MileHacker Logo
What to Pack for Asmara

What to Pack for Asmara

Asmara Maekel, Eritrea Travel Guide

Dry Season Attire Oct-May

Pack light, breathable clothing like cotton and linen. Long sleeves give Sun protection. Evenings plus mornings: the temperature drops notably. Bring lightweight sweaters, jackets, or fleeces.

Cultural Modesty

  • Cover shoulders and knees for religious sites and historic villages.
  • Women: Loose-fitting long pants or long skirts/dresses. Carry a Shawl for head covering at religious sites.
  • Men: Trousers or long shorts. Smart casual attire.

Rainy Season Attire Jun-Sep

Opt for light, quick-drying clothing. Evenings and mornings: light sweaters or jackets. A Waterproof jacket or Poncho is handy for daily afternoon showers.

Activity Attire

  • Hiking: Sturdy Walking shoes or light hiking boots. Long pants, sun hat.
  • Religious Sites: Modest attire, cover shoulders and knees. Women may need head covering. Remove shoes before entering mosques/some churches.
  • Formal Events: Smart casual for upscale restaurants. Rare.

Footwear Recommendations

Walking Shoes

Comfortable walking shoes are absolutely needed for exploring Asmara’s streets. The city invites extensive walking.

City exploration

Casual Footwear

Sandals or flip-flops are handy for hotel wear or casual outings.

Hotel/Casual

Hiking Boots

Sturdy hiking boots or shoes bring if planning excursions outside the city. They give necessary support and protection on varied terrain.

Excursions

Essential Documents

Documentation Checklist

Gather all necessary documents meticulously. Incomplete applications lead to delay or rejection. Keep originals secure and carry copies separately.

  • Original Passport (AT least six months of validity, blank pages)
  • Eritrean Visa (printed copy)
  • Photocopies of passport, visa, ID (stored separately)
  • Digital Copies (phone, cloud, email)
  • Travel Insurance Policy (printed and digital)
  • International Driving Permit (IDP) and national license (if driving)
  • Yellow Fever Certificate (original ICVP)
  • Doctor's Note for Prescription Medications

Technology & Electronics

Power & Connectivity

Eritrea uses Type C, E, and F power points (European two-pin/Schuko). Standard voltage is 230V, 50Hz. Pack a Universal travel adapter. Check devices for dual voltage compatibility; a Voltage converter may be needed for non-compatible devices.

Mobile & Internet

  • GSM compatible phone. Purchase local SIM cards from Eritel (passport registration needed).
  • Internet access is extremely limited. Local SIMs give slow, expensive data, often with restricted access.
  • Wi-Fi is scarce, slow, and expensive in hotels. Minimal connectivity expected.

Camera & Charging

Bring a digital camera with extra batteries and memory cards. Power outages limit charging. A versatile zoom lens captures Asmara’s architecture and street scenes. A Portable tripod is handy for low-light photography.

Essential Power Gear

  • Universal travel adapter (Type C, E, or F).
  • Voltage converter (if devices are not dual voltage).
  • Reliable Portable power bank (combats outages).

Navigation & Data Backup

Offline Maps

Download offline maps of Asmara (Maps.me, Google Maps) before departure. Internet for navigation is unreliable.

Translation

Install Google Translate and download offline language packs for Tigrinya and Arabic. This aids communication.

Data Backup

Back up photos and documents to cloud services before trip. Carry an External hard drive or USB drive for offline backup.

Health & Wellness Items

Comprehensive First-Aid Kit

A well-stocked health and wellness kit gives peace of mind and tackles common travel ailments. Given limited local medical supplies, bring what you foresee needing.

Kit Contents

  • Band-aids, disinfectant wipes, sterile gauze, surgical tape.
  • Pain relievers (paracetamol, Ibuprofen), allergy medication.
  • Anti-diarrhea medication (Imodium/Loperamide), rehydration salts.

Medications & Hygiene

Carry any personal prescription medications in original packaging with a doctor's note. Pack over-the-counter cold/flu remedies and digestive aids.

Personal Essentials

  • Prescription medications (with doctor's note).
  • Remedies for cold/flu (decongestants, cough drops).
  • Hand sanitizer, specific toiletries difficult to find locally.

Altitude, Insects & Sun Protection

Altitude Sickness

  • Mild symptoms possible in Asmara due to altitude.
  • Consult doctor about Acetazolamide (Diamox) if prone to sickness.
  • Acclimatize slowly, drink water, avoid alcohol/heavy food initially.

Insect & Sun Protection

Activity-Specific Equipment

Hiking Gear

For walks in the Verdantbelt area or permitted treks in the highlands, a Daypack, water bottle, and snacks are handy. Sturdy shoes are needed.

  • Daypack
  • Water bottle
  • Snacks
  • Sturdy shoes

Specialized Activities

Specialized tourist activities like snorkeling, diving, or camping are not readily available or easily arranged for tourists in Asmara or surrounding areas.

  • No rentals available
  • Bring your own gear
  • Research permits for areas
  • Not common activities

Rent vs. Bring

Rental options for specialized equipment are very limited. Bringing your own gear is the most effective approach if an item is needed for a planned activity.

  • Own hiking boots
  • No diving gear rentals
  • No camping gear rentals
  • Bring if essential

Equipment Acquisition

Bringing Your Own Gear

  • Guaranteed quality and fit.
  • Familiarity with your own equipment.
  • No need to search for rentals locally.
  • Cost-effective for frequent travelers.

Renting Locally Limited

  • Rental options are very scarce.
  • Quality and availability are unpredictable.
  • May not meet specific needs.
  • Time spent searching for rentals.

Miscellaneous Must-Haves

Comfort & Security

Beyond the basics, a few extra items greatly improve travel comfort and security.

Travel Enhancers

Sustainable & Local

Consider bringing small, culturally appropriate gifts for hosts or guides if invited to a native home. Due to limited internet, physical books or downloaded e-books give entertainment.

Eco & Unique Items

Items to Bring Difficult to Find Locally

Specific Medications

Bring all needed prescription medications and favored OTCs.

High-Quality Electronics

Local selection and prices are limited for specific electronics.

Sunscreen

Quality brands of high SPF sunscreen may be scarce.

Insect Repellent

Quality brands of insect repellent may be scarce.

Destination-Specific Adaptations

General Adaptations

  • Small bills for transactions.
  • Basic local phrases (Tigrinya/Arabic).
  • Physical map of Asmara.

Considerations

  • Cultural awareness guide.
  • Water purification tablets for peace of mind.
  • Extra power bank capacity for extended use.

Packing Pro Tip

Pack layers to accommodate Asmara's temperature fluctuations. Always carry a shawl for religious site visits and prioritize comfortable walking shoes.

Keep multiple copies of your passport and visa, both physical and digital, stored separately from the originals. This protects you in case of loss or theft.

What to Pack for Asmara. Clothes, Accessories, Essentials