Kyrgyzstan is truly a hidden gem, with breathtaking landscapes, rich nomadic culture, and welcoming locals. It's a lesser-known travel destination but it's starting to be on people's travel bucket lists more and more and I've seen more visitors reading my blog. I started my blog because since it's a lesser-known travel destination, there wasn't much information on Kyrgyzstan. And with any travel destination, safety is a key consideration. So, is it safe to travel to Kyrgyzstan? Continue reading as I share my experience and if I believe Kyrgyzstan is a safe country to travel to.
Is it safe to travel to Kyrgyzstan?
Yes, I believe that Kyrgyzstan is generally considered safe for tourists.
Before I continue writing, I want to share some background information about myself and emphasize that this is written purely based on my experience. I lived in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan from July 2022 to January 2024. I am of Korean ethnicity (from Toronto, Canada) and don't speak any of the local languages which are Kyrgyz and Russian. My partner is Kyrgyz so I was fortunate to be in a position where I was able to rely on someone, and may not have faced the typical challenges a tourist may face. In addition, I was working remotely so my priority was work, rather than for a tourist who may want to be doing as much sightseeing and activities in a short time frame. When I did travel to other cities such as Almaty, Kazakhstan and Naryn, Kyrgyzstan, I was with my partner or taking more tourist-friendly travel methods such as plane, so language was typically not the biggest issue I faced. In addition, my experience is based on living in Bishkek, the capital city.
I did meet a solo female traveller from Seoul, South Korea who was doing a one-week backpacking trip around Kyrgyzstan. She didn't speak English, Russian, or Kyrgyz and had to purely rely on Google Translate to get around. She told me that she had a great experience, felt safe, and was surprised by how kind and helpful the locals were.
Continue reading as I share my responses to the most common safety-related questions.
Is Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan safe to walk around at night?
Before coming to Bishkek, I spent time in Seoul, South Korea, and of course my hometown, Toronto, Canada. Seoul is bustling 24 hours a day, with an abundance of restaurants and shops that remain open until the night. On the other hand, Toronto shuts down by 3:00 AM even in the downtown area. I find that Bishkek is more similar to Toronto, in the sense that things close by midnight, except for nightlife which can continue to the early mornings.
I have been told that it's not safe for women to walk around alone at night, and if you do, it's best to walk on the main roads where it is well lit. Note that there are plenty of ridesharing applications available in Kyrgyzstan, so I recommend calling a car instead of walking alone.
Is pickpocketing common?
I have been told that pickpocketing can occur particularly in busy markets or crowded places. I remember when I wanted to visit Osh Bazaar, I was advised to keep my belongings secure, avoid displaying valuables, and hold my phone rather than keep it in my pockets. Also, to not stand out as a "tourist" because that will make me more easily targeted.
However, pickpocketing isn't only targeted towards tourists. Occasionally, you will read in the news of situations where people are taking the bus and getting their phones or bags snatched away. It's always best to exercise caution, especially when traveling alone or at night. If you are pickpocketed, I'm sorry to say the police won't be of much help, especially if you don't speak the local language. I'll dive into this more below.
Can I get access to emergency medical care?
Yes, you can access medical care but I have not heard positive things about the quality, and medical facilities outside of major cities may be limited. It's advisable to have comprehensive travel insurance that covers your travels to Kyrgyzstan. I had a friend who got into a terrible ski accident in Karol-Kol and immediately went to emergency care. However the medical staff there wasn't able to diagnose that she had a ruptured rib cage so she had to rush to Bishkek to get it properly checked. If you aren't able to speak Russian or Kyrgyz, it is recommended to have Google Translate handy. Medical staff won't be able to speak English so you will need to be able to communicate with them yourself.
I've seen many tourists ask if they need to get specific vaccinations such as for rabies. I don't think this is needed. There are stray dogs in the city, but they tend to avoid people and as long as you don't actively approach and try to pet them, they are pretty harmless.
Is it safe to drive in Kyrgyzstan?
Road conditions in Kyrgyzstan can be challenging, with roads being unpaved and poorly maintained, especially in rural areas and as you go up the mountains such as near Chunkurchak. If you plan to rent a car or use local transportation, just be cautious and take some time to learn local signs. It's advisable to travel during daylight hours. I've done a fair number of road trips from Bishkek to Issyk Kul and only had positive experiences.
During the summer peak season, you will noticeably see an increase in traffic control and it is always advised to not drive over the speed limit. Unfortunately, corruption is common so the police will pull you over, give a reason for why you're stopped, and expect you to pay a bribe. As long as you don't drive over the speed limit and drive safely, you shouldn't have a reason to be stopped.
Are Kyrgyz people racist?
This is a sensitive topic and it would be unfair for me to answer this. During my time in Kyrgyzstan, everyone thought I was a local and was surprised to find out that I was a foreigner. Since I blended in, I never faced racism towards me.
However, I find that Kyrgyz people are hospitable and friendly, especially towards foreigners. Locals often take a lot of great pride in showing their country and culture to visitors. While reading the news in 2024, there were some instances of racial prejudice or discrimination towards a specific group of people. However, these incidents are generally not widespread and do not represent the attitudes of the majority.
If you are traveling to Kyrgyzstan and are concerned about racism or discrimination, it's a good idea to remain aware of your surroundings and approach situations with patience and understanding. I've seen videos on social media of Black people years ago stating that when they visited Korea, they received lots of stares from elders. Yes, this is rude, but be mindful that some elders have only seen Koreans their entire lives and are just genuinely surprised to see someone who has a different skin color than them. I find that it's similar to Kyrgyzstan, where they genuinely just might be surprised to see someone who's not a local.
Overall, it's important to stay informed about current events in Kyrgyzstan and there are websites where you can read the news in English. Kyrgyzstan is a safe destination for tourists and by staying informed, taking basic precautions and respecting local customs, you can enjoy this beautiful country.
Enjoy your journey and if you have any additional questions, comment below.
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