Add to Favorites
Libya Dinar
Libya uses the Libyan dinar as its official currency. Each dinar is then further divided into 1000 dirham. The currency is overseen and issued by the Central Bank of Libya, in the form of both notes and coins. Coins are issued as 50 and 100 dirhams, as well as ¼ and ½ dinars and notes come in the form of ¼, ½, 1, 5, 10 and 20 dinars.
On the international markets, the currency is denoted by the letters LYD.
History of the Libyan Dinar
The dinar as it is today, was first brought into being in 1971, when it replaced the Libyan pound as the nation's currency. So although the dinar as a unit of currency has been in circulation for many hundreds of years, the Libyan dinar is a relatively new unit of currency and is not an ancient unit of currency, but rather one that is quite new.
Getting Hold of Libyan Dinars
Libya does not resent insurmountable problems for travellers trying to get their hands on Libyan dollars, but neither does it make it very easy for travellers. One thing to bear in mind is that Libya is very much a cash based Society and there are very few places where you can use a credit card. Since Libya became more 'open' to travellers, more places are starting to accept them, but it will take time before the acceptance of credit cards could be described as 'widespread'. For the moment it is really only the bigger hotels and shops where they will be accepted.
There are a few ATM machines in Tripoli, which is the capital of Libya, but before you decide that you will be ok using your credit card, be aware that the ATM system is far from reliable. So you could find that some ATM machines will not accept 'foreign' cards and those that do may not be working, or they may have run out of money, so do not assume that your card will work.
If you do plan to use your card in Libya, be sure to advise your card provided, prior to travel, that it is going to be used in Tripoli. Otherwise the service provider may assume that it has been stolen or cloned and may cancel your card as an anti-fraud measure. Libya is not a standard destination, so it can easily trigger alarm bells with your bank if your card starts to make withdrawals in Libya!
The ATMs are currently limited to being located in Tripoli, so when you leave the capital make sure that you have enough cash to keep you going.
Traveller's cheques can be exchanged at some, but not all banks, but you will find that they are not readily accepted as payment. So the best way of getting hold of cash in Libya is to rely on having both traveller's cheques and a relatively large amount of cash, just to keep you going. Note that taking in a relatively large amount of cash is important, because before you will be allowed into the country you need to show that you have at least 1,000 US dollars with you, or enough money that is deemed to be enough to ensure that you can pay for your own stay in the country.
This came into effect after January 2008 and whilst this situation may change, you should check for specific currency requirements before you travel.
It is also important to note that this money has to be in cash. Credit cards or traveller's cheques will not be included in this total, so you could well find yourself being turned away if you do not have enough readies to fund your trip. This requirement only applies to travellers who are on a holiday visa. If your visa is a business visa, then this requirement will not apply.
This means that you will have to carry a large amount of cash with you to visit Libya and as such you need to ensure that you are safe when in the country and take precautions to safeguard your money.
Safety Issues
Those people who still regard Libya as a country that hates the West, will be in for a relatively pleasant surprise. It is not a country that is a hotbed for terrorism, but rather one where there may be some low key terrorist activities. However, Libya has made an effort to join the global efforts to combat terrorism. It has even had its status as a 'sponsor' of terrorism removed, so it is gradually becoming more accepted by the West and in return, it is also not so hostile towards Westerners.
One thing to be aware of however, is that if you have an Israeli visa stamp on your passport, then you will not be allowed entry to the country. You should therefore ensure that this stamp is not on your passport, if you want to travel to Libya. There is no room for discussion, you will simply be turned away.
In addition, you may find it hard to get a visa into the country. Currently countries such as the US will not negotiate visas with Libya. This means that you will have to get your visa when in another country. However, if you are travelling around the area anyway, this should not be too much of a problem.
Risk of Terrorism
The risk of terrorism is actually quite low in Libya. But that being said, this area as a whole has been 'identified' as an area where foreign nationals may be targeted for a terrorist attack. Whilst Libya has officially negotiated and co-operated in the struggle against terrorism, it cannot control all of its people and there is, it is thought, some extremists who are active in Libya that may wish to carry out attacks. This risk is not serious enough to warrant people being advised not to travel, but travellers are simply reminded that they need to take precautions when in the country, to ensure that they are not placed in danger.
Crime
Crime is on the increase in Libya. One reason for this may be the fact that pickpockets and thieves are all aware that travellers will be coming in with at least $1,000 so they are clearly targets, since $1,000 is a lot of money in Libya. Travellers are advised to wear a money belt and to make sure that their cash is securely locked up whenever possible. As a general rule, you should also not carry all your cash around at the same time, so even if you are pick pocketed, you will not lose everything.
Libya is not a very progressive country and as such women travelling alone or as two women together may find that Libya is not a welcoming place. Often women who are alone can be subjected to verbal harassment and sometimes the men may act in an intimidating manner. Whilst you are not unsafe when travelling alone, it is not generally very pleasant, so if you can 'buddy up' with some travellers in a mixed sex group, then this is a pretty good idea.
Using Libyan Dinars
Libya is one of the wealthiest countries in Africa, due to one thing that it has an abundance of, namely oil. So you would imagine that it would be a very wealthy country, but remember that this is Africa, so there are different levels of wealth. In addition, the country has some rich people, by Libyan standards, but not everyone is rich, since much of the oil money does not trickle down the economic ladder, but rather seems to get stuck somewhere in the middle.
The main tourist infra structure in Libya is basically focussed around Tripoli, with little in the way of facilities available elsewhere in the country. There are a good range of hotels and more seem to be springing up all the time. There is one big international hotel in Tripoli, which offers a good standard of facilities, but is quite expensive. Travellers who are going to Libya on a tight budget will probably find that there are enough hotels available, within their price bracket.
The costs of meals, drinks (note that alcohol is banned in Libya, but the government has indicated that it may be relaxing this, at least a little) and getting around in Libya are quite reasonable. Yet every year it is welcoming more and more tourists, so it is likely that costs will start to creep up a little, particularly in Tripoli.
One thing you will find about Libya is that the people can be very friendly. For years Libya was effectively shunned by most of the world and it had a very poor reputation, but since it has become more accepted by the West and seems to be co-operating more, more travellers are going there and people do seem curious to know about their guests and on the whole are quite welcoming.
Generally, service is of a good standard, but this is more a desire to make guests feel welcome, rather than the results of a corporate training programme, which can make quite a refreshing change for travellers.
Overview
Libya is a country that describes itself as having 'Warm sun and warm hearts' and that appears to be true on the whole. Not everyone will be happy to meet a foreign visitor, but most genuinely are. The people almost want to show off their country and to tell the world about what it has missed when Libya was a no-go area.
Despite its location next door to Tunisia, Libya is far from a tourist destination with all the facilities that can often be found in the tourist areas. So if you are looking for a recharging beach holiday then Libya is probably too much like hard work. If however, you are keen to see another way of life and to explore a country that has been largely hidden from the world, for some time, then Libya will probably offer a fantastic holiday!
For further information (from a Libyan point of view) visit the Libyan tourism website, which can be found at http://www.libyaonline.com/tourism/. It has, among other things, some interesting pages detailing the history of Libya and how it has come to be the country it is now.
Comment