Your stay — Central hotel
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The Property — Central hotel
Central Hotel is a no-frills, functional base in downtown Jijiga. The lobby is small, with tired leather sofas, a persistent smell of cooking oil from the attached restaurant, and a reception desk staffed by men who speak some English. It suits budget-conscious travellers who need a clean, safe room within walking distance of the main market and bus station—expect minimal frills and a genuine, local vibe.
Chronicles of Jijiga
Jijiga was founded as a military outpost for the Ethiopian Empire in the late 19th century, growing around the tomb of the Muslim saint Sheik Isaaq. Its expansion boomed after the 1977–78 Ogaden War, when it became the regional capital of the Somali Region. The city’s architecture is a mix of low-rise concrete blocks, corrugated-iron market stalls, and a few modernist government buildings. Contemporary Jijiga is a crossroads of Somali and Oromo cultures, with a lively khat trade and a palpable sense of frontier dynamism.
Best Time to Visit
Full Jijiga guide →Best months
November and February: dry, cool, and sunny with daytime highs around 25°C. December is also good but slightly cooler. Crowds are light as this is not a tourist-heavy city.
Peak / festival surge
March–April: the Gu rains (long rains) bring heavy downpours and flooding. Hotel prices can rise 10–20% during the UN and NGO work surges in January–February, but there are no major festivals driving demand.
Budget shoulder season
October is excellent: the end of the short rains (Deyr) leaves the city green, with cooler evenings and fewer visitors. Expect discounts of 15–20% on standard room rates.
Weather & packing
Jijiga has a semi-arid climate with a double rainy season (March–April and October–November). Pack a lightweight waterproof jacket for sudden downpours, and always carry a reusable water bottle—tap water is not safe to drink.
Live City Briefing — Jijiga
- The Jijiga–Dire Dawa road is being widened, causing occasional delays (30–60 minutes) near the Harewa checkpoint.
- A new Chinese-built trade centre opened in the Harshin district in March 2026, housing a supermarket and a few restaurants.
- The city’s water supply has been intermittent due to pipeline repairs; hotels with boreholes, like Central Hotel, may still face short outages—ask at check-in.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Central hotel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request rooms on the 3rd or 4th floor at the rear of the building, away from the street. These floors are high enough to avoid ground-level noise but still have reliable water pressure (common issue in mid-range Jijiga hotels).
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms (noisy from lobby and street) and top-floor rooms (subject to heat from the roof and weaker water pressure). Also avoid rooms directly above the entrance or any exterior staircase.
Best views
Ask for a room at the rear side – likely overlooks courtyards or quieter neighbourhoods. No scenic mountain view expected from this 3-star in central Jijiga.
Quietest floors
Floors 2–4 are likely quieter, with less foot traffic and better separation from street noise.
🔊 Noise notes
Jijiga's central area has heavy daytime traffic, honking, and lively street commerce. Late-night movement near the hotel entrance is possible. No lift noise if the lift is well-maintained, but request a room not next to the lift shaft.
Insider tips
1) Check-in early to secure a rear-facing room – phone ahead to request it. 2) Ask at reception if they have a balcony or terrace – some 3-star hotels in Jijiga offer a shaded spot to sit out of the heat.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Central hotel
Free for all guests; speeds ~8 Mbps download; login via room number and surname
Single lift serves ground and all guest floors; no stairs-only sections
Complimentary physical Ethiopian Herald and Addis Standard at reception; no digital newsstand
Check-in 14:00–22:00; early bag drop from 10:00 (free if room ready); late check-out until 14:00 for 300 ETB
Free in-lobby locked area; no cost
No step-free main entrance (two steps); narrow lift but wheelchair-accessible room 101 available on request
On-site free unguarded parking for 8 cars; nearest public car park 500 m away (15 ETB/3 hours); no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking; 500 ETB incidental hold at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Place of worship: Masjid Jaama' (693 m · ~9 min walk)
- Place of worship: Masjid Abubakar (1.4 km · ~18 min walk)
- Place of worship: Masjid (1.5 km · ~18 min walk)
- Place of worship: Masjid Al-Barri (1.5 km · ~19 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Minna Mall — 449 m · ~6 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Wogagen bank — 468 m · ~6 min walk
Towfik Pharmacy — 811 m · ~10 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Ethiopian Birr, ETB
Change money at Dashen Bank or Commercial Bank of Ethiopia branches in Jijiga; avoid the airport in Dire Dawa and small tourist bureaux due to poor rates.
Major hotels and some supermarkets accept Visa/Mastercard, but most local shops, taxis, and markets are cash-only; mobile money (M-Pesa-like Telebirr) is common.
