Business attire in Lebanon is formal, usually a jacket and tie. Business cards are widely distributed and English is spoken by many local business people. General office hours are Monday to Saturday, but some Muslim businesses may be closed on Fridays.

Lebanon has three different climate zones, the coastal strip, the mountains and the Bekaa Valley. The coastal area of Lebanon experiences a truly Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, rainy winters. The mountains mimic an alpine climate and are cool in the summer and receive snow in the winter. The Bekaa Valley has hot, dry summers and cold, dry winters with snow, frost and cold winds. Lebanon experiences an average of 300 days of sunshine a year, the average annual temperature in Beirut being 70°F (21°C), with a range from 55°F (13°C) in winter to 82°F (28°C) in summer.

The international dialling code for Lebanon is +961. The outgoing code is 00 (except for Syria, which is 02), followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the UK). City codes are in use, e.g. (0)1 for Beirut area, (0)6 for North Lebanon and (0)7 for South Lebanon. Internet cafés are widespread in Lebanon, particularly in Beirut and major cities. Internet services are also provided outside traditional Internet cafes, e.g. Star Bucks in Beirut provides a wireless Internet connection. There is good mobile phone coverage and many networks have international roaming agreements.

A large proportion of the population in Lebanon is Muslim so modest standards of dress and behaviour should be exercised. In certain areas, public displays of affection may cause offence and during Ramadan eating, drinking or smoking in public places between the hours of sunrise and sunset are frowned upon as it is forbidden by the Muslim culture. Possession, use and trafficking of controlled drugs are all serious offences in Lebanon and carry custodial sentences, and homosexuality is considered a criminal offence. Overstaying without the proper authority is also considered to be a serious offence. Photographing military personnel or installations and government buildings may lead to confiscation of photographic equipment, and possibly even imprisonment.

Duty free allowances for travellers to Lebanon are 200 cigarettes, 20 cigars or 200g of tobacco, 2 bottles of liquor, and perfume for personal use. All currency should be declared on arrival, and a valid import licence is required for any arms or ammunition.

Electrical current is 110/220 volts, 50HZ. The European round two-pin plug is standard, as is the two-pin flat blade plug, two-pin flat blade plug with 3rd round pin, two-pin round plug with male receptacle pin and the ?Schuko' plug.

Health risks for travellers to Lebanon are not excessive. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for travellers arriving from an infected country in Africa or the Americas. Typhoid vaccinations are recommended to all travellers with the exception of those who intend to stay in Lebanon for only a short period and take their meals in major restaurants and hotels. Typhoid cases are reported in Lebanon every year around rainy season as water levels rise and contaminated water from the sewers come to ground level. Medical facilities and healthcare in Lebanon are good. Doctors and hospitals usually expect immediate cash payment and treatment can be very expensive.

Arabic is the official language. French and English are also spoken.

The official currency is the Lebanese Pound (LBP), which is divided into 100 Piastres. The Lebanese Pound is locally known as the 'Lira'. ATM machines are widely available in Lebanon except in isolated towns and cash can be withdrawn from banks during business hours. Credits cards are widely used and travellers checks in US dollars are accepted at major exchange offices.

Most foreign nationals can obtain a visa on arrival in Lebanon, provided that: (i) they are holding confirmed return/onward tickets, and the necessary travel documentation for their next destination; and (ii) they can supply a valid address and telephone number for themselves while in Lebanon. These tourist visas are either free (for stays of up to one month), or cost between LBP 50, 000 and LBP 100, 000 (for stays of up to three months). Note that holders of passports containing a visa for Israel (whether valid or expired, used or unused), or containing any Israeli stamps or endorsements, will not be allowed to enter Lebanon. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required to enter Lebanon, if arriving within six days of leaving or transiting through an infected area. NOTE: It is highly recommended that your passport has at least six months validity remaining after your intended date of departure from your travel destination. Immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources.

Although Lebanon still features on consular warning lists, it also remains a popular and largely safe travel destination. Situated in a volatile region of the world, travellers are strongly advised to remain vigilant at all times in Lebanon, and to avoid the areas surrounding the Israeli border. Any travel south of the Litani River is discouraged. Crimes such as burglary, petty theft, vehicle theft and break-ins are present in Lebanon, but are low by international standards. Visitors should be streetwise and exercise normal precautions.

Local time is GMT +2 (GMT +3 from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October).

Tipping is customary in Lebanon. Porters, waiters, hotel staff, guides and doormen usually receive a 10-15% tip.