backpacking stove or stay at a hostel with a fully-equipped kitchen. Cooking your own food to save some serious cash whilst backpacking across Lebanon. Make sure you buy camping gas BEFORE leaving Beirut as they don’t see it anywhere else in the country. The Decathlon store north of Beirut is where to find gas. Call first to make sure they have the kind you need in stock.

Why You Should Travel to Lebanon with a Water Bottle

Plastic washes up on even the most pristine beaches… so do your part and keep the Big Blue beautiful

You aren’t going to save the world overnight, but you might as well be part of the solution and not the problem. When you travel to some of the world’s most remote places, you come to realise the full extent of the plastic problem. And I hope you become more inspired to continue being a responsible traveller .

Plus, now you won’t be buying overpriced bottles of water from the supermarkets either! Travel with a filtered water bottle instead and never waste a cent nor a turtle’s life again.

Drink water from ANYWHERE. The Grayl Geopress is the worlds leading filtered water bottle protecting you from all manner of waterborne nasties.

Single-use plastic bottles are a MASSIVE threat to marine life. Be a part of the solution and travel with a filter water bottle. Save money and the environment!

We’ve tested the Geopress  rigorously  from the icy heights of Pakistan to the tropical jungles of Bali, and can confirm: it’s the best water bottle you’ll ever buy!

I traveled to Lebanon during the entire month of January. For some things, the weather was perfect. The coast was absolutely beautiful and to be honest, I can’t imagine what the absolute toxic air of the coastal highway would be like in the summer heat.

For winter travel in the mountains, most of the time the roads were fine, and other times they were not. Whilst true that seeing the Lebanese mountains when they are covered in snow is magical, the snow also presents a number of other challenges.

Hiking options at high altitude are pretty much zero unless you have snow shoes and all the right gear. Likewise, many of the small roads are closed and impassable in the winter.

From what locals told me, late Spring and October are the absolute best times to visit Lebanon. Certainly, if you plan to do some hiking, the fall time is best.

Summers in Lebanon are just too hot, and the air too polluted (at least by the sea) for it to be enjoyable for most people.

Winter is also fantastic, save for the few inconveniences mentioned above.

Be sure to pack warm stuff for the winter months! If you bring the right gear, like a solid rain jacket , a warm down jacket, and a badass sleeping bag, the cold nights in the mountains won’t really affect you. Check out my list of the  7 best jackets to take traveling here .

Festivals in Lebanon

The Lebanese love to have a good time (don’t we all?). Here are a few Lebanese festivals to look for:

Hippodrome Vinifest, October : 4-day wine festival is organized at the Hippodrome with all kinds of wine tasting activities, food stands and music entertainment.

Jounieh International Summer Festival, June/July : A 10-day international festival that is organized in Jounieh, providing outdoor shows, food and music… and lots of fireworks.

Byblos International Festival, July/August : A fun music/culture festival held in a beautiful setting overlooking the Byblos harbor and ruins.

Baalbek International Festival, July/August:  Ever wanted to go to a festival held amongst epic Roman ruins? This is your chance.

Zouk Mikael International Music Festival, July : An annual one-week international music festival held in the vicinity of the Roman amphitheater just opposite the Old Souq.

What to Pack for Lebanon

Travel Security Belt

This is a regular looking belt with a concealed pocket on the inside – you can hide up to twenty notes inside and wear it through airport scanners without it setting them off.

Microfiber Towel

Hostel towels are scummy and take forever to dry. Microfibre towels dry quickly, are compact, lightweight, and can be used as a blanket or yoga mat if need be.

Petzl Actik Core Headlamp

A decent head torch could save your life. If you want to explore caves, unlit temples, or simply find your way to the bathroom during a blackout, a headtorch is a must.

‘Monopoly Deal’

Forget about Poker! Monopoly Deal is the single best travel card game that we have ever played. Works with 2-5 players and guarantees happy days.

Hanging Laundry Bag

Trust us, this is an absolute game changer. Super compact, a hanging mesh laundry bag stops your dirty clothes from stinking, you don’t know how much you need one of these… so just get it, thank us later.

A quick Google search may reveal that Lebanon is not safe to travel to. That is utter bullshit. The security situation in Lebanon remains more or less stable and you can go to 95% of the places in the country without worrying about safety. You can read all our reasons why Lebanon is safe along with some tips and tricks, or read the summary below.

Backpackers should avoid traveling to remote north eastern areas just opposite the Syrian border. There is nothing worth seeing here anyway.

Likewise, trying to go too close to Israel border is just stupid. For one, the Lebanese soldiers won’t let you through without a special permit, and if you do get through and try to carry on into Israel, you will be arrested, shot, or both.

Beirut has a mixed reputation on safety. Around the city center, Hamra, and Mar Michael areas, it is totally safe, even late at night. I would however caution against aimlessly walking around in a part of town you do not know (especially not drunk or loaded with cash). There is a lot of poverty in Lebanon and sometimes desperate circumstances lead to desperate actions (like robbing foreigners).

In the Bekaa Valley and in southern Lebanon, Hezbollah is active and their support is substantial. Again, this doesn’t really change anything for us backpackers, but just so that you are aware. Don’t go around talking about how great the USA and Israel are and you should be just fine.

I would also avoid expressing your political opinion, your religious opinion, or talking about the civil war with people you have just met.

Many Lebanese people opened up to me about their experience with the war and about the religious tensions in Lebanon, but only after spending significant time with them first. Certainly, don’t push the subject. Be respectful and try to imagine how things must of been in Lebanon while the war raged for more than 15 years.

You will see that all over Lebanon the army has set up check points. These checkpoint are nothing to be worried about. Just be prepared for a heavy military presence every where you go in the country.

Check out  Backpacker Safety 101  for tips and tricks to stay safe whilst backpacking.

Pick yourself up a backpacker  security belt  to keep your cash safe on the road.

I strongly recommend traveling with a headlamp whilst in Lebanon (or anywhere really – every backpacker should have a good  headtorch !). Check out my post for a breakdown of the  best value headlamps  to take backpacking.

Sex, Drugs and Rock ‘n’ Roll in Lebanon

The Lebanese sure as hell love to party. In terms of alcohol use, Lebanon might just be the most tolerant and liberal muslim majority country in the Middle East. Beer, wine, arak, whiskey… you name it, it’s here.

Beirut has a pumping nightlife scene that has made it famous around the world. Alcohol, binge coffee drinking, and sheesha smoking: those are the three main vices in terms of substances in Lebanon. If you are looking to party, Beirut is the place.

Also, Lebanon is producing some of the tastiest wine I have ever tried, and if you have a chance go wine tasting in the Bekaa!

I am sure that there is weed/hash around too, I just never came across it. Lebanon does have some pretty serious drug laws though, so if you do go in search of something to smoke, be very careful how and where you go about getting it.

My advice? If you happen to make friends with some young Lebanese dudes just ask them.

As a whole, Lebanese society is not nearly as conservative as other Muslim majority countries. If you are a woman walking down the street without your hair covered, nobody will even look twice at you, even if you are in a Muslim part of town.

Be aware that if you venture into smaller villages that are of Muslim majority, it won’t always be possible to find booze at the local grocery shops.

Travel Insurance for Lebanon

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing .

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.

Below I share the practical information needed for arriving into the country and traveling around Lebanon.

Entry Requirements for Lebanon

Since the borders are effectively sealed via Syria (for foreigners) or Israel (for everyone without a special permit) you will almost certainly arrive into Lebanon by air.

For citizens of the USA, the UK, most of Europe, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, China, Japan, and most South American countries (many others too) you do NOT need to apply for a visa in advance.

Tourist visas are granted for 30 days on arrival at the airport in Beirut. You can apply for a 3 month extension for your visa while in the country if you want more time. Just don’t overstay your visa as the Lebanese government takes that shit very seriously.

Note on previous Israel/Palestine visits : If the Lebanese customs people/army ask you if you have ever been to Israel or Palestine, the answer must always be NO , even if you were just there last week or more than 10 years ago. It doesn’t matter.

