Beautiful Tunisia is known for its hot weather, the smiley faces of Tunisian people, tasty food, and stunning beaches. And it’s indeed an excellent country and deserves a spot on everyone’s list of “must-travel destinations.” But often, this country is linked to the question, is Tunisia safe? In this writing, I share needed information about this topic and point out possible misunderstandings. And most importantly, I try to answer the question, is Tunisia safe? Continue reading, as you don’t want to miss out on this.

is Tunisia safe

What is safety?

Defining the word safety is not easy. In a Merriam-Webster dictionary, safety is defined as “the condition of being safe from undergoing or causing hurt, injury, or loss.” It could be said that it is critical for most people when deciding where they go, what they do, and what they buy.

I would like to underline that safety as a topic is really complicated. It’s affected by so many things that giving a simple answer is challenging. We can always look at the statistics to support our own points of view. But in the end, questions around safety are very personal.

What is your definition of safety?

Do some research about your travel destination

As we know, the unknown can be scary. It would be clever for everyone to do some research, read, and find out about things. It’s never good to fill up ignorance with imagination or generalizations. For others, ignorance is bliss, and they do not get troubled by the ways of the world.

But at the same time, we are surrounded by more information than ever before. The importance of critical thinking and literacy is emphasized, when we wander in the jungle of news. Nowadays, the news and information reach us in a couple of minutes through different media. It’s in our own hands to find the truth. Media influences our behavior and opinions so effectively that before we notice, we have formed an opinion about something.

is Tunisia safe for tourists

Is Tunisia safe for tourists?

Are you planning a trip to Tunisia? Maybe you are wondering if it’s safe for tourists or what are the potential safety hazards. So here, I am answering this question briefly.

Tunisia is a very touristic country, and they are used to having tourists around. Besides, tourism is one of the most important key drivers of their economy and employs many Tunisians. Because of this, the country must keep attracting tourists, taking good care of them, also treating them right.

Tunisia is a safe travel destination for tourists. In general, crimes against travelers and foreigners are low. The authorities have improved security in tourist resorts and major cities and their ability to respond to potential safety hazards. Also, crimes against tourists are punished harshly. Recently, many foreign governments have declared that Tunisia is a safe country for tourists.

Potential safety hazards in Tunisia

I have listed a couple of general safety hazards in Tunisia. 

  • The biggest security threat to travelers in Tunisia is traffic. The traffic can seem very chaotic to someone not used to it. The number of traffic accidents and casualties is unfortunately high. 
  • Like in any other capital, tourist area, or a bigger city, pickpocketing also happens in Tunisia. I have never had any problems with this issue (knock on wood). In addition, I haven’t been overly careful about it, but I haven’t taken unnecessary risks either. Simply, in crowded places, I take more care of my belongings. Nor do I leave my belongings unguarded. 
  • The weather gets hot during the summer months, such as July and August. When the heat rises to 40 degrees Celsius, small children, the elderly, and the chronically ill are more sensitive to heat damage. However, the adverse effects of heat can be almost entirely prevented by drinking enough water and staying in the shade. Also, floods might occur.

 

is Tunisia safe for female tourists

Is Tunisia safe for solo female tourists?

One of the most common questions I get is if Tunisia is safe for female tourists or, more precisely, for solo female tourists. Many traveling women worry about their safety. I hear you out! As I mentioned earlier, Tunisia is a very touristic country, and they are used to having tourists around, including solo female tourists. But there are a couple of things I would like to point out.

Firstly, Tunisia is a safe country for female tourists and an excellent destination for solo traveling. However, cat-calling is somewhat ordinary there. You might run across whistling, honking, and unwanted comments. You shouldn’t be scared of this, but I understand that it might be annoying or frustrating. You can ignore or ask the person to leave you alone, as this usually works. It’s also highly possible that you won’t face any cat-calling. However, as everywhere in the world, women are more susceptible to some kind of harassment than men.

But, you mustn’t take me wrongly. Most Tunisian people, men or women, are very warmhearted, curious, helpful, and talkative. So, when someone is approaching you, don’t automatically think that person has wrong intentions.

