Crime

The security situation is very good to a great extent, especially in the city of Baku. Azerbaijanis generally are very hospitable people and decent, but there is a risk of exposure to operations of fraud and scam. According to security reports, foreign visitors are rarely exposed the crimes, however, they are advised to be cautious and put valuables in a safe place, and avoid crowded public places, especially public transport.

 

Travel routes

• Driving in Azerbaijan does not carry any dangerous for visitors, as there are modern internal road network, even in some rural and mountainous areas; the light bulbs in urban areas are working well. Since there is no lighting columns on highways linking the cities, so care must be taken during night driving.
• The style of driving by Azerbaijanis can be described as good, as the road accidents in Azerbaijan are less than in the neighboring countries thanks to the efforts made by the traffic police. Argument between drivers for trivial reasons can arise, so it is advisable to avoid the friction with the other party and wait the police officers show up to separate conflicting parties.
• The extract of the international driver's license issued from the State of Qatar must be, so that the visitors can drive in Azerbaijan.
• Public transit vehicles running between Azerbaijani cities are often buses owned by individuals. Generally, they operate during daylight to midnight.
• Care must be taken while driving along the rugged mountainous areas, as well as on the roads in the north and west of the country during the winter because of the accumulation of snow on the roads.

 

Cruises

Cruise industry is not widespread in Azerbaijan, but there is possible to make short cruises.

 

The practice of water sports at the marine beaches

Lack of networks and sewage plants in some coastal areas may cause water pollution of the beaches surrounding by settlements, so please avoid crowded places by holidaymakers. Beachgoers are advised to visit the north beaches of the country.

 

Medical advice

• Medical services in remote and rural areas are available, but are not so good. So always keep a bag of first aid, a certificate of international health insurance, and sufficient amount of money to deal with any emergency may occur.
• Not recommended to use tap water in hotels and other accommodations for drinking, as it may cause some intestinal disorders, so please drink natural water or bottled mineral.

  

Natural disasters

Flood

Some low-lying areas in the capital and the areas on the banks of the waterways are exposed to the risk of flooding during the rainy season due to lack of rainwater drainage networks in the capital and different regions of the country.

 

Earthquakes

Azerbaijan is located in a seismic semi-active zone, and the country is exposed to mild ground shaking ranging between 4-5 degrees on the Richter scale. But the earthquakes rarely occur in a broad sense. The last major earthquake was in 2000, where 6.8 degrees recorded on the Richter scale.

 

Currency

• Generally, credit cards can be used to pay off the accounts of major hotels and stores. Please retain reasonable amounts of cash daily to deal with taxi drivers and small shops.
• ATM machines are available in the city of Baku and other cities.
• Currency exchange services operate only in banks. Banks do not operate on weekends and vacation days which cause severe congestion, and therefore it is better to exchange the currency through the bank during the official working days. Please avoid changing currencies from unauthorized persons and who are dealing with it in the streets.
• Not recommended to handle the Euro and the US dollar.