If you tell the Lebanese customs officers that you have indeed been to Israel OR Palestine (you can’t really do one without the other), then you will most certainly not be allowed to enter Lebanon. If you for some reason have an Israeli stamp in your passport, you will not be allowed to enter into Lebanon.

Luckily, Israel knows this and stopped stamping passports years ago.

It only takes 2 minutes!  Book your transport on 12Go now  and guarantee your seat easily.

As you should know by now Lebanon is a small country. It doesn’t take long (in theory) to get from one end to the other.

For backpackers traveling on a shoestring budget, you can opt to take the public bus, which can certainly take you anywhere up and down the coast. Using public transport in the mountains can be a far more complicated affair however.

Traveling by Bus in Lebanon

Be sure, the public bus system in Lebanon is probably the most confusing system I have ever encountered, short of trying to catch a ride in an unmarked collectivo in Guatemala City.

The buses are not always marked and when they are marked there are marked in Arabic, which doesn’t help most backpackers. Furthermore, there are no stops or central bus stations. The buses stop when people flag them down or need to get off and there is not much more to it than that.

Still, if you are determined and willing to engage the locals, you can get by. I found the Lebanese very well meaning and helpful and somehow I got everywhere I needed to get!

When not walking in the cities, you can opt to either hail a shared taxi or use Uber. Hitchhiking is an option too. More on hitchhiking in Lebanon later in the post.

Fun fact : One thing that blew me away about the cars in Lebanon are the sheer number of old Volkswagen buses/vans there are. Literally, everywhere you go in Lebanon you see a old Volks vans from the 1970’s, some in decent condition, others not so much. I love these vans, so it was great to see.

Traveling to Lebanon by yourself? Check out this detailed guide from our friend and fellow travel blogger Anna Everwhere on traveling to Lebanon solo .

Renting a Car in Lebanon

As I mentioned above, renting a car is definitely the way to go. I rented a car for two weeks in Lebanon and I ended up paying about $17 USD a day, plus the petrol. I did not take insurance and the asshole at the rental car company place charged me $70 for a scratch that was already there before I rented the car.

You can  sort your car rental in just a few minutes. Booking in advance is the best way to ensure you score the lowest price and your choice of vehicle. Often, you can find the best car rental prices when you pick up the rental from the airport. Make sure you cover your rental car with a RentalCover.com policy . It covers your car against any common damages such as tires, windscreens, theft, and more at a fraction of the price you would pay at the rental desk.

Be aware, the Lebanese drive like fucking maniacs. Lanes, right away concepts, turn signals, stop lights, blind curves… all of those things mean nothing to the average Lebanese driver.

When driving in Lebanon, you need to seriously assume/pretend like everyone around you is drunk, blind, and may turn into you at any moment because that is exactly what it feels like to be surrounded by Lebanese drivers on the highway.

Onwards Travel from Lebanon

Overland onward travel options out of Lebanon are limited, if not impossible. It may be possible to cross the border from Lebanon into Syria, but 1.) you will most definitely need to have already gotten your visa in advance and 2.) the army in both Lebanon and Syria may well stop you for ages and ask you a million and one questions about why you are coming to Syria.

If any of you have any recent information on the Lebanese-Syrian border crossing for foreigners, please leave a comment below!

Your best (and likely only) bet for onward travel out of Lebanon is by air from Beirut.

The ferry running from Lebanon to Cyprus seems to have stopped running a number of years ago and I have found no evidence to the contrary. Apparently, when the sea is calm, you can take a ferry from Lebanon to Turkey and then get to Cyprus by ferry from there.

Lebanon is in severe economic doldrums. Living costs are high and jobs sparse. It isn’t exactly a beacon for ex-pat workers, in fact, there is a serious exodus going on as young Lebanese look elsewhere for a more prosperous life.

A new country, a new contract, a new piece of plastic – booooring. Instead, buy an eSIM!

An eSIM works just like an app: you buy it, you download it, and BOOM! You’re connected the minute you land. It’s that easy.

Is your phone eSIM ready? Read about how e-Sims work or click below to see one of the top eSIM providers on the market and  ditch the plastic .

Work Visa’s For Lebanon

Getting a work visa for Lebanon is not exactly straightforward. Technically, foreigners can only fill job vacancies that cannot be filled by a Lebanese worker although a healthy bribe culture means that the rule is not always enforced. 

Nevertheless, there is some bureaucracy to deal with before a work visa can be awarded.

Teaching English in Lebanon

Many Lebanese people can speak surprisingly good English… and you know what? The demand for Lebanese wanting to learn English is growing every year (sorry Frenchies).

Candidates with Bachelor Degrees are preferred but this is not actually a mandatory requirement. The average pay range is $900 – $1500 per month which is just about enough to etch a living.

Volunteer in Lebanon

Lebanon is not a suitable destination for backpacker volunteers. Whilst there are many worthy projects, the political situation in the country makes it very unwise. If you really want to volunteer in Lebanon, then seek out a proper NGO or Humanitarian Project that has the relevant clearance to operate in the country.

Lebanese food is simply incredible. There are so many options and tasty things to try that if you love to eat, you are coming to the right country! Below I have listed a few of my favorite Lebanese dishes:

Hummus : A chickpea based dip/spread made with olive oil, salt, and tahini paste.

Foul : A breakfast food usually served hot. Made with a fava bean base, raw onions, and olive oil.

Manousche : Another common breakfast food (it’s good anytime, really). It’s kind of like a pizza, but usually topped with the famous Lebanese spice, Zaatar.

Mutabal : The same thing as Baba Ghanouj. A delicious dip made with smoked eggplant.

Kefta : Oblong shaped meatballs filled with parsley and spices.

Kibbeh : Can take many forms, but is usually a flat ground-beef and bulgur grain dish seasoned with spices and topped with pine nuts. Must have with yogurt!

Fatoush : A classic Lebanese salad topped with fried bits of Lebanese bread and many vegetables like tomatoes and sweet peppers.

Fried Fish : When you are in southern Lebanon, the fish is excellent!

Shawarma : The classic Middle Eastern street food sandwich filled with shawarma meat (can be chicken, lamb, or beef), sauce, and pickled veggies.

Labneh : A slightly sour, young cheese-yogurt hybrid that is delicious on everything

Tabolueh : A world-famous cold salad made with bulgur, tomatoes, and a ton of parsley, lemon juice, salt, and onions.

Lebanese Pastries : I could write an entire article on all of the different Lebanese pasty concoctions. There is an endless variety. Try to sample a different one every day. In Saida, go for the kneffe .

The Lebanese people are a true pleasure to get to know. We experienced countless acts of hospitality and kindness from the people we met.

From taxi drivers and fish vendors to bar staff and Airbnb hosts…the Lebanese people are some of the most genuine, kind-hearted, and generous people I have ever met whilst traveling or not.

One thing is certain, if you end up becoming friends with any Lebanese people, you will certainly not starve. The Lebanese love language is certainly food, and I swear I gained 10 pounds whilst backpacking in Lebanon just from constantly being offered delicious food.

Ironically, a majority of the Lebanese population is still likely to be very traumatized from the shit they endured during the war years. However they cope with these traumas, it certainly does not manifest in a negative light in the way they interact with foreigners.

Special thanks to all of the amazing people who showed us so much love in Lebanon, especially the Kobrossi family.

Internet in Lebanon

From what I had read online before I came to Lebanon, I was confident that I could pick up a SIM card for my phone for “just a couple of bucks.” WRONG! If you have also read similar information on other blogs regarding cheap SIM cards in Lebanon, forget it.

It just is not true at all. Apparently, there is some monopoly/government corruption thing going on with the cell phone companies because SIM cards and data are fucking expensive.

After going to (seriously) 10 phone shops in Beirut and haggling when it wasn’t appropriate to haggle, I was able to get a SIM card good for one month loaded with 5 GB of data on it for $45 USD.

You CAN find cheaper options than that, but often they only include 1 GB or less and the SIM card will still cost you $25 easy.

The two main cell phone companies in Lebanon are Touch and Alfa . Both cost pretty much the same. I had Alfa and it worked well throughout the country.

