Major city · Ethiopia
Hawassaሀዋሳ
Give Hawassa 2 nights: one for the lake, fish market and hippo boats, one for the Monday market or a Wondo Genet run. Skip it if you only want the Omo Valley.
Hawassa sits on the eastern shore of Lake Awasa, 5 hours by road south of Addis Ababa, and works as the Rift Valley's easiest stop: a cobbled lakefront, a fish market, boat trips to hippo groups and a large stock of cheap and mid-range hotels. Two nights covers it; most travellers pass through on the way to Arba Minch, Konso or the Omo Valley.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- ETB
- Best months
- Oct–Mar (dry, clear lake views)
- avoid Jun–Sep (main rains), and the wet shoulder weeks around Apr–May
- Airports
- AWA · ADD
- Nights
- 2
Rules in force · 9Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Carry the yellow fever certificate on every leg of a mult…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- East Africa ↗Carry the yellow fever certificate on every leg of a multi-country trip: Uganda and Burundi check it for all arrivals, and a stop in Kenya or Ethiopia makes the next border ask for it.
- East Africa ↗Advice for Ethiopia, Somaliland, Eritrea, Somalia, South Sudan and the Congo border areas can change within days; read your government's page the week you fly and before every regional flight.
- East Africa ↗Price park, reserve and permit fees before comparing lodges: they are charged per person per day, often with VAT, and are fixed whatever bed you choose.
- Ethiopia ↗Apply for the Ethiopian e-visa only on the official portal before you fly; visas on arrival have been suspended for most foreign visitors (check the current status for your passport).
- Ethiopia ↗Check your government's advice zone by zone before booking any domestic flight; in 2026 the UK and US advise against all travel to Amhara and Tigray, and the US also to Afar.
- Ethiopia ↗Book a travel-clinic visit several weeks ahead; ask about malaria prevention below about 2,000 m, altitude, and yellow fever — Ethiopia is itself a yellow fever risk country, so your next destination may ask for the certificate.
- Ethiopia ↗Confirm times in writing: local 'Ethiopian time' counts hours from about 6 am, so 2 o'clock local can mean 8 am.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Hawassa991 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Hawassa, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?checkCurrency is the Ethiopian birr (ETB); the rate was floated in July 2024 and has moved a lot since — check the current rate before you land.Ethiopia-wide
- SIM or eSIMEthio Telecom and Safaricom Ethiopia both sell SIMs at Bole arrivals and shops with passport registration; a few GB costs a few dollars.Ethiopia-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap.Ethiopia-wide
- TippingLocal restaurant: Round up.Ethiopia-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/E/F/L. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Ethiopia-wide
- SafetyHawassa is calm by Ethiopian city standards; the real issues are pushy guides at the fish market, children on the lake circuit…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels and restaurants; squat toilets or none at all on the road.Ethiopia-wide
- Emergency numbers991 police · 907 ambulance · 939 fire (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysGovernment offices close on all public holidays; many shops close on Orthodox feast days; Muslim businesses close for Friday prayers in Harar.Ethiopia-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckAWA Hawassa Airport (check current commercial service; most travellers arrive by road from Addis Ababa).
- Getting aroundThe town is small and walking is the best way around; Piazza Road runs from the lake shore east through the centre.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeEthiopian coffeeETB 5–12
- BeerHalf-litre draught St George beerETB 10
- Budget bedBasic hotel room, a night, per roomETB 800
- Mid-range bedBasic hotel room, a night, per roomETB 1,200
- High-end bedBasic hotel room, a night, per roomETB 1,800
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ETB 1,500 · Mid ETB 3,500 · High ETB 8,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- AWA Hawassa Airport (check current commercial service; most travellers arrive by road from Addis Ababa) · ADD Addis Ababa Bole International (hub for every international arrival; then 5 h by road)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Feb
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Mar
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Apr
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
May
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Jun
Avoid
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jul
Avoid
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Aug
Avoid
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Sep
Avoid
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Oct
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Nov
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Dec
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Best: Oct–Mar. Avoid: Apr–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest Feb (30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)), coolest Dec (10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C) low), wettest Jul (15 rain days), driest Jan (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Hawassa: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
2 rd
Feb
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
3 rd
Mar
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
6 rd
Apr
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
11 rd
May
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
12 rd
Jun
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
13 rd
Jul
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
15 rd
Aug
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
15 rd
Sep
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
13 rd
Oct
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
8 rd
Nov
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
4 rd
Dec
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
2 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The town is small and walking is the best way around; Piazza Road runs from the lake shore east through the centre. Blue motorbike rickshaws cover everywhere for a few birr — agree the fare before you get in. Boats to the hippo groups leave from the lake shore at the west end of Piazza Road.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Shashemene
goDoor to door: About 1 h each way
Bus from Hawassa bus station, under an hour
Rastafari settlement and market town; easy half-day.
