Turkmenistan
491,210 km2
Area
5,125,693
Population
Manat (TMT) Currency
Ashgabat Capital
Turkmen Russian
About Turkmenistan
Turkmenistan is definitely worth to visit as traveling here you will discover such an alluring life: skullcaps and pilaf, Akhal-Teke horses, and colorful folk weddings, green tea, the famous carpets of dazzling beauty, the lightest silk and honey melon. However, the main reason for not visiting has been the difficult visa process. Tightly controlled Turkmenistan is considered the hermit nation of the ‘Stans and part of the fascination of the country is the peculiar Asghabat and the ruling system.
The territory of Turkmenistan is rich in monuments which in antiquity were the most considerable stops on the Silk Road especially the cities as Nisa and Marv. They are the magnificent, sometimes unique architectural masterpieces of the past. The Karakum (Black Sand), which together with the Kyzylkum (Red Sand) in Uzbekistan forms the fourth biggest desert in the world covering about 350,000 square kilometres.
DRINKING WATER
Drinking tap water is not safe in Turkmenistan. You can get bottled water anywhere throughout the country.
safety
Generally Turkmenistan is safe country to travel. However, you should also expect being stopped by policemen and law enforcement and asked for documents or questions about your trip.
Best time to go
Like the rest of Central Asia, the best time to visit is Spring and Autumn. Turkmenistan’s climate is a severely continental cold desert climate, identified by long, hot and dry summers, and humid, mild and dry winters that can turn occasionally cold and damp in the north
Currency exchange
Due to the isolated nature of the country, there are few working international banking services in the country. There is no other legal currency exchange.
BUDGET TRAVEL
Turkmenistan is the most expensive country in Central Asia for travelers due to its government regulations. If you want to stay for more than 5 days, certain you have to book a tour which won’t be cheap. For the transit visa, you should have a ticket to the third country. And budget travelers on a transit visa, the choice is limited as well.
cREDIT CARD
ATMs are non-existent anywhere in the country and credit cards are rarely accepted, so keep a stash of both US dollars and manat.
Local Sim card
It is possible to get sim card in Turkmenistan, but it is not easy.
WIFI
WIFI is exist in Turkmenistan, however it’s very expensive. Internet in Turkmenistan is filtered. You are being watched and unwanted websites are blocked. VPNs are illegal in Turkmenistan, and are usually blocked as soon as the authorities pick them up.
Religion
Turkmenistan is predominantly Muslim. Religion is practiced but completely controlled by the state to avoid any kind of extremism.
More information on Turkmenistan can be found from the website of Turkmenistan ministry for foreign affairs.
Page updated 16.1.2021
