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Tunisia
- Travelers in Tunisia may face risks including political unrest, terrorism, petty crime, and potential disruptions in transportation due to protests or strikes. The risk environment is generally moderate, apart from the Libyan and Algerian border regions, where significant risks exist.
- Due to high youth unemployment, petty criminality is a concern in urban areas, particularly in Tunis.
- There is an elevated risk of terrorism in northern mountainous areas and near border areas; travel to these areas should be avoided.
Risk Factors
- Petty crime is prevalent in urban areas. Pickpocketing and bag snatching are common in crowded areas, markets, and public transportation hubs. Foreign nationals are rarely involved in violent crime.
- Common scams include overcharging by vendors or fraudulent guides, and counterfeit goods. Remain cautious of overly friendly strangers offering unsolicited help or deals.
- Southern regions near the Libyan border have higher crime rates mainly involving smuggling, though such incidents rarely affect travelers.
- The threat of kidnapping is very low in Tunisia; locals are more commonly targeted than foreigners.
- Road conditions and driving standards vary significantly, presenting challenges to foreign travelers. Aggressive driving behaviors and poorly maintained roadways heighten the risk of accidents. It is safest to conduct intercity travel during daylight hours.
- The safest means of intercity travel in Tunisia is by private car hire with a reputable driver or using long-distance buses operated by trusted companies.
- Use of public transportation, especially buses and minibuses, can be risky due to overcrowding and poor safety records.
- Avoid unsolicited rides from drivers, who are likely unregistered. Reputable taxis in Tunisia are usually yellow and marked with a taxi sign on the roof. Ensure the meter is used or agree on a fare in advance.
- Popular ride-hailing apps in urban areas include Bolt and InDrive. These apps provide a reliable transportation option with ride tracking as an added layer of security.
- Large-scale protests have been common in recent years; violent protests have occasionally occurred in the past. Avoid large gatherings and stay updated on local developments due to frequent protests across the country.
- Urban protests are often politically motivated, while rural protests focus on socio-economic issues.
- The risk of unrest is higher in southern governorates like Sidi Bouzaid, Gafsa, and Tataouine.
- Terrorism remains a concern, particularly due to an ongoing insurgency in border areas. Terrorist attacks have decreased in frequency since 2015’s mass-casualty attack following improving capabilities of the security forces. The most recent incident involved a knife wielding lone-wolf attack near the interior ministry in 2021; however, further kinetic or IED attacks remain a possibility.
- Militant groups have an elevated presence near the Algerian and Libyan borders and the northern mountainous areas, including the Chaambi and Mrihila regions. Avoid non-essential travel to these areas.
- To mitigate risk, reduce time spent near key targets, including government facilities and embassies, security forces, synagogues, heavily crowded tourist sites, and energy sector infrastructure.
- Tunisia occasionally experiences droughts and flooding.
- Flooding in Tunisia is most common during the rainy season from September to November, particularly in low-lying areas and urban regions like Tunis, Sfax, and coastal towns, as well as the inland regions near wadis (dry riverbeds). Avoid hiking in wadis during rain due to flash floods.
- Be prepared for high temperatures during summer months and carry adequate sun protection. Dust and sandstorms can also occur, particularly in desert areas, affecting air quality and visibility.
- Tunisia is predominantly Muslim, and Islamic customs are widely observed. Dress modestly, particularly in rural areas and when visiting religious sites.
- Alcohol is legal, but public intoxication is not tolerated. Purchase and consume alcohol only in licensed establishments.
- Criticism of Islam or the government, whether verbal or online, can lead to legal repercussions.