Middle East - Is it a bad idea to go to Beirut now?

I am supposed to go to Beirut August 29-Sept. 1, but it seems the security situation is rapidly deteriorating at the Syrian conflict spills over the border. The other day and Air France flight diverted to DAMASCUS! because of concerns over landing at BEY. Several gulf states have pulled all their citizens, and the state department seems to be warning heavily against visiting the region.

I am booked to stay at Le Gray and would be going to work on an article and party with some friends. Is it a bad time to go? Another concern is that I have a tight connection schedule, so if the airport road is closed by protests again and I miss my flight, even one day off the schedule would be a huge problem.

Come on over and party...

Come on over and party...

That's my plan. Nothing could possibly go wrong.

GetSetJetSet, in my opinion, worth whatever you think it is, there is clearly some significant risk in visiting Beirut right now. But then again, there is some significant risk in driving a car, riding a bike and swimming. There is also a significant risk of missing out on great life experiences you might have had in your finite time in this world.

It all comes down to how much you think you would enjoy this trip, and how willing you are to risk being caught in a nasty situation.

I have very tight connections to get onwards to Cairo, then to S.America and back to NYC. Couldn't chance an airport closure messing up my itinerary. Will be back next summer.

Hmmmm... I reckon it will be a while before you make it to Beirut.

Was in BEY last week ago and the situation was fine. Just don't go to Tripoli and the North (or South for that matter). If you stay in the BEY area or suburbs, you should be fine. The road to the airport was blocked by protesters the day after I left but they re-opened it a few hours after.

Hmmmm... I reckon it will be a while before you make it to Beirut.

Why is that? You think this Syrian conflict is going to spill over/drag on for a while?

Why is that? You think this Syrian conflict is going to spill over/drag on for a while?

Spill over ... No, not more than what's happening in Tripoli now.
Drag on for a while ... it's been ongoing for over a year with no end in sight.

Why is that? You think this Syrian conflict is going to spill over/drag on for a while?

As sammyindc pointed out, the "conflict" in Syria has been going on for some time now. And if you are going to be put off by a road closure, then there is no chance you will be visiting anytime soon :D The airport road has been closed over a dozen times this year alone to protest everything from rising fuel costs to chronic electricity shortages. It's more of an inconvenience than a real threat.

Relative to what's been going on in the region since the start of the "Arab Spring" last year, Lebanon has been pretty safe. But given the area we are in and the proximity to some other countries, there will always be a question mark over this country and incidents around us will always have a ripple effect and cause some reaction over here.

As sammyindc pointed out, the "conflict" in Syria has been going on for some time now. And if you are going to be put off by a road closure, then there is no chance you will be visiting anytime soon :D The airport road has been closed over a dozen times this year alone to protest everything from rising fuel costs to chronic electricity shortages. It's more of an inconvenience than a real threat.

Relative to what's been going on in the region since the start of the "Arab Spring" last year, Lebanon has been pretty safe. But given the area we are in and the proximity to some other countries, there will always be a question mark over this country and incidents around us will always have a ripple effect and cause some reaction over here.

Great summation. I think a lot of the fear about visiting Beirut for some is that certain kinds of threats to life and limb are more horrifying to think about than others. Drowning in a backyard pool or a hot tub might be a tragic death, but being killed by a shark attack is what so many people think about (even though the former happens frequently while the latter is a very rare occurrence).

My view is that dead is dead and maimed is maimed. It can happen any time you're in a car or riding a bike. Or when you walk down the street.

I'm going to Beirut to run the marathon in November and I plan on having a blast (the non-lethal kind). I'm even planning on engaging Lebanese in conversation. I'm a thrill-seeker, you see.

dhuey, I salute you; the marathon is no walk in the park :D

I just dropped off my American friends at the airport. They were here for a week. Yes, they were a bit "apprehensive" about their visit initially, but last night they told me they wish they could have extended their stay. I know they will be back soon and I am glad they came out to visit.

PS. If there is anything I can help you with, please do let me know.

dhuey, I salute you; the marathon is no walk in the park :D

I just dropped off my American friends at the airport. They were here for a week. Yes, they were a bit "apprehensive" about their visit initially, but last night they told me they wish they could have extended their stay. I know they will be back soon and I am glad they came out to visit.

PS. If there is anything I can help you with, please do let me know.

