Some incidents of muggings have occurred outside hotels that cater to tourists. Travelers should not walk or take public transportation alone, especially during the evening hours. Travelers should be extremely cautious in and around hotels, bars, and parks. Police assistance, in most cases, is minimal. The government is taking steps to reduce the crime level, and has initiated walking militia patrols throughout the city.
More specific information is available at the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy.
The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Both are available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402. The Kyrgyz Republic is a cash-only economy. Credit cards are not accepted. One or two hotels or banks may, on occasion, accept travelers checks but the fee is quite high, as much as 20 percent.