Yemen Country Dossier

There's nowhere else like it on earth. In Yemen you will encounter fortified mountain villages and remote desert communities, glorious unspoiled beaches and skyscrapers made out of mud, all set in some of the most stunning landscapes in the world.

Factfile

Capital: Sana'a
Official Language: Arabic
Religions: Muslim. Hindu and Christian communities in Aden. Small Jewish population.
Voltage: 220/230V 50Hz. There are 3 types of socket: the 3 flat pin British style, the 2 flat pin Japanese style, and the 3 round pin Indian style.

Preparing to go

Visas

Visas are required by all nationalities. Contact your local Yemeni Embassy or Consulate for details. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months and you must have a return air ticket.

Note: The government of the Republic of Yemen refuses entry and transit facilities to holders of Israeli passports, or holders of passports containing visas valid or expired for Israel or any indication, such as entry or exit stamps, that the holder has visited Israel.

Money

Local Currency

Yemeni Riyal (YR) = 100 fils. Notes are in denominations of YR1000, 500, 200, 100, 50 and 20. Coins are in denominations of YR10, 5 and 1.

XE.com is a useful site for currency conversion.

Changing Money, Credit Cards & ATMs

US dollars are the easiest foreign currency to exchange. There are very few ATMs. There is limited acceptance of credit cards - American Express is sometimes accepted in a few upmarket places. Traveller's Cheques can be exchanged at some banks. Banks are open in the morning from Mon-Weds.

Working out your Budget

The Pre-Departure Information contains general information about the things you will need to consider when budgeting for your holiday. Below are some specific notes relevant to our tours in Yemen.

Yemen is one of the world's poorest countries. Basic food is cheap - a loaf of bread or glass of tea costs about YR15, and a mid-range restaurant meal can be had for around YR500, up to YR2500 at the high end. Yemenis do not generally bargain, unlike other Arabic countries. If a price is quoted that is generally what you are expected to pay. Tipping is becoming more common - 10-15% in hotels and restaurants. Agree on a price before travelling by taxi.

Imtrav Travel Tip - Carry a small amount of small denomination US dollars when you arrive in Yemen. The currency exchange at the airport is not always open and US dollars are easier to change with unofficial moneychangers.

Meals

You will find the meal plan for your tour clearly indicated in the brochure and on your Trip Dossier. Breakfast is provided each day on most tours, and many tours also include a number of dinners. Lunches are rarely included to give you more freedom. Approximate costs for meals and snacks not included are shown below:

  • Simple snack: YR50
  • Light meal: YR400
  • Fancy restaurant: YR2000

Local Food & Drink

Food
Yemeni food revolves around bread. There are many varieties, and since most people eat with their hands it is also a useful item of cutlery. Kebabs are a popular snack. The national dish is a spicy stew called salta, which contains lamb or chicken with lentils, beans and chickpeas, served with rice. There is also shurba, a cross between a soup and a stew. Lunch is the main meal of the day.

Drinks
Tea and Coffee are always provided with breakfast. All other drinks (i.e. bottled water, soft drinks) are at your own expense. Tea is the most common drink, served in small glasses and sometimnes flavoured with cardamom or mint. It always comes with sugar. Coffee is served thick and sweet. Bottled water is widely available - Shamlan and Hadda are popular brands. Don't assume a restaurant carafe of water came out of a bottle - you really don't want to drink the tap water. As a Muslim country alcohol is hard to find in Yemen and is very expensive.

Special Dietary Requirements

Vegetarians
Although meat may not be the main feature of a meal, it can be found in many dishes, even if only as a stock. Therefore, if you are a vegetarian you may experience a distinct lack of variety in the food available at meal times. Your Tour Leader will do their best to offer a vegetarian alternative, but your patience and understanding is requested.

Food Allergies
If you have food allergies or preferences, please make them known to your Tour Leader who will do their best to ensure that your requirements are met.

Please note: Unfortunately we can give no guarantee that special requirements can always be met.

Local Transport

There are intercity buses which are generally reliable. Roads are in poor condition. Traffic drives on the right, mostly. Taxis have yellow licence plates - agree a fare in advance.

What to Take

The Pre-Departure Information that you will receive once you have booked your tour contains a comprehensive list of items that you should consider bringing with you. Please also check your Trip Dossier for any special requirements.

Imtrav Travel Tip - Bring a backpack or easy to carry luggage and travel light. You will have to carry your own luggage frequently – don't let this be an ordeal.

Clothing

As a general guideline, clothing should be lightweight, loose fitting, hard-wearing and easily washed. In the hot summer months, cotton clothing is much more comfortable than man-made materials like nylon. It can get very cold in the highlands in winter so bring a warm top. You will generally find it better to pack several thin layers rather than one thick layer. The lowland plains of the Tihama are sweltering at any time, with summer temperatures over 50°C. Ensure you have a hat and can cover up from the sun. See the General Information section for more details.

Prepare Yourself
Whilst few of our tours can be described as physically demanding you will find all activities more enjoyable if you are reasonably fit and active.

