Capital: Asmara
Time zone: GMT + 3
Telephone services: Country Code: 291
Outgoing Code: Operator assistance required for outgoing international calls.
Emergency telephone numbers: Not present
Tourist information: Eritrean Tour Service (ETS) PO Box 889, 61 Harnet Avenue, Asmara, Eritrea Tel: (1) 124 999 Fax: (1) 126 366 or 127 695
Passport information: Valid passport required by all. Return Ticket Required. Requirements may be subject to change at short notice. Contact the relevant consular authority before finalising travel arrangements.
Visa information: Required by all. Business and Tourist granted. Ensure that all visa’s remain current throughtout your stay. Transit passengers who do not leave the airport do not need a visa.
Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended.
Malaria: Exists throughout the year and high resistance to chloroquine has been reported.
Yellow Fever: A vaccination certificate is required by all arrivals over one year of age arriving from infected areas. However everyone is advised to have the vaccination for travel outside the urban areas.
Other Health Risks: Bilharzia, Cholera, Hepatitis, Rabies, Meningitis are present. Tetanus injection is also recommended.
Food & drink: Water is untreated and not safe to drink. Avoid dairy products as they are not pasteurised. Fruit and vegetables should be peeled before consumption.
Currency: Ethiopian Birr (Br)
used in Asmara and the South. The Sudanese Dinar is in circulation in the North and West. US Dollars in cash is the best form of currency.
MasterCard and Diners Club have limited acceptance.
ATM availability: Unavailable.
Cost of living: Prices are generally lower in Eritrea than in surrounding countries.
Languages: Arabic and Tigrinya. English and Italian also spoken.
Weather: Hottest period is Apr to Jun but it can be very cold at night. June – Feb raining season depending on the area of the country.
Electricity: 110 Volts AC in Asmara different voltage exists outside the capital. There are occasional power surges.
Post: Delays should be expected
Transport: FLIGHTS:No internal flights or railways. ROADS: Reasonable between tourist and business centres. Improvements are being made. BUSES: Connect all larger towns and cities. TAXIS: Can be found in the capital and at the airport; fares should be agreed in advance.
Special information: EXTREME RISK: Foreign & Commonwealth Office strongly advises against all travel should be avoided at present. For further information see FCO site.