Eritrea Traveler Essentials
- Capital
- Asmara
- Currency
- Eritrean Nakfa (ERN Nfk)
- Best time to visit
- The cooler highland months from September to April are pleasant, while the coast is best avoided in the scorching summer.
Visa requirements
Visas must be arranged in advance through an Eritrean embassy, and internal travel permits are required for most destinations outside Asmara.
Getting around
Buses and shared taxis connect Asmara with regional towns, and a heritage railway runs to Massawa; taxis and minibuses serve the capital.
Safety
Asmara is calm and street crime is low, but the country is tightly controlled and travel permits are required to leave the capital. Avoid border regions and never photograph military or government sites.
Tipping customs
Tipping around 10% in restaurants is appreciated and small gratuities for guides are welcome.
Travel tips
Bring cash to exchange into nakfa, as cards do not work and currency rules are strict. Arrange internal travel permits in advance, and avoid photographing anything official or military. Internet and mobile data are very limited, so plan to disconnect.