Some Interesting Facts About Yemen

Public Holidays

Date 2005 Occasion
January 1 New Year's Day  
January 21 Eid Al Adha
February 10 (Muharram) Islamic New Year
April 21 Prophet's Birthday
May 1 Labour Day
May 22 Day of National Unity
September 26 Revolution Day (N. Yemen)
October 14 National Day
November 3-5 Eid Al Fitr
November 30 Independence Day (South)
December 30 Bank Holiday

Weekend - Friday

Customs & Duties

Carrying alcohol is a no – no for Muslims. If you are a non-Muslim, you are allowed you can bring in 2 bottles. Perfume for personal use, a reasonable quantity of cigarettes or tobacco and gifts worth up to YR 100, 000 are allowed in and out. Firearms, narcotics, pornographic literature and anything with Israeli origin are not allowed in to Yemen.

Electricity

220 V AC, 50 HZ is the standard of electricity in Yemen and if your gizmos are used to other specifications it is advisable to carry an adaptor.

Post & Communications

Postal services in Yemen are fairly developed. But it is best to mail your letters from San’a and Aden than from the rural villages. All towns except rural villages have post offices. Receiving mail is only possible at San’a post restante or big hotels belonging to international chains.

Telephone services are quite good in the towns of the former northern republic but are still developing in rural areas and the southeastern provinces, where connections have to be made through an operator. In the bigger towns you can make your international calls at the International Telephone Centre offices that have phone booths for domestic and international calls. Domestic rates are reasonable while international rates are the same as that in any other country.

Weights and measures

The Metric System is followed in Yemen.

Tipping

The practice of tipping is unknown in Yemen as service charges are included in restaurants and hotels. Tip only those who have given you a lift or a place to sleep for the night. Fares for taxis should be negotiated in advance. Bargain on everything but meal and room prices (which are lower in summer)