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Visa requirements for U.S. citizens traveling abroad

If you are a U.S. citizen planning to travel outside the U.S., you may need a visa to enter a foreign country. Learn how to find your destination's visa requirements.

While not all countries require visas for American travelers, many do. Look up your destination using the U.S. State Department's Learn About Your Destination search tool . On the country’s information page, you will find entry, exit, and visa requirements. You will also find travel advisories and a link to the country’s embassy.

LAST UPDATED: May 15, 2024

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Jamaica Travel Advisory

Travel advisory july 25, 2024, jamaica - level 3: reconsider travel.

Updated to reflect additional information on crime and health care.

Reconsider travel to Jamaica due to  crime . Exercise increased caution regarding medical services. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory. 

Country Summary: Violent crime occurs throughout Jamaica. Tourist areas generally see lower rates of violent crime than other parts of the country. The homicide rate reported by the Government of Jamaica is among the highest in the Western Hemisphere. Armed robberies and sexual assaults are common. 

The U.S. Embassy routinely receives reports of sexual assaults, including from U.S. citizen tourists at resorts. U.S. citizens report slow or unsatisfactory response to serious criminal incidents. When arrests are made, cases are infrequently prosecuted to a final verdict and sentence. 

U.S. citizens should not expect the same level of health care available in Jamaica as is available in the United States. This includes generally lower levels of emergency service response times or routine care for illness or injury. Private hospitals require payment up front before admitting patients and may not have the ability to provide specialized care. Ambulance services are not always staffed with EMTs or always readily available, especially in rural areas. U.S. citizens should bring extra prescription medication as common medications such as insulin can be difficult to obtain.

We strongly encourage you to obtain traveler’s insurance, including medical evacuation insurance, before traveling.  The Department of State does not pay medical bills.

U.S. Medicare/Medicaid does not apply overseas. Most hospitals and doctors overseas do not accept U.S. health insurance. Air ambulance service to the United States can range from $30,000-50,000. Read the  country information page  for additional information on travel to Jamaica.

If you decide to travel to Jamaica:

  • Do not attempt to bring firearms or ammunition. This includes stray rounds, shells, or empty casings. The penalties for carrying firearms and/or ammunition, even inadvertently, are severe, and can include lengthy prison sentences.
  • Avoid walking or driving at night.
  • Avoid public buses.
  • Avoid secluded places or situations.
  • Do not physically resist any robbery attempt.
  • Be aware of your surroundings and keep a low profile.
  • Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  at www.step.state.gov to receive alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
  • Follow the Department of State on  Facebook  and X/Twitter . 
  • Review the State Department’s Country Specific Information for Jamaica.
  • Make a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the  Traveler’s Checklist .
  • Visit the CDC page for the latest  Travel Health Information related to your travel.

U.S. embassy personnel are prohibited from traveling to certain areas of Jamaica due to crime. Additionally, U.S. embassy personnel are prohibited from using public buses and from driving outside of prescribed areas of Kingston at night. The off-limits zones for U.S. embassy personnel within each parish are listed below . 

Off-limits locations for U.S. embassy personnel throughout Jamaica – Level 4: Do Not Travel

St. Ann’s Parish - Steer Town and the Buckfield neighborhood near Ocho Rios

St. Catherine’s Parish - Spanish Town, Central Village, areas within Portmore, including: Naggo Head, New Land, Old Braeton, Portmore Lane, Gregory Park, and Waterford

Clarendon Parish - all of Clarendon Parish, except passing through Clarendon Parish using the T1 and A2 highways.

St. Elizabeth’s Parish - Vineyard District Community, between the communities of Salt Spring and Burnt Savanna, St. Elizabeth

Hanover Parish - Logwood and Orange Bay

St. James Parish/Montego Bay - Inland side of the A1 highway and The Queen’s Drive from San San to Harmony Beach Park

Kingston and St. Andrew Parish - Cassava Piece, Duhaney Park, Grants Pen, Standpipe, Swallowfield, Elleston Flats, August Town, and downtown Kingston, defined as between Mountain View Avenue and Hagley Park Road, and south of Half Way Tree and Old Hope Roads. Downtown Kingston includes Arnett Gardens, Cockburn Gardens, Denham Town, Olympic Gardens, Seaview Gardens, Trench Town, and Tivoli Gardens. 

Manchester Parish - Green Vale, Gray Ground, Red Ground, and Vineyard neighborhoods of Mandeville

St. Thomas Parish - Black Lane neighborhood in Seaforth, Grands Penn, Church Corner neighborhood near Yallahs, Town of Yallahs, except when driving through on the main highway.

