The Basics

Time

Local time is UTC/GMT -4 hours.

Electricity

Electrical current is 220 volts (50Hz). European round pin attachment plugs are in use.

Language

Arabic is the official language, but English is widely spoken.

Tipping

Tips of 10 to 15 percent of the bill will be appreciated but not expected by waiters and taxi drivers.

Safety Information

Yemen is a relatively dangerous country to visit, but the risks have largely been exaggerated in the media. Westerners typically receive a warm welcome, but there are sectors of society that are hostile to non-Muslim visitors. There is an ongoing threat of terrorism and kidnapping outside of Sana'a, particularly in tribal areas. Most governments advise against non-essential travel to the country. Crime rates are low, but petty theft can occur. The police are poorly paid and ill equipped - don't rely on their intervention.

Local Customs

Yemen is an Islamic country and the faith is tightly woven into the fabric of daily life. As a visitor you should dress conservatively to avoid causing offence; women should cover their shoulders and men wear long trousers. Use your right hand when eating or greeting; the left is considered unclean. Only enter mosques if invited to do so. Do not take photographs of women or military personnel and installations. Yemeni people are famously hospitable and will frequently invite visitors to their homes to eat, drink and/or chew kat. These are sincere offers typically without ulterior motives.

Communications

The international dialling code for Yemen is +967. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom). There are internet cafes all over the country. Post offices are open from 8am to 2pm and 4pm to 8pm Saturday to Thursday. There is good cell phone coverage on the GSM 900 network and roaming agreements are in place with major international operators.

Duty Free

It is prohibited to import any firearms, illegal drugs, obscene books and magazines, and any items of Israeli origin. Travellers to Yemen over the age of 18 years can import the following without incurring customs duty: 600 cigarettes or 60 cigars; two bottles of alcoholic beverages; one bottle of perfume or Eau de Cologne.