Baku - Post Report Question and Answers
Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
Don't expect digital privacy. - Sep 2023
Traffic is the biggest personal security concern in Baku. Otherwise, it's a pretty safe place to walk about freely. - Aug 2023
Baku is pretty safe - can go pretty much everywhere in the city though I will say that the roads are challenging for even experienced drivers due to a lot of traffic and less enforcement of rules. Pedestrians aren't excepted from this - have to be very careful crossing streets as cars do not prioritize pedestrians. Regional travel is fine except for the contested areas on the border with Armenia. - Jun 2023
It's one of the safest countries I've ever been in. The only thing you really need to worry about is getting into a vehicular accident. - Jun 2021
Some stray dogs, but in general, I feel super safe here. - Jan 2019
Baku feels like a really safe place. With cameras and police everywhere, pretty crime is low. No need to dress down here like in many other countries. Men behave very respectfully towards women here and will help you with heavy grocery bags, open doors for you. I have noticed that men don’t catcall here as I've seen in many other countries.
Azerbaijanis typically have dark hair and brown eyes, so people like to take pictures of your light-skinned kids and/or give them a hug or kiss. People with darker skin and Asian people might get a little bit more attention just because they seem somewhat rare here. - Jul 2018
Baku is THE safest place I have ever lived, including in the US. Cameras everywhere mean that petty crime is practically nonexistent. Men stare at foreign women, but don't force themselves on them physically, so risk of sexual assault from strangers is low. Racial discrimination, however, is real. My African-American friends have complained about people staring, touching, and wanting pictures, although the attention is definitely curiosity rather than malignant. - May 2018
Yes! Russia is our northern neighbor and Iran is our southern neighbor. - Jul 2015
This is a very safe country for foreigners, since it is a police state. There are cameras everywhere and the governments takes no pains to hide them so everyone knows that they are watching and acts accordingly. That said, all embassy houses have bars on the windows and security systems. - Jan 2013
Yes. Not suggested to go out alone or with a group of ladies after 10pm downtown. Make sure you are up to date with RSO of anything you should be aware of. - Dec 2011
No, as long as you follow the RSO guidelines. - Sep 2010
Not overt. This is a very chauvinistic society, though, and women drivers are treated with hostility. - Aug 2010
My family and I feel very safe here, even walking in the city late at night. Use common sense as you would in any city. - Oct 2009
i haven"t come across any yet. - Nov 2008
No real obvious concerns. You should treat this as you would any other city worldwide. Use caution, don't walk alone after dark. Make sure someone knows where you are going, etc. - Sep 2008
No - I always felt incredibly safe despite the intense stares. - Sep 2008