Trelawny Parish - Clarks Town

Westmoreland Parish - Russia community in Savanna-la-Mar (The Southeastern quadrant of Savannah la Mar east of Darling Street and south of the A2 highway/Barracks Road), Morgan Bay, Kings Valley, The Whitehall, Bethel Town, and Red Ground neighborhoods of Negril

If you do decide to travel to the above-listed Do Not Travel areas, please visit our website for  Travel to High-Risk Areas .

Travel Advisory Levels

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How to Register Your Trip With the US Department of State

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If you are a United States citizen planning a trip abroad , you may wonder if there is any way to get information and help if an emergency occurs in your destination country. For many years, the US Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs has offered travelers a way to register their trips so that embassy and consulate employees can find them if a natural disaster or civil unrest might be imminent. This program, the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), has three components.

Personal Profile and Access Permission

The first thing you must do to register your trip with the State Department  is to set up a personal profile, which includes your name, address, telephone number, email address, points of contact and a unique password. You will also need to decide who else might need to find you or access your contact information in case of an international emergency.

You can choose any combination of family, friends, legal or medical representatives, members of the media or members of Congress. You must provide at least one telephone number or email address that the State Department can use to contact you in the United States in order to participate in STEP.

Tip: If you do not authorize the disclosure of your contact information prior to your trip, US State Department employees will not be able to tell anyone where you are because the terms of the Privacy Act prevent them from doing so. This means that you should authorize the disclosure of your personal information to at least one person besides yourself so that someone at home can find you through STEP if a disaster occurs. Also, if you need to get help from your embassy or consulate while you are traveling abroad, you will need to provide proof of US citizenship.

Trip-Specific Information

If you wish, you may enter information about an upcoming trip as part of the STEP registration process. This information will enable State Department employees to find and help you if a disaster or uprising happens or seems likely to occur. They will also send you Travel Alerts and Travel Warnings for your destination(s).

You may register multiple trips. In addition, you can register a group of travelers under one traveler's name if you list your fellow travelers in the "accompanying travelers" field. Family groups should sign up in this way, but groups of unrelated adult travelers should register separately so that the State Department can record and, if necessary, use emergency contact information for each person.

By registering your upcoming trip with the US Department of State, you will be able to receive timely, destination-specific emails that will alert you to current developments in the countries you plan to visit. If security issues arise, the State Department will proactively contact you so that you do not need to rely exclusively on news reports to find out what problems might be occurring at your destination.

Tip: You will not be able to enter your trip information if 1) your destination country does not have a US embassy or consulate or 2) you cannot provide local contact information, such as a hotel address or the telephone number of a friend, when you register your trip.

Travel Warning, Alert and Information Update Subscription

If you wish, you may also sign up to receive email updates, including Travel Alerts , Travel Warnings and country-specific information issued by the State Department. You can do this either as part of the trip registration process or as a separate email subscription.

Can Non-Citizens Enroll in STEP?

Legal permanent residents (green card holders) may not enroll in STEP, but may participate in similar programs offered by the embassies and consulates of their countries of citizenship. However, legal permanent residents of the United States are allowed to register with STEP as part of a group of US travelers, provided the main point of contact for the group is a US citizen.

The Bottom Line

Registering your trip will help the US Department of State let you know about potential travel-related issues and come to your aid if problems occur in your destination country. The process is quick and easy, particularly once you have set up your personal profile. Why not visit the STEP website and get started today?

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Beyond Red Square

Travel Tips to Kabardino-Balkaria: More than Mt. Elbrus!

If you’ve traveled to the North Caucasus before, there is a good chance you’ve already been to Kabardino-Balkaria, and you didn’t even know it!  Kabardino-Balkaria lies in the center of the North Caucasus region, is home to Mt. Elbrus, but more than that is a treasure chest of travel possibilities.  Here is our guide to traveling through the republic of Kabardino-Balkaria, or 9 travel tips to this beautiful land:

1. How do I get there?

Kabardino-Balkaria hosts a large number of both foreign and Russian travelers every year, and has an improving infrastructure able to handle the incoming masses.  Let’s start with the obvious.  You might be a mountain climber or skier coming to enjoy the slopes of Mt. Elbrus.  That means you’re likely arriving on an airplane to Russia.  Here are your travel options:

A. Plane – We advise you fly into the Mineralni Vodi (MRV) airport in the Stavropol Region, which is about 45 minutes from the border of Kabardino-Balkaria.  MRV is the largest airport in the North Caucasus, and has daily direct flights to and from all 3 airpots in Moscow (SVO, DME, and VKO), direct flights from St. Petersburg, and several international flight routes as well, including from Istanbul, Dubai, Greece, Tel Aviv, and Bishkek.  The MRV airport has a growing infrastructure and is the most obvious choice to fly into if going to Elbrus.  From MRV, it’s a 2 hr. drive to Nalchik, and a 3.5 hr. drive to Mt. Elbrus.

