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Country Profile: Eritrea

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Travel Guide

Please Note

This is a generalized travel guide and it is intended to coalesce several resources, which a traveler might find useful, regardless of a particular destination. As such, it does not include travel warnings for specific "hot spot" destinations.

For travel alerts and warnings, please see the United States Department of State's listings available at URL:

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html/

Please note that travel to the following countries, based on these warnings, is ill-advised, or should be undertaken with the utmost precaution:

Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), El Salvador, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Honduras, Iraq, Iran, North Korea, Lebanon, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palestinian Territories of West Bank and Gaza, Philippines areas of Sulu Archipelago, Mindanao, and southern Sulu Sea, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Turkey, Venezuela, and Yemen.

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Please note:

The U.S. Department of State continues to warn U.S. citizens of the risks of travel to Eritrea. The Government of Eritrea continues to restrict the travel of all foreign nationals, including U.S. diplomats posted in Asmara. Consequently, the U.S. Embassy cannot guarantee its ability to provide emergency consular assistance outside of Asmara. In addition, contrary to its obligations under the Vienna Convention, the Government of Eritrea does not notify the U.S. Embassy when a U.S. citizen is detained or arrested. of note is that fact that Eritrea has complicated citizenship laws and does not recognize renunciation of Eritrean citizenship. As such, U.S. citizens of Eritrean ethnicity are often subject to the same laws and obligations as Eritrean nationals. U.S. citizens are strongly advised to avoid travel near the Eritrean-Ethiopian border and the Southern Red Sea Region because of the presence of large numbers of Eritrean and Ethiopian troops along the contested border area, and because of the military tensions between the two countries. Landmines and unexploded ordnance remain a serious problem in parts of the country. Some areas still have not been certified free of mines and unexploded ordnance following the 30-year war of independence and the subsequent 1998-2000 border conflict with Ethiopia.

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International Travel Guide

Checklist for Travelers

1. Make sure you travel with the proper documentation. This may include passports, travel visas, consent for travel with minors, and international driving permits, if necessary. Get the necessary visas for the country (or countries) one intends to visit - but be aware that a visa does not guarantee entry.

2. Protect one's personal information by making copies of one's passport details, insurance policy, travelers checks and credit card numbers. Taking copies of such documents with you, while leaving another collection copies with someone at home, is also good practice for travelers. Taking copies of one's passport photograph is also recommended, as well as leaving a copy of one's passport photograph and details at home is also recommended.

3. Take time to learn about one's destination country and culture. Read and learn about the place one is traveling. Also check political, economic and socio-cultural developments at the destination by reading country-specific travel reports and fact sheets. Always have the contact information for the embassy or consulate of your home country.

4. Keep in regular contact with friends and relatives back at home by phone or email, and be sure to leave a travel itinerary. As well, keep a list of your emergency contacts handy and create a communication plan for reaching family and friends in the event of a crisis.

5. While it may be appealing to travel "off the grid" and without attention to current events, it is inadvisable to travel internationally without paying attention to the news and current events taking place "in country." Monitor local radio, television, and other sources for news and updates. Make contacts with staff at hotels and/or in the community so you are able to stay informed.

6. Phone lines are usually affected during a crisis. Think about other ways to communicate. For example, update your social media status often and send messages as regularly as possible to let friends and family know how you are doing.

7. Know the laws of one's destination country and culture; be sure to understand the repercussions of breaking those laws and regulations. Often the transparency and freedoms of the juridical system at home is not consistent with that of one's destination country. Become aware of these complexities and subtleties before you travel.

8. For longer stays in a country, or where the security situation is volatile, one should register one's self and traveling companions at the local embassy or consulate of one's country of citizenship. Be prepared for crisis situations and have an exit strategy to ensure you can easily evacuate from a volatile situation. Have more than one way to get towards safety as a crisis event may make some roads unpassable or unsafe.

9. Stay healthy by taking all possible precautions against illness. Also, be sure to take extra supplies of prescription drugs along for the trip, while also taking time to pack general pharmaceutical supplies, such as aspirin and other such painkillers, bandages, stomach ailment medication, anti-inflammatory medication and anti-bacterial medication.

