Currency and money in Abkhazia

In Abkhazia, the Russian ruble is officially in use. All payments in the country in stores, money transfers, government payments, everything is made in rubles. In some tourist places, dollars or euros are accepted for payment, but the settlement rate is not profitable, it is much more profitable to pay in rubles everywhere.

In addition to the ruble, Abkhazia also has a national currency apsar, but as a means of payment it is not used, and has value only for collectors.

What currency to take to Abkhazia

If you are coming from the Russian Federation, then you need to go, of course, with rubles. There are no restrictions on the amount of imported currency, but amounts in cash equivalent to more than US $ 10,000 per person are subject to declaration (see Customs regulations of Abkhazia).

If you are not going to Abkhazia from Russia and you have dollars, euros or other currency in your hands, then it is best to exchange it for rubles at home or on the territory of the Russian Federation. This can be done even on the way from Adler airport in banks or exchange offices Adler. If this is not possible, then you will have to change dollars or euros in Abkhazia itself at an unfavorable rate. In addition, it is not so easy for tourists to exchange currency for rubles in Abkhazia, since there are very few banks, and they work on an inconvenient schedule. There are private exchange offices, but in them the rate is even more undervalued.

Plastic cards in Abkhazia

Plastic cards in Abkhazia are inconvenient to use. It is almost impossible to pay with a card anywhere, except when booking a hotel, excursion or tickets via the Internet. You can withdraw cash from ATMs of local banks or POS-terminals at the cash desks of banks, but there are very few of them. There are no ATMs or branches of Russian or foreign banks here. No additional commission is charged for cash withdrawals at ATMs (only your bank's Commission and conversion fee if the card is not rouble), 2% of the withdrawal amount is charged for withdrawals at POS terminals.

Addresses of banks of Abkhazia for cash withdrawal or currency exchange

Gagra

• Gagra-bank, Demerdzhipa STR., 28-a, working hours: 09:30-17:00, Sat, Sun-day off

Sukhum

• "Garant-bank", Pushkin St., 21, working hours: 09:30-17:00, Sat, Sun-day off
• KIBIT-Bank, Leon Avenue, 9, working hours: 09:30-17:00, Sat, Sun-day off
• Sukhum-bank, 31A Leon Avenue, 166 Eshba Street (Sukhum-market shopping center), working hours: 09:00-23:00, Sat, Sun-day off
• Universal bank, Lakoba STR., 31, working hours: 09:30-17:00, Sat, Sun-day off
• "Black Sea Development Bank", Lakoba STR., 31, working hours: 09.30 to 17.00, Sat, Sun-day off

ATMs in Abkhazia

Gagra

• 57/1 Abazgaa Street (universal bank)
• 55/4 Abazgaa Street (Sberbank of the Republic of Abkhazia)
• 165 V. Ardzinba Ave. (Sukhum bank)
• 147 V. Ardzinba Ave. (ATK building)
• Demerdzhipa STR., 28 - a (Gagra-bank)
• 35 Demerdzhipa Street (Amra bank)

Sukhum

• 31A Leon Ave.
• 31 Eshba Street
• St. Confederates, 1
• Universitetskaya STR., 1
• Avenue Aiaaira, 84
• Aidgylara Street, 10
• Universal bank
• Pushkin Street, 16
• 166 Eshba Street
• Pushkin Street, 21
• 31 Lakoba Street

Pitsunda

• 10 Gitsba Street

New Athos

• 16 Chanba Street (at the ticket office in the lobby of the New Athos cave)

Gudauta

• 20 heroes Ave. (Sberbank of Abkhazia)

Tips in Abkhazia

Tipping is not common in Abkhazia. In cafes and restaurants, service charges are already included in the bill, as well as in hotels. However, the refusal to surrender in a taxi, cafe, etc.is perceived with gratitude.