That being said, the capital of Kabardino-Balkaria, Nalchik (NAL), also has a small regional airport with a daily flight to/from Moscow as well as weekly flights to Istanbul. As is to be expected in most smaller, regional airports around Russia, the service standard at a small airport like this will be minimal.  As a result, we recommend you flying in and out of MRV if able.  It’s a 2 hr. drive to Elbrus from Nalchik.  You can also fly into other regional airports which are 2 hrs. from Nalchik, such as OGZ in North Ossetia (Vladikavkaz) or IGT in Ingushetia (Magas).

B.  Car/Public Transport – If you have a car, are using a taxi, or are hitch-hiking your way to Kabardino-Balkaria, the region is accessible by a variety of roads and vehicles.  A major Russian federal highway E50 runs through Pyatigorsk into Kabardino-Balkaria, and can take you towards Mt. Elbrus, Nalchik, and deeper into the North Caucasus.  There are daily mini-buses, or “marshrutkas”, that travel to Nalchik from Pyatigorsk, Vladikavkaz, Grozny, and Magas, if you’re coming from a neighboring republic.  From the main Nalchik bus station, there is a marshrutka that goes to Terskol (i.e. Mt. Elbrus) daily around 12:30 pm; for that matter,  marshrutkas run daily into every valley of this beautiful republic.  For the seasoned international traveler, you can drive from the country of Georgia up the famed “Georgian Military Highway” through the heart of the Caucasus Mountains, cross the border into Russia at the “Verkhni Lars” border stop, and be in Nalchik in about 2.5 hours as well. 

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Anyone traveling on their own should download the “Yandex” taxi app, which is Russia’s version of Uber, and has a very user-friendly app with affordable prices.  In smaller villages/towns where Yandex’s service doesn’t reach, just ask a local and they’ll direct you to a friend or relative who can taxi you where you need to go!

C.  Train – Kabardino-Balkaria is also very accessible by the famous cross-country Russian train system if that’s your preferred method of travel.  Almost all trains to the North Caucasus pass through Mineralni Vodi in the Stavropol region to the north, so make sure wherever you are coming from, Mineralni Vodi is one of the stops.  Despite Nalchik having a train station, the city is about 45 minutes from the main railway route that runs diagonal through the North Caucasus, and as a result it’s a bit convoluted to get a train directly to Nalchik.  That being said, the town Prokhladni is a regular stop on trains going to/coming from Baku, Makhachkala, Grozny, Nazran, and Vladikavkaz, so you can always hop off there and find your way by public transport or taxi.

2.  What are the best places to stay?

This list could get exhaustive, fast. 🙂  Let’s first look at an overview of the republic’s geography, followed by hotel recommendations:

A. Nalchik – This is the capital city of Kabardino-Balkaria, with a population of around 250,000.  Nalchik is growing and new, modern hotels are being built regularly.  Here are some of our recommendations:

-Modern and comfortable:  Azimut , Butik Otel

-Budget with less frills:  Hotel Rossia , Korona

You could comfortably spend a week in Nalchik, while doing day trips into Kabardino-Balkaria’s beautiful mountain valleys.

B.  Baksan Valley – This is the most traveled road in Kabardino-Balkaria, the road to Mt. Elbrus.  If you have questions about its safety because of travel warnings, please see our detailed blog here of the drive to erase any doubts or fears.  Needless to say, because of the draw of Mt. Elbrus, there are a huge variety of lodging options at the end of this valley, from 4-star to mid-range to budget to hostel.  Here are just a few we’ll recommend from our experience:

-Modern and comfortable 4-star-ish:  Azau Star , Kristall 139

-Budget with less frills 3-star-ish:   Laguna , Povorot

If you’re a mountain climber with your sites set on the summit of Elbrus, you’ll have to spend at least 3-4 nights at Elbrus’s famous base camp at 13,000 feet.  The “barrel huts” are not easy to book directly with, and we highly recommend you do your climb (and hence, have your bookings handled) through a trusted climbing company.  Here are two shelters at base camp we recommend:

-Modern and comfortable:  Leaprus

-Budget with less frills:  Heart of Elbrus Lodge

If you’re interested in climbing Mt. Elbrus and staying in these barrel huts, click  here  to see our climbing itineraries, pricing, and group dates.

