Uzbekistan Travel Guide

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Shopping

The best place to experience Central Asia is in the bazaars. The bazaars of Tashkent and Samarkand offer goods ranging from herbs and spices to Central Asian carpets. In the Alaiski Bazaar in Tashkent, it is possible to buy decorated Uzbek knives. Silk is still produced in the country and well-priced silks can be bought at large department stores.

Many museums have small shops which sell a variety of modern reproductions and some original items. It is possible to buy carpets and embroidered wall hangings. Bukhara is famous for its gold embroidery, and visitors can buy elaborately embroidered traditional Uzbek hats. Visitors should be aware that it is illegal to export anything more than 100 years old or items which have a cultural significance.

Shopping hours: Food shops open 0800-1700, all others open 0900-1900.

Currency

Uzbek Sum (UZS; symbol лв) = 100 tiyn. Notes are in denominations of лв1,000, 500, 200, 100, 50, 25, 10, 5, 3 and 1. Coins are in denominations of лв100, 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1, and 50, 20, 10, 5, 3 and 1 tiyn.

Currency Exchange

Tourists and businesspeople without special status have to pay for hotels, hotel services and transport in hard currency; US Dollars are the most widely acceptable. All bills are normally settled in cash. It is illegal to change money on the black market and penalties can be harsh. Banks and the currency exchange bureau in major hotels will change at the official rates.

Credit Cards, Debit Cards, and ATMs

Acceptable in some of the major hotels in tourist centers. Uzbekistan has said that it intends to introduce its own Visa card in the near future.

Travelers Checks

Limited acceptance.

Currency Restrictions

There are no restrictions on the import or export of local or foreign currency. The import of foreign currency exceeding US$2,000 requires proof of lawful exchange, otherwise an import fee is payable.

Banking Hours

Mon-Fri 0900-1800. Some banks open Sat 0900-1500.

Exchange Rate