Minsk Travel Forum

After trying to gather some intelligence from internet I decided to post a question here. I am sure that some of you live in Belarus, and in Minsk in particular and some have already visited Belarus. We are planning a trip to Minsk in June and need some info on living conditions, accommodations, hostels et cetera. How much shall we budget for food?
Do we have to stay in expensive hotels if we are EU citizens ? Is cheaper accommodation available and safe? What are obligations of a person inviting us?
Could somebody help?

well.. you have to choose - are many guys has a sort of private "bussines", than they offer their rooms of flat for rent. it gives your extremally lowest prices, i guess it begins from 20eur per night. " MINSK + CHEAP + ACCOMODATION" - google it.
or try http://www.couchsurfing.com - i think you may find free accomodation.
negative - no bils,no guarantee, no taxes, and most of tham did not offer registration. ( damn, most of foreigner must be register in 3 days, or immigration officer nail you back, than you leave country.. it heritage of soviet system, but stil alive.) Hotels register you automaticly, in private - you and flat-owner have to visit foreign police (buy enshurance and pay fee). Hotels or private who has it as legal bussines begins from 50.

>How much shall we budget for food?
wow. sounds funny. its on you ;) if you my meal in shops - on one price, if in restarant - another one. Yesterday we (three) spend evening in restorant Olivia. We order 9 beer (domestic) and 4 dish of snack.. in total we pay 130.000BLR - 45 USD.

>Do we have to stay in expensive hotels if we are EU citizens ?
you may stay in tent. All you need - show "registration" stamp on departure. or leave country within 3 days ofter arrive. or pay fine on border.

>What are obligations of a person inviting us?
You apply for guest visa without invitation letter? or within?

in most cases - NO.


Funny question. :)

Very informative, thank you.
In terms of money is it better to exchange funds into domestic currency before entering BY or bring US$ and exchange locally? Do they recognize canadian currency or better bring US$?

Cheers

You may withdraw local currency from ATM- mastercard and visa are welcome :)
In several ATM also USD or EUR.
(but I can not guaranty it in 100%, better contact your bank and find out)
You may also exchange cash in banks or exchange offices. Rates see here - http://finance.tut.by/n (sorry, Russian, but you may see digits) or here http://www.nbrb.by/engl/statistics/indicators.asp and here
http://www.infobank.by/983/Default.aspx

Canadian $.. well… not every bank accept CAD, and in most cases exchange rate not interested.

one 4 sure nothing bad ´d happened with you, don´t worry, take $ and passport with visa , and this is it)

Thank you guys all for all the good advice and see'ya in Minsk on June 21!
Please email me if you want to get together for a coffee or beer - we are buying.

Cheers
Mark

What are obligations of a person inviting us?

In theory this person is supposed to "take care of you", say if you get into trouble with the police or so, this person potentially might be fined. and obviously if a person is inviting you the logical thing is that you are going to be staying with this person i.e. registered at this person's address. In reality no one checks at the registration stage, you just have to fill in the forms (in some cases)there is a special typist to do that for you.
As for accommodation, if I am not mistaken you can book a hotel in the embassy and arrange the visa for this accommodation ( unless you have accommodation ready or inviting person they won't give you visa). If you can afford it its the best way, i think