Wondo Genet
goDoor to door: 1.5–2 h each way
Bus or taxi via Shashemene, then local transport
Hot springs and forest walks; go early and be back before dark.
Ziway
cautionDoor to door: About 2 h each way
Road north along the Rift Valley lakes
Better as a stop on the Addis Ababa–Hawassa run than a return day trip.
Arba Minch
overnightDoor to door: 5–7 h
Bus via Wolaita Sodo, or your own vehicle
Too far to return; sleep there and continue south.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Piazza Road and town centre
Main street from the lake eastwards; banks, cheap and mid-range hotels, restaurants, walkable to the shore.
Lakefront north (Haile Resort side)
Resort strip just north of town on the lake; quiet, pool, taxis or a rickshaw into the centre.
Lakefront south (Lewi's side)
Resorts and Italian restaurants southwest of the centre, close to the fish market and the lakeside path.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ETB 1,500–3,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- ETB 3,000–6,000 excl. bed
- High
- ETB 6,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Good traveller hotel, en-suite1 × 2 nights × ETB 3,000 | ETB 6,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × ETB 3,500 | ETB 14,000 |
| Hippo boat from the lake shore1 × ETB 500 · split between passengers | ETB 500 |
| Fish market entry without a guide2 × ETB 50 | ETB 100 |
| Lakeside park entry2 × ETB 50 | ETB 100 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × ETB 1,500 | ETB 3,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ETB 2,370 |
| Trip total≈ ETB 6,520 per person per day, bed included | ETB 26,070 |
2026 estimate in birr; long-distance transport and tours excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Ethiopian coffee | ETB 5–12 |
| Large hamburger at a town café | ETB 50 |
| Pizza at an Italian restaurant | ETB 100 |
| Fresh-caught fish at the market cafés | ETB 30 |
| Half-litre draught St George beer | ETB 10 |
| Motorbike rickshaw ride in town | a few birr |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Children in large groups on the lake circuit can grab at cyclists and throw things: ride in daylight and keep moving.
- Guides at the fish market ask high prices and can be pushy; a small entry fee applies if you go in without one.
- Monkeys at lakeside cafés take food and sugar bowls off tables.
- Village minibuses are faster but less safe than the named coach companies.
- Roads carry livestock and pedestrians after dark; avoid arriving late by road if you can.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 991
- Ambulance
- 907
- Fire
- 939
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Hawassaሀዋሳ
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
ወደዚህ አድራሻ እባክዎTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police991
- Ambulance907
- Fire939
Embassy
No embassies in Hawassa; most are in Addis Ababa. Check your embassy's current hours before you travel.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Addis Ababa → Hawassa, Sky Bus: about 5 h, leaves Meskel Square early afternoon, not Mondays
- Addis Ababa → Hawassa, Selam bus: about 5 h 30 min, leaves 06:30 dailyabout 5 h 30 min, leaves 6:30 AM daily
- Hawassa → Shashemene: under 1 h by bus
Say or show
- ሰላም — Hello (selam)
- አመሰግናለሁ — Thank you (ameseginalehu)
- ስንት ነው? — How much is it? (sint new)
- በጣም ውድ ነው — Too expensive (betam wid new)
- ሽንት ቤት የት ነው? — Where is the toilet? (shint bet yet new)
- ጋይድ አልፈልግም — I don't want a guide (guide alfelgim)
Prices in birr; the birr floats, so re-check before you budget.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Hawassa. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Oct–Mar (dry, clear lake views) · avoid Jun–Sep (main rains), and the wet shoulder weeks around Apr–May · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for AWA and the Addis Ababa road transfer: last departures field-checked, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: Piazza Road, the lakefront path, the fish market and park, the Monday market.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (fish market, lakeside park, boat jetty, Bera Beer) and eat pages with last orders.
- Rainy-season and late-arrival fixtures so gates A–D can go green.