Travel Answers

Eritrea

Hi everyone, We may be coming to live and work in Asmara for the next 3-4 years. Can anybody tell us what are internet connections availability and speeds like? We will be living in a rented house in the city and would really like to be able to use Skype to keep in touch with family and friends. Any other hints and advice will be welcome also! Thanks John and Ella

Hi to all! I'm from Italy, and my wife can go to asmara to work as teacher in an italian school for some years (at least 4 we think...). She must confirm or deny in a week. I have same questions: - Is a quite place? - What about hospitals? - There are some problems with food or water o something like? - Can I found a work for me? I'm a 42 years old computer programmer with about 24 years experience. However, every work is ok for me... We think to accept, because we think this can be a fantastic experience, but some words from someone who knows the city, the people and the life in asmara is very needed... Thanks in advice Del Mestre Luca

Hey friends !! I am from India, and may be going to Eritrea as a lecturer in the Eritrea Institute of Technology early next year. Since its an absolutely new place for me, I wonder how it would be for an outsider to settle there. It would also be of great help if somebody can throw some light on the cost of living over there. Thanks. Samik.

We will be in Ethiopia in January and ending Feb 4. We would like to get to Eritrea. I keep reading that it is NOT possible to get there by land. Can we, in fact, get through Djubuti? Thanks, Joe

We are planning to go to Ethiopia and cross to Eritrea. We travel by cycle but looks like is not possible to border overland.I have read that the best option is by plane trought a third country ( Sudan or yemen) but this is not an exciting option for bikers. Do you know if we can cross to Djibouti and get eritrea from there? We would appreciate any comments .

Hi, I would like to land by plane in Asmara, Eritrea. From there I could go to Massawa. Than I want a boat/ferry-transport to Yemen. 1. I wonder whether I could get a ferry from there to any Yemeni port? Al Hudaydah for example. Finally I wana travel to Sana'a, the Yemeni capital. Thank you and hope you are having a good trip.

Does anyone have an e-mail address for the Africa Pension in Asmara? Thanks!

My partner and I are thinking of going to Eritrea on a 2 week holiday at the end of November. What is the situation for tourists at the moment? Is there enough to see in two weeks? We like to see cities, ruins, trekking, snorkelling, remote villages etc. Any recommendations? We see the FCO website says tourists need a permit to leave Asmara, and this is sometimes refused. Does anyone has any experience with trying to do this? How likely is it that we would be refused? And if we were, is it easy to take a flight to a nearby country, eg. Egypt? Also, how much is there to do in Asmara itself? How much money would we be likely to spend, i.e. accommodation, transport, sightseeing etc? Any other advice would be very gratefully received. Thanks! L

Hello , every body in eritrea forum, pls can anyone help me to finding out a hotel i can book and pay with e-gold and how much per night, Thanks and hope to hear from u soon Timothy mfon.

Hi, I'm possibly looking to visit Asmara & Eritrea for a few months, thefore looking at renting an apartment with internet connection. Can someone advise me of the approximate cost for such an idea permonth? Thank you.

A quick warning - as of this month (november 2007) you now CANNOT obtain an Eritrean tourist visa in Sanaa, Yemen unless you have a Yemani residency permit. It has just changed (..and I have just bought a non-refundable air ticket!!) and as of yet I cant find a way around it. Obtain the visa before you leave home. This obviously makes guide book information obsolete and should be double-checked. Cheers.

I need to travel to Hancul (Eritrea) for business reasons and would like to know if anybody has tips re- accommodation, meals, night life and so on. Thanks. Ferdicerd

Hi! I am trying to organize a day tour from Asmara, but I have only Thursday or Friday. The choice is between Keren or Massawa. Which would you advise, considering that friday is muslim weekend? Do all activities stop? How would you organise it to get the best out of it? Thank you for the help, Mirko

Hi! I am trying to organize a day tour from Asmara, but I have only Thursday or Friday. The choice is between Keren or Massawa. Which would you advise, considering that friday is muslim weekend? Do all activities stop? How would you organise it to get the best out of it? Thank you for the help, Mirko

I am a provider of childrens education in australia and we are exploring the different family traditions of the world. I would love it if you could forward me some traditional celebrations that families uphold within Eritrea. Kind Regard, Justine Chappell

Hi to all VT members: i am planning to spend my summer vacation in Asmara, Eritrea. Can anyone suggest please a good affordable hotel, guest friendly clean (not interContinantal please) near the entertainment centre? Also i want to know of any freindly bar or nightclub there. Thanks

I was assigned to Asmara from November 1969 to April 1970. Is Kagnew Station (where HQ was located) still there; is it permissible to enter onto the grounds? Some of my fondest memories were strolling Haile Selassie Blvd and Queen Elizabeth Blvd; visiting the restaurants (very good Italian food!) and the local nightlife; taking a gherry cart for the equivalent of.50 anywhere in the city; the "Bush" and the local marts.

Hi, My girlfriend and i are thinking of coming to Eritrea for a few weeks this December. We are wanting to visit Asmara, Massawa and the islands. Are all nationals safe there at the moment? Many thanks Bruce

Hi I have got a job in Asmara for 1 year, should i go to asmara for doing a job, i currently reside in delhi, India. Is it safe place to reside, as there is a war condition right now. How much would it cost monthly for food and residence ? Are residence complexes clean there ? What kind of vegetarian food i can get there ? Regards Ashish

Hi, I'm going to visit Eritrea in summer. I have a few questions, please help. 1) Is it true that only overland route is via Ethiopia and Djibouti? 2) Is it safe and wise travelling by land from Djibouti border (~Assab) to Asmara? 3) Are there any ferry from Massawa to Jeddah (SA) or somewhere in Yemen (Aden)? In general, I will start in Egypt and I want to visit Sudan and Eritrea (it's a must) and then go back via Saudi Arabia/Syria/Turkey to Europe. Visiting Ethiopia and Djibouti would be nice, but not necessary. Thanks in advance.

Hi, I'm going to visit Eritrea in summer. I have a few questions, please help. 1) Is it true that only overland route is via Ethiopia and Djibouti? 2) Is it safe and wise travelling by land from Djibouti border (~Assab) to Asmara? 3) Are there any ferry from Massawa to Jeddah (SA) or somewhere in Yemen (Aden)? In general, I will start in Egypt and I want to visit Sudan and Eritrea (it's a must) and then go back via Saudi Arabia/Syria/Turkey to Europe. Visiting Ethiopia and Djibouti would be nice, but not necessary. Thanks in advance.

Does anyone know the Ambassador hotel on Harnet Ave in Asmara? Specific quesitons I have are: How is the hotel? How far is the Ambassador from the airport? How much should a taxi cost to the hotel? How does one change money upon arrival into Asmara? Is there a change place at the airport? Thanks in advance!!!!

Hi, I am planning to visit Eritrea/Asmara within 3 weeks and would like to learn exact details about security, facts, night life and etc. Thansk and best regards

Hi! Has anyone been diving or snorkelling off the Etrean coast? What's it like? Where is the best place to stay?

Can anyone recommend a cheap but clean hotel in Asmara? I've heard the Bristol Hotel is ok, but if anyone has any other suggestions, I'd be grateful. By cheap I mean between5-$10. Thanks.

Can anyone tell me about the nightlife in Asmara? Is it as good as it is in Addis Ababa or Mekelle? Lots of dancing fueled by cheap beer and gin? B.L.