Another UNESCO World Heritage Site, the "Galápagos of the Indian Ocean" is 82 miles long, 26 wide, and is in fact the safest part of Yemen to visit, mostly untouched by the civil war. It boasts surreal landscapes (in fact, it´s been described as "the most alien-looking place on Earth"), including the iconic dragon's blood trees, as well as pristine beaches, deep canyons, and towering sand dunes. Socotra´s biodiversity is unmatched, with many species (like the aforemention dragon´s bloods) found nowhere else. The largest town is called Hadibu (pop. 8,500), and things to do include hiking in the Haghier Mountains, swimming in natural pools and pristine beaches, and camping under starry skies. It´s a 2½ -hour flight from Sana´a, and is only feasible to visit with an organized tour rather than independently.
Read more in my post 8 of Yemen´s Most Compelling Destinations.
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