Stepantsminda

Entry requirements vary by passport. Check the requirements for your specific passport on the Georgia page at Yoogo.

Georgia's currency is the Georgian Lari (GEL), divided into 100 tetri. ATMs are widely available in Tbilisi and Batumi, cards are accepted at most hotels and larger restaurants, but cash is essential in rural areas, guesthouses, and for marshrutka minibus fares.

Georgia is generally considered a safe destination, with violent crime against tourists being rare and the country ranking favourably on international safety indices. The Russian-occupied regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia are subject to travel warnings from multiple governments and should be avoided.

Tbilisi has a metro, city buses, and app-based taxis such as Bolt, making the capital easy to navigate affordably. Intercity travel relies on marshrutka minibuses departing from central stations in each town, with shared taxis and private hire also widely available for reaching mountain destinations like Stepantsminda.

Spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October) offer mild temperatures, fewer crowds, and the most comfortable conditions for sightseeing across the country. Summer is the only season when high mountain passes and trekking routes in the Greater Caucasus are fully accessible, though popular destinations become busier and prices rise.

Georgian is the official language, with Russian widely spoken among older generations. English proficiency is growing steadily, particularly among younger people in Tbilisi and Batumi's tourist areas, though in rural regions and smaller towns some Russian or a translation app may prove useful.

Standard travel vaccinations including hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and typhoid are commonly recommended for Georgia, and rabies vaccination is advisable for longer stays or travellers who may encounter animals. As of January 2026, Georgia requires all arriving foreign visitors to hold valid health and accident insurance as a condition of entry.

Tipping is not deeply embedded in Georgian culture, but it is appreciated in tourist-facing settings. A 10 per cent tip is a reasonable gesture at restaurants where no service charge is already included, while rounding up taxi fares or leaving a small amount at guesthouses is welcomed but not obligatory.

eSIMs are widely supported in Georgia, with providers such as Airalo offering data plans starting from a few US dollars for short visits. Coverage is strong in Tbilisi, Batumi, and along main highways, though signal can be limited in remote mountain valleys.