Here is an important piece of advice: Do NOT stay in Nefta overnight!!!

My boyfriend and I traveled by bus from Kairouan to Nefta, bypassing Tozeur, because we thought Nefta would be quieter, quainter, and more idyllic -- and less overrun with tourists. It's certainly quiet, but that's only because there is absolutely nothing to do in Nefta that can't be done in about two hours.

Although guidebooks will say that there are multiple lodging options there, currently there remain only three hotels: The Caravansarail, the Bel Horizon, and some totally scary dump across from the Caravansarail in the "tourist zone." We checked out all three, and they are all insanely expensive for Tunisian standards and about 4 times the price of anywhere you would stay in Tozeur. Furthermore, there are virtually NO taxis in Nefta and nothing is within walking distance.

Since we were stuck there and exhausted, we opted for the Bel Horizon at around $80 USD per night. The Caravansarail was around $100 USD night and didn't look much nicer than the Bel Horizon, and the other dumpy hotel, which was marginally less expensive, was too scary for words. So we were stuck with the Bel Horizon.

BE WARNED however that although the rates for the Bel Horizon are clearly posted in a frame on the front desk, the receptionist attempted to charge us the HIGH SEASON rate, although we arrived in LOW season (which was clearly marked). Make sure you are not getting ripped off. The prices are exorbitant even in low season.

The room was decent enough, although I nearly froze to death from an air conditioner placed so that it blew freezing air directly onto the heads of anyone sleeping in the bed. The views were nice, and the room was clean, however. On another downside though, the breakfast buffet was covered in flies and very unappetizing.

Most guests are in large tour groups (ie: we were there with a huge load of Polish people on several tour buses), and there are few solo tourists -- thus the lack of taxis.

In sum, I would most definitely NOT recommend ever staying in overpriced Nefta or the crummy and expensive Bel Horizon with its dishonest receptionists. We left for Tozeur in the morning and had a much better and more affordable stay in a city that offers far more options for single travelers.