C.  Chegem Valley – Chegem Valley is the adjacent valley to Elbrus’s Baksan Valley, and is famous for its beautiful waterfalls as well as being Russia’s top paragliding location.  The “ Paradrome ” has modest accommodations for those wanting to get to know this beautiful valley for a longer period of time.

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D.  Upper Balkaria, or Cherek Valley – This is another beautiful mountain gorge not too far from Nalchik.  There is an authentic lodging complex in Upper Balkaria called Tau-El, with amazing local food for meals as well.

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E.  Border Zone lodging – Several of Kabardino-Balkaria’s mountain gorges run into the border zone with neighboring country Georgia, i.e. an area that foreigners cannot enter without a special permit from the local government (often taking 2 months to receive).  There is a famous mountaineering lodge in Bezengi Valley, where several generations of Russian mountain climbers have honed their craft in the Caucasus Mountains.  Perpendicular to Baksan Valley (about 25 minutes from the base of Mt. Elbrus) is Adyr-Suu Valley, where there is a lodge for back-country skiers to stay, while trying their hands (and feet!) on the untouched snow of that valley.  Both these valleys require border permits for foreigners, but are possible to access for the more adventurous!

3.  Top cities to visit?

Most locals would agree that Nalchik is the main city of significance to visit in Kabardino-Balkaria, but let’s be honest, even more would say, “Just go to the mountains!”  Tirnauz is the capital of the Elbrus district, and is an interesting town to spend some time in, with its unique location in the mountains and place in Soviet history as a once-booming mining town.  The main thing to consider in visiting Nalchik and other cities in the lowlands, is the chance to experience Kabardian culture and food.  Whereas the deeper you go into the valleys, the more you’ll encounter Balkar culture and food.

4.  Best local foods to try?

There are 3 types of food that come to mind, when spending time in Kabardino-Balkaria:

A. Khychiny – This is one of the staple national dishes of the Balkar people, and what you’ll inevitably be served if guests of local Balkars.  It’s a thin buttery flat bread, sometimes cooked with fillings of cottage cheese, fresh greens, or potatoes.  It is often slathered in butter, but wow is that some tasty greasy goodness! 🙂

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B.  Shashlik – Shashlik is a MUST for any visit anywhere in the North Caucasus!  Most people would agree that it’s the national food of the entire region.  Shashlik is meat shish kabobs; while pork and turkey can be found in some parts of the Caucasus, lamb or chicken are the preferred shashlik meats of choice in Kabardino-Balkaria. 

C.  Soup – No matter where you are in Russia, you’re sure to find a local soup that people love.  Kabardino-Balkaria is no different.  Especially in the winter months in the mountain valleys, there’s nothing better than to come inside from the cold weather and warm your body up to a bowl of hearty Caucasus soup.  Whether Georgian kharcho or local Balkar lakhman, make sure to try your hand at one of these soups with a side of fresh baked bread/lavash!

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5.  Top Hole-In-The-Wall restaurants:

Of course, for a republic of this size, we’re bound to leave at least a few great local joints off our list, but here are a few to get you started. ***Note:  Restaurants in the North Caucasus are much better known for their food than their service, so prepare for tasty food, but manage your expectations about service:

-Elbrus – Kogutai Restaurant at Mt. Cheget – While this isn’t a hole-in-the-wall restaurant per se, it’s one of many to choose from in the Cheget tourist village, and we have found them to provide consistently good food and service.  Kogutai has a nice interior, and maybe most important, an English-language menu with good pictures. 🙂  There also is a nice outdoor patio with fantastic views of the surrounding mountains.

-Nalchik #1 – Tameris Restaurant – This is a cafe with a relaxed atmosphere in the capital Nalchik.  Local tour company Elbrus Elevation has taken foreign groups there on multiple occasions and always had good experiences.  Address is ul. Kuliyeva 3. 

-Nalchik #2 – Cafe-Bar Oasis – You have to know where this restaurant is to find it, but once inside, you won’t regret it!  There is a unique cafeteria-style ordering process, that includes several dishes being cooked on the spot once ordered.  You can sample local Kabardian dishes here.  The seating area is very modern and a pleasant atmosphere to have a meal in.  Address is ul. Kuliyeva 2. 

