Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Shopping
Socotra Women's Association Shop
CRAFT
( 7am-11am & 3-5pm Sat-Thu)
Situated on Hadibu's main road, this small but interesting shop
- which sells locally made handicrafts, incense and even small packets of 'dragon's
blood' - was closed throughout much of 2011-12, but the word is that it's about to re-
open. Money raised goes towards local women's projects.
Information
All of the services below are found in the capital, Hadibu. Two excellent publications on
Socotra are
Soqotra - the Birds & Plants
and
The Lost World of Socotra,
by Richard
Boggs. The former is available in Hadibu the latter in Sanaʻa or abroad.
Dragons Blood Tree Agency
( 660136;
www.socotraislandadventure.com
)
One of the best regarded of
the island's handful of tour companies.
El Ahmed Tourism Agency
(
0777210276;
www.atsi-socotra.com
; Main Rd)
7.30am-2pm Sat-Thu)
Changes US dollars and euros (cash
National Bank of Yemen
(
660192;
only).
Soqotra Eco-Tourism Society/Visitors Information Service
( 660253)
The official HQ for the Soqotra
Eco-Tourism Society, which was set up in early 2003 with the aim of promoting and de-
veloping tourism and infrastructure projects on the island in a sustainable manner for the
benefit of all. It has some maps and brochures. Ring before visiting, as its opening hours
are erratic. There's a branch office at the airport, which opens (sometimes) for flight ar-
rivals. It also organises good tours of the island.
Getting There & Away
Sana'a (US$184), Aden (US$173) and Al-Mukalla (US$118). It's essential to book well
in advance.
Getting Around
One of the biggest construction projects in recent years (well, OK, recent centuries) has
been the construction of an island ring road, as well as linking trans island roads. Despite
