How to Find Hotels in Baghdad, Iraq

There are few places in the world more fascinating than ancient Mesopotamia, the cradle of civilization, located between the historic Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. Iraq is a nation ever changing, with a rich history dating back several millennia. The current political climate makes travel here a challenge.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• A computer with Internet access for booking accommodations online
• A valid passport from your nation of origin
• A visa allowing entrance into the country

Know Your Destination

1. Know that Iraq has the second largest oil reserves in the world, which is why the country is so important in terms of Middle East politics.
2. Understand the country's unique status in the Muslim world. Iraq is the only Muslim nation populated by a Shiite majority.

Learn About Local Transportation

3. Avoid all non-essential travel; in fact, travel to Baghdad is discouraged by most, if not all, Western embassies. Check with your country's state department for the most up-to-date information.
4. Enter Iraq via one of its neighbors such as Jordan or Kuwait. Since visas to enter Baghdad are simply not being issued in most cases, this is the only way to enter the country.
5. Fly to one of Iraq's neighbors and take a connecting flight into Baghdad International Airport. Flights are few and sporadic.

Choose a Safe Hotel

6. Select accommodations in the Green Zone only. Accommodations are difficult to come by and prices are tough to interpret because of wanton inflation. Prices are usually very low, reflecting the state of the economy.

Know What There Is to See, if Travel is Possible

7. Visit the ancient site of Babylon to see one of the oldest historical sites in the world.
8. See the ruins of the ancient city of Ctesiphon, where a famous arch remains.
9. Visit Ur, renowned as the birthplace of Abraham. An incredible site of archaeological importance, Ur draws visitors over 2,000 years after its fall from power.

Tips & Warnings

• Register your arrival, presence and departure with your country's embassy. Embassies are not capable of providing protection for their own nationals, but you may have quicker access to updates and warnings if the embassy knows where you are.
• If you must visit the country, book within the Green Zone, as near to a place of security as possible.
• Avoid traveling in or near Ramadi, Fallujah, al-Hillah, al-Basrah, Kirkuk and Mosul. These areas are particularly dangerous and are have been cited as such in U.S. State Department travel advisories.
• Iraq is currently in the middle of an armed conflict, and is extraordinarily dangerous for foreigners, and Westerners in particular. Kidnappings for ransom are a constant danger.
• Getting into Iraq is incredibly difficult through official channels. Restrictions for security and safety reasons are stringent. It is strongly encouraged that you avoid or postpone anything but the most essential travel.
• Journalists and government officials are the only people currently receiving visas to enter Iraq.
• All vehicular travel is extremely dangerous, especially at night.