Yemen Sports & Outdoors

Swimming in Yemen

by janiebaxter

We didn't have time to try the beaches and the sea but some of the hotel pools are good.Most of the better class hotels have swimming pools and it is acceptable for women to swim in these wearing a normal one piece costume. Most have changing rooms by the poolside so you don’t have the problem of having to walk through the hotel in your swimming gear. Towels are also provided.These are the hotels I stayed in with swimming pools. The problem in the highlands is the temperature drops at night and the pools are quite cold to start off with so you will feel the chill when you get out! All these pools were well maintained and clean.Sana’a Movenpick Hotel. 5 star. Outdoor pool which is cold and very big and an indoor pool in the fitness centre which is an acceptable size and nice and warm. Both are big enough to do laps, although the indoor pool is for leisure and can get quite busy.Sofitel...

Motoring

by dutchwindmill

For those motoring enthusiasts: go by your own car or rent one! This is definitely one of the best countries to be behind the wheel: perfect main roads network; great off-road (rock and sand) driving; plains and mountain passes; no pesky policemen or gatsometers. Just anticipate to the max so as not to get involved in an accident. Alternative to Yemen: Syria.Riding a motor cycle would be at least as great. The risks are naturally higher.

Sports in Yemen

by dutchwindmill

Hiking is the first physical activity that springs to mind. Anthing from an hours walk to a weeks-long trek through the Central Highlands will be a rewarding experience. For the longer treks you'll want a guide. Swimming would be in the sea or in a pool. There are lots of beautiful beaches everywhere, but women will not feel at ease everywhere (even though there is certainly no threat). Beaches (from northwest to southeast) where also women will feel comfortable swimming include Kamaran Island (off Hodeidah), Al-Khokha, Aden (Sheraton and Elephant Bay Beach Resort), Bir Ali (white sand, often rated as Yemen's most beautiful beach; accomodation there very basic), Mukallah hotels, Socotra archipelago. Public pools can be found in Sana'a, Sey'un and Ataq (Shabwah capital) among other places; hotels with pools include Movenpick, Sheraton, Taj Sheba and Shahran in Sana'a, Sofitel in Taiz,...

Play Snoker or Billiard with Yemenis

by Pakistaniguy