Safety Tips in Tunisia

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Loved Tunisia. Felt comfortable all over. Also, they have a "TON" of security posted all over the city of Tunis and countryside.

Common sense Acommon Travel rules as to where ever you go.

#1. Don't go where you shouldn't go.
#2. Follow the rule of law in the country that you reside.
#3. Adhere to the rule of law from your home country.
#4. Respect and "pre-" read up on the culture(s).
#5. Gain some familiarity with the country's national language prior to your trip.
#6. Practice the local language with the locals.
#7. If concerned with lodging then don't do what isn't familiar to you.
#8. Eat what has been cooked.
#9. Drink bottled water that has a seal. Open it yourself.
#10. Know your coordinates (esp. North & South). Memorize the major cross-roads prior to taking your trip.
#11. Have a copy or two of your Passport in a safe place (either on you personally or in an emergency place).
#12. Go electronic (with back up paperwork) when you can.
#13. Be reluctant to share your full plans with strangers.
#14. Be flexible.
#15. How you handle "it" determines whether it'll be a good event or day or not. Understand that something weird, funny, or bad might occur.
#16. Watch your travel companions as they might just as well cause trouble by accident / unknowingly or on purpose.
#17. International travel is not a time for pranks. (Stay away from pranksters that want to travel with you)
#18. Just try to remember that "nothing" is for "free". (This goes for women too! Crazy partying guys should know this.)
#19. Silently meditate as to rehearse (or re-play) plans.
#20. Always be prepared for a back-up exit plan (... where ever you are (and check for exits)).
#21. Travel with flex travel time on the front end but esp. back end of your visit. This'll reduce your frustrations if there happen to be delays.
#22. Pack light while being wise.
#23. Be nimble. (physically)
#24. If you have good judgment with befriending people (anywhere) then be social with out giving away too much information.
#25. Know your money. Where it is. How much is on you. Denominations in order. Minimize coins if possible (don't need to be heard walking around jiggling).
#26. When driving a rental car ... pay the extra for full coverage. (Take it from a guy that has had 2 separate flat tires and locked up engine all in the same trip. Can you guess where?)
#27. Walk like you know where you are going even when you get lost. The best way to not get lost again is to remember where you were when you were lost.
#28. You are not a "stick" in the mud if you choose to stay away from the "loud" crowd.
#29. Avoid traveling during the host country's elections.
#30. Be aware of political and labor union protest. Don't accidently get caught up.
#31. Never walk away from your open beverages and/or food. Once you've stepped away then pass on further consumption as to be cautious.
#32. Ladies and guys, know that you will meet lots of wonderful people plus some not so. Don't be fooled by "beauty" or a "handsome" face. Danger lurks. If you have a bad judgment of character domestically then it is not going to get any better outside of the country.
#33. If you're not considered "HOT" back home then don't be fooled when you are abroad. Money matters. It isn't really your looks.
#34. The money train gets you access but it can also generate trouble.
#35. Make certain Taxis / Limos drivers happen to be locked into the price and directions prior to departure.
#36. Know the weather conditions prior and during your trip.
#37. Read the local newspapers / journals prior to arrival. (seek to understand cultural, social, economic, etc topics of the day)

There are signs posted along certain streches of road of a camera with a red circle and a line through it. If you come across these you are most likely close to a government or military facitlity, they do not allow you to photograph them.

As a women travelling "unescorted", you have to be very cautious in Tunisia. I think this is very important advice especially if you are travelling outside of the normal tourist destinations such as Sousse. The Tunisian men are very forward, apparently they think all American girls are pretty easy and will kiss just about anyone who asks. This happened to us on multiple occasions, and NO we didn't kiss any of them ;) Going out at night isn't highly recommended either. Which wasn't as bad as it might sound. We didn't go out at night much at all. We would have dinner, retire to our room and wake up early the next moring to start our adventures. We saw a different city every day!

This advice might not be as applicable for somewhere like Sousse, which we just passed through. There seemed to be lots of big hotels and I'm sure there is a lot of nightlife there!

You can't take any dinars out of Tunisia. That's fair enough...and it's made very clear to you.

At Monastir airport there is a customs man (after passport control) who asks if you have any dinars left. I did have a 10-dinar note. He was happy enough for me to spend it on a (grossly over-priced) beer, change given in GBP coins....but I don't know what he'd have said if I had more.

The duty-free shop only accepts euro.

If you end up with lots of dinar, and have to change them at the airport, you'll pay for the privilege. And there's a limit to how much you can change anyway; only up to a third of what you have exchanged during your visit (keep all your receipts to prove this).

It's much better to just change a bit at a time as you go along. The rate is fixed, so it doesn't much matter where you do it.

Tunisia is another country, with another culture, other ways of doing things, other priorities, other perceptions, other traditions.

I got very annoyed indeed by fellow British holidaymakers whinging about untidiness, litter, 'scruffy' buildings, driving habits, perceived 'rudeness' and so on and so forth.

Yes, there is a lot of litter everywhere apart from the main areas of the main tourist resorts. But it's not easy to dispose of your rubbish 'tidily' if there is little or no infrastructure for doing so.

The exterior of buildings may not look neat. Displaying your wealth openly makes those who are not so fortunate feel their lack, so traditionally it is not done. The exterior of any building gives no indication of what its interior is like.

Yes, Tunisians do not drive in the way one sees in the UK, for example. But Tunisia is not the UK. Moving around on foot simply requires one to use common sense and to stay alert.

If you visit another country you should accept that you are visiting another country and not expect it to be like your own. Tunisia is like Tunisia; it is not like the UK, or the US, or Germany, or anywhere else.....and nor should it be.

The world would be a boring place indeed if every country were the same. So resist the temptation to criticise and just take pleasure in observing, exploring and experiencing the differences.

We (myself and my girlfriend) were in Tunisia in June, had a great time, and had no problems with sharing accommodation, no troubles in any of the more 'touristy' areas either. Tunisians seem a lot more open to Western ways that some other North-African countries, but i would advise caution when going to outside cafes away from tourist areas. You might get a few strange stares, as Cafes are generally for men only.

Do not have henna tattoos done on holiday even if you are given a test spot that does not react overnight a lot of people doing henna use what is known as black henna which the reactions to can come up to three weeks later it can cause severe allergic reactions which include, itching, loss of skin and even scarring, i know this from personal experience and of that of my two younger sisters and mother. Do not be persuaded if they show you a medical form from a hospital saying their henna is safe also, this was done with us even though as we know now it is not safe at all.

One word: Buggers. They run their business in a very Tunisian way, which means to rip off tourists. They give you a ridicules quote at the beginning of the trip and if you don’t agree they’ll take you the longest route possible (with the taximeter on, funnily enough) just to show that they’re right. Be patient then, and stick with your price. All things considered though, it’s still a reasonable enough price if you get the legal tariff.