Traveling to a country for the very first time is a bit hard, considering that you don’t know all the local tricks. It gets even harder if you’re going somewhere where not just the language is foreign, but the culture is completely different as well. So, if you happen to be traveling to the Middle East, Lebanon to be more precise, there are things you must know beforehand.

Lebanon is ridiculously expensive

For real, it is. I’ve always heard that Lebanon is expensive, but I never knew what that really meant until I went there myself. USD 1 roughly equals LBP 1.5. That seems cool to you, of course, if you’re not coming from a country with a high currency devaluation. But when it comes to pricing, that’s not always in your favor.

P.S: The bright side is that you can pay in either US dollars or Lebanese Liras, which takes us to the second point….

If you pay in dollars, don’t expect your change to be in dollars as well

Yes, if you decide to pay in US dollars, either pay the exact amount you’re being charged for or get ready to get more Liras. Of course, that doesn’t seem like a big deal now, but when you end up going back home with stacks of Liras, you’ll understand.

My advice is, exchange USD 100 and when you’re almost out of Liras and need more, exchange another 100, and so forth. This way, you make sure you never run out of cash, or dollars.

It’s a shop for style destination and not for great deals

Everyone thinks of Beirut as the Paris of the Middle East; when it comes to fashion, I mean. Sure, the Lebanese are incredibly stylish, but if you go to Lebanon with expectations it’s a shopping destination, it’s not the best. Don’t get me wrong, Beirut is full of amazing fashion stores, but again, it’s ridiculously expensive, remember?

So, let’s break this down into three categories. ONE: Designer stores; there are plenty of those, that’s a plus if you’re a fashion enthusiast who’s crazy about everything that’s ever walked the catwalk of a fashion week. However, we all know that’s breaking your bank. So, unless you care, you can shop in Beirut all you want.

TWO: High street fashion stores. So, H&M, Zara, and Aeropostale, yeah they’ve got those. However, they’re more expensive than in other countries like the US. Last but not least, THREE: Non-branded items. There are plenty of those stores with loads of unknown brands or even knock-offs. Bright side? They’re cheap as hell. Downside? Not the best quality out there. However, you can find some decent stuff if you put some effort into looking for something.

Moral of the story: If you’re going to Lebanon just to buy some pants from Zara, then you’d better get them from your hometown’s Zara. Meanwhile, if you’re on the look for a fancy Zuhair Murad evening gown, then Downtown Beirut is your go-to.

Go for a ‘service’ and not a taxi

Just like most places, taxis are more expensive in Lebanon. So, next time you call a cab, make sure to ask for service instead (pronounced “servees“). If you demand service, the driver shall pick up more passengers on the way while charging you each a fixed rate. Think of it as the Lebanese carpooling, and don’t be fooled, the rate would be LBP 2,000.

Tip: For more information on transportation in Lebanon, click here for the nitty-gritty things you must know.

Driving in Lebanon is more of an extreme sport

Roads in Lebanon are very tricky, especially if driving up the mountains. Not just that the roads are steep and keep going up on down, but the Lebanese drivers will normally surprise you with some Fast and Furious attitude. Who am I kidding, it’s probably another Mediterranean thing. Anyway, no matter how much of a great driver/navigator you are, driving around Lebanon will be a hassle. So, before you decided to rent a car, think twice and consider your options.

You might also like:

• Street Art of Beirut: Where It All Came From?
• Day Trip From Beirut: Harissa, Jeita, and Jbeil
• Your Guide to Food in Beirut: Where & What to Eat?
• Is This Hostel in Beirut for Solo Travelers?

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