Passport/Visa Requirements: Citizens of Canada and the U.S. need both passports and visas. A departure tax of US$20 must be paid (in U.S. dollars) at the airport. Reconfirm travel document requirements with your carrier before departure.
Population: 4,447,307.
Languages: Tigrinya and Tigre are the most common native languages. English is the language of instruction in high schools and university, so most young people in the country speak a little and almost everyone in the capital speaks it well. Arabic is widely spoken, and many older Eritreans still speak Italian..
Predominant Religions: Islamic, Christian..
Time Zone: 3 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (+3 GMT). Daylight Saving Time is not observed.
Voltage Requirements: 110 volts and 220 volts.
Telephone Codes: 291, country code; 1,city code for Asmara;
| Currency Exchange | Top  |
The unit of currency is the nakfa. It is easier to change money at exchange bureaus (found in Asmara) than the Commercial Bank (the only bank in Eritrea allowed to issue U.S. dollars) because bureaus are faster, open later, and they do not charge a commission on traveler's checks. In the capital all major currencies are accepted; elsewhere it is best to rely on U.S. dollars. There are no ATMs. The government sets the exchange rate and keeps it artificially low. This results in many black-market entrepreneurs on the streets willing to change cash for much better rates, but using their services is illegal.
| Banking Hours | Top |
Monday-Friday 8-11:30 am and 1-4 pm, Saturday 8 am-noon.
At upscale restaurants, a service charge is normally included in the bill. If not, tip 10%. Taxi drivers do not expect a tip.
The best months to visit are April, May, October and November, when the days are in the 70s-80s F/21-26 C and nights are in the 40s-50s F/5-15 C. (Temperatures drop sharply in the late afternoon.) July-September, it's hotter by about 10 F/5 C, and the highlands get rain in strong, though infrequent, downpours (called "the big rains"). The coastal region on the Red Sea is hot year-round and can reach the 100s F/40+ C during the summer. The northern coast has a rainy season from December to February. Rain is rare along the southern coast.
| Transportation | Top  |
Asmara International Airport (ASM) is 6 mi/10 km southwest of the city. It's a modern, efficient and seldom-used facility. Reconfirm your flight before departure and arrive early for your outbound flight.
Rental cars and buses are the most common ways of getting between cities. Rental cars are expensive, and for some destinations, such as Dankalia, it is wise to also hire a driver. Buses are cheap, but usually very slow, and there is often a long wait.
In Asmara, the best way to get around is a yellow taxi. When getting in a taxi, you should be aware that taxis work like buses and follow set routes. The fare is five nakfa. If you're going someplace out-of-the-way then the driver will say "for hire only," which means that you should negotiate the price. Taxi fares double at night, and there is an additional charge for luggage. In small rural areas, horse-drawn carts and walking are the principal means of transport.
There is once again a limited train service on the old Asmara-Massawa line, one of the most spectacular rides in Africa. Currently, service is only for charter groups, though if a train has been booked, others are allowed to buy tickets. Check with travel agencies in Asmara for details.
| For More Information | Top |
Tourist Offices
Eritrea: Ministry of Tourism Information Centre, 108 Harnet Ave., Asmara. Phone 291-1-124-871. Fax 291-1-126-943.
Eritrea does not have tourist offices in Canada or the U.S. Contact the nearest embassy for tourist information.
Eritrea Embassies
Canada: Embassy of Eritrea, 75 Albert St., Suite 610, Ottawa, ON K1P 5E7. Phone 613-234-3989. Fax 613-234-6213.
U.S.: Embassy of Eritrea, 1708 New Hampshire Ave. N.W., Washington, D.C. 20009. Phone 202-319-1991. Fax 202-319-1304.
Foreign Embassies in Eritrea
Consulate of Canada, Warsay Street, House No. 87/89, Asmara. Phone 291-1-186-490. Fax 291-1-186-488.
U.S. Embassy, Franklin Roosevelt Street, Asmara. Phone 291-1-120-004. Fax 291-1-127-584.
| Additional Reading | Top |
I Didn't Do it For You: How the World Betrayed a Small African Nation by Michela Wrong (HarperCollins). Details the long, difficult road Eritrea traveled to independence.
To Asmara by Thomas Keneally (Warner Books). A fictional account of a journalist traveling with rebels in the mountains of Eritrea.
