Africa · Updated
As of August 2026, Eritrea scores 49/100 on the IsMyTripSafe safety index — verdict: mostly — take normal precautions. The U.S. State Department rates Eritrea Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution. Of the 1 Eritrea destination assessed, Asmara scores highest (36/100).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Eritrea · Assessed 19 August 2026
49
/ 100
Safer than ~39% of countries
What drives this score
01 · Official Guidance
Exercise Increased Caution
“Reissued with obsolete COVID-19 page links removed. Exercise increased caution in Eritrea due to travel restrictions, limited consular assistance, landmines, and wrongful detentions.”
Updated Mon, 31 Jul 2023
Full advisory →Advises against all travel to parts of the country
“Areas where FCDO advises against travel Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against FCDO advice. Within 25km of Eritrea’s land borders FCDO advises against all travel to within 25km of all of Eritrea’s land borders.”
Updated 2026-07-27T14:03:05Z
Full advisory →Avoid non-essential travel (with regional advisories)
“Canada's official risk level for Eritrea: avoid non-essential travel (with regional advisories).”
Updated 2026-08-04T10:42:15.7370277-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Mugging & robbery risk
City SignalCity Web Research
Pickpocketing & theft risk
City SignalCity Web Research
Visitor safety sentiment
City SignalCity Web Research
Robbery / mugging
LowMugging and armed robbery are rare for visitors; incidents are typically confined to isolated peripheral areas after dark
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing can occur in crowded markets and transport hubs of Asmara; keep bags zipped and front‑facing
03 · Environment
04 · Institutions
05 · Field Research
Traveller sentiment score
Mixed
79/100
Recent traveler reports describe feeling generally safe during daylight hours but uneasy after dark and in border regions, reflecting limited local infrastructure and occasional harassment.
Yes — Eritrea is one of Africa's safest capitals for visitors, but the country as a whole carries a HIGH RISK rating due to governance and security constraints.
The multi‑database safety profile rates Eritrea at a composite 22/100 (HIGH RISK) and a Travel Risk Calculator score of 48/100 (MODERATE), reflecting low street crime but serious concerns over limited consular assistance, land‑mine hazards near borders, and restricted civil liberties. Recent data show no active disaster alerts, but governance indicators remain among the world’s lowest.
Recent developments
Common scams
Full briefing
Safety Briefing
Eritrea’s capital, Asmara, is widely regarded as one of Africa’s safest urban environments for visitors. Day‑time streets are calm, petty crime is low, and most travelers move about without incident. However, the country’s overall safety rating is HIGH RISK (composite 22/100) because of severe governance constraints, limited consular support, and the ever‑present threat of land‑mines along the porous borders with Sudan, Ethiopia and Djibouti. Recent incidents in the dossier illustrate these risks: a land‑mine blast near the Eritrea‑Sudan border in June 2026 killed two locals, and in May 2026 three foreign journalists were briefly detained for photographing near the capital. A separate scam in April 2026 saw a tourist lose $1,200 to a counterfeit currency‑exchange operator in Asmara’s Central Market.
Pickpocketing remains the most tangible threat to visitors, especially in crowded marketplaces and bus stations; keeping valuables concealed and using a money belt mitigates this moderate risk. Robbery and violent crime against tourists are rare, but travelers should avoid straying into peripheral neighborhoods after dark and stay clear of border zones where land‑mines are unmarked.
Scams targeting tourists typically involve inflated currency‑exchange rates, forged permits, and fake guide services. Engaging only licensed operators, exchanging money through reputable hotels, and confirming any required permits with your host or the Ministry of Tourism are essential precautions. Carry a photocopy of your passport, register with your embassy on arrival, and maintain a list of emergency contacts.
In sum, while Asmara offers a welcoming and relatively secure environment for daytime exploration, the broader national context demands heightened vigilance, strict adherence to border‑area advisories, and preparedness for limited governmental assistance. By following the practical tips above and staying informed of the latest local advisories, you can minimize risk and enjoy a safe visit to Eritrea.
06 · Destinations
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07 · Questions
The U.S. State Department currently rates Eritrea Level 2 of 4 — Exercise Increased Caution. On our composite index Eritrea scores 49/100. See the destination reports above for city-level detail. (Updated 19 August 2026.)
Of the destinations we've assessed, Asmara currently scores highest at 36/100 (Use Caution).
Directly from public sources: US, UK and Canadian government advisories, World Bank and UNODC crime statistics, WHO health data, live air-quality, disaster and earthquake feeds — plus AI field research over current local reporting. Read the full methodology.
