For over two decades, Beirut’s tourism sector was virtually nonexistent as was backpacking in Lebanon. In recent years, tourism has begun to grow as the capital of Lebanon, (and the rest of the country), has a lot of culture and history to offer visitors.
Safety
Petty theft is not a big concern in Beirut, but as with any other city, you should be careful with your belongings. This is a precaution you should take when traveling anywhere, especially in bigger cities. Maybe the biggest hazard to people on the streets of Beirut is the traffic. Pedestrian crossings are hard to come by, and there seems to be no rhyme or rhythm to the way people drive in the city.It may be difficult to overlook Lebanon’s shaky past turmoil, with reminders of the civil war and political strife throughout the city. There are buildings and monuments that are now historic relics of the Lebanese Civil War, with evidence of bombings and bullet holes. Do not let this deter you, but take it as an opportunity to learn about the country’s recent past. Beirut is a relatively safe place, and the Lebanese army is very present.
Accommodations
There isn’t much information about good budget hotels in Beirut in circulation, but there is some and the only conclusion that can be made is that accommodations are relatively expensive in the Lebanese capital. The Embassy Hotel is located in Hamra, a bustling part of the city where there are plenty of shops, restaurants, and cafes. The American University of Beirut and the Lebanese American University are nearby, so students frequent the Hamra district often due to its proximity to leisurely activities. If you don’t feel like venturing out right away, there is also a restaurant at the hotel.
The Embassy Hotel consists of 48 basic rooms, most of them containing air conditioning, a refrigerator, and satellite television. Prices range from 28 to 58 euros per person per night, and payments can only be made in cash.
Getting Around Beirut
Getting around Beirut is easy with its vast public transportation system, specifically its bus system. A privately owned company runs the red buses, and the large blue buses are government owned. There are no official bus stops except for beginning and the end of the line, so it is the rider’s responsibility to hail the bus as you would hail a taxi. A short bus ride will cost about 750 Lebanese Pounds (.37 euros), otherwise a trip will cost about 1000 LBP, which is about .50 euros. The bus system may be hard to figure out at first for its lack of a system, but it is a good way to save money and get around the city.
Taking a taxi from the airport into the city should only cost about $20 to $25. Similar to Amman, Jordan, there are both regular taxis and service taxis in Beirut. Service taxis may pick up several other people if they are going in the same direction that you are. Be sure to determine a price before you get into the taxi, or make sure there is a working meter so you don’t get cheated out of some money.
