| Time: | GMT +1 (GMT +2 from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October). |
| Electricity: | Electrical current is 230 volts, 50Hz. Round European-style, two-pin plugs are used. |
| Money: | The unit of currency is the Tunisian dinar (TND), divided into 1,000 millimes. Travellers cheques are widely accepted. Banks and some hotels provide foreign exchange. ATMs are found in most towns and at all the tourist resorts; almost all will accept Visa cards and many will also accept Maestro (Switch) cards. Visa, Diners Club, American Express and MasterCard are accepted for payment in souvenir shops, upmarket hotels and restaurants, although Visa encounters the least problems. All Tunisian currency must be exchanged before departure. |
| Language: | The overwhelming majority speak Arabic and French. English is taught in all schools and is increasingly spoken especially by younger people. Some German and Italian is also spoken. |
| Passport Visa: | All visitors must hold documents and tickets for return or onward travel. |
| Entry Requirements: | US nationals require a passport valid until their departure from Tunisia, and may stay for up to four months without a visa.
UK passport holders, irrespective of national status, may enter Tunisia with a passport valid for at least the period of stay and stay for up to three months without a visa.
Canadians require a passport valid for at least the period of intended stay, but no visa is needed for a stay of up to three months.
Australians require a passport valid at least for the duration of stay, and a visa to enter Tunisia. A visa may be obtained on arrival, allowing for a stay of up to three months.
South African citizens need a passport, valid at least until the end of their stay, and a visa. A visa may be bought on arrival and allows for a stay of up to 30 days.
Irish nationals require a passport valid for at least the period of intended stay, but no visa is necessary for a stay of up to three months.
New Zealand nationals require a visa and a passport valid for the period of intended stay.
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| Getting Around: | |
| Health: | No vaccinations are recommended for Tunisia and no serious health risks exist, but all travellers are required to show a yellow fever certificate if coming from an infected area. Travellers' diarrhoea and other parasitic infections may be contracted, but is unlikely in the modern seaside resorts. Visitors travelling outside these resorts should ensure they drink only boiled, purified water and eat well-cooked food. All medical expenses must be paid for immediately after treatment in Tunisia, and costs can be quite high. The availability of medication is limited. Visitors should bring adequate supplies of their own medication. Health insurance is a necessity. |
| Tipping: | Tipping is not a requirement but appreciated for good service in local establishments. Most people performing a useful service will wait to be tipped. Waiters in resort and hotel restaurants expect a tip of around 10%. |
| Climate: | Tunisia is a land of constant sunshine and warm water. The height of summer is a little too hot for most tastes, so July and August are regarded as 'off-season'. Between October and May is a more comfortable time to visit, with temperatures ranging between 54°F and 82°F (12°C and 28°C). Springtime (March to May) brings displays of wild flowers throughout the countryside. |
| Safety: | Tourist areas in Tunisia are regarded as being at risk of being targeted by international terrorism, but there have been no incidents since a car bomb attack on the offshore island of Djerba in 2002. Visitors should be vigilant and keep a check on official travel advice. There is little violent crime, but petty theft and pick pocketing does occur. An increase in bag snatching has been noted in tourist areas and visitors are advised to keep bags close at all times. Travellers are advised to avoid the border areas with Algeria, and be extra cautious if travelling alone in the southern desert areas. |
| Customs: | Tunisia is a Muslim country and visitors should respect the local sensibilities, especially during the month of Ramadan. Visitors, and women in particular, should dress modestly outside of the beach resorts. Homosexuality is illegal. Only married couples are allowed to share rooms. |
| Business: | Tunisians like to get to know the person with whom they will be doing business and negotiations tend to be prolonged and very sociable occasions. As with other Arab countries, one is expected to dress conservatively and formally in Tunisia. French is the common language of business and interpreters will be necessary otherwise. A firm handshake is the accepted form of greeting and the Arabic 'Salaam Aleikum' works better than a simple 'Hello.' Business hours are generally 8am to 12pm and 3pm to 6pm Monday to Friday. |
| Duty Free: | Travellers to Tunisia do not have to pay duty on the following items: 200 cigarettes, or 50 cigars, or 400g tobacco; 1 bottle of alcohol; a reasonable amount of perfume; and gifts to the value of 10 Tunisian dinars. |
| Communications: | The international dialling code for Tunisia is +216. The outgoing international code is 00, followed by the relevant country code (for example 0027 for South Africa). City/area codes are in use, e.g. (0)1 for Tunis. For mobile phones, dial (0)9. The country is covered by two GSM 900 mobile networks. There is widespread Internet coverage with Internet cafes in the main cities and towns. |
| Tourist Office: | Tunisian National Tourism Office (ONTT), Tunis: +216 (0)71 341 077 or www.tourismtunisia.com |
| Local Embassy Contacts: | Embassy of Tunisia, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 862 1850.
Embassy of Tunisia, London, United Kingdom (also responsible for Ireland): +44 (0)20 7584 8117.
Embassy of Tunisia, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 237 0330/2.
Embassy of Tunisia, Tokyo, Japan (also responsible for Australia): +81 3 3511 6622.
Embassy of Tunisia, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (012 342 6282/83.
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| Embassy Contacts: | United States Embassy, Tunis: +216 (0)71 107 000.
British Embassy, Tunis: +216 (0)71 108 700.
Canadian Embassy, Tunis (also responsible for Australia): +216 (0)71 104 190.
South African Embassy, Tunis: +216 (0)71 798 449.
Honorary Consul of Ireland, Zi Sidi Rezig: +216 98 307 364.
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| Emergency Number: | Emergency medical service (Samu): 190; Police: 197. |
