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Travel tips for Kazakhstan - what to prepare in advance and what to obey
1. Be ready to spend quite a big sum – Kazakhstan is not a country for budget holidays. When comparing prices for hotels, transport, and services, it turns out that Kazakhstan is the most expensive country in Central Asia.
2. A service fee of 5 – 15% can be already included in the total if it is a high-class hotel or restaurant. It is recommended to leave tips to drivers. Tips in other venues are not common.
When visiting a local market, tourists need to be prepared for high prices. Local sellers increase prices deliberately because bargaining is common in Kazakhstan. Don’t be shy and bargain!
In Kazakhstan, travelers can visit an absolutely unique place – famous Baikonur Cosmodrome. All tourists have an opportunity to book tours to see …
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5. Don’t forget to buy entrance tickets when visiting national parks and nature reserves. Attention: there are fraud cases with tourists involved. Swindlers claim they are customs officers or ecologists and force tourists to pay the fine. Vacationers need to be careful in order not to become victims of these impersonators.
6. Do not be tricked by a gloomy look of Kazakh people in public transport or on the streets. Yes, local people are calm and prefer to control their emotions, but they are always very cheerful and ready to help.
8. Local people sometimes call streets by their old names that date back to the Soviet Union era. It is always a good idea to check modern maps.
9. Local taxis can have no taxi symbols or signs. Quite often, private individuals in their own cars offer “taxi services” by picking several clients.
10. Delays in the start time of events are typical in Kazakhstan. A concert can start not just 15 minutes later but 2-3 hours later. In this case, visitors need to be patient because they will get nice treats for the inconvenience.
11. Travelers need to be prepared to pay if they wish to visit the famous ski resort of Shymbulak. Prices at this mountain resort are on par with the best ski resorts in Europe.
Besides simply attractive and comfortable hotels, Kazakhstan is not deprived of design hotels. Accommodation of this category perfectly fits the most …
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13. Travelers need to stock up on not only paper banknotes but also coins. Many public toilets are paid, and no one will search for the change.
14. Kazakhstan is considered the motherland of cannabis, but this doesn’t mean that smoking weed is legalized in the country. All manipulations with narcotic substances are strictly prohibited.
15. It is not hard to find exclusive handmade items, but many items by internationally famous brands are replicas. That being said, fake Dolce & Gabbana or Versace are available for sale even in shopping centers. 
This collection of travel tips for Kazakhstan is protected by the copyright law. You can re-use the content, but only under the condition of placement of an active link to www.orangesmile.com.
Fantastic City Tours and Excursions in Kazakhstan
Country maps
Map of cities
![Cities map of Kazakhstan]( "Cities map of Kazakhstan")
Preferred to Open 9 New Hotels in 2022
In September 2022, the Sommerro hotel in Oslo will start operating in a carefully restored 1930s Art Deco building. This building is a true landmark of Frogner, a historic neighborhood of the Norwegian capital. A multi-million-dollar renovation carefully turned the largest preservation project in Norway into a modern hotel with 231 rooms, including 56 residences. Preferred will open five more hotels in 2022, namely, The Wall Street Hotel in New York, Amrit Ocean Resort & Residences on Singer Island (Florida, the US), TOA Hotel & Spa in Zanzibar, Pendry hotel in Washington, and Pendry Park City hotel in Utah.
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28.11.2023
In September 2022, the Sommerro hotel in Oslo will start operating in a carefully restored 1930s Art Deco building. This building is a true landmark of Frogner, a historic neighborhood of the Norwegian capital. A multi-million-dollar renovation carefully turned the largest preservation project in Norway into a modern hotel with 231 rooms, including 56 residences. Preferred will open five more hotels in 2022, namely, The Wall Street Hotel in New York, Amrit Ocean Resort & Residences on Singer Island (Florida, the US), TOA Hotel & Spa in Zanzibar, Pendry hotel in Washington, and Pendry Park City hotel in Utah.
Read this
28.11.2023
Photogallery of sightseeing Kazakhstan
Advices for popular cities of Kazakhstan
Almaty
1. The locals are very reluctant to drinking alcoholic beverages. Some people do not consume alcohol at all due to religious beliefs. Visitors also should not drink too much alcohol – this can cause confusion and dissatisfaction from the side of the indigenous people. 2. You can talk on absolutely any subject with the citizens as they are very respectful of the opinions of others. You should not talk about work only with your business partners – such communicator may be considered very … Read more 
Astana
1. Local people are very attentive when it comes to consuming alcohol. Drinking spirits can be prohibited during certain religious holidays and fasting. 2. It is allowed to discuss different themes with local people. However, tourists shouldn’t criticize their culture, lifestyle, and religious traditions. Even business travelers should not limit themselves to talks about business only with their colleagues. 3. Local people are not always punctual and can be late even for a business … Read more
