Eritrea
Travel tips for Eritrea: safety advisories, currency and cash vs. card, tap water, plugs, local phrases, food, and advice from travelers.
Cash and cards
Cash is essential. Eritrea is a strictly cash-only economy with no functioning ATMs for foreign cards and virtually zero credit card acceptance, meaning travelers must bring all the US dollars or Euros they will need for their entire trip to exchange locally.
Try the food
- Zigni (ዚግኒ): A rich, spicy meat stew typically made with beef or lamb and heavily seasoned with berbere spice.
- Injera (እንጀራ): A spongy, slightly sour flatbread made from teff flour that serves as both the plate and the utensil for most meals.
- Shiro (ሽሮ): A thick, savory purée made from ground chickpeas or broad beans, simmered with onions, garlic, and spices.
Say it in Tigrinya
- Hello: ሰላም (Selam)
- Thank you: የቐንየለይ (Yeqenyelay)
- Please: በጃኻ (Bejakha)
- Excuse me: ይቕሬታ (Yiqreta)
- How much is this?: ክንደይ እዩ ዋግኡ? (Kindey eyu wagu?)
- Yes: እወ (Ewe)
- No: ኣይፋል (Ayfal)
- Goodbye: ደሓን ኩን (Dehan kun)
Essentials
- Voltage
- 230V, 50Hz
- Driving
- Right side
- SIM tip
- EriTel is the sole state-owned telecom provider, and obtaining a local SIM card requires registering at their office in Asmara with your passport, though mobile internet is virtually non-existent for tourists.
Etiquette
Always use your right hand for eating, greeting, and passing items, as the left hand is traditionally considered unclean.