-Upper Balkaria – Tau-El Restaurant – This is the restaurant part of the Tau-El Tourist Complex in Upper Balkaria.  Whether spending the night or just passing through, make sure to stop here for a meal!

6.  Must-See Sites

This republic is so chock full of “must-see” destinations, it’s impossible to narrow the list down.  Here are just a few suggestions to get you started: (***Mt. Elbrus is a no-brainer and we’re assuming that’s on your list)

A. El-Tyubu and Paradrome – This is an amazing area towards the end of Chegem Valley.  Many tourists visit the famous Chegem Waterfalls and don’t drive any further down this gorge, which really is a shame.  El-Tyubu is a picturesque Balkar village with several historical sites to see, including some ancient mausoleums.  The real gem of the area, though, is the Paradrome , which is Russia’s premier paragliding destination.  The combination of the scenic surrounding mountains and constant winds produces almost daily conditions to sail through the beautiful Caucasus sky.  Highly recommend!

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B.  Upper Balkaria – Also known as Cherek Valley, the entire drive to the actual village of Upper Balkaria is one big destination.  First, you can spend time at the 3 consecutive “ Blue Lakes ”, one of which is one of Russia’s deepest lakes with an underground spring.  Then, the drive itself becomes an adventure, as you pass by steep rock walls with a huge drop-off on the other side.  If you’re able to walk this part of the road, that is a bonus!  Once you’ve made your way through the valley walls, the region opens up into a beautiful panoramic view.  Many years ago, there were multiple villages in this region, but they’ve since been condensed into one main village.  You can see some of the ancient Balkar towers that their ancestors used to live in as well.

C.  Djili-Suu – Although hard to pronounce and not easy to get to, Djili-Suu is one of those places in the North Caucasus that people rave about that you “have to” visit.  It’s actually on the North side of Mt. Elbrus, and more accessible from the Mineral Waters region (2 hrs. from Kislovodsk).  The base camp for Elbrus climbers summiting the mountain from the North side is at Djili-Suu.  This area is famous in Russia for its numerous natural healing springs, as well as unique climate conditions that make for beneficial, long holidays for seeking a respite from their daily grind.  There are wide swaths of land available for camping, with probably the most unrivaled views of Mt. Elbrus in the North Caucasus.  Make sure to check this out!

7.  Off-the-beaten path destinations

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A. King’s Waterfalls (Tsarskie), or Gedmisht – Probably the valley in Kabardino-Balkaria with the least amount of hype is the Malka Valley, which is the northernmost valley and mainly runs through the Kabardian lowlands.  At the point where the villages end, though (Khabas), the asphalt turns into dirt and the hills start to rise, culminating with the incredible King’s Waterfalls, or as one friend put it, Avatar Waterfalls.  These stunning waterfalls are best visited in the early summer, when everything is lush green and the water flow is strong, with many streams of water flowing down the earth’s surface.  The different colors are incredible and it’s hard to look away.  Once you’ve enjoyed the waterfalls, enjoy a meal of shashlik at one of the nearby lunch huts.  Having an off-road vehicle is ideal to visit these falls, but worth the time and effort!

B.  One-seater chair lift at Elbrus – As the infrastructure at Mt. Elbrus has modernized, some of the more “authentic” experiences have gone to the way-side.  This is one experience still available, though!  From the 2nd (11,000 ft.) to 3rd level (12,500 ft.) of Mt. Elbrus (whether skiing, going to base camp, or just touring), there is a single-seater chair lift for 100 rubles each way (less than $2).  This is an amazing experience if you have the time.  It’s 8-10 minutes each way, and a surreal experience of the majestic Caucasus mountain range surrounding you, skiers silently passing you by underneath, and in general enjoying the silent expanse of nature all around.  The chair lifts are from the Soviet times and so it feels like something from a different era.  For mountain climbers, the newer group cable car gives better access to most of base camp, but several huts are pretty close to this chair lift, so it still may be a good option for you.

C.  Abandoned Mines above Tirnauz – Tirnauz is about 1 hr. from Mt. Elbrus, and a town everyone drives through to and from the mountain.  Although today it looks old and half-abandoned, it was a booming mining town in the 20th century.  About a 45-minute drive above the city with an off-road vehicle, you can see the remains of the mining operations.  Learning about this history combined with the breath-taking views of the Baksan Valley and even into Georgia, you’ll wonder why more people aren’t visiting this place.  This is a great spot to see eagles soaring in the sky, as well as admire the Soviet city plan of Tirnauz from above.