Not required but appreciated in restaurants (5–10% if no service charge), taxi drivers round up to nearest 5 ETB, hotel porters 10–20 ETB per bag.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A small cup of traditional Ethiopian coffee in a local coffee house costs about 5–10 ETB.
A plate of injera with wat (stew) from a local eatery costs around 30–40 ETB.
A main dish of pasta or rice with meat at a simple restaurant is about 50–70 ETB.
The main market area around the bus station has stalls selling sambusa, grilled meat (tibs), and fresh fruit for 10–20 ETB each.
Brenda Supermarket and Shalom Supermarket in the town centre stock basics at fair prices.
Jijiga Market (the main open-air market) sells affordable second-hand clothes and local fabrics; haggle firmly in Birr.
The cheapest way around is by shared minibus (bajaj) at 5 ETB per short ride; from Jijiga Airport, a shared minibus to town costs about 20–30 ETB.
Always carry small denominations (5, 10, 20 ETB) for taxis and street food—change is often hard to find.Buy bottled water and snacks at local kiosks (far cheaper than hotel minibars).Eat at the main market stalls for authentic, low-cost meals—negotiate prices only for non-food goods.
Emergency Contacts
JijigaFor reliable backup, contact the Ethiopian Federal Police hotline at 911 or your embassy. The UK Consulate in Addis Ababa works 24/7: +251-11-617-0100.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Jijiga, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Central hotel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Wogagen bank — 468 m · ~6 min walk — pharmacy · Towfik Pharmacy — 811 m · ~10 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Jijiga town centre → Wendimamoj Hotel
💡 Blue-and-white minibuses run along the main road. Wave one down near the central market—the hotel is a short walk from the 'Dekatte' stop. Have exact change.
Anywhere in Jijiga → Wendimamoj Hotel
💡 Ride and ZayRide work sporadically here; best to download both apps before arriving. Drivers often cancel—call them directly after booking. Pay via mobile money if you have it.
Jijiga Airport (JIJ) → Wendimamoj Hotel
💡 Negotiate the fare before getting in—drivers often quote 600 birr. A fair price is 400 birr for the 12-km drive into town. Pay in small notes.
Jijiga Terminal (Bushoftu) → Wendimamoj Hotel area
💡 The bus drops you at the 'Kebele 08' junction. From there, it's a 5-minute walk east. Don't take it during rush hour (7:30-8:30 AM, 4:30-5:30 PM) as it gets packed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Central hotel?
Request rooms on the 3rd or 4th floor at the rear of the building, away from the street. These floors are high enough to avoid ground-level noise but still have reliable water pressure (common issue in mid-range Jijiga hotels).
Which rooms should I avoid at Central hotel?
Avoid ground-floor rooms (noisy from lobby and street) and top-floor rooms (subject to heat from the roof and weaker water pressure). Also avoid rooms directly above the entrance or any exterior staircase.
Is Central hotel noisy?
Jijiga's central area has heavy daytime traffic, honking, and lively street commerce. Late-night movement near the hotel entrance is possible. No lift noise if the lift is well-maintained, but request a room not next to the lift shaft.
Which rooms have the best views at Central hotel?
Ask for a room at the rear side – likely overlooks courtyards or quieter neighbourhoods. No scenic mountain view expected from this 3-star in central Jijiga.
What are insider tips for staying at Central hotel?
1) Check-in early to secure a rear-facing room – phone ahead to request it. 2) Ask at reception if they have a balcony or terrace – some 3-star hotels in Jijiga offer a shaded spot to sit out of the heat.
What time is check-in at Central hotel?
Check-in at Central hotel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Central hotel have Wi-Fi?
Free for all guests; speeds ~8 Mbps download; login via room number and surname
Is there a city or tourist tax at Central hotel?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Central hotel?
A plate of injera with wat (stew) from a local eatery costs around 30–40 ETB.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Central hotel?
The cheapest way around is by shared minibus (bajaj) at 5 ETB per short ride; from Jijiga Airport, a shared minibus to town costs about 20–30 ETB.
When is the best time to visit Jijiga?
November and February: dry, cool, and sunny with daytime highs around 25°C. December is also good but slightly cooler. Crowds are light as this is not a tourist-heavy city.
Top Attractions in Jijiga
💡 Grab a coffee from a nearby kiosk and sit under the big acacia tree for people-watching.
💡 Go on Saturday mornings for the camel trading section; bring small notes for bargaining and keep valuables in a front pocket.
💡 Read the plaques first — they're in Somali and English — then cross the street to the tea stall for qat-free chat with locals.
💡 Ask the custodian to unlock the back room — it has an impressive collection of dervish-era swords.
💡 Visit early morning to see locals in prayer; bring a torch for the darker chambers.