Belarus Travel Vaccines and Advice
With forests covering a third of the country, diverse wildlife and flower species, long stretches of rivers, and a large number of lakes, Belarus has many natural attractions. You will be greeted with many surprises at the turn of every corner. It is possible to enjoy the natural diversity by hiking the country’s trails or by making a detour to the Belovezhskaya Pushcha National Park which is home to endemic species. For history and culture enthusiasts, a visit to the capital Minsk is worth your time because of its monuments and various museums. You should also make time to visit the wealthy city of Brete, Polotsk and its magnificent cathedral Hagia Sophia, or the Baroque Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral in Troitskoye. The gastronomic culture in Belarus is also an art in itself. Make sure to try the delicious Solyanka soup or Borsch, a traditional beet soup.
Biélorussie/Biélorussie)
Recommended travel vaccinations for Belarus
| Vaccine | Disease Transmission |
|---|---|
| Traveler’s diarrhea | Contaminated water/food |
| Typhoid | |
| Hepatitis A | |
| Hepatitis B | Contaminated body fluids (blood, sex, razors, needles, etc.) |
| Rabies | Infected Animals |
| Influenza | Airborne Droplets |
Recommended Medication for Travelling to Belarus
| Medication | Additional Information |
|---|---|
| Azithromycin/Suprax | Antibiotic in case of traveler’s diarrhea |
Current Weather in Belarus
Medical Care in Belarus
The deterioration of public health is problematic in Belarus. In general, private clinics and hospitals provide poor quality medical care due to lack of resources and dilapidated equipment. It is not surprising that infant mortality and infection rates have risen in recent years. The only institution that has been authorized by the US Embassy to make medical visits for visas are the Lode centers. Some foreigners also choose to use the Ecomed service or Nordin Medical Center.
Pharmacies are generally well supplied, but it is strongly advised to travel with some basic medication to compensate for unreliable pharmaceuticals in Belarus.
For a medical emergency dial 103, but be aware that the wait can last up to 30 minutes, and ambulances come poorly equipped.
Is Belarus Safe for Travel?
| Safety and Security | Descriptive |
|---|---|
| Crime | Risk present |
| Terrorism | Risk present |
| Demonstrations | Risk of violence |
| Road safety | Good road conditions; may be hard to navigate in winter |
| Public transportation | Buses and trolleys are poorly maintained; Use only officially marked taxis |
| Fraud | Debit and credit card fraud risk present; Only use ATMs inside major banks |
| Spiked food and drinks | Leave nothing unattended |
| Risk level | Normal security precautions |
Do I Need a Visa to Visit Belarus?
Before you travel, check with your transportation company about passport requirements. Its rules on passport validity may be more stringent than the country’s entry rules.
A visa and a passport are required to enter Belarus. Your passport must be valid at least three months after the departure date.
A visa can be obtained before departure at the Embassy of Belarus in Ottawa. If you’re travelling through Belarus to another country, a transit visa will also be required. If absent, you’ll risk being removed from trains or even having your entry denied.
Proof of a valid medical insurance is also required, or else you’ll be forced to buy one from the state upon arrival.
Please click here for more information.
Embassy of Canada to Belarus information
When travelling to another country, it is important to know where the Canadian embassy is located in the event of:
- A legal problem
- A lost passport
- The need to report a crime
It is advisable to make a copy of your original passport in case you lose it.
Canadian Embassy to Poland
Street Address:
ul. Jana Matejki 1/5, 00-481,
Warsaw, Poland
Tel.: 48 (22) 584-3100
Fax: 48 (22) 584-3101 or 48 (22) 584-3192
Email: [email protected]
Click here to access the embassy’s website
Please note that this is the website for the Canadian Embassy in Poland. There is no presence of a Canadian government office in Belarus.