Visiting Azerbaijan? Here Is What Should Be On Your Packing List

 

Azerbaijan is a country located in one of the most interesting regions in the world. Bridging the European and Asian continents, the former Soviet republic is known far and wide for its stunning natural features, such as its coastline on the Caspian Sea and the Caucasus Mountains.

 

Aside from its geographical wonders, Azerbaijan attracts visitors for its unique and complex cultures. The capital city of Baku is particularly renowned for its architecture, which effectively blends the old and the contemporary, highlighting the city’s storied past and embracing its exciting future.

 

All of these reasons and more combine to make Azerbaijan a compelling vacation spot. Fortunately, receiving a visa to visit is a simple process. For example, if you are a Canadian passport holder, you can get an online visa from the comfort of your home. All you have to do is fill out an Azerbaijan eVisa application from Canada.

 

The application asks for a few personal details and official documents. Once officials approve you for travel, you will be well on your way to experiencing what Azerbaijan has to offer to its visitors.

 

Read on to learn more about how to apply for an eVisa to Azerbaijan, what to expect once you have arrived, and what should be on your packing list.

 

Acquiring Your Azerbaijan eVisa

 

Visa applications can feel like a never-ending checklist. In some cases, they are almost enough to put you off the idea of traveling altogether.

 

Thanks to efforts by Azerbaijani travel authorities, the eVisa for Azerbaijan is no such case. You will need to supply officials with a few key pieces of information, such as your address, date of birth, phone number, passport information, and email address.

 

Additionally, you will need to upload a recent passport-sized photograph. Finally, you will have to pay a non-refundable visa application fee. This fee is non-refundable so be sure that you have all of the other components of your application prepared when you apply or risk forfeiting your fee.

 

It is a good idea to plan with regard to your application. Small issues can crop up throughout the process at a moment’s notice, especially if you are not careful about double-checking your information.

 

With that in mind, be wise about when you apply for your Azerbaijani eVisa. Successful applicants tend to hear back within 24-72 hours. Still, there is no reason to wait until the last moment and risk not receiving your eVisa on time for your flight so be sure to organize yourself with plenty of time.

 

What Type of Climate Does Azerbaijan Have?

 

Principal among the determining factors for how to pack for vacation is what type of climate your destination has. If you are heading for a beach holiday, there is no need to use up valuable suitcase space with a heavy jacket. Similarly, shorts and sandals won’t do you much good in the snow.

 

When it comes to Azerbaijan, it depends on where you are going and when. This may seem like an obvious statement but Azerbaijan’s unique location and geological features give it three distinct regional climates: north of the mountains, south of the mountains, and along the coast.

 

As you can imagine, the Caucasus mountain region is quite a bit chillier than the rest of the country. Unless traveling there during the peak summer months, be sure to pack for lower temperatures.

 

Other areas of Azerbaijan tend to be hot. This is especially true in the summer when temperatures can climb into the triple digits (Fahrenheit).

 

Lastly, Azerbaijan is famous for its strong winds. Even in warmer months, you may want to bring a light windbreaker to protect yourself from the elements.

 

Can’t Miss Places to Visit in Azerbaijan

 

Any trip to Azerbaijan must start with Baku. That is not only because it is the country’s largest city with the busiest airport. The capital also boasts an exciting mix of the old and the new. Unlike other cities that can say the same, Baku does not separate these two aspects of its identity, situating them among one another.

 

The best example of the old is Icheri Seher, which translates either as the old city or the fortress. In either case, anyone who wishes to understand contemporary Baku must begin their journey by learning about its past.

 

There is no better place to do this than Icheri Seher. A bonus to all of the learning is that the city’s most beautiful and famous craft markets are within the hallowed walls. Come for the history and leave with a souvenir.

 

One of Azerbaijan’s more unique features is its geological curiosities. The country has enormous natural gas and oil reserves and has managed to build a tourism industry around these treasures.

 

Take a trip to the Naftalan Oil Resort or stop off in Yanar Bulag to see the “burning water,” one of the most fascinating phenomena around.