Travel Phrases for Backpacking Lebanon

The official language of Lebanon is Arabic and knowing a few words of it will certainly help you over the course of your backpacking journey. Amazingly (but not so surprisingly), many Lebanese people are fluent in English, French, or both. I met dozens of trilingual Lebanese folks.

For the most part, you can get by on English or French, and any Arabic you learn will only be a bonus. Plus, the locals will greatly appreciate your effort to learn.

Here are a few useful Arabic travel phrases to get you started:

Note : Arabic does not use the same alphabet as English, so these translations are transliterations of how the word would look if written using the English alphabet.

Books to Read whilst Backpacking Lebanon

Here are a few of my favorite books set in Lebanon:

From Beirut to Jerusalem : One of the most thought-provoking books ever written about the Middle East,  From Beirut to Jerusalem  remains vital to our understanding of this complex and volatile region of the world.

A House of Many Mansions : In the light of modern scholarship, a famous Lebanese writer and scholar examines the historical myths on which his country’s warring communities have based their conflicting visions of the Lebanese nation.

Pity the Nation: An Abduction of Lebanon : With the Israeli-Palestinian crisis reaching wartime levels, where is the latest confrontation between these two old foes leading? Robert Fisk’s explosive Pity the Nation recounts Sharon and Arafat’s first deadly encounter in Lebanon in the early 1980s and explains why the Israel–Palestine relationship seems so intractable.

Hezbollah: The Global Footprint of Lebanon’s Party of God :   Hezbollah: The Global Footprint of Lebanon’s Party of God  is the first thorough examination of Hezbollah’s covert activities beyond Lebanon’s borders, including its financial and logistical support networks and its criminal and terrorist operations worldwide.

Lonely Planet Middle East : Always good to have a Lonely Planet on hand (though this guide is best!), especially if you are planning to go to multiple countries in the Middle East.

A Brief History of Lebanon

Since Lebanon is one of the oldest continuously inhabited places in the Middle East, giving a brief history is not a easy task. Basically, for the last few thousand years, the territory now known as Lebanon has been ruled and/or conquered by the Phoenicians, Egyptians, Romans, Arabs, Christians, Mamluks, and the Ottomans, among others.

In 1975, when the Lebanese civil war broke out, the country was forever changed by the conflict.

The Lebanese Civil War and its Aftermath

In all, it is estimated that more than 100,000 were killed, and another 100,000 handicapped by injuries, during Lebanon’s 16-year war. Up to one-fifth of the pre-war resident population, or about 900,000 people, were displaced from their homes, of whom perhaps a quarter of a million emigrated permanently. Thousands of people lost limbs during many stages of planting of land-mines.

The War can be divided broadly into several periods: The initial outbreak in the mid-1970s, the Syrian and then Israeli intervention of the late 1970s, escalation of the PLO-Israeli conflict in the early 1980s, the 1982 Israeli invasion, a brief period of multinational involvement, and finally resolution which took the form of Syrian occupation.

In May 1991, the militias (with the important exception of Hezbollah) were dissolved, and the Lebanese Armed Forces began to slowly rebuild themselves as Lebanon’s only major non-sectarian institution.

Some violence still occurred. In late December 1991, a car bomb (estimated to carry 100 kg (220 lb) of TNT) exploded in the Muslim neighborhood of Basta.

At least thirty people were killed, and 120 wounded, including former Prime Minister Shafik Wazzan, who was riding in a bulletproof car. It was the deadliest car bombing in Lebanon since June 18, 1985, when an explosion in the northern Lebanese port of Tripoli killed sixty people and wounded 110.

The last of the Westerners kidnapped by Hezbollah during the mid-1980s were released in May 1992.

Lebanon in the Present Moment

Lebanon and its population are still recovering from the civil war. Evidence of bombed out, destroyed buildings are still standing all over Beirut as a daily reminder to the people living there just how fucked things got in the not so distant past.

That said, Lebanon has not surrendered in defeat to the wounds and trauma of war. Lebanon is a country on the move and the people I spoke to expressed a deep love and optimism for the future of their country.

The fact remains that Lebanon is still a deeply divided country, though at least for the present moment the majority of Lebanese citizens are finding ways to look past their ideological differences and co-exist with one another, which is very good to see indeed.

I guarantee you that most of the Lebanese people do not want another war and will do everything in their power to avoid one.

The backpacker scene in Lebanon will develop as more and more keen travelers find their way to this magical land, which will be great for the economy and well as for the general public confidence that will get a boost when locals see foreigners coming to enjoy their country.

Things go wrong on the road ALL THE TIME. Be prepared for what life throws at you.

Buy an AMK Travel Medical Kit before you head out on your next adventure – don’t be daft!

Trekking in Lebanon

Lebanon’s mountains are full of awesome hiking trails. Hiking is not a super popular past time in Lebanon, but slowly people are getting stoked on it. The people behind the Lebanese Mountain Trail (LMT) have done heaps in promoting hiking and trekking in the country.

When the mountains are covered in several feet of snow, the options are endless. Here are a few of the best hikes in Lebanon.

Lebanese Mountain Trail : The LMT is a 470 km (292 mi.) foot path traversing the breadth of Lebanon from north to South. The trail is made up of 27 different sections and takes roughly one month to complete end to end. If you have the time and motivation, this is an ultra rewarding way to see Lebanon. Most people start the thru hike in late spring.

Al Ammouaa Forest : For a chill and non-crowded place to enjoy the mountains, the Ammouaa Forest Reserve in north east Lebanon is a great spot. We did an awesome 3 hour hike out here and did not see another person (also we were trekking in 3 feet of powder and my feet nearly fell off due to cold).

Kadisha Valley : One of my favorite sections of the LMT runs through the Kadisha Valley. Here you have ancient olive groves, monasteries, rivers, and waterfalls.

The Chouf Reserve : Lebanon’s biggest forest reserve is the best place to surround yourself with ancient cedars and escape the crowds. Ok, sometimes it can be busy here, but most of the time (especially once you leave the road), it is just you and the trees.

Horsh Ehden Nature Reserve : Another very low-key spot not too far from Bcharre. The lower elevations are hikable in the winter.

Adonis Valley : One of the best places to see a large lake in Lebanon (Lake Chouwen).

Scuba Diving in Lebanon

In the summer when it is too hot to do anything else, why not go for a scuba dive? Prospective divers can find dive shops in Beirut, Saida, Byblos, Batroun, Jounieh, and Tripoli, to name a few. There are a handful of interesting dive sites to be found up and down Lebanon’s coast.

Aub Canyon, near Beirut : The walls on this reef are steep, beautiful, and full of small caves and fishermen’s nets with a huge old anchor lying at 43m. The water here is pretty polluted though, so do your best not to swallow any!

Shark Point , near Beirut: One of the best dive sites in Lebanon. Diverse and rich. Fine diving between April and September. Moray eels, stingrays in groups, eagle rays, groupers, and sharks – the small tooth sand tiger and the gray nurse sharks tend to be around in July.

The Souffleur, south of Beirut (12 km) : An epic place to see a World War 2 wreck!

Alice B, near Jounieh : An excellent site for underwater photographers. An easy dive for people with little experience.

I hope you found this Lebanon backpacking guide useful. I am confident that this is the most comprehensive Lebanon travel guide on the internet and one I wish I had when I first went backpacking in Lebanon!

It was truly a pleasure to travel in Lebanon, and to have the chance to write about it. My hope is that you put this Lebanon travelguide to use for your own unique backpacking adventure!

Lebanon is a very special country filled with amazing human beings. If you are about to set off to Lebanon, you are in for one amazing travel experience. Happy travels, amigos.

Will Hatton

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Heading to Lebanon in a couple months, thank you for all the great info, this was extremely helpful and please learn a new word besides whilst.

