The national currency is Lebanese pound (LBP). With the recent devaluation, spending money in Lebanon requires some planning. The rate changes everyday and it is now around 97,000 LBP for 1 USD (when it used to be 1,500LBP). You can check the actual rate on https://lirarate.org/ DO NOT USE your credit card in Lebanon. Authorities have locked the rate at 1,500 LBP for 1 USD so if you pay anything with the credit card you will be charged in USD at a wrong conversion rate and you will be paying x30 times more than the actual value. The most viable option is to bring cash USD or EURO. It is easy to use it or exchange it in Lebanon at any money exchange center. USD is widely accepted in Lebanon but expect change back in LBP. Prices in Lebanon are often listed in USD. However, you can always pay in LBP. The hotel might be able to exchange for you directly at the actual rate, or guide you to find the closest money exchange center. You can always reach out to us and we will make it happen! Make sure you get enough cash with you and ideally pay your Hotels ahead of time. You can exchange the money gradually. For most of the hotels you can pay ahead of time (by transfer/Credit card/booking.com)
Better not to turn on your data roaming in Lebanon. The charges are outrageously expensive. You can find free wifi at the airport, hotel, bars and restaurants or you can ask someone to give you hotspot to order an Uber. If you wish to have a local SIM, please check out this website : https://www.phonetravelwiz.com/buying-a-sim-card-in-lebanon-guide/ Some SIM cards are sold at Beirut International Airport.
Although Lebanon is not a high-income country and goes through a economic crisis, the country is as safe as many western countries are. The vast majority of Lebanese are friendly and most tourists experience no problems. *Please refer to the website of your own Ministry of Foreign Affairs for more information on health and safety.
Don’t drink it. We would recommend you carry with you mineral water bottles!
There is a lot of literature about Lebanon and culture and history. We like the following: - 'A house of many mansions' by Kamal Salibi. - 'The Rock of Tanios' by Amin Maalouf Podcasts about the history of Lebanon by 'Sarde After Dinner' with Lebanese historian and researcher Charles El Hayek : https://youtu.be/QWW4TZFQZzc https://youtu.be/bFagwgZSppc Movies tackling Lebanese social issues : 'Where Do We Go Now?' by Nadine Labaki 'The Insult' by Ziad Doueiri Find more travel information on Wikivoyage: https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Lebanon
If you want to listen to beautiful music, you can listen to 'Fayrouz', musical icon of Lebanon : she is considered by many as one of the leading vocalists and most famous singers in the history of the Arab world. And if you want to be introduced to some lebanese-arab pop, you can listen to the 'Queen of Arab pop : Nancy Ajram' (undoubtedly Melissa's favorite pop singer!)
As much as we love your little ones, we will not be including them in the ceremony or the reception.
Our dear Lebanese friend Lama Zouein helped us with designing the invitation cards. Please look at her Food Styling Artwork on her website: https://zoueinlama.com/