Beirut Travel Forum

My son is going to Beirut, but he will have only two days there, a Sunday and Monday. I've looked at the VT pages about Beirut, however most of them have been written some years ago, so I hope to get some more recent information here in the forum from fellow VTers.

What's the best way to get around in the city? Taxis?

Is it true that US dollars are the accepted currency, also at the airport for the visa?

He'll be there in mid May, a few weeks before the elections. What will the situation be like? Will security be extra tight?

Thank you for any help.

Yes, dollars are accepted virtually everywhere at a rate of 1 $ = 1500 LBP. You will most often get change in Lebansese pounds though. For most western natonals the visa (really only a passport stamp) is now free.
As for what to do : You could spend Sunday in Beirut and on Monday do a trip to Byblos.
Taxis are pretty much the only way to get around the city, unless you can get a hang of the minibus system, which you probably won't in only 2 days time.

What will the situation be like ? - This is Lebanon. No one knows and no one can predict. Likely things will be tense but should remain calm, at least until the results are in.

Thanks a lot for the information, I'll pass it on to my son.

no worries beirut is safe and full of life .
let him ask in his hotel the best way to move , if he is staying in beirut everything is close . with taxis he should bargain as there is no meter .
moving inside beirut he can take "service" a shared taxi cost 1$ to move in beirut

Thank you for your reply, I'll pass it on. I was just told that the New York Times put Beirut on top place for 40 places to visit, it must really be a very special city.

it is . night and day it is alive . if he needs any help just mail me your questions