Eritrea Travel Overview
GENERAL
Official name of the state
State of Eritrea.
Capital
Asmara.
Geography
Neighboring countries of the republic located on the Red Sea are Ethiopia in the southwest, Djibouti in the southeast and Sudan in the northwest. The Dalak Archipelago with 200 islands, which lies off the coast in the Red Sea, belongs to the territory of Eritrea. In the coastal lowlands there is a hot and humid climate. The mountainous interior is fertile and is used for agriculture. The highest point is the Soira with 3018 m.
Government
Republic since 1993. Constitution of 1997, which has not yet come into force. Virtually inactive transitional parliament with 150 members. 1941-1952 under British leadership; from 1962 province of Ethiopia, since then there has been constant unrest and civil war. On June 18, 2000, Eritrea and Ethiopia signed a ceasefire agreement. Independent since 1993.
Head of state
Isayas Afewerki (since 1993).
Head of government
Isayas Afewerki (since 1993).
Electricity
230 V. 50 Hz.
Time zone
Eastern Africa Time: CET +4
TRAVEL WARNING
Country-specific safety information
Warnings are issued against traveling to the border area with Ethiopia and Djibouti. Given the unresolved border dispute between Ethiopia and Eritrea and the ongoing border conflict with Djibouti, the political situation remains tense.
The Federal Foreign Office also warns against individual travelers calling at Eritrean ports, calling at the islands of the Dahlak Archipelago and against entering the country by land.
Anyone who decides to travel to Eritrea should only do so by air.
MONEY
Currency
Nakfa = 100 cents. Currency abbreviation: Nfa, ERN (ISO code). There are banknotes in denominations of 100, 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1 nakfa; Coins in denominations of 100 (= 1Nakfa), 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1 (only a few in circulation) cents.
The Nakfa was introduced in 1997 and replaced the Ethiopian Birr. Eritrea’s first own currency, which is in circulation in both banknotes and coins, was recognized by the IMF and the World Bank and is pegged to the US $.
Credit cards
MasterCard and Diners Club are only accepted in a few hotels. Details from the issuer of the credit card in question. Foreign travelers usually have to pay hotel bills, airline tickets and passenger fees in US dollars and in cash.
ATMs
ec- / Maestro-Karte / Sparcard Cash
withdrawal at the ATM with a credit or debit card is usually not possible. Cash is only available in exchange offices and banks by exchanging foreign currency or by transferring money through Western Union.
Attention: Travelers who pay with their bank card abroad and want to withdraw money should find out about the possibilities of using their card from their bank before starting their journey.
Bank opening times
- General Mon-Fri 8 a.m.-11 a.m. and 2 p.m.-4 p.m., Sat 8 a.m.-12 p.m.
Foreign exchange regulations
The import and export of convertible foreign currencies is unlimited and must be declared for amounts that exceed the equivalent of US $ 10,000.
Currency Exchange
It is advisable to take US dollars with you in cash, which should only be exchanged in banks and in authorized exchange offices and hotels. The local currency can only be exchanged up to an amount of 3000 Nakfa.
LANGUAGE
Overview
The official and lingua franca are Arabic, Tigrinya and English. Afar, Bilen, Kunama, Nara, Saho and Tigre are also spoken.
DUTY-FREE SHOPPING
Overview
The following articles can be imported into Eritrea duty-free (people over 18 years):
200 cigarettes;
1 liter of alcoholic beverages;
500 ml of perfume.
Electronic devices for personal use must be declared upon entry and then exported again. The declaration document is to be presented upon departure. If the imported devices remain in Eritrea, customs will be levied.
ECONOMY
Business etiquette
Local business people often speak English or Italian. Knowledge of French can also be useful. Business cards are not common everywhere. The months October to May are the most favorable for business trips.
Opening hours
Business hours: Mon-Thu 7 a.m.-12 p.m. and 2 p.m.-6 p.m., Fri 7 a.m.-11.30 a.m. and 2 p.m.-6 p.m., private business Sat 8 a.m.-12 p.m. Regional deviations are possible.
Economy
Commercial Section of the Embassy of Eritrea
Stavangerstraße 18, D-10439 Berlin
Tel: (030) 44 67 46 17
Eritrean Chamber of Commerce (Chamber of Commerce)
PO Box 856, Abiot Av. 46, Asmara
Tel: (01) 12 15 89.
Business contacts
Commercial Section of the Embassy of Eritrea
Stavangerstraße 18, D-10439 Berlin
Tel: (030) 44 67 46 17
Eritrean Chamber of Commerce (Chamber of Commerce)
PO Box 856, Abiot Av. 46, Asmara
Tel: (01) 12 15 89.
COMMUNICATION
Phone
According to topschoolsintheusa, the Country code for Eritrea is 00291. Public telephones can be found on the main streets. In Asmara there is a telecommunications building near the theater. Long-distance calls can be made from there without any problems. All major cities are connected to the telephone network. The national telephone company is called the Telecommunications Service of Eritrea.
Cellphone
GSM 900 network since 2004. Network operator is Eritel (Eritrea Telecommunications Services Corporation). There are no roaming contracts. A residence permit for Eritrea is required to purchase a SIM card on site.
Internet
The main internet providers are the Eritrean postal and telecommunications company, Tfanus Enterprises, EWAN Technical Solutions and Computer Technology Services (CTS). Internet access is available in the larger cities, including in the isolated Internet cafés. The connections are often unstable and longer interruptions can occur.
Post Office
International mail has not yet resumed with all countries. Delays must be expected.
Radio
Since the use of shortwave frequencies changes several times over the course of a year, it is advisable to contact Deutsche Welle customer service directly (Tel: (+49) (0228) 429 32 08. Internet: www.dw-world.de) to request.
SHOP
Overview
Nice souvenirs include gold and silver jewelry (sold by weight), wood carvings, leather goods, spears, drums, carpets, and wickerwork. You can trade in the markets, the prices are usually fixed in the shops. Shop opening times: Usually Mon-Sat 8 am-1pm and 2.30pm-8.30pm (regional differences possible)
CULINARY
CULTURE
Religion
50% Christians (Eritrean Orthodox Church) and 50% Muslims.
Social rules of conduct
Everyday clothing is i. General appropriate; Conservative clothing is preferred. Casual private invitations are popular.
Tips: Most hotels and restaurants add 10% service charge to the bill. A tip of 10% is only expected in cities.
CLIMATE
Best travel time
Central highlands: temperate climate. Maximum temperatures in May around 40 ° C. In the months of December to February, temperatures can drop to freezing point. Best travel time: September to February. Generally strong temperature fluctuations between day and night. Two rainy seasons, a short one (March / April) and the actual rainy season from late June to early September.
Northern highlands: Desert-like climate with large temperature differences between day and night.
Coastal region: temperature from June to August 25 ° -40 ° C. December to February between 18 ° and 32 ° C. On the tropical northern coast there is a rainy season (December – February), on the southern coast with the dry Danakil desert, precipitation is very rare. Best travel time: November to March.
Western plains: Tropical, fertile south with a rainy season from December to February and dry north. The hottest temperatures of the year are measured between spring and mid-summer at 40 ° C, with December being the coolest month.
COUNTRY DATA
Area code +291 Area (square km) 117 600 Population 6527 689 Population density (per square km) 56 Population in 2015 Member of the EU No
