Packing list for Libya, travel insurance for Libya and taking your belongings

What to take to Libya: brief

To pack and check:

• Documents and money: a passport that is valid for at least six months upon arrival and a visa arranged in advance. The exact visa procedure varies by nationality, so make sure to check this carefully before you leave. Bring your passport, visa, travel insurance and important documents both digitally and on paper. Cash is very important, as bank cards and credit cards cannot simply be used everywhere. There is also a shortage of cash, and exchanging foreign currency is strictly regulated. Bring enough money for your entire trip, in euros or US dollars. Make sure the banknotes are in new or near-new condition.
• Clothing: lightweight clothing for hot days, such as long trousers and long-sleeved shirts. Loose, covering clothing is useful not only because of the sun, but also because of dust and local dress customs. Also bring something for cooler evenings and nights in the desert, and a jacket if you are travelling in winter. A scarf to cover your head is not essential, but can feel comfortable for women in public spaces.
• Shoes: comfortable, lightweight sneakers and sandals for the hotter months.
• Toiletries and hygiene: high-SPF sunscreen, lip balm, hand sanitiser, tissues and enough toiletries. Supplies can be limited in remote areas, so bring any products you really cannot do without yourself.
• Packing and protecting your belongings: good protection against dust and sand for your backpack, phone and electronics. A few resealable bags are surprisingly useful in the desert. Also bring sunglasses that fit well around your face, as sand and bright sunlight are an unpleasant combination.
• Insects and animals: bring insect repellent. Mosquitoes are not the main travel concern in Libya, but insect bites can occur, and there is a risk of leishmaniasis and other insect-borne diseases in North Africa.
• Sleeping: for a normal hotel trip, you do not need to bring any special sleeping equipment. If you are camping in the desert, a sleeping bag or sleeping bag liner suitable for cool nights is a sensible choice. A lightweight sleeping liner can also be useful in basic accommodation.
• Medication and travel first aid kit: bring enough personal medication and a personal first aid kit with ORS, plasters, painkillers, anti-diarrhoea medication, hand sanitiser and a thermometer. Medical facilities are limited, especially outside the cities.
• Outdoor and useful items: sunglasses, a sun hat or cap, a reusable water bottle with a filter and a small daypack. For desert trips, extra water, a headlamp and a basic emergency blanket are important. If you are travelling for long periods, a scarf or buff is useful for protecting yourself from the sun and sand.
• Technology and equipment: a universal travel adapter, as you may encounter different socket types, as well as a power bank and headlamp for times when there is no electricity.
• Safety and theft: bring as few conspicuous valuables as possible and use a securely closing bag and/or something like a money belt. Be careful with photography too, as permission is required to photograph military locations, and photographing other sensitive locations can also cause problems.

To consider:

• An extra water bottle or hydration reservoir for desert trips.
• Offline maps if you plan to travel outside the cities.
• A small dry bag or protective pouch for electronics.
• Good travel insurance that explicitly covers your planned destination and activities. Travel insurance may be invalid if you travel against official travel advice.

Are there mosquitoes in Libya?

• Mosquitoes do occur in Libya, but the good news is that they are mainly a problem during the summer. Populations can grow rapidly at this time and may make your holiday, trip or stay rather less pleasant.
• Fortunately, you do not need to worry about malaria, but other mosquito-borne diseases do occur, and those are best avoided too.
• Protecting yourself against both mosquito-borne diseases and itchy bites can be done with insect repellent and lightweight long clothing should generally be sufficient.
• More about protection against mosquitoes and insects.

Are there sandflies in Libya?

• Yes, sandflies occur in Libya, and some species can transmit leishmaniasis, a particularly unpleasant parasite. The tricky part is that sandflies are tiny and their bites are hardly noticeable.
• Sandflies are mainly active around dusk and at night, and are common in rural areas, but as with mosquitoes, insect repellent and covering clothing can help protect you against sandflies, especially if you are sleeping outdoors or spending a lot of time in rural or desert-like areas.
• More about sandflies and sand fleas.

Are DEET, or other insect repellents, available in Libya?

• Personal care and healthcare products are more readily available in larger cities, but you cannot rely on finding everything you need.
• It is therefore best to bring enough insect repellent with you for the entire trip. This is particularly important if you are travelling outside Tripoli or other larger cities.
• More about DEET.

Is it legal to buy alcohol in Libya, or bring it with you to Libya?

• Alcohol has been strictly prohibited in Libya since the 1960s because of the country's strict Islamic laws. Alcohol is sometimes smuggled into the country illegally, but this can result in severe penalties.
• If you do come across alcohol somewhere, such as the locally produced drink “Bokha”, be aware that even the consumption of alcohol is  prohibited and can result in penalties. And, there is also a risk of methanol poisoning from illegally produced or home-distilled alcohol.

Is it legal to buy a joint or weed in Libya, or bring it with you to Libya?

• No. The use, possession and trafficking of drugs are illegal and strictly punished.
• Unless you particularly want to see the inside of a prison, it is best not to bring cannabis, CBD products, alcohol or any other illegal drugs with you to Libya.