Yemen
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Visas, Embassies & Border Crossings
I have just tried to get a tourist visa for Yemen at the consulate in Dubai. They have stopped issuing them for non-residents in the UAE.
Robert (Jun 03)
A visa is issued on the spot in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. You need a letter from your embassy. You can still get across from Djibouti with a Sambouq. Most of them go to Al-Makha.
Hanne Finholt, Norway (Mar 03)
It seems it's not impossible to get a tourist visa for Yemen. I did it on October 28th 2002. For EU nationals it is possible to get it in the Abu Dhabi Embassy in the United Arab Emirates and in the Muscat embassy in Oman. All you need is a passport, two photos, the application form and a letter from your embassy or consulate. Price for single entry/one month is approximately 25 Euros.
Miquel Trujillo, Spain (Nov 02)
The Yemeni embassy in Amman, Jordan has moved. It is now located near Abdoun Circle (Tel: 5923771).
Tourist visas are no longer being issued for individuals (groups only). For those studying Arabic in Yemen, a student visa can be obtained but they need a letter of invitation from the language center and a medical certificate of health.
David Patel, USA (Sep 02)
Travel Tips
Travelling in countries like Yemen, Jordan and Iran highlighted how Arab
hospitality is innate in this region..and so is, unfortunately, the
hardships of everyday life, which is absent from Western living. Many
people in remote villages have access to only weekly markets and often
have to carry their heavy loads a long way on foot regardless of age.
Locals will stop to give anyone a lift,often over filling vehicles, so
much so, that they look like they will topple over any minute. As
I was being driven along in my 4wd from the tour company I used, I realised that as travellers we could do the same.
It was not until I requested that my driver stop to give these people a lift
that he would do so - they would never ask us! So come on travellers, lets
return some of that hospitality. If you are ever in such a position -
have the car/bus etc stopped and help these people out. They are ever so humbled and grateful and it is a great way to have further interaction with the locals.
Fionna Ward, Australia (Sept 05)
Working hours go from 9am-1pm. At 1pm the men start chewing qat until 6pm. The shops open again from 6pm until 7pm in the evening. It makes you wonder how their economy works.
We went trekking for several days, sleeping in our tent. The environment was wonderful, but difficult in the villages. People get aggressive at times and water is difficult to find and heavy to carry.
Dirk Beeckman & Katelijne Vandenborre, Belgium (Feb 03)
To travel in Yemen, apart from the visa, you need a tourist permit that you can get in the Ministry of Tourism in Az-Zubayri Street in San'a. It is possible to travel to many places without this permit (we did it), but of course you have the risk that in some of the many checkpoints in the roads you can be forced to go back.
Cesar Colmenero Santiago, Spain (Feb 03)
There is a tourist information office called SCDP (The Socotra Conservation and Development Programme) about one kilometre west of Hadibu on the road to the airport. It's a funny place where about 15 people work, but they also spend time drinking tea, chewing qat and chatting. There are some good posters with maps displayed on walls where it is possible to locate all the interesting sites to visit. The staff are friendly.
Ambrogio Radaelli, Italy (Aug 02)
When you are travelling to Yemen, if you are carrying lots of films for photographic use, do not put it in the luggage. They are rescreened at the Sana'a airport and may damage. Better to use a zinc pouche or take it in your hand bag and have them check it manually. Otherwise some films are really difficult to find in Yemen, especially outside Sana'a.
Sam, Congo (Aug 02)
Moving About
Tasrih/tour permits: for most of the places outside the region San'a/Al-Hudayda/Ta'izz/Aden a tasrih is required. The police/army won't let you go without, though the real sense and use of it is of course questionable. We could obtain a tasrih for 3 weeks for the whole east of Yemen without specification of the means of transport. Other travellers tell that you need to give the authorities the number of the number plate of the car or taxi you are travelling with, or that you need to get a tasrih in every city for the onward trip, or/and that you need to tell the exact date you travel to which places. A tasrih can be issued by the tourist police which does, ironically, not exist in every town. Anyway, Aden and San'a have one and they seem to issue tasrihs for most of the places. In Aden the place to get them is in At-Tawahi, in an old English building labelled as "Ministry of Tourism". Calculate several hours to get the paper which might be furnished with a hand-written header. Just make sure you get a stamp, then make 10-20 copies which you can hand out at every checkpost (the police love to keep a copy; never give out the original).
Markus Hochuli, Yemen (Oct 03)
Tour operators charge US$85 per day plus expenses for the police. They only drive in the morning (up until qat hour). If the distance you want to go is more than a 6 hour drive you have to pay double.
Dirk Beeckman & Katelijne Vandenborre, Belgium (Feb 03)
Gems, Highlights & Attractions
I recommend the Traditional House found within the walls of Shibam's old city. As the story goes from the keeper, the original owner was a wealthy Yemeni who was run out of Shibam during the PDRY communist days. According to my story teller, the house lay empty and dormant during this period. The wealthy Yemeni retreated to the UAE and only returned once unification was solidified. He then sold the house to its present owner who during 2001 began to renovate it and decorate it with traditional Hadrami furnishings and home implements. Although its transformation is not completed, it is even now in splendid condition. The traditional furniture, kitchen implements, and tools with which he has outfitted the women's and men's rooms, the kitchen, and other areas of the house make it well-worth the visit. They even have helpful explanations written out in English and Arabic to explain everything throughout the house. The opportunity to visit this five-six story house is truly one not to be missed. Tourists can see for themselves how these massive buildings are logically constructed and divided for various functions. Without venturing inside the various rooms and work areas and going up and down the stairs, I would not have the same appreciation for what I saw meandering up and down the alleyways in Shibam. Ask for the Al Murshed Tourist House managed by Hasan Eideed. I believe it is in the NW quadrant of old Shibam. Telephone number is: 05 406-550.
K H, USA (Feb 02)
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