Trip Planning
The TakeYourBackpack guidebooks are your all-in-one travel companion, featuring the best cities, national parks, hikes, beaches, and unique sites, along with essential tips on when to go, how to get around, exchanging money, and even local phrases to get you started — everything you need for a smooth, unforgettable backpacking adventure.
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Personal tip: I normally search on good rating for atmosphere (for meeting people) and location (for easy exploring). Cleanliness as a bonus.
Travel Essentials
Routine vaccinations like MMR, DTP, and polio are essential for Eritrea. Consider getting vaccinated for hepatitis A and B, typhoid, and rabies if you plan on outdoor activities. Yellow fever vaccination is not required unless you’re arriving from a yellow fever-endemic country. Check the latest travel health advice and consult with a healthcare provider.
vaccination requirementsWhen I first started traveling, I often spent part of my first day in a new country hunting for a local SIM card. While this can still be slightly cheaper, it also takes time and planning.
These days, it's much simpler to install an eSIM before leaving home. Once you arrive in Eritrea, you can activate it immediately and have mobile data from the moment you land — which is especially useful for ordering transport or navigating away from busy airports.
There are many providers nowadays, and price differences are usually small. I personally go with Airalo, as it offers excellent network coverage throughout the country and strong global coverage, so you can manage multiple countries from a single app.
Get your e-sim for EritreaCulture & Customs
Dress modestly, especially in rural areas; long sleeves and pants or skirts are advisable. Respect local customs by removing shoes when entering homes. Public displays of affection are frowned upon. Homosexuality is illegal, so same-sex couples should be discreet. Women travelers should be cautious and avoid traveling alone at night. When invited for meals, it’s polite to eat with your right hand and accept coffee or tea as a gesture of hospitality. Photography of military personnel and installations is prohibited. Always ask permission before taking photos of locals.
Trying traditional food is always a great way to experience the culture. Here are some must-try dishes for Eritrea.
- Zigni: This is a spicy stew made primarily of beef, tomatoes, and berbere spice mix. It’s a staple in Eritrean households and is usually served over injera, a spongy flatbread. It’s popular due to its rich flavor and cultural significance, often prepared for special occasions.
- Injera: Not just a dish, but the foundation of Eritrean meals. This sourdough flatbread made from teff flour is used as a utensil to scoop up stews and other dishes. Its unique texture and tangy flavor make it a must-try.
- Shiro: A vegetarian dish made from ground chickpeas or broad beans mixed with spices. It’s often cooked with onions, garlic, and berbere. Loved for its simplicity and flavor, shiro is a go-to comfort food in Eritrea.
- Kitcha Fit-Fit: A breakfast favorite, this dish consists of shredded kitcha (unleavened flatbread) mixed with clarified butter and berbere. It’s quick, hearty, and an essential part of Eritrean mornings.
- Tsebhi: Another popular stew, often made with chicken or lamb, and heavily spiced. Tsebhi is a communal dish, reinforcing the social aspect of Eritrean dining, where sharing meals is an integral part of the culture.
Locals in Eritrea usually drink tap water, but as a tourist, it’s safer to stick with bottled or filtered water. The tap water can contain bacteria that your stomach might not be used to. Bottled water is widely available and cheap, so it’s a hassle-free option.
The main language in Eritrea is
Tigrinya. Backpacking is way more rewarding if you know a bit of the local language, so I'd suggest brushing up on the basics just in case your Tigrinya skills have become a bit rusty.
Want to understand locals better?The complete Travel Guide for Eritrea includes 52 essential words and phrases — greetings, thank-yous, ordering food, transport, numbers, and common local expressions you'll actually hear.
Get your local basic phrases 👉
Get the Travel Guide - In Eritrea,
English is not widely spoken among the general population. The country has a diverse linguistic landscape, with Tigrinya, Arabic, and English being the official languages. English is primarily used in government, education, and among the educated elite, particularly in urban areas like Asmara.
While you may encounter English speakers in hotels, restaurants, and some businesses, proficiency can vary significantly. In rural areas, English is less common, and locals primarily communicate in Tigrinya or Arabic. Travelers may find it helpful to learn a few basic phrases in Tigrinya or Arabic to enhance their experience and facilitate communication.
Overall, while English is understood to some extent, especially in urban centers, it is advisable for visitors to be prepared for language barriers and to carry a translation app or phrasebook for smoother interactions.
Money & Payments
The local currency of Eritrea is ERN (Nfk).
If you’re heading to Eritrea, brace yourself for some old-school financial planning. ATMs are practically non-existent for foreign cards, so you’ll need to plan ahead. Bring plenty of cash, specifically U.S. dollars or euros, as they are the most widely accepted currencies. When you arrive, you’ll need to exchange your cash into the local currency, Eritrean nakfa, at a bank or a licensed exchange office. Avoid black market exchanges, as they’re illegal and risky.
Credit and debit card acceptance is extremely limited, mostly confined to some higher-end hotels in Asmara. Even then, it’s not always reliable. So, don’t count on card payments; cash will be your best friend. Keep your cash in small denominations for everyday transactions, as getting change for larger bills can be a hassle. Always double-check the current exchange rates before swapping your money, to ensure you’re getting a fair deal. And remember, once you’re in Eritrea, you have to exchange back any unused nakfa before leaving, as you can’t take it out of the country legally.
Tipping in Eritrea isn’t customary, but it is appreciated. In restaurants, leaving a small amount, like 5-10% of the bill, can be a nice gesture. For taxis and other services, rounding up the fare or adding a little extra is welcomed but not expected.
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Best Backpacking
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Over the years, I've learned the importance of packing minimally. It's so much easier to jump on the back of a truck or squeeze yourself into the last spot of a minibus without that supersized backpack. If you're headed to a warm destination, leave your winter jacket at home; for colder regions, opt for thin thermal underlayers. Instead of packing your entire wardrobe, bring just three sets of clothes, as laundry facilities are available everywhere.
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Hi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past decade, I’ve backpacked through 80+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.