To ensure our guests enjoy amazing self drive vacations in Dagestan, we send them a small checklist upfront to help choose the right clothes and gear for the time of the year.

There we usually also mention the local dress code:

Beside on the beach, locals sually don’t wear shorts/short skirts or tops with bare shoulders as it’s not considered proper attire.
Please be so kind and respect this dress code also as a visitor.

Let me quickly explain why your visit to Dagestan will be even better when respecting the local dress code:

1. Hospitality is huge in Dagestan, and being invited to share a cup of tea or a meal with a local family is an absolute honour.  Please do not create a moral dilemma for your host by travelling in shorts etc….!  Dagestani hosts are often too polite to point out your faux pas directly, but be assured that after your departure, your host will probably be exposed to gossip from half the village for receiving such (apparently) disrespectful visitors.

2. Every region here also has conservative voices who are afraid that tourism may harm local culture and decay moral values. Just by the way you dress – you will either confirm existing negative stereotypes of ignorant (foreign) tourists or on the other hand burst those stereotypes by displaying knowledge and respect for the local customs.

3. International tourism is just at the very beginning in Dagestan. It might well be that you are the first “western” guest showing up in a remote village. The locals will therefore automatically assume that all Swiss / German / English / etc…  people are like you.
It is in your hand to leave a good first impression and represent your nation and fellow countrymen well in Dagestan!

If you have questions about Dagestan, you are welcome to get in touch (office@uazfamily.com or +7 937 3324 835)