Electricity: 230 volts, 50Hz. European-style, round, two-pin plugs are used.
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 are also spoken.
Health: No vaccinations are required for entry to Tunisia and no serious health risks exist. 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 costs 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 food and service in local establishments. Waiters in resort and hotel restaurants expect a tip of around 10%.
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.
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 and internet cafes in the main cities and towns.
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.