10. Do not carry illicit drugs. Understand that the punishment for possession or use of illegal drugs in some countries may be capital punishment. Make sure your prescription drugs are legal in the countries you plan to visit.

11. Women should take care to be prepared both culturally and practically for traveling in a different country and culture. One should be sure to take sufficient supplies of personal feminine products and prescription drugs. One should also learn about local cultural standards for women, including norms of dressing. Be aware that it is simply inappropriate and unsafe for women to travel alone in some countries, and take the necessary precautions to avoid risk-filled situations.

12. If one is traveling with small children, one should pack extra supplies, make arrangements with the travel carrier for proper seating that would adequately accommodate children, infants or toddlers. Note also that whether one is male of female, traveling with children means that one's hands are thus not free to carry luggage and bags. Be especially aware that this makes one vulnerable to pickpockets, thieves and other sorts of crime.

13. Make proper arrangements for accommodations, well in advance of one's arrival at a destination. Some countries have limited accommodation, while others may have culturally distinctive facilities. Learning about these practicalities before one travels will greatly aid the enjoyment of one's trip.

14. Travel with different forms of currency and money (cash, traveler's checks and credit cards) in anticipation that venues may not accept one or another form of money. Also, ensuring that one's financial resources are not contained in one location, or by one person (if one is traveling with others) can be a useful measure, in the event that one loses a wallet or purse. Contact your credit card companies ahead of departure to notify them of your travel plans and be on the lookout for suspicious activity.

15. Find out about transportation in the destination country. In some places, it might be advisable to hire a local driver or taxi guide for safety reasons, while in other countries, enjoying one's travel experience may well be enhanced by renting a vehicle and seeing the local sights and culture independently. Costs may also be prohibitive for either of these choices, so again, prior planning is suggested. If you plan to drive "in country," as indicated above, ensure you have proper international driving permits.

16. Be aware that other countries use different voltage. Travel with a voltage adaptor pack if you will need to power up a laptop, phone, or medical device. It is also advisable to think in terms of power supply, and be sure to find backup power or other ways that will sustain your device or equipment during a power outage.

Tips for Travelers

A passport and visa, which must be obtained in advance, are required. There is an airport departure tax, and residents of Eritrea generally must obtain an exit visa from Eritrean Immigration in advance of their departure.

Foreign citizens born in Eritrea or who otherwise acquired Eritrean citizenship, may be subject to the obligations of Eritrean citizenship, including national service. National service involves approximately six months of military training, followed by one year of military or other service. Dual citizens who are in doubt as to whether they may be subject to this requirement should check with the nearest Eritrean embassy or consulate.

Land travel west, south and southeast of Barentu is dangerous and should be avoided. On Dec. 4, 2000, three separate mine incidents were reported on well-traveled roads within a 24-kilometer radius south of the western Eritrean city of Barentu. In late January, near the town of Antore in western Eritrea, two people were killed and two wounded when a pickup truck detonated a land mine. Also in late January, another mine detonation killed two people and wounded six in western Eritrea, 36 kilometers west of the town of Guluj, near the Sudanese border. The December and January incidents appear to have involved freshly laid mines. Because of these incidents as well as reports of banditry and threats from the terrorist group Eritrean Islamic Salvation (EIS), the U.S. Mission in Eritrea has instructed its personnel not to travel by land west, south and southeast of Barentu. Americans traveling in this area despite the obvious dangers are strongly advised to check with local authorities before embarking on their journey, and particularly to avoid travel at night.

Mines remain throughout the country. Avoid traveling at night and on unpaved and secondary roads. They should avoid walking alone and hiking in riverbeds or areas that local government officials do not certify as safe.

Although Eritrea and Sudan have recently re-established diplomatic relations, overland travel between these two countries is dangerous and strongly discouraged

Street crime, such as theft and robbery is rare in Asmara and other cities and towns, but it is increasing. Travelers should exercise normal safety precautions regarding valuables carried and areas visited. The loss or theft abroad of passport should be reported immediately to the local police and the nearest appropriate embassy or consulate.

