First time to Nepal - tips & advice

Great questions. I write a blog to help tourists to come here and have a better time. It's listed on here, frugaltravelsnepal.

But to briefly answer your questions, Nepal is a very safe, friendly place. The heart of Kathmandu, Thamel, can be like any major, capitol city. There can be some unsavory characters. However, unless you are interested in drug activity I would be surprised if you loose more than a few rupees with an over-priced pashmina or something.

food safety ? Do not eat street food or buffets.
police ? They have the tourist police. You should log in their number as soon as you arrive 014247041
nightlife ? If you want night life you can find it with even after hours in 'underground' type night clubs in Thamel scams ? Most NGOs are ineffective at best, scams at worst
crime ? Very little violent crime against tourists. We are pretty much immune. But sometimes the poor, Nepali in the rural regions become discouraged due to no work. When a trekker comes along and is too cheap to hire even a porter/sherpa sometimes they wait in trees and jump down to rob them. I know no one should be robbed, but please support these people. A porter will only cost about $10 a day and they really struggle. Also, if you plan to do some trekking please bring something warm to give to a porter or random person along the trekking trail.

It is a deep culture. If you don't understand you can get the wrong impression. Please take the time to learn about the culture before you judge it. This is a lovely country with some extremely hospitable people.

im meeting a friend in KTM and its our first time there.
any tips ? tourist traps ? food safety ? police ? nightlife ? scams ? crime ?

second we'd like to rent an apartment / studio with kitchen.
where's the most convenient area to stay at ? budget $250 to $300.

and generally speaking; how are the Nepalese people towards foreigners ?
how should foreigners behave / interact with locals ?
is English widely spoken ?
is KTM much different than the rest of the country ? how ?

if anyone can answer some of these questions it would be much appreciated.

thanks