Yemen Travel Tips

The local currency is the Yemeni Riyal (YER) which is comprised of 100 fils. Notes come in denominations of YER1000, 500, 200, 100, 50 and 20 while coins are in denominations of YER10, 5 and 1.

Currency can be exchanged at almost all of the country’s banks as well as at bureaux de change offices and some hotels. US dollars or dollar traveller’s cheques are the easiest to exchange.

Export of local currency is strictly prohibited by visitors while foreign currencies can be imported and exported without restriction, however amounts over US$3000 should be declared.

Duty free allowances for visitors entering the country are 600 cigarettes or 60 cigars or 450g of tobacco and two litres of alcoholic beverages (permitted for non-Muslims only). Additionally, a single bottle of perfume and gifts not over YER100,000 are permitted while women may bring gold not over 350g. Pornographic items, anti-Muslim and Israeli publications are strictly forbidden in Yemen and visitors attempting to bring them into the country, risk severe consequences.

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Visitors to Yemen are advised to receive vaccinations against typhoid prior to their holiday while those coming from countries where yellow fever is present are required to carry certification of vaccination against the disease. Malaria is present in some areas outside of Sana’a and visitors may be wise to consider a course of malaria tablets if considering spending any amount of time in known problem areas. Water is chlorinated in Sana’a and considered safe to drink by the locals but may still cause gastric upset in visitors so the drinking of bottled water is advisable. Outside of Sana’a it’s unwise to risk drinking the tap water. Swimming or paddling in fresh water sources is heavily advised against on account of the presence of bacteria such as cutaneous leishmaniasis and visceral leishmaniasis. Rabies is also present in the country and any visitor planning to interact with animals in close proximity is advised to get a rabies vaccination ahead of their trip.

Healthcare facilities in Yemen are of a low standard and far below those of western hospitals so avoiding potentially health-threatening situations is essential. Sana’a has three major hospitals; Al Jumhuriyya, Al Kuwait and Al Thawra, at which basic medical care is available. Visitors are strongly advised to have travel insurance that includes a healthcare provision. Yemen has no reciprocal agreements with the UK or any other western country.

Emergency: there is no nationally available emergency number, local service numbers apply.

Crime is low in Yemen and visitors should not feel at all threatened when walking around the towns and villages. Even so, women travellers should still avoid walking alone at night and all visitors should exercise common sense with regards to the carrying of cash and valuables. When booking day or overnight trips, be discriminating with regards to the tour operator/travel agent that you use. Either book directly through your hotel if possible or ask them to recommend a local company with a good reputation. For your own safety and wellbeing, you should steer clear of anything that might constitute illegal or religiously irrespective behaviour since locals and authorities are likely to take the dimmest of views of any such activity.

Emergency: there is no nationally available emergency number, local service numbers apply.

Yemen is an Islamic country that observes all of the religion’s strictest beliefs and this is extremely evident in everyday Yemeni culture. Holiday makers should be aware of this and tailor their behaviour accordingly. All visitors should exercise modesty with their clothing especially when visiting religious sites and generally speaking, long sleeves and trousers are considered more appropriate than the shorter alternatives. Non-Muslims are in fact not permitted to enter mosques so most tourists must make do with external views only. Alcohol is illegal for citizens of Yemen, however some restaurants and bars in tourist hotels are permitted to serve it to foreigners however no attempt should be made to take alcoholic beverages off-premises or to offer it to Yemeni citizens. Yemeni people traditionally greet one another with a handshake and visitors may do the same when meeting locals; make sure to use the right hand only for this act and when receiving or offering food or drink also. If invited to the house of a local for dinner, then it’s polite to bring a small gift as a token of your appreciation. An item from home that would be unavailable in Yemen would be ideal. Visitors should avoid taking photographs of military constructions, women and police officers.

Tips of 5 to 10 per cent are generally the norm for service in hotels and restaurants while one to three US Dollars is appropriate for porters. There’s no requirement to tip tax drivers but you may do so if you feel yours has been especially helpful.

The international dialling code for Yemen is +967. Sabafon is the country’s chief cell phone service provider and may or may not have an agreement with your domestic provider that will permit you to use your own SIM card in Yemen. Contact your domestic provider ahead of your trip for details about roaming agreements. Internet access is invariably available in hotels.

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All visitors, with the exception of citizens of the Gulf Cooperation Council, are required to have a visa to enter Yemen. It is expected that due to new laws, visitors from EU and G8 member countries will eventually be able to obtain visas on arrival at airports. However, for now it’s advisable for all visitors to apply for a visa from a Yemeni embassy in their home countries. Be aware that those with evidence of travel to Israel in their passport, will be denied a visa.