A Canadian traveller has issued a stark warning to potential tourists after recounting a disastrous trip to Tunisia, describing it as a holiday that went wrong in "so many ways at once." The tourist, posting on Reddit under the username u/Original-Set5247 in November, detailed a catalogue of negative experiences involving scams, "filthy" surroundings, and aggressive behaviour.
A Series of Unfortunate Events
The traveller, who claims to have lived in North Africa and the Middle East, said they felt "morally obligated" to warn others. Their ordeal began at a mosque in Kairouan, where they alleged they were turned away and denied a refund for being non-Muslim. They contested claims that signage explained this policy, pointing to similar complaints on Google Reviews.
Their experience at the ancient site of Carthage in Tunis was equally bleak. They described the UNESCO World Heritage site as "filthy, unstaffed, unsignposted, and left to rot." A simple shopping trip escalated when, according to the post, "aggressive" shopkeepers blocked the exit and insulted the traveller's non-white friend by disputing his Canadian nationality.
Transport and accommodation offered no respite. A first-class rail journey featured broken windows, loose luggage racks and dirty seats. Their pre-booked hotel, which allegedly "reeked of smoke and roaches," cancelled their non-refundable reservation.
The Final Hurdle at Customs
The traveller saved their most alarming claim for the departure process. They stated that after passport control, customs officials invoked a dubious legal fiction. "They claim you're 'no longer in Tunisia,' even though you're still inside a Tunisian-controlled zone," the post read. This was used to force travellers to empty their wallets of Tunisian dinars, a closed currency that is illegal to take out of the country. When the Canadian tried to warn other tourists, they said agents shouted at them.
A Divided Response from Fellow Travellers
The Reddit post, which garnered over 22,000 upvotes and 600 comments, sparked a significant debate. Many users shared similar stories of hassle and scams. One commenter declared Tunisia "one of the worst places I've ever visited," alleging that 90% of people were trying to scam or assault tourists. Another thanked the original poster, stating that constant vigilance for scams was not their idea of a relaxing vacation.
However, a substantial number of respondents defended Tunisia, sharing positive experiences. One traveller described people as "generally friendly" and planned to return, having visited Djerba and Tunis. Others called it a favourite destination, calmer than Morocco, with beautiful cities and friendly locals. A recurring piece of advice from these commentators was the importance of having street smarts and keeping ATM receipts to change dinars back at the airport.
The contrasting accounts highlight the subjective nature of travel but underscore the need for thorough research and preparation, especially when visiting developing nations with different cultural and economic dynamics.