Thanks for the helpful article and resource! However, I wanted to provide a very important correction to the Money section. Lebanon has been in the midst of a financial crisis since 2019, which has caused the value of the Lebanese pound/lira to spiral downwards. This means that the official pegged rate of 1500 Lebanese lira to USD is no longer accurate, not even close. As of our visit last week (early May 2022), the black market rate was 27,000 lira to 1 USD! Stores and restaurants have adjusted their pricing accordingly, so if you don’t know this you will experience a bit of sticker shock! Therefore: bring cash, preferably crisp US dollars, and plan to change the money in Lebanon after arrival. Many restaurants and stores (and local Lebanese) will happily accept your US dollars for your purchase and give you change in lira (although the rate might be slightly different, like 25,000 lira to 1 USD instead of 27,000). Don’t use your foreign credit card at the official rate lest you accidentally pay $500 USD for a meal that should cost $30 USD!

I’m going to Lebanon in a few weeks. Thanks for the info.

Nice article and despite all the issues I still believe international traveling and intercultural exchange between different religious groups is still possible To answer BackpackingTony’s question, they don’t have a way to verify if you’ve ever been to Israel, but they will ask you at the border. You just have to provide the correct verbal answer to that question, and you’re good to go. On a sad note, something truly disturbing happened to me at Beirut airport yesterday. I was detained for no reason, physically injured and had my clothes thrown on the floor and stepped on by the Lebanese border authorities. I understand that not every country is going to be warm and fuzzy to tourists, but this is an international Airport processing over 20,000 visitors a day from all over the world and this kind of savagery is simply outrageous. I am planning on sharing my experience on every possible platform, so maybe one day it gets back to the airport authorities

Lebanon is on level 4 terrorism and undergoing the worst economic crisis in it’s history. Kindly be aware that there a revolution going on, and most roads are blocked with burning tires. Definitely not the place you’re expecting!

Wow! What an incredible well researched article! Thanks so much! I’ve got a question about visiting Lebanon. I’ve read that the Lebanese Government will deny entry for any visitor with an Israeli passport, Israeli visa valid or expired and used or unused and passports with entry stamps to Israel. I visited Israel back in 2015. I never got a stamp in my passport, just a blue card when I entered and pink card when I left. That passport has since expired and I’m traveling on a new one (I’m from Canada BTW). Since I’ve been to Israel but don’t have a stamp on my passport would you know if I will still be denied entry?

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Your 2024 Credit Card Checklist for Summer Travel

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Checklists are a key step in travel preparation for many people. Passport — check. Phone charger — check. But have you checked to make sure you’re fully utilizing the travel perks offered by your credit card?

Whether you’re a seasoned jetsetter or a novice traveler seeing the world for the first time, benefits from the right credit card can make a trip more convenient and more comfortable. That’s good news for the 50% of Americans who plan to travel more in 2024 than 2023, according to a survey by IPX1031, a Fidelity National Financial Company.

Here’s a credit card checklist to review before you hit the road this summer.

1. Bring a card

First things first — be sure to bring a credit card! Many airlines, and even entire airports, are now cash-free. That means you’ll need a card to pay for that pre-departure drink or in-flight snack. You might even earn bonus rewards.

For example, if restaurants are a bonus category for your card, sit-down establishments within the airport will usually still earn that higher rewards rate. If your card earns a bonus on travel purchases, you'll usually earn that bonus for in-flight purchases.

2. Register for TSA PreCheck, Global Entry or Clear

Airports are more crowded than ever, with air passenger growth up 6% and foreign travel up 24% year over year, according to a study conducted by the U.S. Travel Association and Tourism Economics.

To ease the burden of long lines, check if your card offers a credit that covers the cost of TSA PreCheck , Global Entry or Clear . These programs allow you to speed through the line at security or customs, but since they all require a background check and an in-person interview, you'll need to register well before your trip. Even if you haven’t been verified for this trip, register today to prepare for your next trip.

3. Register for lounge access

Airport lounges offer a reprieve from the hustle and bustle of the airport terminal, with most offering free food and drinks. If your card offers access to Priority Pass lounges, you’ll need to register for that benefit before you hit the road.

Don’t forget your physical membership card, or even easier, download the Priority Pass app and use your phone to access the lounge.

4. Notify your issuer of your travel plans

Few things can create issues like having your card unexpectedly stop working when you’re away from home, especially internationally. With rates of credit card fraud increasing, it’s possible your card could stop working if you’re spending outside of your normal patterns or locations. To preempt this, notify your issuer before you travel. Often you can do this online or through the app, but just in case, be sure to travel with at least two cards .

5. Avoid paying foreign transaction fees

If you’re traveling abroad, make sure you have a card that doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees . If your card does levy those fees, try to get a different card before you leave the country.

6. Pay with your most rewarding card

Be sure to identify opportunities to leverage your trip and earn outsized rewards. For example, if you know you’ll be staying at a Hilton brand hotel, you might consider applying for one of the Hilton credit cards offered by American Express and earn up to 14 Hilton points per dollar you spend at the hotel. Those points can stack up fast and easily defray costs for your future travel.

But you'll need to bring the physical card with you. Many hotels aren't able to accept digital wallet payments, so if you can't swipe your card, you'll miss out on those heightened rewards.

7. Check your card’s money-saving offers

Many issuers have programs, such as AmEx Offers, Chase Offers and BankAmeriDeals from Bank of America, that let you add rotating promotional offers to your card and earn additional points or cash back for making purchases at specific merchants. Be sure to review these offers for any merchants where you might spend during your travels. Just be aware of the fine print — often these offers exclude, or only include, international merchants.

On a similar note...

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• International

Israel-Hamas war

Trump's hush money trial

May 17, 2024 Israel-Hamas war

By Leinz Vales, Deva Lee, Adrienne Vogt, Aditi Sangal, Tori B. Powell and Chris Lau, CNN

Our live coverage for the day has ended. Follow  the latest Israel-Hamas war news  or read through the updates below.

Israel recovers bodies of 3 hostages. Here's what you should know

From CNN staff

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF)  recovered the bodies of three hostages  in the Gaza Strip, IDF spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said in a news conference in Tel Aviv Friday. 

The hostages were identified as  Shani Louk , Amit Bouskila, and Itshak Gelernter, Hagari said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed grief over the hostages, saying "the heart breaks for the great loss." Louk's family said they have closure now that her body has been recovered.

Here are other headlines you should know:

Developments on the ground

Hamas' military wing Al Qassam Brigades said a commander was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Lebanon's West Bekaa area, near the Syrian border, on Friday.

• Also, the IDF said it carried out an airstrike on "an operations center" in Jenin, in the West Bank, Friday and killed "a significant wanted" militant.

Humanitarian aid

• Trucks carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza began moving ashore Friday via a  temporary pier built by the US  military, according to a statement from US Central Command (CENTCOM). The pier was anchored to a beach in Gaza on Thursday and will be used to funnel aid from various countries into the besieged strip, with most border crossings to the enclave closed and a catastrophic humanitarian disaster unfolding inside.

Official meetings

• US President Joe Biden’s national security adviser Jake Sullivan will travel to Saudi Arabia and Israel over the weekend, according to a US official, as  ceasefire and hostage negotiations have stalled  and Israel continues to threaten to intensify its military operations in Rafah. He will meet Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in their respective countries, according to National Security Council spokesman John Kirby.

Calls from the United Nations

• A panel of UN experts said Friday that the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) was “politically targeted” as it voiced disappointment over some countries not reinstating their funding weeks after an  independent review  cleared the agency.

Doctors leaving Gaza

• Seventeen of the 20 American doctors who were stuck in Gaza after Israel shut the border crossing from Rafah to Egypt have safely departed  the enclave, Kirby said Friday.
• Aid organizations will face challenges getting doctors back into Gaza following the departure of the American doctors, according to sources familiar with the efforts to help the doctors escape.

The wife of a doctor describes her husband's "survivor's guilt" after deciding to leave Gaza

From CNN's Betsy Klein

Dr. Mahmoud Sabha was among the American doctors  who were evacuated after being trapped in Gaza this week after Israel's military offensive in Rafah shuttered a critical border crossing where they were planning to exit.  

Sabha, 39, a Dallas-based doctor who specializes in wound care, was on his second humanitarian trip to Gaza that was supposed to end last Monday. 