Medical facilities in Eritrea are extremely limited. Travelers must bring their own supplies of prescription drugs and preventative medicines because pharmaceuticals are in short supply.

While in a foreign country, you may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in your country. The information below concerning Eritrea is provided for general reference only and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.

Safety of Public Transportation: Poor
Urban Road Conditions/Maintenance: Fair
Rural Road Conditions/Maintenance: Poor
Availability of Roadside Assistance: Poor

Most roads in Eritrea are in fair condition. The roads between the major cities of Asmara, Massawa, Mendefera, Dekemhare, Barentu and Keren are paved and are in relatively good condition. However, the roads leading to the smaller villages are usually unpaved and in poor condition.

Many Eritreans make use of inexpensive public transportation, especially bus service. Please avoid buses if at all possible due to the accident risks that come with extreme over-crowding. Taxis are plentiful and inexpensive in Asmara, but they are also likely to be crowded with many passengers not wearing seatbelts. If an empty taxi is available, a customer may request a "contract," meaning that for a slightly higher price, the driver will not pick up additional passengers. This option increases comfort and safety for a small extra cost.

Drivers should be aware of heavy pedestrian and bicycle traffic that generally obstructs the flow of vehicular traffic on city streets. Occasionally, horse-drawn carts, cattle, or goats can also obstruct traffic. Children and the elderly are especially likely to wander into the street in the path of moving traffic. Drivers should be mindful of small motorized carts traveling at low speeds. These vehicles are normally operated by elderly or disabled people who do not always yield to faster moving traffic. When parallel parking on city streets, be aware of pedestrians trying to dart into your space as you back in to park.

While in a foreign country, you are subject to that country's laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly from those in your own country for similar offenses. Persons violating Eritrean laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested or imprisoned. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Eritrea are strict, and convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and heavy fines.

The government of Eritrea introduced the country's new currency, the nafka, in November 1997. As of December 2000, only the airlines and one hotel in Asmara accept credit cards. Generally, foreigners must pay bills at major hotels in U.S. dollars or U.S. dollar-denomination traveler's checks.

Note: This information is directly quoted from the United States Department of State Consular Information Sheet.

Sources: United States Department of State Consular Information Sheet

Business Culture: Information for Business Travelers

Business customs are similar to those in the western world. Dress is fairly formal, for men a suit and tie is appropriate for business and government meetings; for women a dress or business suit is acceptable. In Asmara the climate is cool, due to its 7,300 feet altitude, so formal dress is not uncomfortable. For the most part, Eritrean women do not wear a veil, and visitors are not expected to. Business cards are generally exchanged. Eritreans tend to be cautious about establishing relations with outsiders, but once trust is established they are forthcoming partners. Meetings with government officials tend to be short because of the demands on their time, particularly since recent civil service downsizing.

Sources: United States Department of State Commercial Guides

Sources: United Kingdom Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the United States Department of State, the Government of Canada: Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Government of Australia: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Other Safety and Security Online Resources for Travelers

United States Department of State Information on Terrorism
http://www.state.gov/s/ct/

Government of the United Kingdom Resource on the Risk of Terrorism
http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1044011304926

Government of Canada Terrorism Guide
http://www.international.gc.ca/crime/terrorism-terrorisme.aspx?lang=eng

Information on Terrorism by Government of Australia
http://www.dfat.gov.au/icat/index.html

FAA Resource on Aviation Safety
http://www.faasafety.gov/

In-Flight Safety Information for Air Travel (by British Airways crew trainer, Anna Warman)
http://www.warman.demon.co.uk/anna/inflight.html

Hot Spots: Travel Safety and Risk Information
http://www.airsecurity.com/hotspots/HotSpots.asp

Information on Human Rights
http://www.state.gov/g/drl/hr/

Sources: The United States Department of State, the United States Customs Department, the Government of Canada, the Government of United Kingdom, the Government of Australia, the Federal Aviation Authority, Anna Warman's In-flight Website, Hot Spots Travel and Risk Information