Mid-Range Travel Guide: Beirut

Accommodation

$50-120 per night

Private rooms in boutique guesthouses, 3-star hotels, apartment rentals in good neighborhoods

Food & Dining

$25-50 per day

Mix of local restaurants, trendy cafes in Gemmayzeh/Mar Mikhael, traditional Lebanese mezze restaurants

Transportation

$15-35 per day

Combination of taxis, ride-sharing apps, occasional car rental for day trips, some public transport

Activities

$30-70 per day

Guided city tours, museum entries, day trips to mountains or coast, cultural experiences, nightlife

Eat at local neighborhood restaurants instead of tourist areas like Downtown - typically 40-60% cheaper for similar quality

Use shared service taxis (servis) instead of private taxis - usually 70-80% less expensive for similar routes

Visit during weekdays when many hotels offer 20-30% discounts compared to weekend rates

Buy groceries at local markets rather than supermarkets in expat areas - generally 30-50% savings on basics

Look for accommodation slightly outside central Beirut in areas like Achrafieh or Hamra - typically 25-40% cheaper

Take advantage of happy hour specials at bars and restaurants - usually 30-50% off drinks and appetizers

Use public beaches instead of private beach clubs - saves $15-40 per day in entrance fees

Only eating in trendy Gemmayzeh/Mar Mikhael areas instead of exploring local neighborhoods - can cost 100-200% more

Taking private taxis for every trip instead of learning the shared taxi system - typically 3-5x more expensive

Booking accommodation at the last minute during peak periods - usually 40-80% higher than advance bookings

Exchanging money at hotels or airports instead of local exchange shops - typically 5-15% worse rates