I was warned that a couple of scams that happen on the street are that somebody would pick up s coin in front of you a £ or a euro, they would then ask if you could change it for them. whilst you are getting your money out they would snatch your purse.I didn't see this happen but our rep told me it had happened a couple of times in the summer when there were a lot of tourists.Walking around the tourist centres men come up to you and say they are waiters in your hotel, they want to engage you in conversation then take you to thier shops which are usually a bit out of the way. I think they also comunicate with each other because one of them knew which hotel I was from then later another man said "hello you are from the Riviera I am a waiter in your hotel."
If Your Not Into Trouble, Then Don't Expect Any.
by acommon1
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...
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Women Be Careful!!!
by kazander
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!
certain places you cannot take photographs
by kazander
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.
Dinars
by leics
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.
Don't expect it to be like home.
by leics
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...
'Men only' areas...
by Bushman23
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.
Henna 'artists'
by Keitou
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.
Taxi drivers!
by Bushman23
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.
Enthusiastic Shopkeepers
by Bushman23
When wandering through the Medina's of almost all the cities in Tunisia, be aware of getting 'hijacked' by the shop owners. Their produce is the same as anywhere else, but they're incredibly... well, i don't even know the word to describe them... 'annoying', would be close... 'persistent' would also be accurate... though 'painful' might be the best word. They'll try rip you off at the first opportunity, and if you don't fall for it, they'll try again after lowering their prices a touch. I was told there's three prices quoted in the Medina's: The local price - Which is what you want to payThe tourist price - Which you more than likely will payThe rip-off price - The first price you hear, and you think "What the ****?"Anyway, now and again you find a gem, as was demonstrated to us in Tunis - A local led us all the way through the back alleys of the Medina to his perfume shop, away from the...
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