Yemen Travel Safety

Road safety

Avoid driving after dark. Poorly maintained vehicles and roads and roaming animals pose hazards. Call the police if you are involved in an accident. If the accident results in death or injuries, the driver may be jailed and/or fined. Compensation has to be paid to the family of the victims. Undertake overland travel in a convoy of four-wheel-drive vehicles and with an experienced guide only. Leave a travel itinerary with a third party. Do not use the Aden-Taiz-Sanaa highway due to the high risk of kidnapping. Be well prepared and equipped with gasoline, water, food and a cell phone. Avoid renting a car and driving it yourself. Avoid public transportation. Use only officially marked taxis and negotiate fares in advance.

Regional travel

Permission from the Yemen Tourist Police is required to travel outside Sanaa. Authorities may close access to certain areas without notice. Foreigners have been denied entry into Yemen because their passports bore an Israeli visa, an Israeli border stamp, or an Egyptian or Jordanian border stamp issued by an office bordering Israel. Such a stamp would indicate the traveller entered from Israel.

Landmines

Anti-personnel mines and unexploded munitions remain a danger in the southern and eastern areas of the country, particularly around Aden, and in the central highlands. Most have been marked and access clearly delimited. Exercise caution in these areas.

Marine transportation

Pirate attacks occur in coastal waters and, in some cases, farther out at sea. Mariners should take appropriate precautions.

Women's safety

Women travelling alone may be subject to some forms of harassment and verbal abuse. Avoid dark or non-tourist areas at night. Instead try to be around larger crowds, whether they are fellow tourists or local citizens. In addition, don't flash money or valuables in public. Doing so may make you a potential victim of criminal activity.

Crime

Weapons are easily available throughout the country and tribes are usually heavily armed. Petty crime such as credit card scams may occur. Carjacking is a serious concern in Yemen. Do not show signs of affluence and ensure that personal belongings and passports and other travel documents are secure at all times. Lock car doors and ensure that windows are closed.

Kidnapping

There is a high risk to foreigners of kidnapping, and some hostages have been killed. Maintain a high level of vigilance at all times.

Terrorism

The security situation remains fragile and unpredictable. There is a high terrorist threat in Yemen, as terrorists regularly target government buildings. Al Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula has targeted Western interests: commercial establishments, diplomatic missions and tourist sites could be attacked. Maintain a high level of vigilance and personal security awareness at all times. Exercise extreme caution, particularly in areas known to be frequented by foreigners (that is, commercial, public and tourist areas), monitor local developments and follow the advice of local authorities. Terrorist groups also target checkpoints manned by the Houthi rebel group in Sanaa and elsewhere in the country, and target Houthis in general.

Dress and behaviour

The country's customs, laws and regulations adhere closely to Islamic practices and beliefs. Dress conservatively, behave discreetly and respect religious and social traditions to avoid offending local sensitivities. During the lunar month of Ramadan (the ninth month of the Muslim calendar), refrain from drinking, eating, and smoking in public between sunrise and sunset.

LGBT

The laws of Yemen prohibit sexual acts between individuals of the same sex. Those convicted can face upto 1 years imprisonment. LGBT travellers should carefully consider the risks of travelling to Yemen.

Illegal or restricted activities

It is forbidden to photograph military and police personnel and installations, and government buildings. Military sites are not always clearly marked. Do not photograph people without their permission.

Driving

An International Driving Permit is required.