Attitude Toward Russians in Abkhazia — Myths and Reality

Before our first-ever long trip — nearly two weeks — to Abkhazia, our family was seriously concerned about the attitude of the local population toward Russian tourists. This was partly because a significant portion of the republic's population consists of Georgians, not all of whom are loyal to Russia after the still-fresh memory of military conflict.

Online, one can find plenty of reviews about how Russians are treated in Abkhazia. And these reviews are diametrically opposed — from 'Abkhazia is paradise, Abkhazians are angels' to the exact opposite: 'Dirt everywhere, scary to step outside in the evening, girls should walk around with a machine gun.' Oddly enough, this very confusion in the comments of seasoned travelers helped my husband and me make a decision — we decided to go, but left our children with their grandparents. And come what may!

Personal Experience: How Russians Are Actually Treated

I stand behind every word written here. I do not speak for others — only for myself. The impressions from our vacation were unforgettable! From the people, too — only the best emotions and very polite, hospitable treatment. They say that toward those Russians who do not just vacation here but live or plan to buy property, the attitude can be cautious and sometimes even hostile. But toward tourists — always with a smile, always with a joke, always ready to help.

We never encountered rude scammer taxi drivers trying to take you the long way around half the city. We did not meet gloomy locals who would refuse to help us find our way to the next landmark. We did not notice any biased treatment in restaurants with exquisite cuisine and a consistently cozy, home-like atmosphere.

But we did notice — more than once — a carafe of wonderful wine at dinner offered as a 'compliment' from the establishment. And we saw friendly faces everywhere. Yes, there are indeed issues with lighting and sanitation in certain places. But, ladies and gentlemen, that has nothing to do with whether our brother is loved in Abkhazia or not.

Conclusions and Recommendation

My conclusion: I do not know if they love us or not, but Russian tourists are definitely respected in Abkhazia! I fully admit that this respect may be purely mercenary — employment in Abkhazia is mediocre at best, and many families live mainly on what they earn from tourists during the season — the overwhelming majority of whom are Russian.

Finally — a few words of voluntary advertising. If you plan a long vacation in Abkhazia, I recommend the mini-hotel 'Valentina' in the village of Gantiadi. We stayed in the simplest economy double room. Everything was clean and cozy, with air conditioning and heating if needed. A good shared kitchen was also a great help. Thank you to the hotel and to Abkhazia for the warm welcome, gentle sun, and magnificent sea!