Is there a dress code?
There is definitely no dress code in Kyrgyzstan. If you would feel comfortable wearing it in Turkey, Egypt or Poland, you'll feel comfortable in Kyrgyzstan. The best thing to consider when travelling to Kyrgyzstan is the climate and environment. It can be both very hot and very cold in different parts of the country at the same time.
What sorts of topics can we discuss?
Kyrgyzstan is the most open politically in Central Asia. Most topics can be discussed including politics. Be careful talking about sexuality with people you don’t know and likewise don’t be overly critical of Kazakhstan itself if you’re in unfamiliar company.
What is the religion?
Officially Kyrgyzstan is 90% Sunni Muslim, and 7% Christian. This does not mean that Kyrgyzstan is an overwhelming islamic country. Most individuals who responded as muslims most likely are non-beleivers who, like most Kyrgyz, drink alcohol and do not follow halal rules with food. . Likewise, you can also get some great pork dishes! However, as is the case across Central Asia, more and more people are identifying as being Muslim.
Is photography ok?
Photography is absolutely allowed and shouldn’t be a big issue anywhere in the country. Obviously if you’re near sensitive areas such as military bases you could have issues, but in cities and at tourist sights you won’t have any issue. Nothing different here to any other city that you might be used to.
Why visit Kyrgyzstan?
Kyrgyzstan shouldn't be referred to as the Switzerland of Central Asia, Switzerland should be referred to as the Kyrgzystan of Europe. The country is just that beautiful with amazing nature and picturesque vistas. Top this off with great hospitality and a unique Soviet history and you've got yourself an amazing destination.
What are hotels like in Kyrgyzstan?
Hotels range from the Hyatt to basic backpacker accommodation and camping. If you can imagine it in Europe, you can find it in Kyrgyzstan. In the cities, you will also be able to get all ranges of accommodation. In small towns, villages in rural areas, your options will be restricted to often very basic accommodation.
A classic Yurt stay, which is a must do in Kyrgzystan, often involves not having shower or toilet facilities.
What kinds of foods are there?
Owing to the fact that Kyrgyz were traditionally nomads, Kazakh food is simple and hearty. Lots of fat and lots of carbs to get through those long cold winters. Dishes such as Beshbarmak, Manty and Lagman should be tried by anyone travelling to Kyrgyzstan. You can learn more about food in Kyrgzystan on our food and drink page .
What’s nightlife in Kyrgyzstan like?
Kyrgyzstan is not one place when it comes to a question like this. If you’re in Bishkek, there are some great bars, pubs, nightclubs and even microbreweries. Plenty of options for the tamest individual right through to someone who wants to pull a drunken all nighter. However, leave Bishkek and your options become extremely limited. Other cities will have a few pubs or bars that aren’t particularly cool. Otherwise, your best drinking venue is a simple shashlik restaurant with tap beer on offer.
When is the best time to visit Kyrgyzstan?
Like with a lot of places, we’d recommend travelling there in spring or autumn. May is probably the best month as everything is coming to life after winter. The weather is warm and sunny but hasn’t gotten too hot yet. Of course, there is something for everyone in Kazakhstan and, for example, if you’re in to skiing, the best time to go would be in January or February. Kyrgyzstan is also a huge country, so at any given time, the weather can be drastically different in one part than the other. For much of the high country, its best to travel in July.
Do I need a visa for Kyrgyzstan?
Kyrgyzstan is generally considered the easiest country in Central Asia to travel to. A large number of passports are eligible for visa free travel, while others are able to apply for an e-Visa
For more information on Kyrgyzstan's visa policy, visit our Visa page .
Is it safe to travel to Kyrgyzstan?
The short answer is definitely yes. Of course petty theft exists so you should be careful, but way less than in most European countries, and like all the neighbouring Central Asian countries, it’s highly unlikely that anything would happen to you.
Do I need to take cash?
Definitely. This is a part of the world where cash is still king. While they are quickly becoming a lot more economically developed and it is now possible to use ATMs in most cities and you can pay on card in many places, it definitely should not be relied on. Outside of Bishkek, Osh and the other major cities, you will be hard-pressed to find an ATM. So it’s always best just to bring some cash as a backup and withdraw enough when you arrive in Bishkek for your travels to more remote locations.
Are they Muslims?
Yes, the vast majority of people in Kyrgyzstan are Muslims as is the case with all of Central Asia. But in saying that, more often than not, it is in the same sense that most people in Australia, Britain or France are Christians. It’s more of a cultural identification than a religious one. One thing the Soviet Union did and did well was to beat religion out of people. At one point in Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan for example, there was only one mosque in each country. Even before the Soviets came, Islam’s influence in the region was minimal. A famous quote is that the people of Central Asia “took as much Islam with them as they could fit in their saddlebags”. Another question of this mould is “Do women need to cover up?” to which anyone who has ever been to a beach in a former Soviet Union will respond, “the only thing you might need to cover is your eyes”.
Is Uzbekistan ‘dry’?
This question almost always follows on from the last question. The answer is the most resounding “no” that is possible. Central Asians drink like fish. Fish with drinking problems. They love their vodka and cognac, just to name a couple of favourites, and they are mostly drunk straight. Beer is at best a refreshing beverage to enjoy as one might have a juice and is reserved mostly for women and children. In this way they have taken after their former Russian overlords.
Is it really backward?
So many of the questions we get are along the lines of “Do they have internet?” “Do they have television?” “Do they live in houses?”. Being part of what was the second world meant that the basic infrastructure and social safety net was developed to a reasonable standard. Today you will find all your world wide sport live on satellite TV. You’ll be able to read your emails and watch Netflix and while some small communities, not unlike the indigenous people you might find in North America or Australia, live more traditional lifestyles, most people live in anything from brand new modern condos and skyscrapers, lovely quarter acre blocks with large houses to brutalist Stalinist reinforced concrete Soviet style apartment blocks.
