Lebanon

Lebanon rewards curious, flexible travellers, but conditions can change quickly. Several governments currently advise against travel because of risks including armed conflict, civil unrest, terrorism, kidnapping and limited medical facilities. Check your government’s latest advisory, airline operations, border status and travel-insurance coverage before booking, then monitor updates again just before departure.

If you do travel, keep your plans adaptable and share your itinerary with someone you trust. Avoid demonstrations, political gatherings, military sites, border areas and unfamiliar districts after dark. Carry identification, essential medication and a small supply of food and water, and ask your accommodation for current local guidance. Medical and transport arrangements can be disrupted with little notice, so do not rely on a tightly packed itinerary. Hello’s trip-planning tools can help you keep bookings, addresses and backup plans together in one place, while an eSIM from Hello can be bought and activated before landing so you can access maps and updates without roaming charges.

Lebanon uses the Lebanese pound (LBP), while US dollars are also widely used. Prices may be quoted in either currency, and exchange practices can vary between businesses, so confirm the currency and total before ordering or accepting a service. Card payments and ATMs can be unreliable; carry enough clean, small-denomination US dollar notes for taxis, cafés, markets and emergencies, while keeping some Lebanese pounds for smaller purchases.

Use licensed exchange offices rather than informal street dealers, and ask your accommodation which payment methods currently work nearby. Keep cash discreetly divided between your wallet and secure luggage. Costs can shift quickly, so Hello’s budget tracking feature is useful for recording spending in LBP and noting whether a bill was paid in dollars. If travelling with friends, settle shared restaurant meals, drivers and accommodation with Hello’s expense splitting instead of trying to remember who paid what.

Traffic in Beirut is intense, roads can be poorly marked and driving styles are assertive, making self-driving stressful for visitors. Reputable taxis, ride-hailing services and trusted private drivers are generally easier, especially for airport transfers or day trips. Agree on the fare and currency before setting off, and confirm the vehicle and driver details when using an app. Outside Beirut, allow generous time: congestion, checkpoints and changing road conditions can disrupt even short journeys.

For excursions to Byblos, the Chouf, Tripoli or the Bekaa Valley, ask a hotel or licensed operator about current access and route conditions. Avoid travelling near sensitive borders or areas covered by your government’s advisory. Download essential maps and accommodation details before leaving reliable Wi-Fi, and keep your Hello eSIM active for navigation and messages. If your phone battery is essential for transport, carry a power bank and save a trusted driver’s number offline.

Lebanon’s food culture is one of its great pleasures. Start with a mezze spread of hummus, moutabal, tabbouleh, fattoush, kibbeh and warm man’oushe, then try grilled kafta or shish tawook. Finish with baklava, maamoul or knefeh, and sample Lebanese coffee or a glass of arak if you drink. Ask whether bread, service and shared dishes are included, since restaurant customs vary.

Build time for Beirut’s Corniche, the historic lanes of Byblos, the Roman ruins at Baalbek where access is currently appropriate, and mountain villages such as Bsharri or Deir el-Qamar. Cedar landscapes and coastal towns offer a striking contrast within a compact country, but attractions may close unexpectedly or have limited opening hours. Dress respectfully when visiting religious sites, ask before photographing people, and learn a few words such as “shukran” (thank you). Keep your itinerary flexible and verify local conditions before setting out.