Useful information for traveling to ethiopia

Visa Requirement

Visas are required for all visitors to Ethiopia and can be obtained from Ethiopian diplomatic missions abroad. . Passengers transiting Ethiopia within 72 hours only for connection purpose, holding confirmed onward booking and entry visa on arrival.
For citizens of the European Union, the visa is processed upon arrival at the Addis Ababa airport and costs 52$ for 30 days or 70$ for 90 days. Since June 2018 it is possible to obtain an electronic visa by entering: evisa.gov.et

Covid-19 information

Currently, to enter Ethiopia, a negative PCR test is required no more than 72 hours prior to arrival.

Travel insurance

It is recommended to contract health care insurance from the country of origin that covers the possible covid infection with health care and accommodation during the period of isolation or quarantine.

Sanitary recommendations

Ethiopia is a high-risk destination in terms of sanitary conditions. Depending on the source, the yellow fever vaccine is mandatory (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) or recommended (Ministry of Health and Consumption).
In addition, the recommended vaccines for a trip to Ethiopia are Tetanus, Meningitis, Cholera, Typhus, Hepatitis A and B. There is also a risk of malaria in areas below 2,000 meters of altitude. The capital, however, is free of this risk.
For more information on health and vaccines we advise you to visit the website of the Ministry of Health (Spanish).
It is recommended to bring a first-aid kit with pain relievers, antibiotics, antihistamines, antidiarrheals, antiseptics, sunscreen, insect repellants, soothing lotions against bites, and healing materials.
You should not drink tap water or eat uncooked food.
Keep in mind that in the wet season there are mosquitoes, although they do not cause excessive discomfort, at least compared to other places in Africa. That is due to the cool Ethiopia temperature. However, most hotels provide a mosquito net. In churches, the floor is covered with carpets, and they often have fleas, especially in those in Lalibela. It is advisable to always carry socks in your backpack because it is mandatory to take off your shoes when entering and insect repellent. It is recommended not to bathe in swamps or lakes because there is a risk of contracting bilharziasis. Lake Langano is the only lake where this precaution is not necessary. It is advisable to travel with medical insurance.

Baggage

Light cotton clothing, short-sleeved and long-sleeved T-shirts, fleece or a similar warm garment, comfortable and resistant footwear, sunglasses, a hat and a raincoat with a water layer.
It is convenient to carry all the necessary photographic material from the country of origin since it is not safe to find it in the country and if it is found it is more expensive, as well as to provide replacement batteries. There are continuous blackouts and in the most remote areas it is non-existent.

Climate

Ethiopia has two different climates. Generally, the temperature during the year is between 15ºC and 20°C in the highlands and between 22ºC and 30°C in the lowlands.

Economy

85% of Ethiopian population lives from agriculture. The main exports of the country are indigenous Ethiopian coffee, pulses, oilseeds and skins. Ethiopia ranks first as exporter of cattle in the African context.

Particularities

Ethiopia doesn’t adopted the revised Gregorian calendar as did the rest of the Christian world in the s. XVI, but it continued with the Julian force until then, and so to this day. Therefore, the Ethiopian calendar has 13 months (the country’s tourism slogan isEthiopia, 13 months of sunshine). They are 12 months of 30 days and 1 month of 5 days (6 days in a leap year). The turn of the year is celebrated on September 11.