Latest from my blog...

Subscribe to the RSS Feed

Important Facts about Tunisia for Travelers

Posted on 08 November 2018 by admin (0)

On the map, Tunisia is but a slim wedge on North Africa’s vast expanse, close to Italy and Malta. The seemingly tiny country borders Algeria to the west and Libya to the east. The distance from the south to the north is hardly more than 350 miles. Yet Tunisia has enough history and diversity to keep a tourist busy throughout his visit. Apart from the lovely beaches along the Mediterranean coast where resort towns like Hammamet offer thrilling adventures, there are exciting cultures to explore in the hinterland.

There are dramatic desert landscapes in the southern Sahara parts; abandoned sets used to film the Star War movies and the charming Berber villages. Founded by Arabs, ruled by the Romans and later occupied by the French in 1881, it has mixed cultures. There is much French influence left behind in the streets, in the form of architecture, dressings and the language.

While the official language of Tunisia is Arabic, two-thirds of the population speaks French, which is also the language of commerce. In the south, the Berber language is dominant. Although Islam is the official religion, there are Christians and Jews.

Tourism in Tunisia was negatively impacted at the beginning of 2011 when the now infamous Arab Springs took off. It started here, ushering democracy. Consequently, tourism has soared again.

Before you travel to Tunisia, these facts are worth your consideration:

Vaccinations

CDC recommends that you take hepatitis A and Typhoid vaccinations before going to Tunisia. You may also consider getting injections for rabies and hepatitis B. However there is no malaria in Tunisia.

Friendly and Helpful People

Tunisians are amongst the kindest people you will ever meet. They are always eager to help where necessary with no strings attached. Tunisians are mostly moderate Arabs who do not take to the extreme some of the Islam teachings.

But beware of some dupers in Tunisia. A duper can claim to know one interesting exhibition. After taking a tip from you, he takes you to a mere carpet shop full of hungry-looking salesmen.

Best Time to Travel

Anytime is a good time to visit Tunisia. However, May and October are the best times to visit the northern parts and Tunis, its capital city in the far north. The weather is conducive around this time. You may not be able to withstand the scorching summer heat of the Sahara so you should visit during winter which falls between November and February.

The Train Is the Best

To enjoy great views, you should use the trains for traveling inside Tunisia. There is a good network of French trains. You will meet other tourists in the trains and together enjoy watching the landscapes and the cityscapes. The train fares are affordable.

You may also want to use boats from where trains cannot go beyond.

Too Much Haggling

There is unusually too much haggling in Tunisia. It is a culture you can find irritating sometimes, especially when you don’t have time in your hands. It is hard to know the exact price of a commodity because many items have no fixed price. For a foreigner, it is hard to tell when you are taken advantage. Tunisians seem to enjoy haggling, even if it’s nothing worth it.

Great Foods

Tunisia has great foods so come prepared to burst your tummy. There are fruit juices, teas, salads, mint teas, kebabs, fresh fish, French bread and patisseries on top of the local wine. The food prices are affordable.

Famous Tourist Spots

There are famous historical spots you can tour while in Tunisia. Carthage, the 3,000year old city, is one such well-preserved ruins worth your time. It is known in the history books as the metropolis once razed by the Romans. It is a ruin being ruined by encroachers looking for space to put up housing. The government is working hard to put a stop to this.

You can also take a camel ride through El Jem to see the preserved Roman amphitheaters, which is also UNESCO-recognized. El Jem was also a center of commerce in the days of the Romans.

Advanced Telecommunications Sector

Compared to many African nations, the telecommunication sector in Tunisia is highly advanced. Gadgets like USB sticks and data bundles are cheaper than they are in South Africa.

Conclusion

As is the standard norm, check your government’s advice before traveling to any country. Tunisia is relatively stable but who knows what can happen tomorrow in this age of terrorist activities.

The currency of Tunisia is Tunisian dinar. You can use a reliable online converter for accurate exchange rates.

Tags: