Visa

To enter Eritrea you need a visa, available at all Eritrean Embassies in
your country. Ask for the visa in advance as it is not possible to get it
in Asmara, Airport. Visa for tourists, valid 1 month, 50 Euros.

Getting there

Eritrean Airlines, two times a week from Frankfurt via Rome directly to
Asmara, 580-650 Euros

Egypt Air, from Frankfurt via Cairo to Asmara, around 650 Euros

Yemenia, two times a week from Frankfurt via Saana, 380-460 Euros

Lufthansa, four times a week from Frankfurt, around 800 Euros

It is not possible to enter by land due to the ongoing border dispute with
Ethiopia.

Airport

The main airport is Asmara Airport, just six kilometres from the centre of
the capital city.

Airport Tax

When leaving Eritrea, every passenger is charged a departure tax of 20
Euros.

Currency

Nakfa is the eritrean currency, exchange rate 1 Euro = 19 Nakfa,
1 Dollar = 15 Nakfa

By entering Eritrea you have to declare your currency. The receipts from the
bank have been shown at the airport again by departure.

Climate

Eritrea can be divided into three major climatic zones:
- the central highlands where the hottest month is May and December and
February with lows that can be near freezing point at night,
- the coastal region which from June to September is extremely hot with
daily temperatures ranging from 40-50 degrees and winter temperatures
ranging from 21-35 degrees with rain during winter months,
- the western lowlands where high temperatures are comparable to the
coast in the hottest months from April until June and December is the
coldest month.

Health

Malaria in the western lowlands, so consult your doctor for an effective prophylactic. 
Dengue fever in the coastal region during rain season (January until
March) 
Immunisations are advisable against yellow fever, polio, typhoid and
tetanus. Hepatitis A immunisation with the Havrix vaccine is also
advisable.
Do not drink the tap water. Bottled mineral water is available everywhere.
Medical care is limited!

Hotels

Most hotels are governmental. The prices vary due to size, toilet/shower
on floor or on the room. Massawa prices vary according to air condition or van. There are Western Standards in some hotels but be warned of occasional problems of water supply!

Language
The local language is tigrigna and arabic. English and italian are spoken in the cities. 

Location

Eritrea is located in the Horn of Africa. It is a mixture of rugged mountainous
uplands and arid desert, covering some 125,000 square kilometres. It is sur-
rounded by Ethiopia in the west, Sudan in the north, Djibouti in the south and
the Red Sea in the east. 

Photography

Photographs should not be taken of military or any strategic buildings. Before
photographing any person, religious festival or rural homestead it is court-
eous to ask permission.