Lebanon Travel Scams Guide - Stay Safe

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Taxi Overcharge Tactics

Meter Manipulation

common

In Lebanon, taxi drivers in urban areas often tamper with meters to run faster or claim the meter is broken, then demand inflated fares in Lebanese Pounds (LBP) or USD. For a 5 km ride from Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport to downtown, they might charge 50,000 LBP (around $5 USD) legitimately but demand 150,000 LBP by insisting on a flat rate or faking a breakdown. This is prevalent due to economic instability, with drivers targeting tourists at airports, bus stations, and major roads.

How to Avoid This Scam

Agree on a fare in advance in LBP or USD, using phrases like 'Kam el mablagh lil medina?' (How much to the city?) to confirm with local drivers.
Use ride-hailing apps like Uber or Careem, which are widely available and show fixed prices based on current fuel subsidies.
Opt for licensed yellow taxis with visible meters and avoid unmarked vehicles, especially after dark when enforcement is lax.

Fake Currency Exchange

occasional

Street exchangers in busy areas like Beirut's Hamra Street or Tripoli's souks offer black-market rates for USD to LBP, but provide counterfeit notes or shortchange tourists. They might advertise rates 10-20% above official banks, such as 15,000 LBP per USD when the official rate is 12,000 LBP, then swap bills during the transaction.

How to Avoid This Scam

Exchange money only at licensed banks or OMT exchange offices, which display official rates and provide receipts.
Use ATMs linked to international networks for withdrawals, avoiding street vendors who target foreigners speaking English.
Count your money carefully in well-lit areas and be wary of distractions like crowds or offers of 'better deals' in popular tourist spots.

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Market Vendor Deception

Overpriced Souvenirs

common

In Lebanon's bustling souks and markets, vendors inflate prices for tourists buying local items like cedar wood crafts or olive oil soaps, quoting 20,000 LBP for a soap bar that locals buy for 5,000 LBP. They use aggressive bargaining tactics, claiming items are 'rare' or 'handmade exclusively,' especially in Beirut's Souk El Gemmayzeh or Tripoli's old medina, preying on first-time visitors.

How to Avoid This Scam

Research average prices via apps like Google or local forums, and haggle firmly but politely using Arabic phrases like 'Shway a2al' (a little lower).
Shop with a local companion or join guided tours that include market visits, as groups are less targeted.
Pay with credit cards at established shops to avoid haggling pitfalls, and avoid cash transactions in isolated market alleys.

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Corniche Street Hustles

Pickpocketing in Crowds

common

In Beirut's Corniche promenade, thieves work in teams to distract tourists with fake petitions or offers of cheap jewelry, then steal wallets or phones from bags. This often happens during evening walks near the waterfront, where economic hardship drives locals to target foreigners carrying cameras or smartphones, with losses averaging 100,000 LBP in cash.

How to Avoid This Scam

Keep valuables in front-facing cross-body bags and avoid displaying phones in crowded areas like the Pigeon Rock viewpoint.
Stay aware of your surroundings and decline unsolicited interactions, using the local advice 'Ma t'3amil shi' (Don't do anything) to politely refuse.
Visit during daylight hours when police patrols are more frequent, and consider using the Corniche's public benches away from groups.

Bar Tab Inflation

occasional

In Beirut's nightlife districts like Gemmayzeh, bars add phantom items to bills or charge triple for drinks, such as a beer at 10,000 LBP listed as 30,000 LBP, targeting tourists who are unfamiliar with the scene. Staff might claim 'special taxes' due to Lebanon's economic crisis.

How to Avoid This Scam

Review your bill item by item and pay with a credit card for traceable transactions, asking for an itemized receipt in Arabic.
Stick to well-reviewed venues and set a budget in advance, avoiding bars that don't display price lists clearly.
Leave a small deposit or use apps like TripAdvisor to check for reports of overcharging before entering.

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Souk Antiquities Fraud

Fake Historical Artifacts

occasional

In Tripoli's historic souks, sellers offer counterfeit Ottoman-era items like brass lamps or rugs, claiming they are authentic and charging 500,000 LBP (around $50 USD) for fakes that are worth 50,000 LBP. They use pressure tactics in narrow alleys near the Great Mosque, exploiting tourists' interest in Lebanon's Crusader history.

How to Avoid This Scam

Verify items with certified guides or museums, and ask for provenance documents, which legitimate sellers in Tripoli must provide.
Shop only in licensed antique stores rather than street stalls, and use phrases like 'Hada a5er?' (Is this original?) to probe sellers.
Report suspicious vendors to local police, who are more active in Tripoli's tourist zones during peak seasons.

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Ruins Guide Exploitation

Unofficial Tour Guides

common

At Byblos' ancient ruins, unlicensed guides approach tourists offering 'exclusive' tours for 50,000 LBP, then provide inaccurate information or demand extra tips, such as claiming hidden Crusader tunnels that don't exist. This targets visitors at the site's entrance, where economic drivers lead to aggressive pitches.

How to Avoid This Scam

Book official guides through the site's ticket office for 20,000 LBP, ensuring they wear ID badges as required by Lebanese heritage sites.
Use audio guides or apps from the Byblos Castle museum to avoid interactions, and politely decline with 'La shukran' (No thank you).
Visit during group tour hours when security is higher, and cross-reference facts with reliable sources like UNESCO listings.