His wife, Dr. Samaiya Mushtaq, learned his plans to leave were on hold last Friday afternoon in a voicemail. 

"He said we're not leaving on Monday and I remember listening to it and just responding, 'No - no, no, no,'" she told CNN in a phone interview. 

She described an intensely emotional week amid the uncertainty: "I didn't think this would be morally or legally allowed." 

Three of the American doctors stayed behind on Friday as 17 were able to evacuate. 

Early Friday morning, her husband contacted her to say there was the possibility of an evacuation. He called again when he had reached the border and was in Jerusalem Friday evening eastern time. 

"It's been emotionally complex because there's a lot of guilt," she said of her husband's decision to leave.  "The survivors' guilt is much more pronounced because there's no mission coming after him," she said. 

Still, she said, "I think he'd go back. I think the call to help this incredibly vulnerable population is a humanitarian call. He would go back if there were an opportunity to rebuild the hospital systems." 

IDF says it killed "significant wanted" militant in West Bank

From CNN's Kareem Khadder, Eyad Kourdi and Mohammed Tawfeeq

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said they carried out an airstrike on "an operations center" in Jenin, in the West Bank, on Friday and killed "a significant wanted" militant.

The IDF said in a statement that militant Islam Khamaysa was a senior operative in the Jenin Camp, responsible for numerous attacks in the area.

Al Quds Brigade, the military wing of Islamic Jihad, confirmed the killing of Islam Khamaysa in a statement on Friday, saying he was a leader of the Jenin Brigade.

The Jenin Brigade is a faction affiliated with the wider Islamic Jihad group.

The Palestinian Ministry of Health said eight people were also injured in the airstrike and evacuated to two separate hospitals in the West Bank.

Family of hostage Shani Louk says recovery of her body gives them closure

From CNN's Eliza Talmadge 

The family of Israeli hostage Shani Louk , whose body Israel announced on Friday was recovered from Gaza , said they have closure now that her body has been recovered.

In a statement given to CNN, the family said the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) came to their house on Friday and informed them that they were able to rescue Louk's body from a tunnel in Gaza and bring her back to Israel.

"Every news like this brings us back to the horrific moment we had to find out that our loving daughter was brutally murdered by Hamas on the 7th of October. However, it is also a relief to get the body back and we are now able to bury her close by. It gives us some kind of closure," the family said. "We want to remember Shani as the beautiful and peace-loving person she was, who loved music, dancing and life. She brought us and many other people in the world light and the belief in good. This is how we choose to remember Shani," the statement read.

It will be a challenge to backfill the 17 American doctors who departed Gaza, sources say

From CNN's Kylie Atwood

Aid organizations will face challenges getting doctors back into Gaza following the departure of 17 of the 20 American doctors who were stuck there  after Israel shut the border crossing from Rafah to Egypt.

Sources familiar with the efforts to help the American doctors escape said that backfilling them remains a major concern, largely because the Rafah crossing remains closed after the Israeli military seized it early last week.

Remember: The crossing – when it was operating — was the only entry and exit point for foreign aid workers. Israeli and Egyptian officials have so far failed to reach an agreement on reopening it.

One of the doctors who decided to stay behind is Dr. Adam Hamawy, who helped save Sen. Tammy Duckworth’s life 20 years ago in Iraq, according to a source familiar with the matter. Hamawy traveled to Gaza with the Palestinian American Medical Association and did not feel right leaving without other doctors coming in to take over, the source said. 

Many members of Congress, including Duckworth, are working with the Biden administration to push Israel to do more to get aid and humanitarian workers into Gaza, and to get the protections needed for those workers. Earlier this week, a top USAID official said that Israel was not doing enough to ensure the safety of aid works.

"The deconfliction measures are not where they need to be yet, given the complexity of the environment. So those conversations are ongoing, they need to continue and they need to get to a place where humanitarian aid workers feel safe and secure and able to operate safely. And I don't think we're there yet,” said Sonali Korde, assistant to the administrator of USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance, noting that Gaza is a “very dangerous place to work.”

CNN's Jeremy Diamond and Muhammad Darwish contributed to this story.

Hamas' military wing says commander killed in Israeli airstrike in Lebanon

From CNN's Mohammed Tawfeeq and Eugenia Yosef

Sharhabil Ali Al-Sayyid, also known as "Abu Amr" was killed "after he was targeted by Israeli occupation aircraft," Hamas' military wing Al Qassam Brigades said in a statement.

The Israel Defense Forces ( IDF) confirmed in a statement Friday it killed Al-Sayyid in an airstrike, but described him as "a senior commander of the Jamaa Islamiya" in Lebanon "who cooperated with Hamas against Israel."

The IDF said Al-Sayyid "promoted numerous terror attacks from Lebanon against Israel in the eastern arena recently, as well as in cooperation with Hamas' wing in Lebanon."

17 American doctors who were stuck in Gaza have safely departed, White House says

Seventeen of the 20 American doctors who were stuck in Gaza after Israel shut the border crossing from Rafah to Egypt have safely departed the enclave, said National Security Council spokesman John Kirby on Friday.

“They’re out. There was 20 American doctors, 17 are out now, came out today. And all 17, they wanted to, they wanted to leave — I won't speak for the other three, but just, I can assure you that any of them that wanted to leave are out now,” Kirby said. 

The Americans who made their way out did so with the support of the US Embassy in Jerusalem, said a State Department spokesperson. “We have been in close contact with the groups that these US doctors are part of, and we have been in contact with the families of these US citizens,” the spokesperson added. 

The three American doctors who opted not to depart Gaza did so understanding that the US Embassy may not be able to facilitate their departure in the same manner, the source familiar said. They added that it “was an extremely unique operation.”

The Embassy team traveled to Kerem Shalom crossing to receive the doctors at the border, the source added, without providing details about how the doctors traveled to the border crossing.

Here's where the crossing is located:

UN panel calls for all member states to resume funding UN aid agency for Palestinian refugees

From CNN’s Kareem El Damanhoury and Richard Roth

A panel of UN experts said Friday that the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) was “politically targeted” as it voiced disappointment over some countries not reinstating their funding weeks after an independent review cleared the agency.

“The independent review ordered by the UN Secretary-General, following an increase of allegations since the onset of the military assault on Gaza in October 2023, has shown that the claim that significant numbers of UNRWA employees have ties with ‘terrorist organisations’ remains unsubstantiated,” the experts said in a  statement  on Friday.

Earlier this year, Israel accused at least 12 UNRWA staffers of being involved in Hamas' October 7 attacks and has alleged that about 12% of the agency's 13,000 staffers are members of Hamas or other Palestinian militant groups. Last month, the independent review found that UNRWA’s neutrality must be strengthened and that its facilities were sometimes misused, but noted that Israel did not provide supporting evidence for its allegations.

“UNRWA remains pivotal in providing life-saving humanitarian aid and essential social services, particularly in health and education, to Palestinian refugees in Gaza, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria and the West Bank,” the review said, adding that the agency is "irreplaceable and indispensable to Palestinians’ human and economic development.”

As of April 30, funding to UNRWA from nine states was still frozen, according to a UN  statement .

With previous reporting from CNN’s Tim Lister

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New non-stop flights to this glitzy Texas city from Scottsdale are coming soon. What to know

JSX is launching its first flights from Scottsdale Airport to Texas this fall.

The hop-on public charter jet service, which flies semiprivate flights aboard small planes with a check-in process that takes just minutes, will begin offering a route to Dallas via its private terminal at Dallas Love Field Airport in October, running the once-daily flights four days a week.

"When customers ask, JSX delivers − and our dedicated fliers have been requesting a link between Dallas and Scottsdale since we first established our headquarters in the Lone Star State," JSX CEO Alex Wilcox said in a statement.

The new route announcement came just three days after JSX launched flights between Scottsdale and Orange County, California , its first new route since relocating to Scottsdale from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport in January.

More options for air travel to and from metro Phoenix are springing up, including American Airlines' new route to Provo, Utah , expanded routes to Mexico and JetBlue Airways' expanded East Coast routes with business class seating.

When does JSX's new flight to Dallas start?

