Fawtty Towers, 116/1 Ofarim St. (tel. 37 23 71). Bunks, bunks, bunks. This sleep factory churns Zs with mechanical relentlessness. The traveler is fuel for their diabolical unconscious machine. Kitchen. Entry fee of NIS15 for a dorm bed. Doubles NIS20. Washing machine NIS10.

There are two camping options in Eilat: official and expensive or unofficial and free. The latter is far more popular but also more dangerous. During July and August, hundreds of people happen not to see the “No Camping” signs and sleep on the public beach. And year after year, many of these morons are victims of theft. Possessions should never be left unguarded and women should not camp alone. Another nuisance at these camps are the rats, attracted by the garbage areas on Lagoon Beach, who will enjoy biting your ears and other appendages. To avoid these hassles, go east (toward the Jordanian border), or south of the Red Rock Hotel (toward Coral Beach). Sleeping and tent-pitcliing on these beaches is legal, and there are toilets near most of them.