Tunisia
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Located in North Africa and bordered by Algeria and Libya, Tunisia is a premier tourist destination because of its constant sunshine and golden sandy beaches. It lies just south of Sicily on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea and is situated along the Atlas Mountain Range. Also, 40% of the country lies in the Sahara Desert. Tunisia’s varied terrain coupled with its multi-ethnic history (it was part of the Roman Empire, various medieval Islamic states, and a suburb of the capital city of Tunis was the famous Phoenician city of Carthage), makes for a pleasant stay that will fulfill almost anyone’s taste.
Medical Tourism Fame
Tunisia has just recently made its debut into the medical tourism game. Its primary lure is its extremely attractive prices, offering, for example, breast augmentation surgery for half of the price in Western Europe. Popular surgical procedures sought in Tunisia are in cardiology, urology, and gynecology. Also, the country’s cosmetic surgeons have good reputations for quality and experience, and the majority of Tunisian physicians were trained in the United States and Europe.
Language
The official language of Tunisia is Arabic; however English is spoken by some businessmen and in tourist areas/major cities.
Climate
Tunisia has a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild winters. The most pleasant time to visit is in the spring (mid-March to mid-May), and the summertime is popular for beach bums, but note that this is also the high season, so expect high prices and crowds. For those interested in visiting the Sahara Desert, the best time to go is during late Fall (November to early December). November is also the time when the date harvests have wrapped up and some of the music festivals have begun.
Visa / Entrance Requirements
U.S. and Canadian citizens do not require a visa for stays up to 120 days; however a valid passport is required.
Airlines Servicing this Destination
Tunisia has many airports but the ones most pertinent to medical tourists are:
Djerba-Zarzis International Airport (DJE)
Enfidha-Zine El Abidine Ben Ali International Airport (NBE)
Monastir-Habib Bourguiba International Airport (MIR)
Sfax-Thyna International Airport (SFA)
Tabarka-7 Novembre International Airport (TBJ)
Tozeur-Nefta International Airport (TOE)
Tunis-Carthage International Airport (TUN)
The following airlines have flights to Tunisia:
Delta
Air France
Alitalia
Lufthansa
Northwest Airlines
Continental
Air Canada
Royal Air Maroc
US Airways
British Airways
BMI
Hotels
A room in a budget hotel, 3 star hotel, or bed & breakfast usually costs $13-$40 USD (per person) per night; however it can be much more costly on resort islands such as Djerba. Note that many 3 star hotels can almost be mistaken for luxury dwellings. Tunisia has impressive, 5 star hotels scattered throughout the country that start at $100 per night.
Currency
The currency of Tunisia is the Dinar (TND).
The exchange rate of U.S. dollars to Tunisian dinars is $1 USD to 1.32 TND (exchange rate subject to change).
Communicating Home
The international access code for Tunisia is 216.
Below are the area codes for Tunisia:
Bizerte: 72
Gabes: 75
Kairouan: 77
Monastir: 73
Sfax: 74
Sousse: 73
Tunis: 71
In order to call Tunisia from the U.S. or Canada you must dial 011 (exit code), then 216 (country code for Tunisia), then the area code (two digits, starting with the number seven), and then the phone number (six digits).
To call a cell phone in Tunisia from the U.S. or Canada you must dial 011 + 216 + area code (two digits, starting with the number nine) + phone number (six digits).
In order to call the U.S. or Canada from Tunisia you must dial 001 + 1 + area code + phone number.
Cyber-cafes are widely available in major cities and towns. Many hotels and private hospitals throughout the country offer Broadband Internet connection.
Emergency Telephone Numbers
U.S. Embassy in Tunis: (71)107-000
Sightseeing
With 713 miles (1,148 km) of coastline, Tunisia is a premier destination for beach bums. Djerba is an island with sandy beaches, a dominant Berber culture, and peculiar, whitewashed domed-hut architecture. Sousse also has a lovely beach and it is one of Tunisia’s liveliest towns; packed with students, visitors, and locals. One of Islam’s most holy cities is the walled city of Kairouan. The city is so important in Islamic hierarchy that seven visits to Kairouan equal one visit to Mecca. For those of you who are interested in seeing the desert, a trip to Douz is a must. The city itself is not very exciting, but it does offer desert tours. Archaeologists will enjoy seeing the ancient ruins of Carthage in Tunis. Tunis is also home to great shopping, cafes, and nightlife.
Shopping
The Souks located in Tunis is an open-air market that offers a variety of goods from belly dance costumes, shoes, and jewelry to hookahs, tea sets, carpets and handicrafts. Medina (Old City) is another area that is rife with places to shop. The two main shopping streets in Medina are Rue de la Kasbah and Rue Jemaa Zitouna where you can purchase everything imaginable including produce. Note that it is important to bargain, otherwise you will be taken.
Nightlife and the Arts
In Tunisia it is not appropriate for women to be out at night, however the cities of Sousse, Hammamet, and some nighttime venues in Tunis are the exceptions to the rule. Note that the club and bar scenes in Sousse and Hammamet are mostly based around the hotels. The majority of nightlife in Tunisia generally involves private beach parties, BBQ’s, and pool parties.
The most famous museum in Tunisia is the Bardo Museum in Tunis, which houses collections from the prehistoric, Carthaginian, Roman, Christian, and Islamic eras of Tunisian history. The museum itself is an architectural landmark and a superb example of Arab-Muslim 17th and 18th century architecture and decoration. The Carthage Museum, just east of Tunis, has Punic (Phoenician and Cypriot) and Roman collections, and is also an archaeological site.
There are a few English language print and online newspapers in Tunisia including the BBC News, Agence Tunis Afrique Presse, and www.Tunisiaonlinenews.com.
