Belarus Ruble
The ruble is the official currency used in Belarus. It is a standard decimal system, with each ruble being sub-divided into 100 kapeek. (The singular of kapeek is kapeyka). The currency is issued by the National Bank of the Republic of Belarus and there are no coins issued with the currency: it exists only in the form of banknotes. Notes are issued in denominations of 10 rubles, right up to 100,000 rubles. Since the ruble is now the only standard of measuring value, the kapeyka is no longer in circulation, existing on paper only.
The Belarus' ruble is signified by the letters BYR on the international markets and internally as Br.
History of the Ruble
The Belarus ruble has only been in circulation since 1992. Before this the Russian ruble was the standard of currency used throughout the Soviet Union, including Belarus.
In 1992, after the Soviet Union had effectively collapsed, the Belarus government established the National bank of the Republic of Belarus, to produce its own currency. Although notes were first issued in 1992, the Russian ruble continued to be used alongside the new currency and it was not until 1994, that the Belarus ruble became the official standard of currency.
This currency was not however, a huge success and it lasted only until the year 2000, when a new ruble was introduced that was worth 1,000 of the old rubles: in other words, the old ruble was devalued by 1000%.
This ruble continues to be in use today.
Originally moves were afoot to link the new ruble to the Russian ruble in an effort to ensure that it became more stable and durable. However, since then Belarus and Russian relations have become somewhat strained and as a result, Belarus has linked its ruble to the US dollar as opposed to the Russian ruble, as of 2008.
Getting hold of Belarus Rubles
ATM machines are quite plentiful within Belarus. You may have to notify your bank before you travel that it will be used in Belarus, but otherwise you will have no problems getting hold of them.
Like many other countries, you may well find that the ATM machines are much more plentiful in the towns and cities than they are in the less developed areas, such as the countryside.
One thing that you will definitely find is that Belarus is definitely a cash based society. They do not tend to accept credit cards as payment and in the villages and countryside, this is definitely the case. In the major towns and cities, some of the larger hotels will accept credit cards, but they may have a less favourable exchange rate and in addition may charge you extra for the privilege of using a credit card, so always make sure that you have some cash to use in an emergency.
You can exchange US dollars or euros (these are preferred to British sterling) at various kiosks and exchange centres as well as banks. A word of advice though, people are extremely reluctant to take any cash that is not 'new'. The notes they will exchange have to be completely unmarked, almost unfolded. They really do like them crisp and new. Whilst this may be a pain, it is worth getting hold of shiny and crisp notes before you land in Belarus, otherwise, you will simply find that your notes are not accepted, which can be a real pain, if this is your major means of funding your stay.
Travellers cheques can also be exchanged, but these should be in euros or US dollars, since these are the most favoured currencies.
Try to spend all your Belarus rubles in Belarus before you leave. If you have a lot left over and try to exchange them outside the country, you may well find that this is very difficult because people just do not wan to accept them. So take out or exchange only as much as you think you will want to spend or exchange rubles back before you leave, otherwise, it can be an expensive mistake!
Staying Safe
Belarus is generally a very safe place to visit, with travellers being generally welcomed and with little or no more risk to personal safety, than most people would expect at home.
There are some instances of street crimes, notably pick pocketing and since 2007 there have been an increase in muggings reported. Some foreign tourist have been subjected to 'car jacking' where there cars are stolen at knifepoint, but these incidents are not widespread. However, travellers are advised that if they do need to drive, particularly at night, they should be extremely careful and as a precautionary measure, doors should be locked at all times.
There are, in addition, tow areas where caution should be exercised. The first is in nightclubs. There have been reports that people in nightclubs are having their drinks spiked and then their money stolen. Date rapes do not seem to be the purpose of the druggings, it is mainly to steal money.
Secondly, travellers should exercise extreme caution in Minsk (the capital) if they see a demonstration or political rally taking place. Even bystanders can be arrested at these and the police simply arrest, they are not too bothered as to whether or not someone is an innocent bystander etc. Whilst you are likely to be released without undue delay, it is likely that the whole experience will simply be uncomfortable. So do not view these rallies or demonstrations as being something that is merely something to be viewed as 'interesting', it does carry potential risks, so simply walk on by and allow people to carry out their day to day business, without it becoming a spectator sport.
There have also been some instances where items in hotels are stolen, so it is always advisable to use a safety deposit box or safe in your hotel, again, just as a precaution. It may cost a little more, but it is worth being safe rather than sorry.
Using Belarus Rubles
The good news for anyone visiting Belarus is that it is much, much cheaper than other countries in Europe and really does offer value for money for travellers.
Due to the fact that Belarus is very much a country that has been influenced by Russia, it does have a real Russian feel to it. It is a landlocked country, almost sandwiched in, between Russia, Poland, Ukraine, Latvia and Lithuania, so to all sides it is dominated by the former Soviet Union!
One thing that you should be aware of is that the official languages used in Belarus are Belarusian and Russian. Belarusian is not as widely spoken as Russian. However, you may well find communication difficult if you do not know any Russian at all, so it is worth trying to learn at least a few phrases before you go. Many people now learn English at school and certainly you will find that in Minsk, there are reasonable standards of English spoken but only in the touristy type hotels, but in the more outlying areas, it will be Russian and Belarusian.
Eating and drinking are quite cheap activities in Belarus and the cost of a good meal out, even with lashings of vodka or beer, is still considerably lower than in the rest of Europe. The food tends to be quite 'solid' and the main staple ingredients in meals are potatoes, pork, some very heavy bread and beef. Interestingly people also seem to be developing a taste for 'Italian' pizzas, although these too tend to be much more dense than traditional Italian pizzas!
Vodka is everywhere in Belarus and for those who want to take home a really useable souvenir, vodka may be just the trick. It is available in all different guises, from quite cheap to very expensive, so you will have plenty to choose from: just beware, some of it may be very strong, so you could find yourself the worse for wear after just a few 'samples'.
Although little is known about Belarus in the West, it is actually a fascinating country, with a real mix of very densely populated areas in Minsk and then some very sparsely populated places in the countryside.
Minsk was practically destroyed in the Second World War and has been more or less rebuilt since then. But it was rebuilt in the Soviet style, with large anonymous blocks of Soviet style buildings, all soulless, faceless and with no character, as the needs and wishes of the individual was suppressed to make way for the 'greater good'.
One very interesting place to visit, for a variety of reasons is the former home of Lee Harvey Oswald (the man who shot President Kennedy). There are also some great museums to visit, many of which are free.
Shopping also offers really good value in Minsk, since many of the prices are substantially lower than western prices, but the quality is also very good.
If, however, designer labels are your thing, then check out the city of Brest, where you can find some excellent products at really reasonable rates.
Overview
Belarus is a relatively safe place to visit, with less crime than in some of the other former Soviet Union countries such as Russia and whilst Russia seems to have simply shrugged off its Communist past, Belarus has decided that it would like to progress or alter at a more steady and reserved pace.
Some people say that Belarus is more like Russia, than Russia is now and it may not have the most refined architecture or historic buildings, but for all that it has a really unique sense of identity and culture. Undoubtedly it will change as time goes on and become more and more Western or at least more capitalist, but this seems likely to be a gradual event.
The people are also keen to welcome travellers, since for a long time, they only saw other people from the Soviet Union, so for them, it is interesting to meet other westerners. They also want to 'show off' their country to foreigners, which is somehow quite enchanting. Belarus is not for someone who simply wants to lie on a beach for two weeks (after all it doesn't have any!) but for the serious traveller, it is a great experience.