How to Find Hotels in Syria

Syria is a country with a troubled past and an uncertain present. Although it isn't in the good graces of the United States, its historical treasures make it worth the trek. With Roman ruins and Crusaders' castles, Syria represents the traditional intersection of east and west.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Entry and exit visa
• Passport
• Computer with Internet access for making reservations

Know Your Destination

1. Brush up on your Arabic, the official language of Syria. Some educated people know English, but you can't count on finding them when you need to make yourself understood. You may want to hire a translator--this is a country where you don't want to chance a communications mistake.
2. Know what the U.S. dollar is worth. The currency of Syria is the Syrian pound. As of 2006, one U.S. dollar is equivalent to about 58 Syrian pounds.

Organize Transportation to Syria

3. Arrive in Syria by air at either of the country's two international airports, near Damascus and Aleppo. Both have daily flights to Europe and other continents.
4. Ride the bus. Many Syrians do not own a car, and rely entirely on public transit.

Choose Your Accommodations in Syria

5. Consider staying in Damascus; it's a huge city that features modern conveniences and a somewhat more diverse population than outlying areas.
6. Consider staying in Aleppo to be near the variety of souks (outdoor marketplaces).
7. Make your reservations through a U.S. travel agency. Many accommodations in Syria will not offer online reservations systems.

Be Familiar With Local Information

8. Expect a laid-back attitude to schedules. Syrians have a different work ethic than Americans, and tasks are accomplished on a more stretched-out timeline in Syria. This is not meant as hostility toward the traveler; it is just the way things are in Syria.
9. To book accommodations in Syria, call South Travels at (92) 51 2870514 or visit the link below.

Tips & Warnings

• Syria can be extremely dangerous for Americans and non-Muslims. There is little regard for due process, as the county has been in an official 'state of emergency' since 1963. Government operatives have been known to execute without trial.
• Try to get accommodations in a larger city, and then take day trips to ruins and other historical attractions. Accommodations should cost about 800 Syrian pounds for a moderately nice room.
• Syrians are extremely friendly and social, so long as they know you. Have some friends in mind before you arrive, so that you have somewhere to go. Parties are frequent, but are family affairs, so you must be invited.
• Alcohol is legal in Syria, but be respectful of the fact that many Syrians are observant Muslims, and therefore cannot drink.
• Syria can reach temperatures of 120 degrees F during the summer. To avoid this unpleasantness, plan your travel for the cooler winter months.
• If you don't want to deal with crowds, avoid travelling to Syria during a major Muslim holiday.
• Do not attempt to enter Syria if you have previously traveled to Israel. Travelers who have done this will be detained for questioning.
• Do not attempt to enter Syria if you are a Syrian male who lives elsewhere. You may be conscripted into the army.
• Syria is included on the Department of State's List of State Sponsors of Terrorism.