Middle East

Dubai

Jordan

Oman

Syria

Highlights - Essential Info - Itineraries

Visa Requirements - British and most European passport holders do require a visa for entry into Syria which must be obtained from the Syrian Embassy in your home country before departure, unless you have booked a private guide with your tour operator in which case your visa is free and issued on arrival.  Tourist visas are valid for three months from the date of issue, and are then valid for a stay of 15 days from the date of entry to the country but can be extended once you are in Syria.

You must bring two photocopies of the pages in your passport containing your personal information. These two copies are handed to the immigration authorities on arrival.

Health Requirements - There are no mandatory vaccinations required for entry into Syria although Tetanus, Typhoid, Polio, Hepatitis A and Meningitis are recommended. A Yellow Fever Certificate is required if you come to Syria from an infected area. 

We strongly recommend that you contact your doctor or the MASTA (Medical Advisory Service for Travellers Aboad) Travellers Health Line on 0870 6062782 or their website at www.masta.org for all professional medical advice.

Time – April to September GMT +3 hours; October to March GMT + 2 hours.

Money - The currency of Syria is the Syrian Pound or Lira (S£) with notes in denominations of 50, 100, 500 and 1000 and coins in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10 and 25. 

Credit cards are only accepted in major hotels, shops and restaurants, but due to service charges and exchange rates it is best to travel with cash.  ATM machines with international services are available in the main cities in Syria.

All western currencies and travellers’ cheques can be exchanged into Syrian Pounds at any bank in Syria, although exchanging travellers’ cheques can be difficult and time consuming.

Many souvenir shops will exchange foreign currency on the spot, offering the same rate as the official one.  Euros and US Dollars are the best, although £ Sterling are also accepted, but less desirable and shop owners may not always know the up-to-date exchange rate.

Flights

Climate - a rough guide

The climate in Syria varies considerably due to its geographical variations.  The eastern desert region has very hot summers and cold winters, often with frost.  The western and coastal areas enjoy a sunny Mediterranean climate, with milder rainy winters and less hot summers.

Please note also that in recent years the traditional seasons in Colombia, as elsewhere in the world, have become less predictable than before.

When to go – The best times to visit Syria are spring (March – May) before it gets too hot and autumn (September- November) before the rains start. 

Temp (Fahrenheit) = Average Maximum Temperatures (day)
Rain (inches) = Average Monthly Rainfall