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8.  What do I need border zone passes to visit?

In Russia, any area within 5-10 km of a neighboring country, without a clearly delineated border (i.e. in the mountains) is considered a special border zone, and patrolled by Russian border guards.  This area IS accessible to all Russian citizens with their passports, but is NOT legally accessible to foreign citizens UNLESS you have a special permit from the FSB (Federal Security Bureau).  These permits are accessible, either through a tour operator or local friend, but require you to submit your application 45-60 days in advance.

Areas in Kabardino-Balkaria that are worth a visit if you have a border zone pass:

A.  Bezengi Wall – This is at the end of the Bezengi Valley, and holds a place of lore among Russian mountain climbers.  Many mountain guides go through training in this valley.  Five of the Caucasus Mountain’ range’s highest seven peaks are a part of the Bezengi Wall, so you can imagine the draw it has for climbers. There are great areas for trekking and camping in this area. 

B.  Adyr-Suu Gorge – This remote valley runs perpendicular to Baksan Valley and is about 25 minutes from the base of Mt. Elbrus.  It’s marked at the entrance by a relic of the past, a car lift from Soviet days that auto-cranks your car (and you) about 50 meters up the mountain.  After 45-60 minutes of driving on gravel road, the gorge opens up into a flat valley with a beautiful view of the surrounding mountains.  The Adyr-Suu Alpine Lodge is at the end of this valley and where back-country skiers base out of during the acclimatization phase of their Mt. Elbrus ski tours.  This is truly a place where you can experience untouched powder!

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C.  Mt. Cheget (Elbrus) – Cheget is a neighboring mountain to Mt. Elbrus and where many climbers will acclimatize, both at its base and while doing some hikes.  It also is famous in Russia for its free-ride terrain for more experienced skiers.  Standard access to the chair lifts and mountain are available to all (i.e. mountain climbers don’t need to worry about accidentally crossing into the zone), but anyone wanting to summit the peak of Cheget OR visit the beautiful Cheget Lake needs a border permit. 

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Foreigners violating the border zone areas is considered a serious offense in Russia; make sure to do your due diligence if wanting to visit one of these areas!  We highly recommend using a local tour operator and always traveling with a local person if visiting one of these areas.

9.  Any cultural “do’s” or “don’t’s” to be aware of

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Kabardino-Balkaria is a fascinating republic with a combination of traditional and modern society.  The more you interact with local people, the more you’ll see a mixture of Muslim faith, post-Soviet mentality, and ancient local traditions all wrapped together.   

Kabardians mainly live in the lowlands (Nalchik, Baksan, and lowland villages), while Balkars primarily live in the mountain valleys (Elbrus, Chegem, Upper Balkaria, etc.).  There is a large population of Russians in the region as well.  Foreigners visit every area of the region regularly, and so local people are used to and will welcome your presence.

Come with an open mind to learn about these peoples, their traditions, and their land.  You won’t regret your trip to Kabardino-Balkaria!

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***Want to learn more?  Here are several self-published resources from the podcast “ CaucasTalk ” related to Kabardino-Balkaria:

– Travel Tips to Kabardino-Balkaria (audio version of this blog)

– History of Mt. Elbrus (Part 1)

– History of Mt. Elbrus (Part 2)

– Interview with Local Elbrus guide

– Climbing Elbrus: Interview with American guide

– Who are the Kabardians? (Part 1)

– Who are the Kabardians? (Part 2)

– Skiing in the North Caucasus (Elbrus and more)

READY TO EXPERIENCE KABARDINO-BALKARIA FOR YOURSELF?

Where to find us.

  • +1 704-810-4296
  • [email protected]
  • 1578 Pine Creek Rd., Gastonia, NC 28056

Travel Information

  • We no longer offer travel services to Russia. See Caucasus Quest Tours for new destinations
  • Is it Safe to Travel to the Caucasus in 2024?
  • Climbing Kazbek & Kilimanjaro: Comparing two 5,000+ meter peaks
  • How to Train to climb Mt. Kazbek in Georgia

Our Elbrus Climbing Tours

  • Climb Elbrus South Route
  • Climb Elbrus North Route
  • Climb Elbrus & The Capitals
  • Climb Elbrus & The Caucasus

Russia Cultural Tours

  • Capitals of Russia
  • Lake Baikal on Ice
  • Delightful Dagestan
  • Heart of the Caucasus

ALL Travel Services to Russia and Mt. Elbrus have been indefinitely suspended as of Feb. 2022.

