What is the best currency to take to Abkhazia to avoid a bad exchange rate and not be left without cash?

If you are planning a trip to Abkhazia, the best and most convenient option is to take Russian rubles. The ruble is the official means of payment in the republic, and all transactions in shops, cafes, markets, and for excursions are made in rubles. There are no restrictions on the import of cash rubles, but if the amount exceeds the equivalent of 10,000 US dollars per person, it must be declared at the border.

There is no particular point in taking dollars or euros. In some tourist places they may be accepted for payment, but the exchange rate will be extremely unfavorable for you. It is much easier and more profitable to exchange dollars or euros for rubles before entering Abkhazia — for example, in banks or exchange offices in Adler or Sochi. In Abkhazia itself, it is difficult to exchange currency: there are few banks, they work on inconvenient schedules, and private exchange points offer even worse rates.

Can you pay by card in Abkhazia?

Plastic cards are accepted in Abkhazia, but not everywhere, so you cannot do without cash entirely. Recently, the situation has been improving: many shops, cafes, and even private traders at markets accept payment via Sberbank transfer or QR code. However, to be safe, always have enough cash rubles with you.

You can withdraw cash from cards at ATMs of local banks, but there are very few of them. There are no ATMs of Russian banks here — the local "Sberbank" is not related to the Russian Sberbank. Withdrawing cash from ATMs in Abkhazia using Russian bank cards may incur a fee. The exception is T-Bank (formerly Tinkoff) Mir cards, which allow you to withdraw up to 100,000 rubles per month without commission. Withdrawals at POS terminals (at bank counters) usually charge 2% of the amount.

Where are ATMs located in Abkhazia?

Here are a few addresses where you can withdraw cash:

• Gagra: 57/1 Abazgaa Street ("UNIVERSAL-BANK"), 28-A Demerdzhipa Street ("GAGRA-BANK"), 165 V. Ardzinba Avenue ("SUKHUM-BANK").
• Sukhum: 31A Leona Avenue, 31 Eshba Street, 21 Pushkina Street, 31 Lakoba Street.
• Pitsunda: 10 Gitsba Street.
• New Athos: 16 Chanba Street (near the ticket office of the New Athos Cave).
• Gudauta: 20 Geroev Avenue (Sberbank of Abkhazia).

We have detailed all the nuances of money in Abkhazia, including bank fees and exchange tips, in our reliable and honest guide in the article Currency and Money in Abkhazia. We recommend reading it before your trip to avoid unpleasant surprises.

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