Tourist Scams in Lebanon

Restaurants along the Byblos Old Port waterfront maintain two effective price tiers: a standard menu for Lebanese regulars and a significantly inflated tourist menu for foreign visitors. A mezze spread for two that costs $25–30 USD at an inland local restaurant can reach $80–120 USD at the same quality port establishment, with hidden service charges of 10–18% added at the bill. Some restaurants verbally quote a price for a dish but list a different price on the bill, relying on the guest not checking each line item.

How to avoid: Ask to see the full printed menu with prices before sitting down, not after. Confirm whether service charge is included. Compare prices on Google Maps reviews or ask your accommodation for a realistic price range before dining at the port. Restaurants one or two blocks inland on Rue de la Mer side streets charge substantially less for equivalent food.

Beirut taxis are completely unregulated and drivers almost never use a meter. Tourists are routinely charged 2–5 times the local going rate, particularly from Rafic Hariri Airport and around the Hamra and Gemmayzeh districts.

How to avoid: Negotiate the fare firmly before getting in — research typical rates for your route. Use Uber or Allo Taxi app for transparent pricing. Hotel staff are the best source of current fair-fare information. Never accept a ride from someone who approaches you proactively at the airport.

Scammers post stunning photos of upscale Beirut apartments and villas on Instagram and WhatsApp, claiming to offer "private luxury stays" at unbeatable prices. They provide fake hosting links or ask guests to book directly via PayPal or bank transfer. Once payment is received, the account disappears or the location they send guests to is completely different—often a dilapidated building or unsafe neighborhood. No refunds are offered.

How to avoid: Only book through established platforms with buyer protection (Airbnb, Booking.com, VRBO). Verify hosts have multiple positive reviews and property verification badges. Never pay via PayPal friends-and-family or direct bank transfer for short-term rentals. Use reverse image search to verify photos haven't been stolen from other listings. Video chat with hosts before confirming payment.

The 40-kilometer coastal highway drive from Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport (BEY) north to Byblos takes approximately 45–70 minutes depending on traffic. Legitimate shared service taxis (service) or negotiated private taxis should cost $25–40 USD for the full journey. Unlicensed drivers and informal taxi operators at the airport arrivals hall quote $60–80 USD or more, citing distance, fuel costs, or time of day. Some drivers agree to a price in Lebanese lira at an artificially low exchange rate that effectively doubles the USD cost.

How to avoid: Arrange airport pickup through your hotel in advance — most Byblos hotels offer fixed-rate transfers. If taking a taxi independently, use the official taxi dispatch at BEY arrivals (look for the uniformed dispatcher), agree on the USD price before entering the vehicle, and confirm whether the price is in USD or lira and at what exchange rate. Uber operates in Beirut and can be booked from the airport, typically at lower rates than negotiated taxis.

At the entrance to the Byblos Ruins (Jbeil Archaeological Site) on the seafront near the Crusader Castle, individuals posing as official guides approach visitors before they reach the ticket booth. They offer personalized tours of the Phoenician temples, Roman colonnaded street, and Crusader fortifications at prices that appear reasonable ($10–20 USD), but the tour quality is poor and the guides are not licensed by the Lebanese Ministry of Culture. Some operate a follow-up where they lead visitors to a family souvenir shop at the end and apply significant social pressure to purchase.

How to avoid: Buy tickets only at the official ticket booth inside the site entrance and ask at the booth if they have a recommended licensed guide list. Official licensed guides wear credentials and can be verified. If you want a guide, arrange one through your hotel or a Beirut-based tour operator before arriving. Politely decline anyone who approaches you before you reach the ticket window.

Friendly strangers in Hamra, Mar Mikhael, and Gemmayzeh invite tourists to bars they are partnered with. Drinks are ordered without a price list and the bill arrives massively inflated. Lebanon's ongoing economic crisis has made some establishments more aggressive about this scam.

How to avoid: Choose your own bar from recommendations or verified Google Maps listings. Always ask for a menu with prices before sitting down. Be cautious of anyone who strongly steers you toward a specific venue.

Lebanon's currency crisis has created a situation where multiple exchange rates coexist simultaneously: the official Banque du Liban rate, the Sayrafa platform rate, and the street/informal market rate. In Byblos, some merchants, restaurants, and vendors quote prices in lira at a rate far less favorable than the current street rate — effectively charging tourists 2–3 times the local price when converted correctly. Others quote in USD but accept lira at an outdated rate. The confusion is particularly acute for visitors who do not know the current street rate for the dollar.

How to avoid: Check the current USD/LBP street rate before arriving — XE.com or local Lebanese financial news sites publish it daily. Always clarify with any vendor whether a price is in USD or lira, and if in lira, confirm the exchange rate being used. For most transactions in Byblos, paying in USD directly at the current street rate is the safest approach. Avoid changing money at hotels, which typically offer the worst rates.

Lebanon's ongoing economic crisis has created a complex dual-exchange-rate situation. Unofficial changers and some shops apply exchange rates that heavily disadvantage tourists who are unfamiliar with the current official versus black-market rates.

How to avoid: Research Lebanon's current exchange rate situation before traveling — it changes frequently. Exchange at licensed banks only. Be very clear about which rate (official vs. market) a vendor is using for any transaction. This is a fluid situation; check current travel advisories for the latest information.