Is Osh Safe?
Osh is safe! Thanks for your attention. Bye!
This article could be as short as the sentence above. But as you see the text goes on as I have a few safety recommendations to provide for you. These recommendations will make your visit even safer and more comfortable.
While talking about safety in Osh, we should acknowledge the overall safety of Kyrgyzstan. Distinguished as the island of democracy in Central Asia, Kyrgyzstan is a safe and welcoming destination for tourists. For your assurance, keep in mind that Kyrgyzstan made it to the top 100 safest countries in the world according to the safety index by Global Finance. Thus, do not let the suffix ‘stan’ deceive you and associate our cozy peaceful country with other ‘stans’ with a notoriously bad reputation. Yet, we are not a utopian state and there are a few recommendations regarding the road, food, and cultural awareness that I want to discuss.
Road/Traffic Safety
Arguably, this should be your major safety concern in Osh and Kyrgyzstan. By no means the traffic in Kyrgyzstan is terrible or chaotic. However, you will notice how often people perform desperate maneuvers and violate the traffic rules only to make it faster through the lines.
Be also cautious on pedestrian crosses (zebras). Drivers might try to slip through the pedestrian cross without stopping, thus endangering the pedestrians. Local pedestrians are well aware of it and occasionally allow the drivers to go first (although it should be the other way around). So the tip is to walk cautiously, but confidently. Don’t take your eyes away from the coming cars. And if the driver is not stopping, then you better stop.
I highly recommend that drivers get a dashcam or rent a car equipped with one. It will serve as an invaluable tool for demonstrating your innocence in the event of accidents (God forbid) or unwarranted stops by the police. Additionally, download the Yandex Maps app to stay informed about road cameras and speed limits.
Abide by the Laws and Rules of Kyrgyz Republic
This is a short one. Abide by the law of the Kyrgyz Republic. Certain areas request permits, so apply in advance. Don’t film or take photos while crossing international borders.
Also, consider the local customs (cultural and religious). For example, ladies, don’t forget to cover your head when entering the mosques and churches.
Food Safety
It is safe to eat in local cafes, restaurants, and teahouses. The only concern is that the local cuisine can overwhelm your digestive system. Osh cuisine is delectable and heavy at the same time. Local dishes have loads of meat, fat, and pastry and come in huge portions! It will give you food euphoria, as well as digestion issues if your body is not prepared for it. Especially, if you end up being a guest in a casual Kyrgyz or Uzbek family, the host will be feeding (and feeding and feeding) you non-stop!
Thus, tame the temptation and start slowly. But if you end up with indigestion, make sure to have your conventional pills for it.
Water Safety
Conventional wisdom says not to drink the tap water at the new place. Please, follow this wisdom while in Osh. As a local, I’m more than fine drinking tap water. However, once my friend from a respected international organization revealed the results of the tap water tests and they were not promising. This may be due to outdated water supply systems left from the Soviet era (I don’t know…). Anyways, try to avoid the tap water in Osh. Avoid ordering the drinks with ice, as food vendors use tap water to make one.
If you are going on hikes, bring your filter or special pills. Even the purest mountain water is dangerous to drink without boiling or filtering.
Sensitive Topics
This one is not a safety concern. You will not endanger yourself by discussing even the most sensitive topics. Kyrgyzstan freely practices the freedom of speech on every level. Journalists and people exercise this freedom and nobody is persecuted for criticism.
Yet, there are topics to avoid discussing on a social level. The difference of opinions between you and locals can cause a heated debate and awkward feelings. You can get into a (negatively) heated debate while discussing topics related to LGBTQ, gender, geopolitics (situation in Ukraine), and religion. Overall, using common sense and considering cultural differences will be more than enough.
Being Out Late
I was surprised to hear back in 2018 that my expat friends take a walk home after being out late at night. “It is fine and safe”, they said. This statement made me rethink and reconsider my vision regarding the safety in Osh.
While growing up as teenagers in Osh, we used to hear the stories about minor rackets by young thugs known as ‘Gop Stop’. You were more likely to confront these folks doing their thing in the evenings (maybe because of the less visibility and witnesses). Back then, it was highly recommended to avoid some districts and not to walk alone in the evening as a teen. Fortunately, as I found out later, gop stops have vanished. It is completely safe to be out at night. Moreover, most nightlife spots are in downtown Osh which is the safest of all.
But again, use common sense and don’t get too crazy partying in a foreign place. There are bad apples everywhere. Confronting a drunk person at the wrong place at the wrong time might leave negative memories at an otherwise great destination.
As you see, the recommendations listed above are meant to eliminate even the slightest security concerns. Not following them won’t get you in trouble. But if you kindly consider these recommendations, your time will be safer and healthier!