Getting in and out of Sana'a
By busHere are some examples of fares from Sana'a (5/98):
- Taizz: 240 YR. The trip takes 5 hours. Buy your ticket at 16h in order to leave the next morning at 7 am, and buy at 10 am in order to leave at 13h. There's also a bus at 15h.
- Al-Mahraba: 250 YR for a 2 hour trip
- Al-Hodeida: luxury bus with AC and film during the 5 hour trip costs 700 YR.
By shared taxiThese are the prices for shared taxis (5/98):
- Shibam: the taxi leaves from Matbah to Shibam and costs 120 YR.
- The trip coming from Marib costs 400 YR, going to Marib you have to go with rented 4WD !
By private taxiA private taxi to wadi Dahr costs 300 YR (5/98). It's also possible to take a shared taxi.
Hotels
The
Hotel Sayun is OK for 11 US$ for a double including shower and toilet, TV. It's reasonably clean, staff is friendly but don't speak too much English. A lot of noise from the street (5/98).
The
Hotel Brrom charges 1350 Rial for a double including simple breakfast. The rooms are big enough, but the common bathroom was quite dirty and smelled (not enough water to flush the toilet). Staff is very friendly, speaks good English, no street noise (5/98).
The
Sultan Palace Hotel charges 1800 Rial for a double, including a reasonable breakfast. The hotel is right outside town, the rooms are spacious and have 3 mattresses on the floor. They have common bathroom, but it's clean. There
is street noise in the morning from children playing. You can contact them through e-mail at
MOHAMED@Y.net.ye (5/98).
Golden Dar (Dar Saad) charges 22 to 18 US$ for a double with or without private bathroom. The owner is Dutch, knows the country very well. It's a typical old house in old Sana'a, and they have a good restaurant (8/97).
Sam City Hotel charges 35 US$ for a double with bathroom and breakfast(2/98). The entrance hall is nice, but the rest could be better. The restaurant is to be avoided.
Al Ikhwa near the Taj Sheba charges 1500 YR for a double but is to be avoided.
Taj Talha Hotel (funduq) is in the old city Sana'a Harat Talha ( tel. 237674-224651). It has nice roomps and a decent restaurant. They have a great roof terrace where you have nice views. You can eat and drink something, open for non-guests.
What to do?
Al-Medina is the old part of Sana'a and will be one of the highlights of your trip. It's best to visit in the morning.
The silvermarket is on the East side of the city. There are about 40 suqs, each with its own specialty. It's a must.
West of Al-Medina is the Turkish quarter. You'll find the Maydan at-Tahrir. It's the heart of modern Sana'a where you find facilities like a tourist office, post office etc...
The National museum is recommended. It's open from 9 am till 3 to 5 pm (except on Fridays only in the morning). Admission 30 YR (8/97). Most of the explanations are in English.
Go to Around Sana'a