Thanks so much. I'm a little apprehensive about the race, as I'm badly undertrained. No apprehension about Beirut. I can't wait to go. I just got Samir Rassir's Beirut.

As I mentioned, it was more fear of an airport closure than fear of death, since, this was part of a UA award ticket, which connected (with less than 12 hr window) to an SQ award, connecting to two separate revenue tickets, finally to a BA award. So....given the nature of my travel, an airport closure for even one day (if it was the wrong day) would have completely maimed my travel plans. Wasn't worth chancing it. I'll just come next summer on a more flexible itinerary, looking forward to it. In Egypt now, which I also feel has been oversold as "dangerous" by the western media, while it is in fact perfectly safe.

My sympathies to the people of Beirut. Today's disgusting car bombing is a harsh reminder of the past. Still, the Lebanese are strong, and I hope very much that they can show the world how despite the presence of many callous extremists within the country, those of very different ethnicities, faiths and political affiliations can live together in peace.

I will be there in a few weeks to run the Beirut Marathon. The hell with the pricks who do this sort of thing.

That's the spirit ^^. Thank you dhuey.

Thanks again dhuey (and anyone else) who came out here in support of the marathon, Beirut and Lebanon as a whole. The event was a HUGE success (despite the weather and the pools of water along the way). Over 33,000 runners participated from 96 different nationalities.

Thanks again dhuey (and anyone else) who came out here in support of the marathon, Beirut and Lebanon as a whole. The event was a HUGE success (despite the weather and the pools of water along the way). Over 33,000 runners participated from 96 different nationalities.

Yes, but only 600 or so actually ran the marathon. We marathoners are a bit snobby about this -- a marathon is a specific distance (42.2 km; 26.2 mi.). A 10k marathon is like a regular season playoff game.

That aside, I loved Beirut and I highly recommend it to everyone. Of course there is potential trouble in Beirut. Chances are, though, that you live near plenty of potential trouble as it is. Don't let headlines and bad memories scare you away from such a wonderful place.

BTW, I made a video of my running of the Beirut Marathon: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSFftiYcr-E
I can't promise you that you'll find it interesting, but if you've got eight minutes to waste, there you go.

Awesome short video diary of race day dhuey. Thanks for sharing :)

I hope you made it to Beirut. I was there the first week of October. What a great (and calm) city! Beautiful people, very open minded.

I am trying to persuade my family to visit Lebanon in the summer. We're of Pakistani origin so Lebanon cannot be any more dangerous than Pakistan.

But I really would like to see as much of Lebanon as possible. Would it really be dangerous to visit the south and the north. We do have very close Lebanese friends from London. Would it hep if we visited these areas with them?

There are several tour operators in Lebanon who can take you around (either to the North or to the South). The best out of this group is called Nakhal (check them out online at www.nakhal.com). I highly recommend them.

Summers are ALWAYS busy in Lebanon and prices could be sky high (particularly hotels). Ramadan is in July, so things will be a bit quiet around here (in terms of tourists that is) but expect August to be hot and happening (people and weather).

Enjoy your stay :) (if you end up convincing your family to come over)

I'm determined to make it this summer.

I'm determined to make it this summer.
^ ^ :D Let me know if I can help with anything...

^ ^ :D Let me know if I can help with anything...

Will do...as of now it looks like the only time I have is in late June and the first week or two of July. Is this a good time to visit?

That would be during the summer season. It is always fun to visit during the summer but it's also expensive (hotels at least) and crowded. Having said that, Ramadan will be in July this year, so typically, it shouldn't be that expensive (or crowded) during that month.

That would be during the summer season. It is always fun to visit during the summer but it's also expensive (hotels at least) and crowded. Having said that, Ramadan will be in July this year, so typically, it shouldn't be that expensive (or crowded) during that month.

I'm hoping to come in early July before Ramadan starts, but also after the rooftop bars and summer places have opened for the season.

Ramadan should start sometime around the 2nd week of July, so plan around that. Rooftop bars will be open WAY before that :)

Ramadan should start sometime around the 2nd week of July, so plan around that. Rooftop bars will be open WAY before that :)

Yea? I thought July was the "start" of the proper summer season. If late June works I could come earlier, and that would actually be better for my travel plans.

How are things in/around BEY at the moment? News seems to indicate things are calm in those parts. Thinking about a quick (long overdue) trip next month.

How are things in/around BEY at the moment? News seems to indicate things are calm in those parts. Thinking about a quick (long overdue) trip next month.
Heading over there in less than 3 weeks myself so will let you know.