Cultural & Environmental Guidelines

The Environment

Toilet Paper
Some trips have a few days where toilets are not available. When you do answer the call of nature please burn your toilet paper – do not bury it. If it is not possible to burn it, take it back to the camp where it can be placed in the rubbish bin and disposed of appropriately.

Whenever you use a western- or squat-style toilet please place your toilet paper in the rubbish bin provided – do not flush it down the toilet as this may block the sewerage system. You may also want to carry your own toilet paper as not many toilets will supply it.

Imtrav Travel Tip - You may find it useful to take along a supply of antiseptic wet wipes and plastic bags to put your toilet paper in if it cannot be burnt/placed in a bin.

Religion

Yemen is a strict Muslim country. You should dress conservatively, with long sleeves and full-length trousers for men. Women should wear long loose clothing that does not reveal the figure and should hide all skin other than face, hands and ankles. Veils are unnecessary but women may feel more comfortable covering their hair with a scarf. As an unbeliever you will not be allowed in most mosques, but there are some exceptions.

Begging

You will encounter some begging in Yemen. One of the tenets of Islam is charity, and Muslims are expected to give to those less fortunate than themselves. Foreigners are generally exempt from this obligation. As always, giving to beggars is a personal choice. Do not dispense pens or sweets to children as this encourages a begging culture. If you do decide to give to beggars, to avoid having to make a moral decision you could give only to the first beggar you see each day.

Haggling

Haggling is not generally practiced when shopping in Yemen.

Arrival

Arrival Transfers

Upon arrival at Sana'a airport, please look for our representative who will be holding an Imaginative Traveller sign. He should be waiting for you in the area immediately before you reach Customs and Immigration.

Making Your Own Way

The Meeting Point for your tour should be clearly marked on your travel vouchers.

On Tour

Yemen probably has one of the world's lowest crime rates, mainly because stealing is against Islam. Nevertheless it is advisable not to wear expensive looking watches or jewellery and don’t carry a wallet in your back pocket or carry loose hanging bags. Keep your camera concealed when not in use. Remember that most thieves don't use violence but rely mostly on diversionary tactics which can take place at anytime of the day or night. Do not be paranoid, but just be aware that it could happen at anytime. Always be vigilant and the chances are nothing will ever happen to you. The safety of our passengers is our tour leaders’ number one concern and they will provide all necessary local information during the pre-departure meeting. In Yemen guns are common. If you hear gunfire, the chances are that someone is celebrating something. Still, keep an eye on the local situation as political unrest is not unknown.

Tour Leaders & Guides

Your Tour Leader's role is to ensure all aspects of the trip run smoothly. He/she will share their local knowledge, advise on how to fill your free time and co-ordinate the day to day running of the tour – although occasionally he/she may need your understanding if things do not go according to plan. If you have any problems on the tour, please let your Tour Leader know so that steps can be taken to put it right. Tour Leaders are supported by our regionally based office staff and, in most cases, a locally based manager.

Please note that some styles of trip, such as Imaginative Escapes or Imaginative Honeymoons, do not have a Tour Leader. However, there will be representatives on hand who will be able to assist you in arranging any excursions that you wish you take.

Accommodation

In Yemen the most common type of accommodation is the funduq, or basic hotel / guesthouse. The hotels we use are simple but comfortable. Bathroom facilities may sometimes be shared and rooms may sometimes be multishare rather than twin. Hotels on Traveller tours almost always have private bathrooms, air-conditioning and bar / restaurant facilities. Please bear in mind that hotels can sometimes suffer from minor problems and technical difficulties.

At each hotel your Tour Leader will try to organise the rooming arrangements to suit everyone's requirements. If you are travelling alone you will be allocated a room with another group member of the same sex (unless you have paid a single supplement). If you are travelling as a couple please note that we cannot guarantee the availability of double beds.

Note: Single supplements are only applicable to single travellers who wish to have their own room. Single supplements are also only available on Traveller tours and are not applicable on overnight boats, trains and while camping.

Communications

Email
There are internet cafés in all major centres.

Phone
Phones are generally reliable. There is increasingly good mobile coverage.

Post
Airmail to Europe takes about 4 days. To other continents takes longer.

Cameras

Film is available in most major cities. Ensure you bring adequate memory cards for digital cameras. Be aware that photographing people may cause offence - always ask their permission first. Permission to photograph women will not usually be given.

General Information

Holidays

Jan 1 2007: New Year’s Day
Jan 20: Muharram (Islamic New Year)
Mar 31: Mouloud (Birth of the Prophet)
May 1: Labor Day
May 22: National Unity Day

Suggested Reading

Guidebooks

  • Lonely Planet Yemen.
  • Pallas guide to Yemen

Contact Details

Local Office
Sun Tours & Travel
PO Box 1696
Hadda Area - Damascus St.
Sana'a
Tel: +967 1 416 751
Fax: +967 1 418 264
Mobile: +967 777 2 555 11

UK Office
The Imaginative Traveller
1 Betts Avenue
Martlesham Heath
Ipswich
Suffolk
IP5 3RH
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)1473 667337
Fax: +44 (0)1473 614566