City Guide Cairo, Egypt

Egypt is safe!

News reports sensationalize protests and prey on fear. Egyptian people are suffering due to the downturn in tourism. Travelers are missing out by avoiding Egypt. Life goes on as usual away from Tahrir Square. Protests are contained, and we would not have known they were happening if we had not driven by. Cairo is full of crazy traffic (take the metro, not a taxi, and be careful when crossing the street!).

Insider Tip:Fridays are the holy day, so banks and money exchanges are closed. Travelers checks are hard to use, & many banks will not cash them. ATM machines are plentiful. Few places take credit cards, and those who do add a fee of 3% or more.

Soul travel

Cairo is a soul travel. You will not come back the same. Egypt is another world that make you see your life in a different way. Just search a lot about the country before you go.

Insider Tip:Never accept the first price of anything in the stores. The only sad with about Cairo is the fact the egyptians see the tourist as a ATM not as a opportunity to bring more tourists.

Dirty as can be!

Cairo is dirty, dirty, dirty...but still full of interesting places to visit including Coptic Cairo, etc.

Caos

The City is a Total Caos. I would recomend you to stay just 36hours so you do GIZA Pyramids and The Egiptian Museum. There is not too much to see or discover. Use your time Discoveryng the Oasys. Is Better and Nicer.

Cairo, Egypt

Beautiful city. Ancient energy. Fascinating people. The city hums and teems with people. NOTE: Tahrir Square is empty. Just a dust field with a few people selling wares. NOTHING is happening there. I was there in mid-to-late July.

Insider Tip:Don't buy papyrus off the street or the statues being sold outside temples and pyramids. The papyrus is actually banana leaves and the stuff at the temples is a mix of plastic and glue. Do not drink the water or anything that has not been cooked. If you are not from Egypt, you don't have the bacteria in your stomach to adjust to uncooked food or water. Bottled water is plentiful and cheap. Wear sunscreen. If you go to Giza, get a bedouin guide. No one will mess with you if you are with a local.