Kyrgyzstan Travel - Is it Safe? Five Frequently Asked Questions

About Travel to Kyrgyzstan Travel. Five Frequently Asked Questions Answer here.

Chances are that you probably do not know much about a Central Asian country called Kyrgyzstan. Yes, it is a real country, and that is how you spell the name despite the lack of vowels present. Even if you have pondered the idea of Kyrgyzstan travel, there is a still a chance you are scouring the internet in search for more travel details. And, it is not a surprise since it was until recent times one of the shut away former Soviet Republics.

1. Kyrgyzstan Travel - Is it safe?

As with any developing country, there is certainly the possibility for crime-related activities to occur. The fact is that anywhere you travel or live can have a risk in one way or another. Given that, I would have to say that the most common threat would be petty theft and pick pocketing, not to mention the corruption of police and government officials. If you are a foreign male, you are especially at risk for exploitation by corrupt police officials expecting to catch you without your passport on you in order to gain whatever cash they can.

Overall, I would personally say that it is quite safe to travel there, even as a solo female. I felt less threatened walking around in Kyrgyzstan than I did in many American cities.

2. Kyrgyzstan Food and Drink - What do they eat?

Kyrgyzstan food encompasses a wide variety of cultural dishes, combining Turkish, Chinese, Korean, Russian and the native Kyrgyz foods to name a few. There is generally a flavor to meet any traveler's needs, except for those craving Mexican, which is unfortunate for the American tourist.

Expect to eat a large amount of meet with sheep being quite popular, and definitely expect to be served with the portions people in Western countries are less likely to eat. Meat is generally quite fatty and salads are usually topped with mayonnaise, which is a popular condiment for locals. McDonald's and other Western fast food joints are not to be found in Kyrgyzstan.

Kyrgyzstan has some strange beverages that should be tested by any visitor, but with caution. Kumiz is considered the national drink of Kyrgyzstan by locals, and one might be surprised to learn it is actually fermented mare's milk. Other strange drinks, such as shoro and tan are served on street corners around Bishkek and other cities. As with any former Soviet country, vodka and beer are also widely distributed.

3. Kyrgyzstan Language - What do they speak?

There are two official languages of Kyrgyzstan, which are both Russian and Kyrgyz. These languages are both written in the Cyrillic alphabet, so if planning on some Kyrgyzstan travel it is always a good idea to brush up on the letters. In the larger cities, it is possible to find people who speak basic English or paid translators, but outside Bishkek and Osh are hard to come by.

4. Kyrgyzstan Transportation - How will I travel?

The Kyrgyzstan transportation system is a far cry from Western standards. Dirt roads are prevalent outside of the main city roads in the larger cities, and travel from one location to the next may contain dangerous, lengthy mountain passes.

Cars, taxis and marshrutkas populate city streets. Normally just standing on the side of the road with a hand out will result in a local stopping to barter a fee. Marshrutkas are vans that run on a certain course and act like a city bus system. There are even marshrutkas that can cheaply take you from one city to the next.

5. Kyrgyzstan Accommodation - Where will I sleep?

Kyrgyzstan accommodation includes a wide variety of interesting options from standard hotels to yurts. Bishkek offers hotels of all quality levels, as well as guest houses. Outside of the main cities, however, travel may result in homestays or sleeping in yurts, which are actually teepee-like domes built for easy transport by the nomadic Kyrgyz.

Hopefully this article provides some interesting insights into a wonderful culture that is widely unknown, but welcoming all the same.