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SOCIAL SCENE | TRANSPORTATION IN LEBANON | ACCOMMODATION | EMERGENCY CONTACTS
SOCIAL SCENE
Lebanese people are known for their hospitality.
Handshaking is the normal form of greeting. It
is acceptable to give a small gift, particularly
if invited home for a meal. As far as dress is
concerned, casual dress is suitable for daytime
wear, except in main towns where dress tends to
be rather formal. Smarter hotels and restaurants
often require guests to dress for dinner. Smoking
is common and acceptable unless specified otherwise.
Tipping: In hotels and restaurants, a tip of between
five per cent and ten per cent of the bill is
expected. It is not necessary to tip taxi drivers.
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TRANSPORTATION IN LEBANON
The best way to get around is by taxi or a shared
taxi known locally as "service taxi".
Taxis and service taxis are distinguished by red
number plates, and on some cars a red and white
TAXI sign.
Driving
Today driving in Beirut and along the coast to
Jounieh can be a real treat É at night!
The roads are all illuminated and are, more often
than not, pleasant for an evening stroll. Unfortunately
we cannot say the same for the day time. Asphyxiating
pandemonium is a good description for it. We prefer
to drive only against the traffic which flows
into the city in the morning and out of the city
from the early afternoon to early evening. It
must be said however that on the odd weekdays
- rush hour traffic flows quite well and the roads
are being improved on a daily basis.
Most international car rental agencies are available
in Lebanon, however, the local car rental services
provide better rates in most cases. For those
with sufficient confidence, driving is not a problem.
A few words of advice:
Always look out in all directions, many drivers
in Lebanon are reckless!
Always stop at army checkpoints and turn on inside
car lights.
It is normal to cut people off, but do it safely!
Don't drink and drive - it's the law!
Taxis
A Tourist in Lebanon, just like any big city,
is the first person to get ripped off. With the
following information a traveler can feel comfortable
knowing how to proceed with transportation costs.
Tourists are statistically safer here than any
major city in the world. In fact Lebanon's strongest
asset is Tourism and visitors discover quickly
the wholehearted welcome from the Lebanese who
are always eager to show off their country. Taxis
from the Airport to Beirut have a non negotiable
fixed rate. The following are three taxi companies
which we recommend and which operate 24 hours.
Lebanon Taxi 01 353152/3, Sultan Taxi 01 868432
and Auto Tours 01/03 888222
Buses
There are both private and state-owned buses
which can take you anywhere for only 500 Lira
- these are the small buses with either a red
or blue stripes. Stop them by flagging them down
at the bus stops..A number of different size buses
are available either on scheduled routes or for
hire.
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ACCOMMODATION
Institution
Accommodation Facilities
Following the large-scale
destruction during the civil war, Beiruts hotels
have now all been rebuilt, and a number of new
ones added. Lebanon today offers accommodation
to suit all budgets, and the Ministry of Tourism
publishes an annual hotel guide which lists most
of the hotels in the country. Outside Beirut,
however, hotels are few and far between, particularly
in the South. Visitors are advised to check reservations
through a Lebanese representative at home before
departing. Winter and summer rates are the same.
Accommodation rates are normally subject to a
15 per cent service charge
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EMERGENCY CONTACTS
The following is a list of emergency telphone
numbers from within Lebanon
Police : 911
Fire : 911
Ambulance : Emergency, dial 911. Medical Rescue
Team South, non-emergency, (412) 343-5111
Taxi
Auto Tour Taxi
New Jdeideh 961.1.888222 / 961.1.882888
Broumana Taxi
Broumana 961.4.960179
City Taxi
Ashrafieh 961.1.397903
Daaboul Taxi
Sanayeh 961.1.346690, 961.1.354372
Dora Taxi
Dora 961.1.888316 / 961.1.268040
Gardenia Taxi
Hazmieh 961.5.451817
Hospital Emergency Numbers
Cullinan Private Hospital
Tel: (012) 305-2385
Emergency Services Tel: (012) 305-2383
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Source: where@lebanon.com |
