From: 76702.1202@CompuServe.COM (Charlie Smith)
Newsgroups: rec.travel
Subject: *NEW* TRAVEL INFORMATION -- Tunisia
Date: 12 Jan 1993 20:15:10 -0600
Organization: UTexas Mail-to-News Gateway
NNTP-Posting-Host: cs.utexas.edu

STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - Tunisia
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Tunisia - Consular Information Sheet
 January 8, 1993

Embassy Location:  The U.S. Embassy in Tunisia is located at 144 
Avenue de la Liberte, 1002 Tunis-Belvedere, in the capital city of 
Tunis, telephone (216) (1) 782-566.

Country Description:  Tunisia is a presidential republic with a 
developing economy.  Tourist facilities and means of transportation 
are widely available, but vary in quality with price and location.

Entry Requirements:  A passport is required.  A visa is not 
required for a stay of up to four months.  For further information 
concerning entry requirements for Tunisia, travelers may contact the 
Embassy of Tunisia at 1515 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W., Washington, 
D.C. (202) 862-1850, or the Tunisian Consulate General in New York, 
telephone (212) 742-6585, or in San Francisco, telephone (415) 
922-9222.

Medical Facilities:  Medical care in Tunisia is available, but 
limited; specialized care or treatment may not be available.  
Doctors and hospitals expect immediate cash payment for health care 
services.  U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the 
United States.  Supplemental medical insurance with specific 
overseas coverage, including medical evacuation, has proved useful.  
Specific health questions can be addressed to the Centers for 
Disease Control's international travelers hotline, telephone (404) 
332-4559.

Crime Information:  Tunisia has a moderate crime rate in urban 
areas.  Criminals have targeted tourists for thefts, pickpocketings, 
and scams, though crimes are usually non-confrontational in nature.  
The Department of State's pamphlet "A Safe Trip Abroad" provides 
useful information on safeguarding valuables and protecting personal 
security while traveling abroad.  The pamphlet is available from the 
Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, 
Washington, D.C. 20402.

Currency Regulations:  Travelers checks and credit cards are 
accepted at some establishments in Tunisia, mainly in urban or 
tourist areas.  The Tunisian dinar is not yet a fully convertible 
currency.  Tunisian law prohibits the export or import of Tunisian 
banknotes or coins.  Tourists are expected to make foreign exchange 
transactions at authorized banks or dealers and to retain receipts 
for dinars obtained.

Drug Penalties:  Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in 
illegal drugs are severe, and convicted offenders can expect jail 
sentences and fines.

Terrorist Activities:  Tunisia's open borders with Libya and the 
presence of the headquarters of the Palestinian Liberation 
Organization in Tunis make the possibility of terrorism a concern.  
There have been no instances where U.S. citizens or facilities in 
Tunisia have been subject to terrorist attacks.

Tips For Travelers:  The Department of State publication "Tips for 
Travelers to the Middle East and North Africa" contains useful 
general information on travel in the area.  It is available from the 
Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, 
Washington, D.C. 20402.

Registration:  U.S. citizens who register at the Consular Section 
of the U.S. Embassy may be enrolled in the Embassy's emergency alert 
network, and can obtain updated information on travel and security 
within Tunisia.

 No. 93-025