Despite the difficult epidemiological situation in the world, Abkhazia continues to receive guests this year. Tourists who miss the sun and the sea enjoy relaxing on the sandy beaches of the Black Sea, getting to know famous natural sites and visiting cultural attractions.
Is it worth going to Abkhazia now
Since August 1, the republic's authorities have lifted the restrictions on entry that were in effect during the pandemic. Now Russian travelers can freely cross the Abkhaz border. It is also not required to conduct tests for Covid-19 at any stage of the trip. According to Russian rules, returning from Abkhazia does not need to be tested. Thus, for those who doubt whether it is possible to go to Abkhazia, we recommend not to postpone the planned vacation and boldly go to the Black Sea resorts.
A warning
When crossing borders, vacationers should not have ARVI symptoms; all tourists need to have international medical insurance or a policy valid in the CIS.
What is needed to cross the border
To get to the republic, you must go through the border control in the village of Psou. The process takes about 30 minutes. The checkpoint is open around the clock, every day. Twice a day, half-hour shifts are carried out at the checkpoint (from 7-40 and from 19-40), which reduce the throughput.
Those who plan to cross the checkpoint on foot are advised to avoid busy periods: morning hours (from 08-00 to 11-00) and evening (from 19-30 to 21-30). Those traveling by private car will have to stand at the entrance to the republic from 8-00 to 12-00, at the exit - from 18-00 to 21-30. The queue at rush hours extends the border crossing by 1-3 hours.
Required documents
The following documents will be required at the border:
- to choose from: passport of the Russian Federation, foreign, diplomatic or service passports;
- birth certificate for children under 14 years old, Russian passport or foreign passport for children 14-18 years old;
- for those traveling by private car: a certificate of registration of the vehicle and a notarized power of attorney for the right to drive a car (if the car is not owned).
A visa, as well as a permit for the export of a minor in the absence of one of the parents, does not need to be issued.
For your information
You will not be able to cross the border in case of a ban on leaving from bailiffs (you can check on the website fssprus.net); the reasons are alimony and utility debts, outstanding loans, fines and taxes.
When is it better to go to Abkhazia
The country welcomes guests year-round: some choose a summer vacation in Abkhazia by the sea, others prefer to spend New Year's holidays in the republic.
High season is period from May to October... At this time, the resorts are ready for the arrival of vacationers: restaurants and eateries are open, public transport and taxis run, excursions are conducted.
Late spring the air warms up to 17-19 ° С, which makes walking comfortable even with small children. However, we recommend taking an umbrella on excursions, because a third of the month is rainy. The water in the Black Sea is still cold (no higher than 18 °), so it is too early to think about swimming.
June July pampers vacationers with warmth: the thermometer is kept at around 24-28 °. Swimming in the sea warmed up to 22-24 ° becomes pleasant.
The hottest period is August. Thirty-degree temperatures and high humidity are not to everyone's taste; It can be difficult for the elderly, as well as people with various diseases, to be on the beaches scorching from the sun. But children can easily endure such weather conditions: thanks to the sea warmed up to 26-27 °, they can spend whole days in the water.
September and first half of October are still suitable for swimming: the air temperature gradually drops to 24-26 ° C, and the sea cools down to 21. Autumn weather is ideal not only for a beach, but also for excursions. If you choose where it is better to relax in Abkhazia in September and October, it should be borne in mind that the hottest at this time are Ochamira and Sukhum (during the day the temperature is kept at around 30-32 °).
Deciding which city to choose for winter recreation, we recommend the capital. Since November, the tourism sector has remained developed only in Sukhum; shops, cafes and entertainment complexes are closing in Gagra, Novy Afon, Pitsunda and other resorts; it can be difficult to get to the surroundings by public transport.
However, many tourists deliberately choose the winter season. At this time, exotic fruits ripen (feijoa, persimmon, dates, etc.), bathing in hot springs becomes popular, and ski centers are opening.
For those who decide when to go to Abkhazia in the low season, we advise you to choose December and the first half of January with 10-12-degree daytime temperatures. The remainder of winter and early spring are often cloudy, rainy, and windy.
Gagra coast
Useful materials:
- All ways to get to Abkhazia
- A selection of good housing
- Nuances of travel by car
Where is the best place to rest in Abkhazia
Favorite places where you can relax in the republic are traditionally Gagra, Sukhum, Pitsunda, New Athos, Gudauta and Tsandripsh.
For years, Gagra has been holding the title of the most expensive and popular resort. The housing market, catering and excursion services are more developed here than anywhere else. Due to the presence of active entertainment (diving, rafting, jeeping, etc.), Gagra is especially attractive to young people. An alternative resort is only Sukhum, which will also be appreciated by lovers of cultural leisure. However, according to tourists, resorts are not suitable for a vacation in Abkhazia with children: due to the crowding of people on the beaches, hotels and restaurants are always noisy.
For those who are looking for where to relax in Abkhazia inexpensively, we advise you to consider Gudauta. The province cannot boast of an abundance of shops, cafes and entertainment, but even in the high season its beaches remain free (including one of the best in the country - "Gold Coast"). With its chic coastline, low prices and an atmosphere of tranquility, the resort is ideal for couples with children and older people.
According to tourists' reviews, a pacifying vacation in Abkhazia can be found in New Athos. The small town is known for its pebbly beaches, landscapes immersed in greenery, as well as a shrine - the New Athos Monastery. People come here to escape from the hustle and bustle in the bosom of pristine nature.