JSX will begin flying from Scottsdale to Dallas on Thursday, Oct. 3. The once-daily flights will be on Sundays, Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays.

Are JSX flights private?

JSX operates out of large airports' smaller private terminals, like Dallas Love Field (and formerly Sky Harbor ), and at smaller airports close to major cities, like Scottsdale. This allows passengers to go from parking or drop-off to boarding without traffic, crowds or long security waits.

JSX uses 30-seat Embraer jets with business-class legroom, power outlets in each row and no middle seats.

The flights are not private; anyone can book one at  jsx.com .

How much does it cost to fly JSX from Scottsdale to Dallas?

Introductory fares for the new route start at $369 one-way.

Fares on JSX flights include two checked bags, onboard cocktails, gourmet snacks and in-flight Wi-Fi from Starlink, operated by SpaceX.

Details:  Book at  jsx.com .

Michael Salerno is an award-winning journalist who’s covered travel and tourism since 2014. His work as The Arizona Republic’s consumer travel reporter aims to help readers navigate the stresses of traveling and get the best value for their money on their vacations. He can be reached at  [email protected] . Follow him on X, formerly Twitter:  @salerno_phx .

Support local journalism.   Subscribe to  azcentral.com  today.

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Did You Make Your Connecting Flight? You May Have A.I. to Thank.

Airlines are using artificial intelligence to save fuel, keep customers informed and hold connecting flights for delayed passengers. Here’s what to expect.

By Julie Weed

Last month in Chicago, a United Airlines flight to London was ready to depart, but it was still waiting for 13 passengers connecting from Costa Rica. The airline projected they’d miss the flight by seven minutes. Under normal circumstances, they’d all be scrambling to rebook.

But thanks to a new artificial-intelligence-powered tool called ConnectionSaver, the jet was able to wait for them — their checked bags, too — and still arrive in London on time. The system also sent text messages to the late-arriving passengers and the people on the waiting jet to explain what was happening.

A.I. still might not be able to find space for your carry-on, but it could help put an end to the 40-gate dash — sprinting to catch your connecting flight before the door slams shut — as well as other common travel headaches.

It’s not just United. Alaska Airlines , American Airlines and others have been working to develop new A.I. capabilities that could make flying easier for passengers. The carriers are also using the technology to reduce costs and streamline operations, including saving fuel, said Helane Becker, an airline industry analyst for the investment bank TD Cowen . Although many of the airlines are developing their programs independently, a successful innovation by any carrier could possibly become an industry standard.

A.I. is poised to change almost every aspect of the customer flying experience, from baggage tracking to personalized in-flight entertainment, said Jitender Mohan, who works with travel and hospitality clients at the technology consulting company WNS .

Saving fuel and frustration

A.I. has been helping Alaska Airlines dispatchers plan more efficient routes since 2021. “It’s like Google maps, but in the air,” explained Vikram Baskaran, vice president for information technology services at the carrier.

Two hours before a flight, the system reviews weather conditions, any airspace that will be closed, and all commercial and private flight plans registered with the Federal Aviation Administration, to suggest the most efficient route. The A.I. takes in “an amount of information no human brain could process,” said Pasha Saleh, the corporate development director and a pilot for Alaska.

In 2023, about 25 percent of Alaska flights used this system to shave a few minutes off flight times. Those efficiencies added up to about 41,000 minutes of flying time and half a million gallons of fuel saved, Mr. Baskaran said.

On the ground, American Airlines and others are working on an A.I.-powered system American calls Smart Gating — sending arriving aircraft to the nearest available gate with the shortest taxiing time, and if the scheduled arrival gate is in use, quickly determining the best alternate gate. All this could mean fewer frustrating minutes spent waiting on the tarmac.

American introduced Smart Gating at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport in 2021 and now employs it at six airports, including Chicago O’Hare and Miami International. The airline estimates it saves 17 hours a day in taxi time and 1.4 million gallons of jet fuel a year.

Mr. Mohan said that using A.I. as a virtual parking attendant could save up to 20 percent of taxiing time, with the highest benefits seen at the largest airports.

Faster and better customer service

Rapidly evolving generative A.I. — think ChatGPT — is helping airlines communicate with passengers better. At United, a companywide challenge last year yielded a plan to make texts sent to fliers more specific about what’s causing delays. Passengers can get frustrated when flights are delayed with no explanation, said Jason Birnbaum, United’s chief information officer.

But tracking the details required, composing an appropriate message and sending it to the right people for 5,000 flights a day would be too much for the staff to handle, Mr. Birnbaum said. Generative A.I. can process all that data and create messages tailored to conditions. For example, passengers booked on a January United flight from San Francisco to Tucson received this text message, along with a new departure time and an apology: “Your inbound aircraft is arriving late due to airport runway construction in San Francisco that limited the number of arrivals and departures for all airlines earlier.”

Having a more detailed explanation can calm travelers’ nerves. Jamie Larounis, a travel industry analyst who flies about 150,000 miles a year, recalled receiving text messages last summer explaining that a storm and a related crew-scheduling problem had delayed his flight from Chicago. “Getting a specific reason for the delay made me feel like the airline had things under control,” he said.

Generative A.I. is also good at summarizing text, making it a powerful tool for wading through emails. Last year, Alaska was among the carriers that began using A.I. to handle customer messages more efficiently. The airline’s system “reads” each email and summarizes the issues raised.

“We used to read first in first out, handling the requests as they came in,” said Mr. Baskaran, but now the system helps prioritize emails. For example, an urgent request involving an upcoming flight may take precedence over a complaint about a past one.

The system also helps a human agent decide how to respond, such as offering the customer a voucher, and it may draft an initial written response. “The person makes the decision, but it’s streamlined,” Mr. Baskaran said.

For all the benefits A.I. promises to airlines and passengers, the technology still has some shortcomings. For one, it doesn’t always deliver accurate information. In 2022, an Air Canada chatbot incorrectly promised a traveler that if he booked a full-fare flight to a relative’s funeral, he could receive a bereavement fare after the fact. When he filed a small-claims case, Air Canada tried to argue that the bot was its own separate entity, “responsible for its own actions,” but a tribunal found Air Canada responsible and ordered it to pay about $800 in damages and fees.

Still, as A.I. develops and airlines race to find more uses for it, passengers could see even more benefits. “As a customer and a business person, this is one of the biggest technology disruptions in the last five to eight years,” Mr. Mohan said.

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram and sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to get expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places to Go in 2024 .

An earlier version of this article, in a quotation from Vikram Baskaran, vice president for information technology services at Alaska Airlines, misstated the number of gallons of fuel an artificial-intelligence-powered planning system saved the airline in 2023. It was half a million, not half a billion.

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Open Up Your World

Considering a trip, or just some armchair traveling here are some ideas..

52 Places:  Why do we travel? For food, culture, adventure, natural beauty? Our 2024 list has all those elements, and more .

The Alaska Highway:  On an epic road trip, a family plots a course from Alaska to the Lower 48, passing through some of Canada’s most spectacular scenery .

Minorca:  Spend 36 hours on this slow-paced Spanish island , which offers a quieter and wilder retreat than its more touristy neighbors.

Japan:  A new high-speed train stop unlocks Kaga, a destination for hot springs, nourishing food and traditional crafts , as an easy-to-reach getaway from Tokyo.

London:  The Victoria and Albert Museum is a treasure trove of art and design. Here’s one besotted visitor’s plan for taking it all in .

How much does it cost DeSantis to travel from one place to another? Florida won't tell you

Why it matters: a new law is being used to prevent the public from seeing how tax dollars are spent for gov. ron desantis' travel..

Gov. Ron DeSantis regularly jets around the state.

Stops over the last month have included Coral Gables, Jacksonville and Cape Canaveral , all to sign bills passed by the Florida Legislature earlier this year.

His constituents may know DeSantis went to these three cities, but they won't know how much it cost them. The state says such financial records are exempt from public records disclosure, citing a 2023 law geared at concealing certain information to prevent the endangerment of the governor and other officials.

