Belarus

Tipping

• Tipping is not widely practiced and is not expected
• In restaurants, you can round up the bill or leave a small amount if the service was exceptional
• For taxis, it's common to round up to the nearest convenient sum

Money & Payments

• ATMs are available, but not universally, especially outside major cities
• It's advisable to carry some cash
• Credit cards are accepted in major cities, but less so in smaller towns and rural areas
• Visa and Mastercard are more widely accepted than American Express
• Bringing some cash (Euros or USD) is recommended for initial expenses and areas where card payments are not common
• There is no official black market for cash, but it's illegal to exchange currency outside of official exchange offices or banks

Cultural Norms

• Dress modestly, especially when visiting religious sites
• Remove your shoes when entering someone's home
• Punctuality is valued
• When toasting, it's customary to look people in the eye
• Avoid public displays of affection

LGBTQ+ Information

Exercise caution. LGBTQ+ rights are severely restricted in Belarus. There are no legal protections against discrimination, same-sex marriage is not recognized, and public displays of affection may be met with hostility.

Alcohol & Drug Laws

• Legal drinking age is 18
• Drug laws are extremely strict, with severe penalties for possession, use, or trafficking, even for small amounts
• This includes marijuana

Special Laws

• It is required to carry identification (passport) at all times
• Photography of government buildings, military installations, and critical infrastructure is prohibited
• Public displays of political dissent are not tolerated and can lead to arrest