Travel Facts
US State Dept Travel Advisory
The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens DO NOT TRAVEL to Somalia due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, health issues, kidnapping, and piracy. Consult its website via the link below for updates to travel advisories and statements on safety, security, local laws, and special circumstances in this country.
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html
Passport/Visa Requirements
US citizens should make sure their passport is valid at the date of their entering the country and during the length of their entire visit. They should also make sure they have at least 1 blank page in their passport for any entry stamp that will be required. A visa is not required.
US Embassy/Consulate
Mogadishu, Somalia (reopened October 2019 on the grounds of the Mogadishu Airport); US citizens may call US Dept of State (202)-501-4444 for emergencies; alternate contact is the embassy in Kenya; [254] (20) 363-6000; US Embassy Nairobi, United Nations Avenue Nairobi, PO Box 606 Village Market, 00621 Nairobi, Kenya; Kenya_ACS@state.gov; https://so.usembassy.gov/
Telephone Code
252
Local Emergency Phone
Local numbers only
Vaccinations
An International Certificate of Vaccination for yellow fever is required for travelers arriving from countries with a risk of yellow fever transmission and for travelers having transited through the airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. See WHO recommendations. On 21 March 2022, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Travel Alert for polio in Africa; Somalia is currently considered a high risk to travelers for polio; the CDC recommends that before any international travel, anyone unvaccinated, incompletely vaccinated, or with an unknown polio vaccination status should complete the routine polio vaccine series; before travel to any high-risk destination, CDC recommends that adults who previously completed the full, routine polio vaccine series receive a single, lifetime booster dose of polio vaccine.
http://www.who.int/
Climate
Principally desert; northeast monsoon (December to February), moderate temperatures in north and hot in south; southwest monsoon (May to October), torrid in the north and hot in the south, irregular rainfall, hot and humid periods (tangambili) between monsoons
Currency (Code)
Somali shillings (SOS)
Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s)
220 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): C
Major Languages
Somali, Arabic, Italian, English
Major Religions
Sunni Muslim
Time Difference
UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Potable Water
Opt for bottled water
International Driving Permit
Suggested
Road Driving Side
Right
Tourist Destinations
Mogadishu; cave art of Laas Geel; Hargeisa; sea beaches of Berbera; Kismayo National Park
Major Sports
Soccer, track and field
Cultural Practices
The left hand is considered unclean and should not be used for shaking hands.
Tipping Guidelines
Tipping is not obligatory. For exceptional service, an additional tip is always welcome. Hotels and restaurants tend to include a tip of 5-10%, but luxury hotels and high-end restaurants may charge 10-15% of the total bill in the form of a service charge.
Souvenirs
Woven cloth, woven baskets, woodcarvings, meerschaum carvings, gold and silver jewelry
Traditional Cuisine
Bariis Iskukaris — rice cooked in stock and spices (including cumin, cinnamon, black pepper, cardamom, cloves, coriander, and nutmeg) topped with fried onions and raisins; sometimes peppers or potatoes are added; typically served with roasted lamb or goat and bananas
Please visit the following links to find further information about your desired destination.
World Health Organization (WHO) - To learn what vaccines and health precautions to take while visiting your destination.
US State Dept Travel Information - Overall information about foreign travel for US citizens.
To obtain an international driving permit (IDP). Only two organizations in the US issue IDPs:
American Automobile Association (AAA) and American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA)
How to get help in an emergency?
Contact the nearest US embassy or consulate, or call one of these numbers:
from the US or Canada - 1-888-407-4747 or from Overseas - +1 202-501-4444
Page last updated: Thursday, December 01, 2022