A total amount for how much is spent on the governor's travel is released every year by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, but the agency recently denied a public records request from the USA TODAY NETWORK-Florida seeking a detailed breakdown.

Open government advocates and others argue the new law prevents the public from clearly knowing whether personal and political trips, which shouldn't be paid for with tax dollars, were kept separate from official travel.

"I don't understand this inconsistency.... He was at a public event, it doesn't make any sense to protect that," said Michael Barfield, director of public access initiatives for the Florida Center for Government Accountability, which has filed multiple public records lawsuits against the governor. "It's my understanding the legislation did not preclude the release of financial amounts."

He wasn't the only one given that impression.

State Rep. Anna Eskamani, an Orlando Democrat, asked a sponsor of the legislation ( SB 1616 ) about financial transparency on the House floor in early May 2023: "How do you strike the balance between ensuring that the public still knows how their money is being spent with travel?"

“None of the finances that are currently public records ... or the reports that are currently available are changing,” replied Rep. Jeff Holcomb, R-Spring Hill.

In a phone interview with a reporter a year later, Eskamani said the GOP supporters of the bill should now be working to get such information out to the public.

"Based on the constant response by the bill sponsor and by others who attempted to say that this bill was all about safety and security, the impression by those in support of the bill was that this information would still be made available," Eskamani said. "I never bought that reasoning or that excuse, but that was definitely what they were pitching to their colleagues."

On the road again: Florida governors' travels long a topic of interest

The travel of Florida's governors has been a topic of intrigue and controversy for decades . Attention on DeSantis' travel ramped up even more when he was barnstorming the nation in the months leading up to his unsuccessful presidential campaign, which formally began on May 24, 2023.

FDLE's report, released in August , showed that it spent more than $8 million protecting and transporting the governor during the 2022-23 fiscal year. It marked a multi-million dollar increase in spending over the previous year.

The law enforcement agency denied the USA TODAY Network-Florida's breakdown request in early May, about nine months after it was made.

The governor's office has not responded to requests for comment, but representatives of DeSantis have previously dismissed concerns about his travel practices.

"The state does not coordinate or plan political travel, nor does the taxpayer fund political travel," spokesperson Bryan Griffin said in an email last year.

Dana Kelly, an FDLE spokesperson, responded via email only that the annual report is "the public record of expenses."

The law took effect on May 11, 2023, the day DeSantis signed it .

“With the security situation, how you do patterns of movements, if you’re somebody that is targeted, which unfortunately I am, and I get a lot of threats, that could be something that could be helpful for people that may not want to do good things,” DeSantis said at the time.

And that's how the bill's GOP champions framed the exemption, which also concealed records about who visits the governor's mansion. The law applies not just to the governor but his immediate family, as well as the House speaker, Senate president and state Supreme Court chief justice.

"We are government in the sunshine," said state Sen. Jonathan Martin, a bill sponsor and Fort Myers Republican, on the Senate floor. "This allows us to continue to do that in these new and interesting times that we find ourselves, where seemingly innocent information can be conglomerated to reveal very personal aspects of your life."

And Holcomb said before the House vote, "unfortunately, this very simple bill that is truly about the safety and security of our most senior elected officials has become politicized," responding to a slew of criticism from lawmakers on the other side of the aisle.

Eskamani wasn't the only legislative Democrat who had doubts. All of them voted against the measure.

"If someone is running for president and they hold the governor's office, that travel should be transparent, and those finances and all of those things and whatever they do should be transparent," said Rep. Michele Rayner, D-St. Petersburg.

Holcomb and Martin didn't respond to requests for comments.

DeSantis travel, security spending: As taxpayers pay more for DeSantis' travel and protection, new law conceals his travel

DeSantis faces records lawsuits: Florida Governor Ron DeSantis accused of lack of transparency, sued again in Tallahassee

Transparency advocates call foul on latest records exemption

American Oversight, a government accountability watchdog that sued the governor's office for alleged public records violations a couple of months ago , said the law doesn’t apply to expenditures. In an emailed statement, the group pointed out that the Florida Constitution requires that any exemption “shall be no broader than necessary to accomplish the stated purpose of the law.” 

“That means that the exemption must be interpreted narrowly (in line with its stated purpose); otherwise, it would be unconstitutional because it would be broader than necessary to accomplish its purpose,” said Ron Fein, American Oversight’s chief counsel. “If a financial record does happen to contain security information covered by the exemption, it can be redacted.” 

The legislation listed out multiple examples of exempt records; Fein says financial records don’t fall under any of them. And he says such records don’t fall under the law’s purpose to prevent records disclosures that “could endanger the protected person.”

The law shouldn’t have been passed in the first place, Fein added: “Not only is it overbroad and probably unconstitutional under the state’s Constitution, it flies in the face of Florida’s commitment to government transparency."

Bobby Block, executive director of Florida's First Amendment Foundation, had warned lawmakers last year about how all-encompassing the exemption could be. Reading the bill, he noticed how it didn't explicitly exclude financial records.

And, as a result, if the state chooses to consider those as exempt security records, it takes legal challenge to contest it. "The time to fight that is before it passes from the legislature," Block said in a recent phone call. "Once it passes its law, and it's a lot harder to push back."

The Washington Post is pushing back. It filed a lawsuit last year in Leon County Circuit Civil court, saying the records exemption law was unconstitutional.

It's a high-profile case that became even more noteworthy after the litigation uncovered that,  as reported by The Post , top DeSantis aides prevented records on taxpayer-funded travel from being released – and retaliated against those who disagreed.

The Florida Center for Government Accountability's Barfield said Florida's public records system, once nationally esteemed for its transparency, was "broken at the state level."

"The bottleneck is in the governor's office," he said, pointing to a News 6 story showing how DeSantis' team reviews public records requests to state agencies.

"They know that our resources are thin to challenge the denial of access to public records, whether it's an excessive fee or an excessive, inordinate delay. And they're taking full advantage of that."

Contributed: News Service of Florida. This reporting content is supported by a partnership with Freedom Forum and Journalism Funding Partners. USA TODAY Network-Florida First Amendment reporter Douglas Soule can be reached at  [email protected] .

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• The Caribbean

9 Best Islands in the Caribbean to Retire

Beautiful weather, an affordable cost of living, and a relaxed vibe await retirees on these Caribbean islands.

Severine BAUR/Getty Images

When retirement approaches , many begin to consider where they want to spend their golden years. While some retirees are most comfortable in the familiar surroundings of their hometowns, others envision themselves in an idyllic location — one that might offer beaches, sunshine, delicious food, palm trees, and a laid-back atmosphere. Perhaps they fell in love with a place they visited, and, for many, that place might be one of the islands in the Caribbean .

For some retirees, the goal is to reduce their living expenses and live comfortably on a limited fixed income. Others, meanwhile, prioritize luxury and amenities, ideal weather, and beautiful scenery. Living costs, ease of obtaining residency, tax benefits, financial requirements, expat communities, residential developments, and lifestyles vary among the islands, so a solid amount of research should go into making this important decision.

So, before you go out and buy your “I Live Where You Vacation” T-shirt, an extended visit with input from locals and expats is highly recommended. The U.S. State Department also offers advice about what to consider before retiring abroad. With insight from experts on the subject, we’ve selected some of the best Caribbean islands for retirement.

Puerto Rico

Taylor McIntyre/Travel + Leisure

As a U.S. territory, Puerto Rico offers many advantages for retirees seeking a tropical climate without relocating abroad.

Health care is widely available, and Medicare is accepted. Retirees can own property in Puerto Rico , too, with no restrictions or visas. For qualified retirees, the Individual Investors Act waives island and federal income taxes on dividends, interest, and capital gains for residents who live in Puerto Rico for at least half the year.

The cost of living is around 11 percent lower than on the mainland, and rents are about 53 percent less. In the major cities, like San Juan and Ponce, English is widely spoken, but it’s helpful to know at least some Spanish. The weather is warm , although humid at times, and hurricane season comes each year from June through November, peaking in August and September.

