Kazakh woman Sabina shared on Instagram the prices at a café in Charyn Canyon. However, the discussion went beyond the cost of dishes at a particular location. Kursiv LifeStyle found out what realities of Kazakhstan's tourist spots cause controversy on social media. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.

The woman said she had to pay 15,000 tenge for tea and baursaks for three people.

"When they say that tourism is not developing in Kazakhstan, it's clear why. I understand that the location is difficult, it's hard to deliver here, but there are more remote places. You charge 300 tenge for a paper takeaway bag. Maybe there will be a separate charge for cups?" the woman said.

Commenters split into two camps. Some once again spoke about the impossibility of traveling around the country on an average salary, especially with children.

"Few, even those living in Almaty and the region, can afford to go with family and children at such prices. Also Medeu, Shymbulak, and many places are unaffordable for ordinary people. Look at our prices, damn, as if all Kazakhs are wealthy,"

"It's shameful and sad for the country... we have many beautiful places, but it's cheaper to fly to another country and get high service for adequate money!"

"The main issue here is not the cost, but the price-quality ratio. What exactly are we paying for? For what my neighbor treats me to for free every weekend? We are friends, we share homemade food, and believe me: what they make in our cafes is nowhere near good home cooking. It's heaven and earth. So the author is great. Openly raising the topic and asking why they charge us such money is not shameful, it's normal!" users believe.

Others who have been abroad and can compare note that high prices in public catering in tourist places are a global practice.

"Charyn is visited by many foreign tourists, for whom 15,000 is only 30 euros. Mere pennies. I vacationed in Montenegro and paid 100 euros for a light lunch at a street café in Kotor. The country itself is poor. I asked locals why such prices. They replied that they themselves never eat in tourist places. But every day a huge liner from the US arrives, and tourists sweep everything away at any price," one user said.

Earlier, Kursiv LifeStyle wrote about how much it would cost to relax at Lakes Kolsai and Kaindy in Almaty region.