‘I visited cheapest country in the world where you can get a meal for £2.60’
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info
Many of us relish the opportunity to jet off on holiday occasionally, yet costs can rapidly accumulate – from flights and accommodation to meals and activities. Now, one travel content creator has revealed his experience of visiting what he describes as the 'cheapest country in the world'.
Lourens, known as @l.ourens on Instagram, is a Dutch travel creator with over 15,000 followers. He frequently posts content about 'discovering unknown destinations around the world' and says he's working towards visiting every country in Europe – having "already gone to 47 of them". In one of his latest reels, he offered his followers a glimpse into his trip to what he termed 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 have a beer on a terrace for about €1 (87p) and stay in a local apartment for about €15 (£13) per night.
"It's capital city feels like a mini Dubai with modern glass towers and a spotless metro. Yet this city also has ancient buildings with lots of culture and a rich local cuisine.
"For example, we went to this restaurant and we ordered a local dish for about €3 (£2.60) per person."
The creator mentioned that those deterred by the Dubai-style architecture can board a luxury high-speed train for approximately €15, transporting you to the cultural centre of Samarkand, where he "saw one of the most beautiful buildings of the ancient Silk Road".
He continued: "On top of that, you can also take from this city a guided day trip over the border to Tajikistan to see the Seven Lakes. These lakes contain clear water and pristine mountain views, which we really enjoyed."
Lourens also highlighted in the caption that Uzbekistan was the "best budget friendly country" he'd experienced after "visiting 60+ countries".
The post became hugely popular with followers, garnering more than 70,000 likes.
One enthusiastic user declared: "One of my favourite countries ever!"
While another eagerly concurred: "I just left Uzbekistan and it's amazing."
A third contributed: "Looks so interesting, I love the idea of going somewhere that's not over-touristy."
Is Uzbekistan actually the cheapest country in the world?
While Uzbekistan ranks amongst the most budget-friendly destinations on the planet, it isn't technically the absolute cheapest. Despite offering exceptional value for money, several other nations typically feature lower overall costs for both residents and visitors.
Uzbekistan regularly appears in the "Top 10" or "Top 20" most affordable destinations, though countries such as Pakistan, Egypt, Libya and India generally rank as having a lower cost of living according to global indices. Within Central Asia more broadly, countries such as Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan are often considered even more affordable options than Uzbekistan.
Is Uzbekistan safe to travel to?
Uzbekistan is generally viewed as a secure destination for tourists, with many visitors describing it as amongst the safest nations they have visited. However, official guidance varies depending on your country of origin, and certain precautions are recommended.
UK government advice indicates the country is largely safe, though travellers are urged to stay alert to terrorism risks and to avoid any protests or demonstrations.
Most of the country, including well-known tourist spots such as Tashkent, Samarkand, and Bukhara, enjoy robust security and a visible police presence. Specific areas of concern include the border with Afghanistan, where travel is strongly discouraged, alongside regions bordering Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, particularly the Fergana Valley, where sections remain mined or have experienced previous unrest.
Uzbekistan is progressively establishing itself as a leading destination for solo female travellers, having recently secured the top spot in the Solo Female Travel Safety Index. Incidents of harassment are markedly lower compared to numerous other popular tourist destinations. Street crime remains relatively rare, and walking unaccompanied after dark in major urban areas is generally regarded as safe, with most thoroughfares staying well-illuminated and subject to regular patrols.
Key Insights
- This topic is currently trending
- Experts are closely monitoring developments
- It may impact future decisions
