Useful Info

The easiest way to travel around Socotra is with the local eco tour agency.

There is no tourism as such so that travelling on your own is almost impossible. There are no car rentals or any other tourist facilities. Shops offering groceries and drinking water are rare and available only in few places on the island.

Hadibo, the capital of Socotra, is the only place where you can find a hotel. Although the quality of the hotel is below European standard, it is a possibility for those who do not prefer camping or staying in the wilderness. Food and accommodation prices are a bit higher than on the mainland but still equal to or lower than prices in the Czech Republic. Usually, the programme for tourists is all-embracing, containing accommodation, full board including drinking water, camping equipment rental, nature reserve entry fees and camping fees. The programme does not include extra services and special requests, such as fishing boat rental and scuba diving gear rentals. These requests require extra payment.

The diet on Socotra is conditioned by the local environment. Meals are prepared from preferably local and always fresh ingredients. The diet usually consists of fresh fish, meat, boiled vegetables, rice and pitta bread. Breakfast normally includes cooked beans – Foul Mudammas, pitta bread, honey, cheese, marmalade and tea or with milk. Drinking water is available all day.

Clothes to wear. The religion of the island is Islam. Since you are going to meet and communicate with local people and the programme includes visits to aboriginal villages it is necessary to respect local rules regarding clothes and behaviour! Although the locals are now used to meeting tourists and clothes such as swimsuits are acceptable on the beach, they are unacceptable on the streets! On the other hand, knee-length shorts are now tolerated. Women should wear loose-fitting clothes covering their posterior, T-shirts and blouses are allowed but sleeveless tops are not. Please, do show your respect for local traditions by, for example, wearing headscarf and you will be rewarded by friendliness and warm hospitality.