Safety in Kazakhstan What do other Racers need to know in order to be safe? Current safety protocols/precautions in place? Any relevant issues/concerns? Any precautionary suggestions?
Visa Info in Kazakhstan Do you need one? Where did you get it? Cost? Resources/sources:
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Currency Info
Currency Info in Kazakhstan Name of currency? Where can you exchange money?
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Communication
Communication in Kazakhstan Did you have cell reception / Internet service? Where? Carrier / Provider, where did you get phones / SIM cards, cost? Country code?
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Transportation
Transportation in Kazakhstan What transportation did you use to enter the country? Where were you coming from? What transportation was used to move throughout the country? Be sure to include the cost per person in USD and contact info if applicable.
People’s Opinions
Download: 2GIS app. It is an offline maps app that provides bus line info. It’s much better than maps.me in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. We took fairy from Azerbaijan and arrived to desolate Aktau port at 1:00am. No sims or atm available. Exchanged EC to pay for taxi. Fellow passengers and customs staff called taxis and dropped us at hotel Merey (marked on maps.me). Bought train tickets followin morning (couldn’t by online because went sure when we’d arrive).
Culture
Culture in Kazakhstan Anything Racers need to be aware/respectful of? Suggestions/Recommendations?
Shipping / Mailing in Kazakhstan Company used and contact info? How did you get packages to them?
Tips
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Additional Info
Additional Info in Kazakhstan Anything we’ve left out? Any additional suggestions to make travel easier for others?
People’s Opinions
We had a mini debrief in the capital Nur-Sultan (also know as Astana). We stayed at Hostelland. Very clean, nice bathrooms – I recommend! We had our all squad meetings outside. They also have a small kitchen area that could work if you go in the winter time.
Note, their card reader did not accept our chip-less cards. I recommend pulling all the logistics money needed prior to arrival. ATMs are about a 30 minute walk away.
If you are arriving from the airport, I recommend asking Hostelland to set up shuttles. We got ripped off by taxis upon arrival.