Explore our new tour branch Caucasus Quest to climb Mt. Kazbek (5,054 meters) in Georgia or for immersive cultural touring experiences in Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan.

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Kabardino-Balkaria State University

Kabardino-Balkaria State University – Expo Center handling all events like exhibitions, trade shows or fairs taking place in Nalchik, Russia.

Kabardino-Balkaria State University

Other Events At this Venue During 2024-2025

International Conference on Interaction of Intense Energy Fluxes with Matter

Other Events In Russia

International Conference on Civil and Urban Engineering ICCUE

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IMAGES

  1. U.S. State Department travel advisories this summer

    state department overseas travel

  2. U.S. State Department Travel Advisories: Where to Find Them, How to

    state department overseas travel

  3. State Department unveiling new international travel advisories

    state department overseas travel

  4. US Urges Citizens to Reconsider Travel Abroad Due to Covid-19

    state department overseas travel

  5. How to Read Travel Advisories to Increase Your Safety Abroad

    state department overseas travel

  6. New State Department Travel Advisory Program

    state department overseas travel

COMMENTS

  1. International Travel

    International Travel. The highest priority of the Bureau of Consular Affairs is to protect the lives and serve the interests of U.S. citizens abroad. Across the globe, we serve our fellow citizens during some of their most important moments - births, adoptions, medical emergencies, deaths, arrests, and disasters.

  2. Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)

    Signing up for STEP helps the U.S. embassy get in touch with you if there's an emergency. And, if your family or friends in the U.S. can't reach you with urgent news while you're traveling, we can use the information in STEP to try and contact you. Become a Smart Traveler Now! STEP is an easy first step to being a smart traveler.

  3. Travelers

    Please call 1 (888) 407-4747 (U.S. and Canada) or 1 (202) 501-4444 (overseas) or contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. As a first step in planning any trip abroad, check the Travel Advisories for your intended destination. Our highest priority is to protect the lives and interests of U.S. citizens overseas.

  4. Smart Traveler Enrollment Program

    The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is a free service to allow U.S. citizens and nationals traveling and living abroad to enroll their trip with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Receive important information from the Embassy about safety conditions in your destination country, helping you make informed decisions about your travel ...

  5. Travel Advisory Updates

    Office of the Spokesperson. April 19, 2021. State Department Travel Advisory Updates. In order to provide U.S. travelers detailed and actionable information to make informed travel decisions, the Department of State regularly assesses and updates our Travel Advisories, based primarily on the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC ...

  6. Traveler's Checklist

    Get Required Documents. Make copies of all your travel documents. Leave one copy with a trusted friend or relative and carry the other separately from your original documents. Also take a photograph of your travel documents with your phone to have an electronic copy. Check your passport expiration dates as soon as you start planning a trip, and ...

  7. Before You Go

    How to get overseas insurance coverage. Where to sign up for our free Smart Traveler Enrollment Program. Sometimes - in spite of good planning - things can still go wrong. Prepare for the unexpected by reading about how to plan for a crisis overseas. Additional Tips for Traveling Abroad. Downloadable Traveler's Checklist PDF card.

  8. International Travel Recommendations

    Office of the Spokesperson. April 26, 2022. U.S. citizens considering international travel should plan ahead and be informed about travel requirements before making decisions or firm travel plans. We urge U.S. citizens considering international travel to check their passport expiration date early and if renewal is needed, to submit applications ...

  9. Travel

    Find International Travel Information Get U.S. Visas Learn About Adopting a Child to and from the U.S. Protect a Child from Parental Abduction to or from the U.S. ... You are about to leave travel.state.gov for an external website that is not maintained by the U.S. Department of State.

  10. Americans Traveling Abroad

    Rights and Protections for Foreign-Citizen Fiancé (e)s and Spouses of U.S. Citizens and Spouses of Lawful Permanent Residents. The United States and China Agree to Extending Visas for Short-term Business Travelers, Tourists, and Students. Special Visa Processing Procedures Pursuant to Section 306.

  11. International Travel Challenges During COVID-19

    The Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs provides country-specific information and advice regarding COVID-19 on each U.S. Embassy's website. We update these resources whenever we receive new information, and encourage U.S. citizens to review Travel Advisories and U.S. Embassy COVID-19 information pages before travel.