One of the places where it is better to relax in Abkhazia with children is quiet and cozy Pitsunda. Holidays in this region are devoted to walks along pine and cypress alleys, as well as swimming in the clear waters of the Pitsundo-Myussera nature reserve. In addition, the climate in the resort is not as humid as in Gagra, which makes the stay here especially comfortable for the elderly.
An alternative place where it is better to go to rest in Abkhazia for married couples and the elderly is Tsandripsh. The highlight of the uncrowded and inexpensive resort is the white cliffs found only here.
Boutique Hotel Apsuana Rose (Gagra)
Where to stay in Abkhazia
For those planning a trip to the Caucasus, we have selected several decent housing options with high ratings on the site Booking (more than 9 points) and inexpensive pricing policy. All options for hotels and apartments have only positive reviews from tourists.
AinLan (Sukhum)
The hotel is located just 550 meters from the beach. For 4000 rubles. per day, guests have the opportunity to use private parking, in the room - a refrigerator, kettle and hairdryer. The price includes breakfasts, which annually receive high marks from vacationers. Also, those staying at AinLan note a decent level of service and a convenient location of the hotel: next to the train station, market and the sea.
Boutique Hotel Apsuana Rose (Gagra)
Hotel "Apsuana Rose" is 400 m away from the coast. On its territory there is a restaurant (you can order room service) and a sauna. The hotel can be considered as an option where to relax in Abkhazia with children: there is a children's club for young guests. Among the pluses of Apsuan, vacationers call modern design, high-quality renovation and good location.
Daily accommodation with breakfast included will cost 4200 rubles.
Afon Resort Hotel (New Athos)
The hotel with views of the coast is one of the best places to relax in Abkhazia according to travelers' reviews. You can book a room for less than 3000 rubles. Rooms are equipped with TV, refrigerator and kettle. There is a shared lounge and bar on site; within walking distance - shops. As guests write, the service at the hotel is at the highest level.
Hotel Danelyan (Pitsunda)
The hotel is only 400 m away from the beach line. The closed area is equipped with a shared kitchen, a barbecue area and a playground; Each room has a refrigerator and kettle. In the reviews of vacationers about the rest in Danelyan, a stylish interior, a good location and the friendliness of the hostess are often mentioned. The cost of living is about 4000 rubles.
Alamys (Gudauta)
A guest house on the coast accepts guests for 2400 rubles. per day. Guests celebrate a spacious pebble beach with sun loungers and gazebos, as well as a cozy courtyard where you can relax in the evening. The place is suitable for lovers of secluded relaxation; there are no cafes or shops nearby. There is a tour desk in Alamys.
Tsitrus (Tsandripsh)
You can stay in a mini-hotel 600 meters from the beach for only 1600 rubles. For this money, guests can stay in rooms with a view of the orchard and leave a car in a private parking lot. Several cafes and shops are within walking distance from Citrus.
Where to go on excursions in Abkhazia
For those who doubt whether it is worth going on vacation to Abkhazia, we recommend that you get acquainted with popular excursions around the country. In addition to the Black Sea beaches, natural and cultural attractions are becoming the center of attraction for tourists.
On the site Tripster.ru you can find interesting offers from local residents where it is better to relax in Abkhazia and what to see. Among them, first of all, we recommend paying attention to the following:
- The excursion "All the colors of Abkhazia in one day" allows you to see Gagra, the visiting card of the country - Lake Ritsa and the nearby waterfalls "Maiden's Tears" and "Men's Tears"; walk through the caves of New Athos and examine its main shrine - the New Athos Monastery. The cost of a group bus tour is 1900 rubles. for adults and 1400 rubles. for children.
- "Ancient beauty in a one-day car tour" is an alternative version of the excursion described above, which allows you to see the best places in Abkhazia during an individual trip (price: 10900 rubles).
- The tour "Old Sukhum and hot springs in the village of Kyndyg" introduces the history and color of the capital, and also offers to combine cultural recreation with wellness procedures and tasting local cuisine. A twelve-hour trip will cost 3000 rubles for an adult and 1500 for a child.
Planning where to go on vacation in Abkhazia on their own, we advise you to pay attention to the picturesque Pitsundo-Myussera reserve with its ancient groves and pristine beaches, the striking size of the Yupsharsky canyon and the Gega waterfall flowing from the rock.
Useful materials
- Top attractions
- What to bring from vacation from souvenirs
- Entertainment and prices
Abandoned station "Psyrtskha and its pavilion, where tickets were sold
Vacation reviews
Most tourists highly appreciate the natural and climatic features of the country. “Here you have a rest with your soul, very hospitable people, beautiful nature and clear sea” - this is how the user of the site describes his impressions of the trip “Otzovik"(EP20, 11/17/2018). Among the advantages, vacationers call the knowledge of the Russian language by the locals, the low cost of fruit, and unforgettable excursions.
However, many tourists pay attention to the low level of service compared to other resort countries, the lack of VIP-level hotels, as well as underdeveloped medical, banking and trade spheres.
Abkhazia is one of the most beautiful regions in the Caucasus. Despite the nuances in the service sector, tourists are ready to return to this country to once again enjoy the clean Black Sea coast, comfortable climate and beautiful nature.
