A travel creator shares his experience of visiting the country online (Image: Michele Ricucci via Getty Images)
Many of us enjoy going on vacation from time to time, yet the costs can add up quickly – from flights and accommodations to meals and activities.
Now, a travel content creator has revealed his experience of traveling to the country he describes as the ‘cheapest country in the world’.
known as lurens @l.ourens On Instagram, is a Dutch travel creator with over 15,000 followers. He often shares content about ‘exploring unknown destinations around the world’ and says he is working towards visiting every country in Europe – having “been to 47 of them already”.
In one of his latest reels, he gave his followers a glimpse of his trip to what he called “the cheapest country in the world” – Uzbekistan.
In the clip, he tells fans: “I went to the cheapest country in the world, where you can drink a beer on a rooftop for about €1 (87p) and stay in a local apartment for about €15 (£13) a night.
They claimed you could enjoy a beer for less than £1 and a meal for just £2.60 (Image: Abalcazar via Getty Images)
“This capital city feels like a mini Dubai with modern glass towers and a spotless metro. Yet the city also has ancient buildings along with lots of culture and rich local cuisine.
“For example, we went to this restaurant and we ordered a local dish for about €3 (£2.60) per person.”
The producer noted that those who are afraid of Dubai-style architecture can board a luxury high-speed train for about €15, which will take you to the cultural heart of Samarkand, where they will see “one of the most beautiful buildings of the ancient Silk Road”.
He added: “Also, you can also take a guided day trip from this city to the border with Tajikistan to see seven lakes. These lakes have clear water and pristine mountain views, which we really enjoyed.”
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Lawrence also highlighted in the caption that Uzbekistan was “the best budget-friendly country” she had experienced after “visiting over 60 countries.”
The post became extremely popular among followers and received over 70,000 likes.
One thrilled user declared: “One of my favorite countries ever!”
While another enthusiastically agreed: “I just left Uzbekistan and it’s amazing.”
A third said: ‘Looks very interesting, I like the idea of going somewhere that isn’t overly touristy.’
The country is often seen included in the top 10 or top 20 most affordable destinations (Image: TruePixelArt via Getty Images)
Is Uzbekistan really the cheapest country in the world?
Although Uzbekistan is one of the most budget-friendly destinations globally, it’s not technically the cheapest. Despite offering exceptional value for money, many other countries generally have lower overall costs for both residents and visitors.
Uzbekistan regularly appears in the “top 10” or “top 20” most affordable destinations, although countries such as Pakistan, Egypt, Libya, and India generally rank among the low cost of living countries according to international indices. Particularly in Central Asia, countries like Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan are often considered even more affordable destinations than Uzbekistan.
Is it safe to travel to Uzbekistan?
Uzbekistan is largely considered a safe destination for tourists, with many tourists citing it as one of the safest countries they have ever visited. That said, official guidance varies depending on your country of origin, and certain precautions are recommended.
UK Government advice indicates that the country is generally safe, although travelers are urged to remain alert to terrorism threats and avoid any protests or demonstrations.
There is strong security and visible police presence throughout much of the country, including popular tourist destinations such as Tashkent, Samarkand and Bukhara. Specific areas of concern include the border with Afghanistan, where travel is strongly discouraged, as well as neighboring areas of Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, particularly the Fergana Valley, where some parts are mined or have a history of civil unrest.
Uzbekistan is gradually establishing itself as a leading destination for solo female travelers, recently achieving the #1 spot in the Solo Women Travel Safety Index.
Incidents of harassment are remarkably low compared to many other popular tourist destinations. Street crime is rare, and walking alone after dark in major cities is generally considered safe, with most streets being well-lit and frequently patrolled.