We're there for one night first en route with Rj to Egypt and then back to Beirut for a week.

Question for BEYflyer,there seems to be no airport hotel,so I did a booking for the 9hr layover at the four points sheraton le verdun.
How long would it take from there to the airport at 6am? Flight is at 8am

Our stay proper is in the four seasons on the return.

Any links/ tip's on tours or stuff to see?

Cheers.

How are things in/around BEY at the moment? News seems to indicate things are calm in those parts. Thinking about a quick (long overdue) trip next month.

All is quiet around here at the moment and everyone is getting ready for summer :) After a couple of days of rain and low temps, we are expecting sunny and gorgeous weather this weekend. See you next month :D

Heading over there in less than 3 weeks myself so will let you know.

We're there for one night first en route with Rj to Egypt and then back to Beirut for a week.

Question for BEYflyer,there seems to be no airport hotel,so I did a booking for the 9hr layover at the four points sheraton le verdun.
How long would it take from there to the airport at 6am? Flight is at 8am

Our stay proper is in the four seasons on the return.

Any links/ tip's on tours or stuff to see?

Cheers.

It shouldn't take you more than 15 mins to get to the airport at that time.

As for your longer stay and tours, please check Nakhal for tours in and outside the city (www.nakhal.com). The hotel should be able to arrange tours with them for you. You can book your own car/tour guide for the day or go with a group. Alternatively, you can try booking something through Wild Discovery (www.wilddiscovery.com.lb).

You must visit Baalback while you're here (that will also include a stop in Anjar and a Lebanese winery). A visit to the Cedars forest would be a nice day out of the city too. A visit to Byblos and Geitta Grotto is recommended. Otherwise, a walking tour of Beirut is always satisfying.

Zaytouna Bay is now open (just a few meters away from the Four Seasons) and offers the visitor a slew of culinary delights :). There are a few coffee shops there too. Otherwise, you should visit the Beirut Souks, a good 10 to 15 minute walk from the hotel (close to Le Grey).

In and around Beirut, you can always head over to Gemmayze street; a lot of bars and restaurants there. Hamra street (and the street parallel to it called Makdassi street) is an up and coming area too with a ton of good places to eat and drink at.

I know I've missed something but I am sure the hotel's concierge can help you plan a few other things :)

cheers for that!
Any recommendations for a private taxi from the airport? That link above is circa $30 which is well cheaper than the four S car!

Nakhal can pick you up. Premiere Taxi can pick you up (www.taxipremiere.com). Allo Taxi can pick you up (www.allotaxi.com.lb). It's more convenient for FS I guess since they have a welcome desk just outside of arrivals. It really shouldn't cost more then $20 for a trip to/from the airport (within Beirut).

Thanks man.
Should we go to the 4S welcome desk or is that only for their car?

As for your longer stay and tours, please check Nakhal for tours in and outside the city (www.nakhal.com).

I second Nakhal - last summer I found them to be a top notch operation, well run, payment with CC in their office, great guides, free pickups.

I found Lebanon to be kinda hard to get around on our own. A country where taking a tour is well worth the money IMHO.

Cool!
still going and looking forward to it!but just read this,any advice/comment?

Lebanon dragged in (http://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/middle-east/lebanon-dragged-in-as-hizbullah-joins-syrian-war-1.1375328)

Cool!
still going and looking forward to it!but just read this,any advice/comment?

Lebanon dragged in (http://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/middle-east/lebanon-dragged-in-as-hizbullah-joins-syrian-war-1.1375328)

I wouldn't be too concerned with this to be honest...

Thanks man.
Should we go to the 4S welcome desk or is that only for their car?

I don't know to be honest but I guess if you do have transport booked with them then that's where you would go to "check in"...

Beirut is a lovely city and absolutely safe in my experience from the last week.

Beirut is a lovely city and absolutely safe in my experience from the last week.

I loved visiting Beirut last November for the marathon. Lovely city and friendly people.

Some sad irony in retrospect -- many people, including my wife, were worried for my safety at the Beirut Marathon. They didn't worry for a moment when I went to the Boston Marathon in April. Someone in this forum living in Jerusalem opined that Beirut was particularly dangerous -- later Jerusalem came under Hammas rocket fire.

Bad things can happen anywhere. Sure, some places are crazy risky to visit right now, but Beirut is not among them.