In planning mode - how much budget should I keep in mind for Eritrea - any experiences?
I went to Eritrea last year and honestly, the budget depends on what you want to do. If you stick to just exploring the Art Deco architecture of Asmara, you can keep costs down to about $50-$70 a day. However, a trip out to the Dahlak Archipelago for diving will easily cost you a few hundred dollars. Taxis within Asmara are around 150 Nakfa. If you want to see all the historical sites, you’ll have to pay for a guide and that can add up quickly.
A friend of mine just got back from Eritrea and said it’s not for the faint of heart, but it’s amazing. She budgeted around $120 a day. The biggest cost was a pre-arranged tour package that included a driver and all the necessary permits, which she said was essential. Her trip involved a ride on the old steam train and a visit to Massawa, both of which were fantastic but expensive activities. It's a country where you need to plan ahead and not expect to travel on a shoestring.
My experience in Eritrea was surprisingly affordable, but only because I was very careful with my spending. I managed to get by on about $60 a day. I stayed in very basic guesthouses for about 1,000 Nakfa a night and ate at local cafes, where you can get a coffee for 50 Nakfa. The key is to avoid tourist-focused restaurants and to use public transport whenever possible, which is very cheap. The currency is tightly controlled, so you'll want to bring plenty of US dollars or Euros.
Eritrea is definitely an expensive country to visit, mostly because independent travel is challenging and a guide is required for most trips outside Asmara. For a comfortable, guided trip, you should budget at least $100-$150 per day. I found that tours often include hotel and transport, which simplifies things. A simple meal at a local restaurant like the Ghibi in Asmara costs about 150-250 Nakfa, but a decent hotel room can easily be 2,000 Nakfa or more. Permits for travel outside the capital also add to the cost.