Every time I mentioned that I was going to Uzbekistan, the response was: "Where? This Asian country is bordered mainly by Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan. More broadly, I'd say it's north of the Arabian Peninsula, south of Russia, west of China and east of the Caspian Sea. The country's capital is Tashkent.

Do I need a visa to visit Uzbekistan?

In recent years, many of the "Stan" countries have eliminated the visa requirement for visitors, which has greatly contributed to the increase in tourism. Uzbekistan is now open to Canadians, as well as to the French, visa-free for trips of 30 days or less.

Is it safe to travel in Uzbekistan?

The Canadian government assigns the country the lowest level of risk, which is to take normal security measures. It is therefore very safe to travel there, even independently.

What language is spoken in Uzbekistan?

The main language is Uzbek, but as a former USSR nation, Russian is also widely spoken. With tourism just beginning to take off, it's difficult to be understood in English. English- and French-speaking guides take advantage of the situation to charge higher prices. However, Uzbeks are used to using translation apps to make themselves understood.

What currency is used in Uzbekistan?

The country's currency is the Sum, and its value is low. You'll get around 9,000 sums for one Canadian dollar. It's easy to withdraw them from ATMs with our Canadian cards. U.S. dollars are also accepted, but are much less common. There's no guarantee that you'll get your dollar change. However, they are a good option if you're nearing the end of your trip and don't want to withdraw again. Some ATMs allow you to withdraw US dollars.

Are credit cards accepted in Uzbekistan?

Card payment was fairly widespread, but I couldn't say it was accepted everywhere. Transportation, high-end and mid-range restaurants, a majority of hotels, and several tourist attractions accepted payment by card. We used Visa and Mastercard, but didn't try American Express.It was more difficult to pay for independent guides (outside the agency), in bazaars, in some hotels, artisans and street food stalls using a credit card.

How can I stay connected in Uzbekistan?

There are SIM card kiosks at Tashkent airport, open 24 hours a day. Prices are negligible. We paid less than $6 for a 44 GB, 1500 SMS and unlimited calls, all valid for 30 days.You can also turn to eSIMs, which have the advantage of not wasting any time on arrival, but prices are nowhere near as competitive. For example, Airalo offers 3 GB for three days for $13.50.

When should you travel to Uzbekistan?

Uzbek summers are scorching hot, while winters are cold. We recommend visiting the country in spring or autumn. We visited in October, and temperatures ranged from 21 to 28 degrees during the day, dropping to around 12-18 degrees in the evening. The climate is fairly similar across the country, and rain is rare. We were told that there are 300 days of sunshine a year, and rain is mostly concentrated from December to April.

What's the food like in Uzbekistan? Is it affordable?

Food: Uzbekistan is a great place to eat. Meat cooked over charcoal is the order of the day. It's an excellent place to eat lamb at an affordable price. You'll easily find meat kebabs, somsas (similar to an empanada), mantis (like a big dumpling) and their national dish of Plov (rice flavored with meat and vegetables). The restaurants all had an impressive menu of salads and soups. The Uzbeks have long been a sedentary people, and fresh produce from agriculture is plentiful.Prices for meals on the go at the bazaar or street stalls hover around $2, while the fancier restaurants will serve you a two-course meal including a beverage for around $20. Be aware, however, that the religion is predominantly Muslim and, while it's easy to order alcohol in restaurants, we didn't see any pork on the menus.