Beirut General Tips by MrBill

Favorite Thing: The exchange rate of the Lebanese Pound (LBP) to the US dollar (USD) is approximately 1500 to one (1514.30), which converts to 1855 against the EUR and 2725 against the British Pound at today's exchange rates. The Lebanese Pound has been a stable currency recently, so there is no worry about holding small amounts or soaring rates of inflation which would devalue your left-over Pounds.

There are bank machines everywhere in the city center. You will see some majors such as Societe Generale and Credit Lyonnaise, due to the French colonial influence, and France's influence in the Middle East, as well as, many pan-Arab banks, such as Arab Bank, which is active outside of the ME as well. Of course, there is also the Bank of Beirut, which is also an international bank. Therefore, I would not be too concerned about the security of your bank card. You can either look for a name of a bank you know and trust, or for the banking network, such as Cirrus or Maestro, which your local bank is a member, and then use your bank card.

Fondest Memory: Most of the bank machines give you a choice of USD or LBP, so if you do not know how long you will be in the city and do not want to be bothered reconverting unspent Pounds, you can take out a small amount of LBP for spending money, and then carry some dollars in reserve. Of course, you can pay with credit card almost everywhere in the city center without any difficulties.

Also, everyone from store keepers, to waiters, to the taxi drviers are keenly aware of the various exchange rates between dollars, euros and pounds, so you can usually pay for anything in cash, and receive a fair exchange rate. However, you may get your change back in local pounds, and do not expect to give a taxi driver a $50 dollar note for a $3 taxi ride, and expect him to have the correct change on hand.

Money changing and getting around in Beirut is not a problem at all, so don't worry about it.

Leave a Comment

Favorite Thing: One of the last things I expected to find in Lebanon was a modern, functioning post office. Probably because I am familiar with former communist countries, where the post office is often the last vestige of the planned economy that is reformed. However, that is Lebanon. You arrive with one set of preconceived notions and then are pleasantly surprised.

The central post office is located in downtown Beirut, one street off the main pedestrian throughfares, between the main square and the Roman ruins. It is along the same street as the central bank, but not hard to find.

Fondest Memory: The cost to mail a postcard is about LBP 1500 ($1) to Canada & the USA, and for Europe it is cheaper.

They had a very good selection of postcards and posters in the post office. They also had some other souvenirs. The post office was very modern and also offered Internet access. However, we arrived just as they were closing, but they were kind enough to stay open long enough to allow us to buy our stamps, choose our postcards, and mail them. Very nice and friendly of them.

Also, in the lobby of the post office, they had an impressive display of Harley Davidson motorcycles on show for the public. To locate the post office, look for their futuristic logo.

Leave a Comment

Favorite Thing: Unfortunately, we were not in Beirut very long. However, the city comes alive in the late afternoon, evenings and at night, when the heat retreats, and people come out on the streets and squares to visit the cafes, bars and restaurants. Of course, the largest concentration of bars, restaurants, and cafes, and the nicest place to be, is along the coastal road near the Sea. We only saw a small portion, but it looked very enticing. Hire a taxi to drive you along the coast road, and then stop anywhere that looks most attractive to you. A round trip taxi shouldn't cost more than about $5 for 20-30 minutes. This will give you a good idea where to go and where to eat. Enjoy.


Leave a Comment

Favorite Thing: The Minister of Tourism is located at

550 Central Bank Street
PO Box 11/5344 Beirut
Lebanon

Their home page is
www.destinationlebanon.com
or email them at
mot@lebanon-tourism.gov.lb

Tel. +01 340 940 4

They produce many free publications highlighting the many things to see and do in Lebanon, so they are a valuable resource for planning your next trip to Lebanon.


Leave a Comment

Favorite Thing: VT discourages postings that are political in nature. However, how many forts, churches, and other historical sites that we visit as tourists have a religious and/or military reason for being? You cannot divorce religious and politics from history, and we live in this world, so we have to take an active interest in what goes on around us.

I am very upset about this bomb yesterday in Beirut. Lebanon has been very stable in the past 3-years after years of sectarian violence and civil war. Lebanon was at peace and was reaping the peace dividend. Rebuilding its infrastructure, its economy, and attracting tourists back to its cities and landmarks. I visited Beirut last summer and found it very enjoyable. I was planning to go skiing in the Cedars in Lebanon in the next few weeks.

People say there is two sides to every story? Is there? In the Israel-Palestine conflict we can see mistakes made by both sides. In the invasion of Iraq we can argue whether the means justified the end. Usually we see poverty as the breeding ground of terrorism. However, there were none of these convenient excuses for what happened in Beirut yesterday. A previously unknown Islamic terrorist organization simply chose to break the peace and to murder a well-known and well-repsected former Prime Minister. That's it. There is no otherside to the story. Unless, holding a Lebanese and a Saudi passport are reason enough, which is the excuse the terrorists gave when publicly revealing their dark motives?

Fondest Memory: "A Lebanese man shouts for help for a wounded man near the site of a car bomb explosion in Beirut, February 14, 2005. Lebanese troops were on alert across the country on Feb. 15 as the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri in a car bomb blast raised fears of a political crisis and rekindled raw memories of civil war." Reuters, February 14, 2005

Leave a Comment