One travel creator shared his experience of going to the country online (Image: Michele Ricucci via Getty Images)
Many of us enjoy jetting off on holiday from time to time, yet the costs can rapidly accumulate – from flights and accommodation through 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 shares 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 branded 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.
He claimed you can enjoy a beer for under £1 and a meal for just £2.60 (Image: abalcazar via Getty Images)
“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 heart of Samarkand, where he “saw one of the most beautiful buildings of the ancient Silk Road”.
He went on: “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.”
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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, racking up more than 70,000 likes.
One thrilled user declared: “One of my favourite countries ever!”
While another enthusiastically concurred: “I just left Uzbekistan and it’s amazing.”
A third added: “Looks so interesting, I love the idea of going somewhere that’s not over-touristy.”
The country is often seen featured in the Top 10 or Top 20 most affordable destinations (Image: TruePixelArt via Getty Images)
Is Uzbekistan genuinely the cheapest country in the world?
While Uzbekistan ranks amongst the most budget-friendly destinations globally, it isn’t technically the absolute cheapest. Despite providing 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 economical destinations, although countries such as Pakistan, Egypt, Libya and India generally rank as having a lower cost of living according to international indices. Within Central Asia in particular, countries such as Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan are often considered even more economical destinations than Uzbekistan.
Is Uzbekistan safe to travel to?
Uzbekistan is broadly considered a safe destination for tourists, with many visitors describing it as amongst the safest countries they have ever visited. That said, official guidance varies depending on your country of origin, and certain precautions are recommended.
UK government advice indicates the country is generally safe, though travellers are urged to stay alert to terrorism risks and to avoid any protests or demonstrations.
The vast majority of the country, including popular tourist locations 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, along with regions neighbouring Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, particularly the Fergana Valley, where sections remain mined or have a history of civil unrest.
Uzbekistan is progressively establishing itself as a leading destination for solo female travellers, having recently secured the #1 spot in the Solo Female Travel Safety Index.
Incidents of harassment are remarkably low compared to numerous other popular tourist destinations. Street crime remains rare, and walking unaccompanied after nightfall in major cities is generally regarded as safe, with most thoroughfares staying well-illuminated and frequently patrolled.
