Social ConventionsTraditional dance, music, song and craftsmanship flourish despite gradual modern development. Informal wear is acceptable and there is no objection to bikinis on the beach. Visitors should respect local customs.
International Travel:Getting There by AirThe national airline is
Somali Airlines.
Departure TaxUS$20. Transit passengers and children under two years are exempt.
Main AirportsMogadishu (MGQ) is 6km (4 miles) west of the city.
To/from the airport: There is a taxi
service to the city center.
Getting There by WaterMain ports: Berbera,
Kismayu,
Marka and
Mogadishu.
Getting There by RoadThere are routes to Somalia from Djibouti and Kenya. There is no border crossing with Ethiopia at present. Roads are underdeveloped, and travel requires suitable
4-wheel drive desert vehicles.
OverviewThe following goods may be imported into Somalia without incurring customs duty:
400 cigarettes or 40 cigars or 400g of tobacco;
one bottle of wine or spirits;
a reasonable amount of perfume for personal use.
Internal Travel:Getting Around By AirSomali Airlines run regular services to all major towns.
Getting Around by WaterModern Somalia is essentially a broad strip of coastal desert. Roads are poor and consequently coastal shipping is an important form of transport, both socially and economically.
Getting Around by RoadTraffic drives on the right. It is difficult to travel outside Mogadishu by car. Existing roads run from the capital to Burao and Baidoa and there are sealed roads between Kismayu and Mogadishu, and Hargeysa and Mogadishu. Passenger transport is restricted almost entirely to road haulage. There are few cars and buses, although there are reasonable bus services between the major centers in the south.
Taxi: These are available in large towns.
Car hire: Available in Mogadishu.
Documentation: An International Driving Permit is required.
Getting Around Towns and CitiesMinibuses and shared taxi-type services run in Mogadishu, but availability may be restricted outside normal working hours (Sat-Thurs 0700-1400).
Next Page »
