What the governments of the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada tell their own citizens about travelling to Eritrea, in their own words, plus practical help with packing.
Travel advice levels
Each government rates the risks for its own citizens, on its own scale. The levels are shown exactly as published; they are not equivalent to each other and are not combined here.
UK
United KingdomForeign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Advises against all travel to parts of the country
No numbered levels
Updated 27 July 2026
Latest change, in the source's words:New information about military activity in the Red Sea area (‘Regional risks’ page).
The official source shows no update to this advice in over 12 months. Check the official page for the current version.
Trip Rulebook could not refresh this source since 30 September 2026. The official website may have newer advice.
Emergency numbers
From the section “Emergency services in Eritrea” of the UK government's travel advice for Eritrea, written for British travellers. Reproduced without changes to the wording; formatting adapted.
Ambulance: 122244
Fire: 116
Police: 113
Local laws and customs
From the section “Laws and cultural differences” of the UK government's travel advice for Eritrea, written for British travellers. Reproduced without changes to the wording; formatting adapted.
Personal ID
You must always carry ID. A copy of the photo page of your passport is enough. Keep the original and a second copy in a safe place.
Internet and phone access
Internet access is highly restricted in Eritrea, mainly limited to hotels and a small number of internet cafes. There is no 3G in the country. The national telephone networks are often unreliable and may only work for limited periods each day outside Asmara and larger towns.
International SIM cards do not work in Eritrea. You need a residence permit to buy a local SIM card and this can take several weeks. There have been unconfirmed reports that phone calls made on the Eritrean mobile network are recorded.
Photography
Photographing government buildings and military installations is illegal. Always ask if you want to take a photo in any area where security personnel are present. You need a permit to take photographs of the ‘tank graveyard’ in Asmara. You can apply for a permit at the Ministry of Tourism.
LGBT+ travellers
Same-sex sexual activity is illegal. If convicted, you can get a prison sentence.
From the section “Medication” of the UK government's travel advice for Eritrea, written for British travellers. Reproduced without changes to the wording; formatting adapted.
The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or bought in the UK can be different in other countries.
There is a limited range of medicines available in Eritrea, and many of those are produced locally. If you’re taking prescription medication, make sure you have a supply for your stay plus a contingency.
Practical suggestions from Trip Rulebook, based on open data and fixed rules. They are not safety or legal advice: rules on clothing, medicines and restricted items are covered only by the official text on this page.
Chargers and plugs
Plug typesCL
Voltage230/400 V
Frequency50 Hz
Plug and voltage data: Wikipedia, “Mains electricity by country”, CC BY-SA 4.0 (licence), retrieved 2026-09-29. Sockets in hotels can differ; the label on your charger (for example “INPUT 100–240V”) tells you which voltages it accepts.
Clothes for the weather
Rainfall Average temperature
January
Average
23 °C (73 °F)
Lows
16 °C (61 °F)
Highs
29 °C (85 °F)
Rain
9 mm (0.4 in)
Light clothes, with a light layer for the evenings.
Big difference between day and night: pack layers.
Usually dry.
February
Average
24 °C (75 °F)
Lows
17 °C (63 °F)
Highs
31 °C (87 °F)
Rain
7 mm (0.3 in)
Light clothes, with a light layer for the evenings.
Big difference between day and night: pack layers.
Usually dry.
March
Average
25 °C (78 °F)
Lows
18 °C (65 °F)
Highs
32 °C (90 °F)
Rain
7 mm (0.3 in)
Light, breathable clothes, sun hat and sunscreen.
Very hot days on average: loose clothing and a refillable water bottle.
Big difference between day and night: pack layers.
Usually dry.
April
Average
28 °C (82 °F)
Lows
21 °C (69 °F)
Highs
34 °C (94 °F)
Rain
11 mm (0.4 in)
Light, breathable clothes, sun hat and sunscreen.
Very hot days on average: loose clothing and a refillable water bottle.
Big difference between day and night: pack layers.
Usually dry.
May
Average
29 °C (84 °F)
Lows
22 °C (72 °F)
Highs
35 °C (96 °F)
Rain
16 mm (0.6 in)
Light, breathable clothes, sun hat and sunscreen.
Very hot days on average: loose clothing and a refillable water bottle.
Big difference between day and night: pack layers.
Usually dry.
June
Average
30 °C (86 °F)
Lows
23 °C (73 °F)
Highs
37 °C (98 °F)
Rain
16 mm (0.6 in)
Light, breathable clothes, sun hat and sunscreen.
Very hot days on average: loose clothing and a refillable water bottle.
Big difference between day and night: pack layers.
Usually dry.
July
Average
29 °C (85 °F)
Lows
24 °C (74 °F)
Highs
35 °C (95 °F)
Rain
68 mm (2.7 in)
Light, breathable clothes, sun hat and sunscreen.
Very hot days on average: loose clothing and a refillable water bottle.
Some rain on average: a compact umbrella.
August
Average
29 °C (84 °F)
Lows
23 °C (74 °F)
Highs
34 °C (94 °F)
Rain
76 mm (3.0 in)
Light, breathable clothes, sun hat and sunscreen.
Very hot days on average: loose clothing and a refillable water bottle.
Some rain on average: a compact umbrella.
September
Average
28 °C (83 °F)
Lows
22 °C (71 °F)
Highs
34 °C (94 °F)
Rain
26 mm (1.0 in)
Light, breathable clothes, sun hat and sunscreen.
Very hot days on average: loose clothing and a refillable water bottle.
Big difference between day and night: pack layers.
Usually dry.
October
Average
27 °C (81 °F)
Lows
21 °C (70 °F)
Highs
33 °C (92 °F)
Rain
9 mm (0.4 in)
Light, breathable clothes, sun hat and sunscreen.
Very hot days on average: loose clothing and a refillable water bottle.
Big difference between day and night: pack layers.
Usually dry.
November
Average
25 °C (78 °F)
Lows
19 °C (66 °F)
Highs
32 °C (89 °F)
Rain
11 mm (0.4 in)
Light, breathable clothes, sun hat and sunscreen.
Big difference between day and night: pack layers.
Usually dry.
December
Average
23 °C (74 °F)
Lows
17 °C (63 °F)
Highs
30 °C (86 °F)
Rain
12 mm (0.5 in)
Light clothes, with a light layer for the evenings.
Big difference between day and night: pack layers.
Usually dry.
National averages for 1991-2020. Coasts, mountains and regions can be very different, and any given year can be warmer, colder or wetter. Suggestions come from fixed rules based on these averages. Climate data: World Bank Climate Change Knowledge Portal, observed climate data (CRU TS), CRU TS (cru_ts4.09), Climatic Research Unit, University of East Anglia, CC BY 4.0 (licence).
What is acceptable to wear is a matter of local law and custom: read Local laws and customs.
Packing checklist
A general list for any trip. Ticks are not saved.
Entry requirements and visas
Visa and entry rules depend on your nationality and change often, so Trip Rulebook does not summarise them. Each government explains the rules for its own citizens. If you travel on another passport, check with the embassy or the official immigration website of Eritrea.
This page is guidance, not legal advice. Laws and advice change without notice and are written for each government's own citizens, so they may apply to you differently. Confirm everything with the official source before you travel. Terms of use.