How to Enjoy a Trip to Abkhazia
Every year, tourist Abkhazia gives plenty of reasons for discussion: people talk about prices, hospitality, interactions with locals, service, and share their impressions of vacations.
There are always those who dislike something, but among our readers there are often people who adore Abkhazia, happily return there every year — and are ready to stand up for the honor of their favorite vacation spot. The magazine Vokrug Sveta (Zhurnal “Vokrug Sveta”, Around the World magazine) gathered the opinions of such tourists to understand what exactly attracts people to Abkhazia and what to do if you want to go there and get the maximum enjoyment.
Respect local traditions
One commenter notes: «A wonderful country and wonderful people! I vacationed in August 2025 (in Gagra). A hotel on the shore, its own beach, all-inclusive dining, a clean large pool. The staff are very friendly and helpful. Room cleaned daily. Very beautiful grounds. We went on excursions, though with our own guide, Anechka, who has lived in Abkhazia for five years. We visited Pitsunda, New Athos, and Ritsa. The nature is simply mesmerizing.»
Advice to tourists: if you communicate with the local population respectfully and kindly, you will be treated the same way. Yes, they have their own customs, and you need to know them before you go. A man can be bare-chested only on the beach, and a woman in a swimsuit as well. Otherwise — by all means, shorts and T‑shirts are fine; no one will say anything. I will definitely return again for the cleanest sea and the beauty of nature».
«I’ve met all kinds of locals, but the majority are friendly, while many tourists — not so friendly… When you come to another country, remember the saying: “Don’t bring coals to Newcastle,” or, put another way, “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.”»
First of all, we are guests, by our own choice. In Apsny (Abkhaz name for Abkhazia) the doors are open, but you should enter and behave like a guest, not like an owner. If something doesn’t please you — you’ll know, and next time you can weigh that nuance against the decision to go again or not».
Plan your trip independently
Here’s what a user named Viktor Zaitsev says: «I read these publications and every time can’t shake the feeling that people look for problems out of thin air, in trifles that they then blow up to a universal scale, turning Abkhazians into monsters. Expensive, tasteless, stuffy, paywalled, unsanitary, dilapidated, no gloves… Seriously, you might as well let bears loose on Gagra’s promenade.»
My wife and I returned from Abkhazia on the third of September. For seven years now we’ve spent our vacation in Gagra every year. I book a hotel. We take private excursions, wherever we want if it’s new places. And if it’s somewhere we’ve been more than once (Ritsa, New Athos with the monastery and cave, Lykhny with a third‑century church), we simply rent a car with a driver for the whole day. We know where we’re going, we get what we want. And we pay for our wants.»
When were you last in Abkhazia? Or do you travel by pictures and little articles like “children, don’t go walking in Abkhazia”? Hotels have long offered buffets with three meals a day. And those who aren’t in Abkhazia for the first time have favorite places where they’ll welcome you, pour you a drink, and grill meat just the way you like it».
Align expectations with reality
Arina K. writes:
«I don’t understand what everyone wants from Abkhazia. Service? Then be decent people yourselves first. You’d go to Africa — there’s no service there either unless you go to a hundred‑star hotel. Do you have any sense at all?»
Another user notes:
«People who write negative things about Abkhazia are, for the most part, dissatisfied everywhere. I didn’t feel any rudeness or negativity; I’m vacationing here with my whole family, and dishes in the restaurant cost 400–700 rubles ($4–$7 at current rates). If that’s expensive, then honestly eat instant noodles».
And by the way, about prices…
Prices in Abkhazia
The cost of vacationing in Abkhazia sparks many arguments. Some write that prices are unreasonably inflated. However, our seasoned readers counter — you just need to do everything wisely.
Viktoriya Letunova writes:
«In Ldzаa (Pitsunda district) we stayed at a beachfront hotel, 1,500 rubles ($15 at current rates) per person, with all amenities in the room, including towels, and on‑site parking. We also traveled in our own car. We covered half of Abkhazia in two weeks.»
Another user traveled the country in a motorhome:
«2025, August. We went by motorhome; there were no problems. We bought insurance at the border and a SIM card in Gagra — cheaper and unlimited. We stayed at RV campgrounds, with prices from 1 ruble to 1,700 rubles ($0–$17 at current rates). Clean, with internet, hot and cold water, clean toilets, and an ideal sea. We ate in cafes and canteens — everything was tasty and edible».
A reader named Inessa writes:
«Two years ago we vacationed in the village of Psyrtsha (New Athos), for 800 rubles ($8 at current rates) per room. We stayed with two children; the beach was 400 meters away — sandy to the left, stones to the right. Facilities were on the floor. There was a large mandarin garden and a kitchen. Now it’s about 1,000–1,500 rubles ($10–$15 at current rates) per room for two».
And one more opinion from Natalya Ivanova:
«We arrived yesterday. We vacationed in Ochamchire. Excellent! Three meals a day, buffet, entertainment, pools, a private beach, a new hotel for 10 days for two — 60,000 rubles ($600 at current rates). There are no crowds in town, the beaches are empty, the water is clean, and there are no rotaviruses».
