Yemen Travel Guide

Full Name

Republic of Yemen

Former Name

Yemen Arab Republic [Yemen (Sanaa) or North Yemen] and People's Democratic Republic of Yemen [Yemen (Aden) or South Yemen]

Capital City

Sanaa

Government Type

legal status of territory and issue of sovereignty unresolved; territory contested by Morocco and Polisario Front (Popular Front for the Liberation of the Saguia el Hamra and Rio de Oro), which in February 1976 formally proclaimed a government-in-exile of

Area Size

At 527,970 km², Yemen is the world's 49th-largest country

Time Zone

UTC/GMT +3 hours

Climate

The climate varies according to altitude. The coastal plain is hot and dusty throughout most of the year. The highlands are warm in summer and, during winter, from October to March, nights can be very cold in the mountains. Annual rainfall is extremely low and temperatures, particularly in summer, are very high. The most pleasant time is from October to April.

Geography

Yemen is in the Middle East, in the south of the Arabian Peninsula, bordering the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden, and Red Sea, west of Oman and south of Saudi Arabia. It is considered to be one of the fifteen states that comprise the Cradle of Humanity. A number of Red Sea islands, including the Hanish Islands, Kamaran and Perim, as well as Socotra in the Arabian Sea belong to Yemen.

Languages

Arabic

Culture

Yemen is a part of the Islamic world and as such reflects many of the contemporary trends in Islam. At the same time, the Yemenis are intensely proud of their pre-Islamic heritage. The national museum in San'a' and the archaeological museum in Aden house important treasures from this period. In their extensive networks of overland and maritime trade, the ancient Yemenis encountered myriad cultures and civilizations. There is ample evidence of Greek, Roman, Indian, Indonesian, and Chinese influence on various aspects of both traditional and contemporary Yemeni culture. Among the more traditional crafts (e.g., silver and gold filigree work and jewelry, textiles, metalwork, and stone-cutting) in which Yemen developed a reputation for fine craftsmanship, few artisans remain. The most widespread and traditional cultural outlet is oral, in the form of proverbs, popular stories, and especially poetry that deal with timeless themes (such as love and death) as well as with Yemeni history, biography, Islamic themes and traditions, and so forth.

History

North Yemen became independent of the Ottoman Empire in 1918. The British, who had set up a protectorate area around the southern port of Aden in the 19th century, withdrew in 1967 from what became South Yemen. Three years later, the southern government adopted a Marxist orientation. The massive exodus of hundreds of thousands of Yemenis from the south to the north contributed to two decades of hostility between the states. The two countries were formally unified as the Republic of Yemen in 1990. A southern secessionist movement in 1994 was quickly subdued. In 2000, Saudi Arabia and Yemen agreed to a delimitation of their border.

Travel Information

The national airline is Yemen Airways (Yemenia) (IY). Sana’a (SAH) (El-Rahaba) is 13km north of the city (journey time – 30 minutes). Transport to the city centre is by taxi. Airport facilities consists of Bank/bureau de change, duty-free shop, baggage facilities, restaurants and car hire. Taiz (TAI) (al-Janad) is 4km from the city (journey time – 10 minutes). Taxis, buses and car hire are available. Hodaidah (HOD) is 8km from the city. Taxis, buses and car hire are available. Aden (ADE) (Khormaksar) is 11km from the city (journey time – 20 minutes). Limited bus and taxi services available. Main ports: Aden, Hodeida, Mocha, Mukalla and Nashton. Cargo vessels with passenger berths call at Hodeida. Driving to Yemen is not recommended but the main border crossing points are Haradh and Al Bura' in the North from Saudi Arabia and Hadnut in the East from Oman.

Accommodation

Accommodation varies from ancient palace hotels and modern luxury hotels to funduks and tribal huts. It is necessary to book in advance and to receive a written confirmation. Winter and summer rates are the same. All bills are subject to a 10 to 15% service charge.

Visa Requirements

Visas are required by all nationals of The EU, Australia, Canada and USA, unless transit passengers continuing their journey by the same or first connecting aircraft within 168 hours, provided holding valid onward or return documentation and not leaving the airport.Passport valid for at least six months after date of departure required by all nationals of countries referred to above. Note: Nationals of countries not referred to above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements. 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. Single-entry: two months from date of issue for stays of up to one month; Multiple-entry: six months or one year from date of issue for stays of up to one month each. Apply to Consulate or consular section at embassy.

Getting Around

Yemen Airways (IY) operates services between Sana’a, Ta’izz and Hodeida. There are also flights from Aden. It is advisable to double-check flight reservations and times before departure. Local ferries connect local ports. For details, contact port authorities. Mariners should be aware that there is the possibility of attacks against ships and, in particular, yachts off the Yemen coast, especially in the Gulf of Aden. Travellers are advised against yachting in this area. There are approximately 5000km of asphalt roads and 20,000km of feeder roads. Road conditions and driving standards are quite poor and many roads are in a state of disrepair, with mountain roads particularly hazardous. Within Sana’a and from Ta’izz to Mokha, the roads are reliable. From Aden to Ta’izz is three to five hours’ driving time. A road links Aden and Sana’a, otherwise the road network is mainly limited to desert tracks. Use of 4-wheel-drive vehicles and a guide is recommended. There is a road from Aden to Mukalla of 500km. Traffic drives on the right but sometimes drivers travel on the left. There are regular intercity bus services. Recognisable by yellow licence plates. Taxi-sharing is the cheapest transport between cities. There are minimum charges within main cities but fares should be negotiated beforehand for intercity journeys. Car hire is available in main towns; 4-wheel drive is recommended. Chauffeur-driven cars are also available.

Health & Safety

A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers over one year of age arriving from infected areas. Vaccination against typhoid and polio is advised.Malaria risk, almost exclusively in the malignant falciparum form, exists throughout the year in the whole country below 2000m. Health care facilities are relatively poor, especially outside major cities. The major hospitals in Sana’a are: Al Jumhuriyya, Al Kuwait and Al Thawra. In Aden, there is the Al Jumhuriyya, the Saudi Hospital and the Refinery Hospital. Most large cities have a general hospital. There is no reciprocal health agreement with the UK. Medical insurance is essential. Ongoing fighting between the government and militant groups in the Sa'dah region in the north and incidents of foreigner kidnappings, means travellers need to be well informed before visiting Yemen. Travellers should monitor news services for any developments and respect any local advice regarding unsafe areas.

National Holidays

1 Jan - New Year’s Day. 20 Jan - Muharram (Islamic New Year). 31 Mar - Mouloud (Birth of the Prophet). 1 May - Labour Day. 22 May - National Unity Day. 26 Sep - Revolution Day. 13 Oct - Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan). 14 Oct - National Day. 30 Nov - Independence Day. 20 Dec - Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice).

Currency

Yemen Riyal (YER)

Electricity

220/230V AC

Working Hours

The public offices open from 8:00am until 3:00 pm except Thursdays and Fridays. In Ramadan Month, the working time starts at 10 am and finishes at 3 pm.

Emergency Numbers

191(Fire) 194(Ambulance)