  12. Travel Advisories

    Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions. July 26, 2023. Ghana Travel Advisory. Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution. November 20, 2023. Democratic Republic of the Congo Travel Advisory. Level 3: Reconsider Travel. July 9, 2024. Republic of the Congo Travel Advisory.

  13. Travelers

    Emergency Information. U.S. Citizen Travelers. Please enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive alerts and be located in an emergency. In Case of an Emergency Overseas. Please call 1 (888) 407-4747 (U.S. and Canada) or 1 (202) 501-4444 (overseas) or contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Travel Advisories.

  14. International Travel Vaccine Requirement

    U.S. travelers need to be prepared to show proof of a negative test before they travel to the United States and should make arrangements for testing in advance of travel if possible. Vaccinated U.S. travelers will need to carry and provide proof of vaccination to the airlines to qualify for the three-day testing window; otherwise one-day tests ...

  15. Visa requirements for U.S. citizens traveling abroad

    While not all countries require visas for American travelers, many do. Look up your destination using the U.S. State Department's Learn About Your Destination search tool. On the country's information page, you will find entry, exit, and visa requirements. You will also find travel advisories and a link to the country's embassy.

  16. Smart Traveler Enrollment Program

    The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is a free service to allow U.S. citizens and nationals traveling and living abroad to enroll their trip with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Receive important information from the Embassy about safety conditions in your destination country, helping you make informed decisions about your travel ...

  17. Jamaica Travel Advisory

    The Department of State does not pay medical bills. U.S. Medicare/Medicaid does not apply overseas. Most hospitals and doctors overseas do not accept U.S. health insurance. Air ambulance service to the United States can range from $30,000-50,000. Read the country information page for additional information on travel to Jamaica.

  18. STEP

    STEP is a free service to allow U.S. citizens/nationals traveling abroad to enroll with the local U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Sign in to Existing Account New User Email Alert Subscriptions About STEP. For organization/group enrollments or advanced features, go to the STEP full site.

  19. Updates on U.S. Travel Policy Requiring Vaccination

    Ned Price, Department Spokesperson. October 25, 2021. Today, the White House and CDC announced details of the new vaccination policy that will go into effect for international travelers on November 8. As of that date, foreign national air travelers to the United States will be required to be fully vaccinated and to provide proof of vaccination ...

  20. Overseas Assignments

    An overseas assignment translates to months of preparation and planning. U.S. government employees and their family members assigned to a U.S. embassy or consulate overseas can visit the Overseas Briefing Center (OBC) in Arlington, VA to use their collection of resources for researching overseas posts and the logistics of an international move. Hours of operation. […]

  21. Register Your Trip With the US Department of State

    If you are a United States citizen planning a trip abroad, you may wonder if there is any way to get information and help if an emergency occurs in your destination country.For many years, the US Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs has offered travelers a way to register their trips so that embassy and consulate employees can find them if a natural disaster or civil unrest might ...

  22. U.S. Department of State

    Foreign Per Diem Rates by LocationDSSR 925. You may use the dropdown box below to select a country. Entering the first letter of the country name will jump to that portion of the listing. Clicking "Go" will display Per Diem data for all locations within the country selected. You may use the input field below to enter all or part of a post name.

  23. Travel Tips to Kabardino-Balkaria: More than Mt. Elbrus!

    B. Car/Public Transport - If you have a car, are using a taxi, or are hitch-hiking your way to Kabardino-Balkaria, the region is accessible by a variety of roads and vehicles. A major Russian federal highway E50 runs through Pyatigorsk into Kabardino-Balkaria, and can take you towards Mt. Elbrus, Nalchik, and deeper into the North Caucasus.

  24. Kabardino-Balkaria State University

    Kabardino-Balkaria State University located in Nalchik, Russia is the best place for any exhibitions and trade conferences - Find Pictures, Videos and Map Join today and be a part of the fastest growing B2B Network Join Now

  25. Chegem waterfalls

    Chegem Waterfalls - Su-Auzu (translated from Balkar "water from the throat") - a rare beauty pageant. On the right bank of the cliffs descend to the river Chegem noisy streams of water. Some of them were thrown out of the jets of small (finger thick) round holes in the rock and, describing an arc in…

  26. Kabardino-Balkaria

    Kabardino-Balkarian State University Stay safe . While not as involved in the general conflict across the North Caucasus, Kabardino-Balkaria, especially Nalchik, has been attacked repeatedly by rebel and terrorist forces. Expect very tight security, realize that this is an unstable and dangerous part of the world, and make your travel plans ...