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Libya Travel Guide /
Best Time to Visit Libya
The Libyan people are naturally kind, hospitable and generous. Tourism is now a well-accepted and welcome industry in Libya and, provided you stick to the local customs and show respect when visiting holy places, you will never be made to feel unwelcome. Libyans are modern people, outward-looking and with strong connections to Europe. The friendliness and hospitality of the Libyan people is always one of the most overwhelming memories of a trip to Libya, alongside a wealth of superb sights.
If people come up to you in the street, it is likely that they are curious and would like to talk to you, especially if they speak any English. Do not be afraid or think that they are after your money. Smile and be welcoming – offer to shake their hand if they are a man. For a woman, only do so if she offers her hand first. If people offer to host you in their own houses, this is quite natural and you can feel happy to accept. Never offer a Libyan money for the help or hospitality that they offer you as this could be highly offensive.
Not to be taken lightly are the three absolute rules regarding alcohol, respect in mosques and 'decency'. Namely:
- Emphatically don't take any alcohol into the country nor ask for any when you are there.
- Always remove your shoes before entering mosques and private houses, no matter how long or hard it is to do so.
- Kissing, sitting on your partner's lap or any other physical expressions of affection in public are considered inappropriate.
Money
The currency in Libya is the dinar (LYD). The dinar is divided into 1000 dirhams. You cannot obtain LYD outside of Libya so you will have to change your money on arrival. Credit cards are not widely accepted in Libya so you will need plenty of cash. British pounds, euros and US dollars can be exchanged at hotels and banks. Additionally, your guide can change money for you on the black market where the exchange rate is not normally that different to the bank rate. You will find cash machines (ATM’s) in the larger cities only. No banks change travellers cheques so they are not an option. Banks are closed on Fridays.
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How to get there
British Airways flies direct from London to Tripoli daily. Flight time is 4 hours. Return fares start from £160. Within Libya, internal flights are with Libyan Airlines.
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Visas
A visa is required for all non-Libyan citizens. Please see our visa section for details.
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When to go
You can visit Libya at any time of the year, but the best times to go are spring and autumn when the temperature will be in the mid-to-high-twenties Celsius most of the time and there is very little rain. The winter months of November - January are wetter on the coast, although this is a good time to visit the desert. Remember, though, that the desert nights can be very cool. February can be a great time to get away from the European winter and enjoy the wonders of Libya in the warm sunshine. The summer months of June-August are beautiful on the coast but can get very hot inland towards Ghadames and in the desert. The Ghadames Festival is held in October each year.
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Health
Libya is a fairly safe country to travel in as far as health issues are concerned. Standards of hygiene are usually high and the most common complaint is exhaustion from overdoing it in the sun. Although no vaccinations are required, you should make sure that you are up to date with: typhoid, tetanus, diphtheria, hepatitis A, and polio. Please check with your GP prior to travel. Food in the hotels and upmarket restaurants is delicious and well cooked. However, we recommend that you exercise caution when buying food, especially fruit and salads, from street sellers or more basic restaurants. Just use your common sense and you will be fine. Many people have found that if they eat yoghurt with their meals, and this is nearly always available, that this helps keep their digestive system working efficiently. Although the tap water is filtered and drunk by the majority of Libyans, we recommend that you stick to bottled water. This is widely available and relatively cheap. Remember to take insect repellent and a high factor sunscreen.
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Guide books
Lonely Planet’s most recent edition was published in 2007. Berlitz also produces a guide to travel in Libya.
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What to wear
Men should wear short- or long-sleeved shirts and long trousers. Jeans are fine; shorts are not. For women, the aim is not to draw attention to the shape of your body, so no shorts, leggings or tops with no sleeves. There is no need to cover your head, except when visiting a mosque so do bring a headscarf for this purpose. The perfect outfit would be a loose, long-sleeved shirt worn over loose-fitting jeans/cotton trousers or a full skirt with comfortable shoes or sandals. Open-toed sandals with no socks are fine. If you are visiting the desert, it is ok to wear shorts and t-shirts when the only other people around will be members of your party. Bring a one-piece swimsuit, not a bikini, for swimming in the hotel pool or at the beach. Everyone should bring a sunhat.
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What to buy
Because Libya is not overly 'touristy' yet, there is not a high concentration of tourist tack, or people trying to flog it to you. The best place to shop is in the souqs of Tripoli’s medina where you can buy authentic, locally produced goods. Your local guide will help you negotiate. Berber carpets or kilims are a good buy and do help the local economy. Ceramics and pottery with colourful, swirling designs are also a great souvenir of your trip. You will find a vast range of gold items and jewellery in Tripoli and Benghazi, mainly designed for the Libyan wedding market. Tuareg silver jewellery is often more attractive to foreign visitors. Ghadames is famous for its leather shoes in rich colours made by local families.
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Time Difference: GMT +2 hours
Tipping
Tipping is not widespread in Libya so not do not feel that you have to. If someone has offered you their help, they may even be offended by the offer of money. The exception to this is tour guides, who do not expect a tip, but if you think they have been very helpful, a small tip would be appreciated and not inappropriate.
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Food & drink
Tripoli and Benghazi have some wonderful restaurants serving a wide variety of dishes. Of particular note is the fresh seafood available at the coast. Inland, you are more likely to be served chicken with rice or couscous, vegetable stews or possibly Italian-inspired pasta dishes. Dessert is often fresh fruit or delicious pastries. If you are vegetarian, or have any food allergies, please make this clear at the time of booking. Alcohol is illegal in Libya although alcohol-free beer is widely served. Libyan tea is very strong and is sometimes served with mint. Coffee-drinkers can choose between instant coffee (nescafe) and thick Arab coffee (qahwa). You may prefer to bring your own jar along with you. At the tented camps in the desert the chefs prepare a delicious meal using seasonal products found in the local markets.
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Children
Libya is a very safe country in which to travel and therefore children are very welcome. In fact, you will find that they will be the source of much curiosity and amusement. Nappies and basic medication are available in the large cities although you may wish to bring your own supplies for babies and young children.
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Accommodation
All the hotels we use have been carefully selected by Magic Carpet Travel and are clean, safe and reliable. We use five-star establishments in Tripoli and Benghazi, and smaller guesthouses in other areas. You will be staying in twin-bedded rooms, unless a single room supplement has been paid, with a bath or shower and toilet en suite. It is worth mentioning that, as tourism is really in its infancy in Libya, many of the hotel staff are relatively inexperienced and do not speak much English, so please be patient with them. In the desert, the tented camps are truly deluxe with a high standard of décor, service and food. Spacious and elegant tents have their own private bathroom and 220V electricity. There is a Saharan restaurant, a bedouin tent, and a ‘chill out tent’ – all surrounded by the breathtaking landscape.
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Telephone
All hotels offer facilities for international calls either in the lobby or directly from your room. International call charges are very reasonable. Mobile phones and Blackberries can be used in Libya but this will depend upon your network's coverage in the region. Internet access is available at most of the better hotels and it is absolutely fine to take a laptop to Libya. Some of the larger hotels may even have wi-fi in the bedrooms. Alternatively, it is very easy to find internet cafes in most cities.
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Electricity
The voltage in Libya is 220V to 240V, 50Hz. We recommend that you bring your own adaptor - the same as for continental Europe.
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Finally...
If you do occasionally want to wander around on your own don't forget your hotel name and address. Please inform either the guide or the tour leader when and where you are going. Your guide or tour leader will inform the group of the day-by-day programme. You should expect, and be prepared for changes and delays in any programme in Libya. As long as you approach the tour with an open mind and a willingness to be flexible, we are sure you will have a wonderful time!
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