A number of established retiree communities, as well as assisted living facilities, are available. “Retirees will have no trouble settling into life in Puerto Rico,” according to an article by U.S. News & World Report . “The island is a retirement haven, home to big, active, and well-established retiree communities from the U.S. mainland. Most retirees settle around San Juan and the beach neighborhoods east of the city, though pockets of expats can be found around the island.”

Isla Mujeres, Mexico

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Located in the Caribbean about eight miles from the coast of Cancun, Isla Mujeres was once a fishing village. The atmosphere is still laid-back, and the cost of living is affordable. The small island offers beaches, clear and warm waters for snorkeling and diving, delicious restaurants, and vibrant nightlife. Apartments, condos, and hotels are available, and rents and overall cost of living are relatively low. Most residents get around on motor bikes or golf carts, saving the expense of an automobile.

Retirees can apply for a temporary residency visa or permanent visa (after four years) at their local Mexican consulate, with financial qualifications. Those with legal residency can enroll in public health insurance for a small premium. Many purchase private insurance to cover medical expenses or pay out of pocket. Medicare is not accepted, though it is advisable for U.S. citizens to maintain coverage in the event they need to return to the U.S. for treatment.

U.S. Virgin Islands

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The main islands of St. Thomas , St. Croix , and St. John are attractive places to retire for those seeking mild weather, beautiful beaches, outdoor activities, and access to restaurants and nightlife. As a U.S. territory, the U.S. Virgin Islands require no visas or passports for relocating. Medicare is accepted, and medical facilities are available on all the islands. The U.S. dollar is the currency, there’s no sales tax, and English is widely spoken.

The overall cost of living is higher than in the U.S., and rents are about six percent higher. A look at recent listings showed a wide range of rental costs, and like in most places, location, views, and amenities make a difference. Purchasing real estate on the islands works similarly to the mainland U.S., with attorneys representing both the buyer and seller. Travel + Leisure A-List advisor Margie Hand said, “When I was in the U.S. Virgin Islands this past June, I was shocked at all the people I met who had retired there. Some were working at stores in town, and one was an artist who sold pieces to local stores.”

Turks and Caicos

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Turks and Caicos is a British overseas territory consisting of eight main islands and more than 300 small ones. Average temperatures range from a high of 88 degrees Fahrenheit in July to 81 degrees Fahrenheit in January, and the climate is relatively dry . English is the official language, and the currency is the U.S. dollar. “These islands are some of my favorites in the Caribbean,” Hand told T+L. “However the cost of living may be high for some retirees.” In Providenciales, the most populous island that's also home to the international airport, monthly rents range from abut $1,500 to $3,660 in the city center. Condos, town houses, residences, and vacant land are available to purchase at a range of prices, plus there are no restrictions on property ownership by foreigners.

The government grants temporary residency permits with annual applications and offers investors permanent residency if they purchase property to use as a home. The investment must be $300,000 or $1 million, depending on the island, and the funds can be used for new construction or renovation of an older property. There are no taxes on real estate, income, inheritance, or estates. And the new Health City Medical Centre on Grand Cayman provides a range of high-quality, affordable health care,

On Anguilla , the northernmost of the Leeward Islands, the lifestyle is casual, and fishing, snorkeling, golf, tennis, and sailing are popular activities for visitors and residents. The cost of living here is on the high side, but apartments are available starting between $1,000 and $2,000 monthly. However, there are no income taxes, VAT taxes, or taxes on capital gains or inheritance.

Steve Haines, a longtime resident of Anguilla and a real estate broker at Trophy Properties , represents Four Seasons Anguilla Residences. He told T+L, “Some of the greatest things about the island are the wonderful people, perfect weather, and unbelievable food.” He added, “I’m seeing retirees who buy residences for year-round [living], as well as others who spend half the year here. It’s a combination of both.” Haines also noted that the island’s new airport — in progress — will make it easier to reach the destination in the future — perfect for visitors and residents.

Retirees are able to purchase property with an Alien Landholders license and additional fees. Those who own property are able to obtain permanent residency. With one hospital on the island, residents may need to travel to nearby St. Maarten for medical care or to one of the other islands — something to consider when retirement planning. Private insurance that includes transportation to the U.S. or a nearby large city is advisable.

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Dominica , nicknamed the “Nature Island,” is considered one of the most affordable Caribbean islands for retirees. There's an income tax based on residency status and income sources, but the destination offers tax incentives for retirees, including a reduced rate for those over age 65. “Navigating the landscape of Dominica taxes can be a crucial factor for individuals and businesses considering the island nation as a destination for investment and residency,” according to a recent article by Rihab Saad , managing director at Next Generation Equity.

For retirees who decide to make Dominica their permanent home, the Dominica Citizenship by Investment Program enables foreigners to establish permanent residency by making an investment of at least $100,000 in a government fund or real estate.

Both public and private health care services are available, and private insurance is recommended. Haines, who often spends time with friends who live in Dominica, said, “The island reminds me of Hawaii — very lush with fruit trees and gorgeous scenery. [It's a] beautiful place to live.”

Dominican Republic

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Located on the island of Hispaniola (along with Haiti), the Dominican Republic is one of the most affordable islands in the Caribbean for retirement. The cost of living here is about 47 percent lower than in the U.S., and rents are about 75 percent lower. The tropical climate, convenient location (it's about two hours from Miami), outdoor activities, and entertainment at resorts and hotels also make the destination an attractive option for retirees. Most expats and retirees live in Santo Domingo, Santiago, or Punta Cana.

The Dominican Republic offers a retirement visa for long-term residency with modest financial requirements, and those who decide to spend their golden years here can start with a standard tourist visa while the retirement visa is in process. Social security and pension benefits are not taxable, but all residents must pay taxes on income from financial investments such as stocks and bonds, certificates of deposit, and more.

According to a September 2023 article by Ashley Kilroy, an investment and insurance expert at SmartAsset, “Expats will need to purchase private health care insurance. Although this is an additional expense, it costs less to see a doctor and receive treatment in a private hospital in the Dominican Republic than in the U.S. International health insurance may cost up to $200 per month, and it covers most procedures and emergencies, and even some prescriptions.”

This small island in the southern Caribbean offers a stable political climate, warm weather, and a location outside the hurricane belt. Resorts, museums, shops, and towns provide plenty of activities and entertainment. While the overall cost of living in Aruba is slightly higher than in the U.S., rents are about 57 percent lower. There's an income tax, and retirees are eligible for exemptions on foreign pensions and annuities.

Quality health care — both public and private — is available, too. Foreign tourists can stay in Aruba for up to 90 days (180 days for citizens of the U.S. and the Netherlands). To stay longer, an application must be made to the Department of Immigration and Naturalization Services for a residence permit. A guaranteed annual income of at least $50,000 may qualify applicants age 55 and over for the status of “retired with guaranteed income.” According to luxury Caribbean property specialist 7th Heaven Properties , “The Government of Aruba welcomes foreign investment and there are no restrictions on foreign buyers buying property on the island with a view to moving to Aruba.”

Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker, Belize

Located on Central America’s northeastern coast, just south of Mexico, Belize (formerly called British Honduras) consists of a mainland area and about 450 islands. Two of the islands (called cays) are popular retirement destinations: Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker. Both are a short flight or boat trip from the mainland. On a trip to Ambergris Caye a few years ago, I met retirees from the U.S. and Europe, happily adapting to the slower pace of life, living without cars (just about everyone drives a golf cart), and spending less than they did at home.

Belize correspondent for International Living, Shane Kenny, who moved his family to the country in 2019, noted in a recent article , “With Ambergris Caye being such a hot tourist destination, it’s also one of the more expensive places to live in Belize.” Of Caye Caulker , about a 30-minute ferry ride from Ambergris Caye, Kenny said, “Many consider Caye Caulker to be the laid-back, smaller version of Ambergris Caye. Be prepared to walk everywhere, as the streets are unpaved and there are no cars on the island — just a few golf carts.”

The government of Belize explains how to acquire residency or retirement status through the Visitor's Permit Extension, Qualified Retired Person Program, and permanent residency. Also making Belize an attractive retirement spot, the official language is English and the currency is U.S. dollars along with Belizean dollars.

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