Safety tips for female tourists

  • Avoid moving alone after dark (especially outside the capital and main tourist resorts)
  • Dressing up more modestly is one way to avoid unwanted attention ( find more information about what to wear in Tunisia)
  • When traveling alone, avoid excessive drinking

I would like to sum up everything with the following sentence. Tunisia is an excellent destination for everybody, also for solo female tourists.

Is Tunisia safe?

The answer to your question, is Tunisia safe? Yes, Tunisia is a safe country to visit for everybody. On my travels, there hasn’t been a time that I would have felt unsafe, unsecured, or uncomfortable.

If I compare my trips to Greece and Tunisia. There are many similarities between these countries and also some differences. But safety-wise, I haven’t seen any difference. In both countries, I have felt extremely safe.

Whether you are planning to travel alone or with a friend, family, girlfriend, wife, or boyfriend. I really encourage you to book your next trip to Tunisia. It is an excellent destination for many purposes and, of course, also safe.

I am curious to know what made you wonder if Tunisia is safe? Was it a personal experience, a story you have heard, media, social media, or something else? I would be happy if you would share your thoughts in the comments.

Areas to avoid in Tunisia

Although most of the areas are safe to visit in Tunisia. There are still some zones that should be avoided. This might sound intimidating, but I guarantee there’s nothing to worry about. If you plan to have a relaxing holiday or you would like to travel around the country, there’s no chance you will end up in these places. Avoid traveling in the following areas: the border areas of Libya and Algeria (militarized zones) and the Kasserine mountain area (Chaambi Mountains National Park).

safety tips for Tunisia

Safety tips for Tunisia

Willing to prepare for your trip? Below, I have created a list of safety tips for your trip. These tips work in Tunisia but also in other destinations. Reading the list will help you to get prepared for your trip.

  • General safety tips
  • Do your researcher  
  • Make copies of important documents: passport, driver’s license, and visa
  • Get to know local travel scams ( I haven’t faced any scams in Tunisia)
  • Write down emergency info ( police, ambulance, embassy)
  • Check the embassy website ( Their task is to inform you about everything that could go wrong, which is sometimes different from what may go wrong)
  • Familiarize yourself with local laws and culture
  • Accommodation safety tips
  • Choose the right neighborhood for your needs
  • Write down the hotel name and address 
  • Use in-room-safe for valuable belongings 
  • Transportation and traffic safety tips
  • Wear seatbelt fastened (commonly, taxis do not have a seatbelt on the backseats) 
  • Look after your belongings in crowded places
  • If renting a car, check that car is in good condition
  • Especially on hot summer days, carry enough water when heading for a long ride 
  • Safety tips for partying
  • Don’t leave your drink unattended
  • Think about transportation options (taxi, ride from a friend, public transportation, walking)
  • Take care of your friends
  • Look after your gear
  • Drinking alcohol and swimming is never a good idea
  • Health safety tips
  • Don’t drink tap water
  • Wash hands
  • Consider travel insurance
  • Prevent sunburn
  • Make sure to eat and drink enough water
  • Avoid animal bites

In case of problems on your trip

It’s not unusual to come across some kind of problem while traveling. You might get lost, get sick, have food poisoning, lose a passport, run out the money, or miss a flight. Below, I have listed some ways to tackle a possible problem.

You need to make a police report if you lose your passport or someone steals it. To get a new passport, visit your embassy and take a police report with you. Citizens of the European Union might use another EU country’s embassy if there’s no representation of their own country.
It’s better to have a copy of your passport and any other important documents.

The country has several international-level private hospitals in the capital Tunis and tourist resorts. Consider buying temporary or fixed-term travel insurance. If you need treatment on your travel, contact your insurance company and check what your insurance covers.

Tunisian people are super helpful! In case, facing some problems, don’t hesitate to ask for advice or help from locals. They can surely help you out or advise what you should do.

The emergency call numbers:
– police 197/193
– SAMU, ambulance 190
– fire department 198

Even though safety is a complicated topic and there are no simple answers. But I hope this text helped you to form your answer to the question, is Tunisia safe? Let me know your thoughts and questions in the comments. Next week, I will come back with a slightly “lighter” topic.

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