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Per the Yemeni Observer tourist visas are/will be free for travelers comming with a travel agency. Individual tourist visas will cost between 5,000 and 20,000 YR depending on the length of stay. You might want to book a short trip with a local agency as things tend to be fairly priced there. So no you do not need a certifcate to gey your visa. You can also read the Yemeni Observer online if you do a quick Google search.Enjoy your trip.
Almost everyone, except the Gulf states citizen, has to buy the tourist visa on arrival. To avoid delay, you should be sure that you are onte of the first passengers to take the first transfer bus from aircraft to arrival terminal hall. In the transfer bus, stay on teh left side of the door as the arrival hall is on the left side of the bus. Once you get out of the bus, enter the arrival hall and move quickly to the left side and note for the sign "VISA" (see the first pic).There is a small window in the middle of reflection glass. Have $$, YR, USD or EUR are ok ready. It was about YR5,500 (May 2008) or about US$30 for single entry visa. If you pay more of foreign currency, you can get change in YR, but the rate may not be so good. But if you change $$ in the next counter first, then you will be behind a few visa applications, that means you have to queue for visa. So small $$ can buy...
Citizens from many countries, including (all or most? check beforehand if you're from one of the newer member states!) EU member states, can obtain a visa at Sana'a International Airport. (Not sure if your passport needs to be valid at least six months after intended departure from Yemen, but better to err on the side of caution.) The cost is USD 30 (or 25 euros or 5500 rials). For children with their own passport the amount is the same. If they are entered into their parent's passport the fee is much lower (I believe USD 10 only). It is possible to pay in Euros - you'll get your change back in Yemeni rials. No need to worry about being overcharged or shortchanged. It's a very straightforward process, be it a bit time-consuming if you're at the back of a queue. For that reason, make sure to proceed directly to the visa counter - don't get in line for Immigration first! (Tip to get there...
Aden is located on one of the finest natural harbors in the Middle East. The harbor is formed by the large crater of an extinct volcano. The ancient Kingdom of Aswan first used the harbor for trade sometime between the fifth and seventh centuries B.C. Over time, the small settlement of Aden was established, and slowly grew as an important trading center. In 1838, Sultan Muhsin bin Fadl ceded 75 square miles (194 square kilometers) to the British, including the city and port of Aden. The British moved troops into the region to establish control, and to stop pirate activity in the area. The British controlled Aden until 1967, when they reliquished it to the Yemeni government.During their rule, the British transformed Aden into one of the most important ports and shipping and trading centers in the Middle East. The success of this transformation was due mainly to the fact that Aden is...
Ta'iz, Yemen's largest city, is at an elevation of 4,593 feet (1,400 meters) and is located in a dramatic valley under the towering 9,862-foot (3,006-meter) Sabr Mountain. It is the main city in Yemen's highlands region. The picturesque Bab Mosa, or old town, contains historic buildings made of brown mud bricks which contrast with white mosques. Ta'iz is a beautiful city from a distance, but up close, it is dirty, polluted, and crowded.Ta'iz was probably established in the twelfth century, and was originally called Hajira. The second Rasulid king, Almaddhafar, made Ta'iz the second capital of the Rasulid Dynasty, after the city of Zabid. The city came under the control of the Ottoman Turks in 1516, and remained so until 1918. During their reign, they built the impressive al-Qahera Castle which perches on a ridge high above the city.The city was surrounded by medieval protective walls...
Legend tells that Sana'a was founded by Shem, the son of Noah. In reality, the city was probably established sometime during the first century A.D., making it one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Sana'a, which means "fortified place" or "the protected," originated as a citadel on the important trade route between Aden and Mecca. For centuries, it has been the main economic, political, and religious center in the highlands region of Yemen.Sana'a has always been an important city in terms of religion. There are over 50 mosques in the city, including the Great Mosque, which was ordered by the Prophet Mohammed in 630 A.D., and completed during his lifetime. The Yemeni government is currently constructing one of the largest and most impressive mosques in the Muslim world. (It can be seen in the distance by enlarging the picture).Sana'a spreads across the Sana'a Basin,...
Hodeidah is Yemen's main port on the Red Sea, and second most important port after Aden. It is the capital of the Tihama region, an arid, hot, and humid coastal plain between the sea and the mountains. Hodeidah was established as a port in the early 1500s. The city was destroyed in 1809 by Islamic Wahabbi forces on their push to the south from the Jizzan area in Saudi Arabia. The city and region were later controlled by the Ottoman Turks, who heavily fortified Hodeidah in anticipation of an attack by the British, who were based in Aden farther to the south. The Ottoman Turks also developed and modernized the city's port. (Nowadays, there is a Turkish quarter in Hodeidah that contains many fine but dilapidated buildings in the Turkish style of architecture. There is some talk of restoring the quarter, but given Yemen's poor economy, that will not be done without outside help).Recent...
Yes, visas, for European Passport holders at least, is available at the airport on arrival. It will smooth the way if you have a contact travel agency address and tel. no. or the address and no. for an arabic learning school and accomodation details in Sana'a to present to the immigration officials. You must obtain and pay for your visa (on left just before the immigration queue) before immigration. I think it was about $25 or there abouts.
Arabic is pretty hard to learn; in Yemen, there is the additional problem that few people speak English and even those in the travel business do not always speak good English. A few words & phrases in Arabic can be helpful to get along: "salaam" or "marhaba" = good day"ma-as-salama" = good-bye"keif halak?" = how are you ?"mumkin" = Can I, May I ?"mumkin ßura?" = Can I take a photo ?"bikam hatha" = How much? (th like "they")"aiwa" = yes"la" = no"chalass" = enough, stop it"mafisch" = nothing, there is nothing"fi" = there is .. or as a question: do you have?"jalla" = let`s go"schukran" = thank you"min fadlak" = please"tammam" = good"mumtass" = excellent"djamila" = beautiful
The general advice (including the FCO's) when I went was to take cash dollars. (In point of fact ATMs seemed to be reasonably common in the large towns). And dollars are generally acceptable for hotel bills, souvenirs and suchlike.Try and get large- $50 or $100 - denomination bills. You will often find that you get a poorer exchange rate for smaller bills - when I visited YR 199/$ for large bills, maybe YR195 for smaller notes. Quite a difference.
Arabia Felix Sanaa
6 Reviews and 22 Opinions absolutely PERFECT! We had all we need - hot water, cable TV, views and very interesting stay....
Shibam Hotel Shibam
2 Reviews and 0 Opinions I didn't stay there, but went there in early afternoon hoping for a cup of tea. But they don't have...
Al Hawta Palace Hotel Say'un
1 Review and 10 Opinions Al Hawta Palace Hotel is situated on the outskirts of Say'un and is set in lovely landscaped...
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Q: Hi, i want to travel to hodeidah and then to Mukalla.Can I get flight from hod to Mukalla and Mukalla to saana?
A: The only domestic carriers are Yemenia and Felix. There are no direct connections from Hodeidah to Mukhalla. You'd have to go via San'a. Of note, San'a airport has closed...
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