Tunis - Post Report Question and Answers
Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
Crime was increasing given the dismal economic situation and there were some reports of break-ins in the diplomatic community. That being said the city didn't feel that dangerous - equivalent to large American city perhaps. There are a few areas of the country, such as near the Algerian border, that are off-limits due to concerns about terrorism. But almost all of the tourist sites are ok. - Jan 2024
Not many. There have been some assaults and robberies but these are not frequent and petty crime is very low. - Jun 2022
Yes, every so often there are car break-ins or muggings but for the most part we have felt extremely safe. - May 2022
Yes, there are terrorist attacks here and you should be aware at all times. - Nov 2020
Low for crime. Random terror attacks (1-2 each year). - May 2020
Tunisia remains a critical threat post for terrorism - remain aware at all times. Know that trips outside of Tunis require preparation and approvals. There is also a steady stream of petty crime - purse or phone snatchings are common. - Nov 2017
Yes, two recent terrorist attacks on European tourists have changed the security environment. Hotels have armed guards, and roundabouts have police with weapons stopping vehicles. Tunisians took a big hit to their tourism industry in 2015, probably losing 1 million tourists when compared with the previous year. - Nov 2015
YES. Be aware of your surroundings at all times. We had friends who were mugged walking from the march in La Marsa going back to their house. There were also break ins (no one injured) and a friend was driving and had a couple of guys steal his phone while in traffic (they had a knife). Having your purse go through a metal detector while going to Carrefour got old really quick. - Nov 2014
Currently a lot of political and security issues to keep an eye on. - Jul 2013
You need to be aware of your surroundings. People will stare at you if you're not dark haired and look like them, this is one of the biggest challenges for me. - Jun 2013
Not in the capital or tourist areas. Be careful in the desert and Algerian border areas for transient terrorism. - Feb 2012
It was fairly safe at the time, under the iron-fisted rule of Ben Ali. Not sure how it is now. Police were everywhere, and on a long drive is was not uncommon to be stopped a few times. But 99 times out of 100, they would let you go as soon as they realized you were not Tunisian. This even happened once or twice when I was speeding or had broken some traffic rule. We had foreign plates, and the police obviously had specific instructions to leave foreigners (i.e., tourists) alone. This may have changed ... - Oct 2011
Some petty theft - I saw a woman get her purse snagged by two guys on a motorbike as she was walking down the sidewalk downtown (she held on until they let go!), muggings in the medina - the usual. - Jul 2010
Home break-ins, but if you have a dog, you will most likely be ok. Plus all embassy homes have alarm systems. Use them! - May 2010
None. Tunisia is a police state and you will feel safer here than you did back in the States. - Jan 2010
