Go, but pay attention.
Uzbekistan’s risk score rose to 80 today, though the US, UK, and Canada all maintain their lowest level 1 advisory. Watch for the global measles outbreak while you travel.
Governments, one trip
What they're telling their own citizens about Uzbekistan
The real score
The breakdown
See it from your perspective
Go, but pay attention.
The general Sketch Score, unweighted for any specific traveler.
Don't fall for it
Scams to know
Found cash scheme
A stranger claims to find cash and asks you to split it after you contribute your own money. Tell them you are not interested and walk away immediately.
Shortchanging
Vendors or strangers may attempt to give incorrect change during quick transactions or bill splitting. Always count your money carefully and insist on paying individually.
Unsolicited nightlife tours
Strangers may offer to show you the nightlife. Do not accept these offers from people you do not know.
Staying healthy
What to watch out for, health-wise
Active notices
- • Global Measles
Vaccines
Recommended:
From people who've been there
Local know-how
Staying safe
- •Uzbekistan is generally safe for visitors.
- •Many governments warn against visiting the areas of Uzbekistan bordering Afghanistan for all but essential travel.
- •Be wary of street scams.
- •As tourism has increased in Uzbekistan, so has the art of shortchanging said tourists.
- •Beware of locals you don't know who offer to show you the "night life." Do not take them up on their offer.…
Staying healthy
- •Uzbekistan's health care is not up to Western standards.
- •Air quality in the Karakalpakstan and Xorazmi regions is particularly poor due to salt, dust and toxins emitted from the Aral Sea.
- •Uzbekistan has not implemented a no-smoking policy in bars and restaurants, unlike many Western countries.
- •Fruits and vegetables should be peeled before consumption.
- •Visitors should consider tap water to be unsafe to drink outside of Tashkent.
Adapted from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA — edited by travelers, not us.
Real talk
What travelers actually say
Travelers report that Uzbekistan is generally safe and the people are friendly, though tourists remain a novelty in Karakalpakstan. Safety concerns are primarily logistical rather than criminal. Road travel involves rough conditions, such as potholes on the road to Moynaq, and drivers may require passengers to exit vehicles during refueling for safety reasons. Traffic presents its own hazards, as rear seatbelts are frequently missing in taxis and city planning relies heavily on frequent U-turns. While market vendors are described as chill compared to other regions, travelers should be prepared for basic infrastructure issues and ensure they have cash for specific activities like climbing minarets or visiting hamams.
“Safety: Rear seatbelts are often missing. Also, U-turns are a major part of city planning; you'll get used to them eventually.
— r/travel
“If your driver asks you to get out while they refuel, don’t panic it's normal. It relates to the type of fuel used and safety risks if a car isn't perfectly maintained.
— r/travel
“Uzbekistan is incredible and the people generally friendly. Tourists do still seem a bit more of a novelty in karalpakstan
— r/travel
Pack this, know this
The little things that trip people up
Plug & voltage
C / E / F · 220V
Driving side
right
Emergency
police: 102 / ambulance: 103 / fire: 101
Zoom in
One Uzbekistan city on SKETCH.WORLD
Real, resident-submitted Numbeo crime data at the city level — the same national picture above, with crime swapped for what people who actually live there report.
Show the receipts (11 sources)
- us-state — observed 2026-07-12
- uk-fcdo — observed 2026-07-12
- ca-gac — observed 2026-07-12
- worldbank-political — observed 2026-07-12
- worldbank-policeTrust — observed 2026-07-12
- cdc-health — observed 2026-07-12
- wikivoyage — observed 2026-07-12
- reddit — observed 2026-07-12
- unodc — observed 2026-07-12
- acled-hdx — observed 2026-07-12
- lgbtq-legal-wikipedia — observed 2026-07-12