Money, power cuts and local laws in Beirut: what the UK and Canada say

Most advice about Lebanon concerns security, but a visitor to Beirut would also meet a prolonged economic crisis, an unreliable electricity grid, a cash-based economy and a set of local rules that differ from those at home. This page gathers what the UK and Canada say about those practical matters, so that readers can see the whole picture in one place. It is a reference, not encouragement to travel: the UK advises against all travel to listed areas of Lebanon and Canada says avoid all travel, and the decision guide should be read first.

The information comes from the UK's Lebanon safety, health and entry pages, updated on 10 August 2026, and Canada's Lebanon page, updated on 23 July 2026, both read on 4 October 2026. No exchange rates or prices are quoted, because none could be confirmed on an official page, and conditions change quickly.

The two governments describe the money situation in slightly different terms, and the difference matters. The UK says Lebanon is experiencing a prolonged economic crisis that may affect your ability to pay by credit or debit card, that US dollars are widely accepted in most supermarkets, restaurants and shops and that many companies do not accept cards. It advises planning for adequate cash for the length of your stay. Canada says the Lebanese pound is the currency but the US dollar is widely accepted, that the economy is mainly cash-based and that many stores and companies accept credit and debit cards.

The practical reading is that cards may work in some places and fail in others, so cash is the safe assumption. Canada says foreign currencies, especially US dollars, can be exchanged at licensed money exchange bureaus but not at banks, and that ATMs are generally stocked with Lebanese pounds and US dollars although some banks cap daily withdrawals. The UK says it can be hard or costly to get US dollars locally. If you are comparing the options, the guide to paying in local currency explains why you should decline a card terminal's offer to convert the amount for you.

Carrying cash has its own risk. The UK advises avoiding large amounts of cash in public, being aware of your surroundings at ATMs and hiding expensive-looking jewelry. Canada advises not carrying large sums or valuables unnecessarily and avoiding the show of affluence. Keep cash in more than one place, and keep a small amount in Lebanese pounds for fines and small purchases, since the UK says overstay fines at the airport must be paid in Lebanese currency.

Electricity is the second everyday issue. The UK says Lebanon's power plants are producing limited electricity for the national grid, which leads to power cuts, and that many businesses rely heavily on generators. It advises having a torch at night and planning how you would leave your accommodation in the dark. Canada says power outages and rationing are common in many parts of the country, including Beirut, and that they may affect telecommunications, banking and critical infrastructure such as hospitals. It adds that the conflict in the Middle East has affected fuel supply, with higher prices and temporary shortages at some stations, and that essential services such as the transport of goods, water and food can be affected.

For a visitor, this means three practical checks. Ask any accommodation how it supplies power and water during cuts. Keep devices charged and carry a power bank. And do not assume that a card terminal, an ATM or a phone network will work at a given moment. The UK also says traffic lights are often switched off, and Canada says increased power cuts have interrupted traffic lights in the city center, including at major intersections, which affects pedestrians as well as drivers.

Healthcare depends on power and fuel too. The UK says the availability and quality of medical treatment have been affected by the economic crisis and fuel shortages, although private hospitals in Beirut have stabilized. It says medical care can be expensive and that most providers insist on significant cash deposits before admitting patients, even in emergencies. That makes insurance and accessible funds essential, and it makes the travel insurance guide relevant before any decision. The emergency numbers the UK lists are 140 for an ambulance, 175 for the fire service and 112 for police.

The photography rules are strict, and some areas are sensitive. The UK says to avoid photography in Lebanese Hizballah areas, including the southern suburbs of Beirut, the Beqaa Valley and parts of southern Lebanon, and says you may be detained if you are seen taking pictures. It says to photograph only at tourist sites, that you could be arrested for photographing military sites and that flying a drone camera without permission is illegal. Canada says it is prohibited to photograph or film government buildings or military personnel, equipment and facilities, and to avoid photographing individuals without permission. It also warns that filming and sharing images of military installations, activity or damage online could lead to severe penalties across the region.

On dress and behavior, the UK says that in many areas dress codes are more relaxed than elsewhere in the region, but that you should dress modestly at religious sites. Canada says the dress code is more relaxed than in most Middle Eastern countries but advises dressing conservatively, behaving discreetly and respecting religious and social traditions. Lebanon's population includes many Muslim and Christian communities, and both governments ask visitors to respect local customs.

Canada says that in 2027 Ramadan is expected to begin on or around 7 February and that, in public between sunrise and sunset, visitors should be discreet when drinking, eating or smoking. The UK says that during Ramadan you should be aware of eating, drinking, smoking or chewing gum in public in the daytime, loud music and swearing, and should check shop and restaurant hours.

Both governments say drug offenses are serious. The UK says possessing, using or trafficking illegal drugs, including small quantities, is punishable by prison. Canada says convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and heavy fines, and that people charged with drug offenses can expect to remain in jail and be denied bail through a process that often takes years.

On LGBT+ travelers, the UK says the Lebanese Criminal Code includes a provision on every sexual act against nature, that courts might consider it includes same-sex sexual activity and that the penalty is up to a year in prison. Canada says 2SLGBTQI+ persons are discriminated against, that attacks have occurred, that dating apps have been used to threaten, extort and blackmail people and that authorities regularly ban related gatherings. It advises people to meet new acquaintances in secure, familiar places and to carefully consider the risks of traveling to Lebanon.

Family law differs from UK and Canadian law. The UK says a father or husband can arrange a travel ban on a wife or children, and Canada says relatives frequently place travel bans on Canadians and that Canadian custody orders may not be enforceable. Anyone with a custody or family dispute should take legal advice first. The Beirut visa and entry guide explains related exit rules.

The UK says not to use shared taxis or taxis hailed in the street, and to use only taxis from recognized companies that use vetted drivers or ones your hotel recognizes. It says there have been armed robberies and physical attacks on passengers in shared taxis, called service taxis. Canada says to avoid public transportation, which it calls crowded, unsafe and unreliable, to avoid hailing taxis on the street and to use only officially marked, reputable taxis arranged through establishments such as hotels.

On the road, the UK says driving standards are poor and the accident rate is high, that traffic lights are often switched off and that it may be better to hire a car with a driver. A visitor who drives needs a 1968 international driving permit, according to the UK, which says the 1949 version is no longer accepted. The international driving permit guide explains the permit side. The UK says the army has set up checkpoints on major and minor roads, so carry ID and be prepared to stop and show your papers, and it says protests and roadblocks can close major roads, including the airport roads, at short notice.

Streets can be dark at night because streetlights often fail without power. The UK says there have been reported incidents of sexual harassment and assault in public areas, advises considering whether it is safe to walk alone and suggests carrying a torch and a charged phone. Canada advises avoiding walking alone after dark.

The first mistake is assuming cards will work. The second is carrying all the cash in one place. The third is relying on a phone with no backup when power or networks fail. The fourth is photographing a sensitive area because it looks like a tourist view. The fifth is hailing a taxi in the street. Each is a point both governments raise, and none is a reason to go.

The most important mistake is treating practical readiness as a substitute for reading the advice. Check the Lebanon travel advice again, compare travel insurance terms, and consider whether you can afford a delay of several days if airport roads or flights are disrupted. None of this readiness changes what the two governments advise.