Tourist Scams in Georgia

Most Tbilisi street taxis ignore meters entirely and negotiate fixed prices instead. Drivers routinely quote foreigners 3–5 times the fair local rate, knowing tourists have no reference point for what a ride should cost.

How to avoid: Download Bolt before arriving — the fare is set upfront and cannot be changed. Yandex Go is a good backup. If you must negotiate a fare, research typical prices online for your route first, and agree on the amount in writing or show the driver the destination on a map.

At Batumi International Airport, unofficial individuals position themselves in the arrivals hall presenting themselves as official taxi dispatchers or transport coordinators. They steer arriving passengers to unmarked vehicles charging three to five times the standard rate to the city center or the boulevard hotels. Official taxis wait outside in a designated rank and metered Bolt/Yandex app rides are available but require walking past the unofficial dispatchers.

How to avoid: Pre-book a Bolt or Yandex Go ride through the app before landing — the driver meets you outside the terminal. If taking a street taxi, walk past anyone inside the arrivals hall and go directly to the official taxi rank outside. Agree on the price before entering any non-app taxi; the standard rate to the city center is roughly 15–25 GEL.

Nightclubs on Batumi Boulevard and in the Piazza Batumi complex present bills that include unordered bottles, "VIP table" fees applied retroactively, and hostess charges that were not disclosed before entry. Bills are sometimes presented in lari amounts that are difficult to dispute after alcohol consumption.

How to avoid: Confirm whether there is a table minimum or cover charge before sitting. Ask for a price list and get any bottle service confirmed in writing with the price before accepting. Pay incrementally rather than running a tab.

Short-term apartment rentals in Batumi's high-rise developments advertise daily rates on booking platforms that exclude mandatory resort fees, utility deposits, and cleaning fees that can add 30-50% to the listed price. Some buildings apply a daily "building usage fee" not disclosed until check-in.

How to avoid: Read the full pricing breakdown including all fees before confirming a booking. Contact the host directly before arrival to get the total all-in cost in writing. Use platforms with transparent fee disclosure.

Scammers create fake listings for apartments in Vake and Sabashvili districts with photos stolen from real properties, offering below-market rent. Travelers book and prepay but the apartment either does not exist or is already occupied. Money is lost and no accommodation appears. Similar listings reappear weeks later under different user accounts.

How to avoid: Use platforms with strong buyer protection guarantees. Request a video call tour of the property before paying. Verify the listing history—new properties with no reviews are higher risk. Call the stated landlord using numbers from their official website, not contact info on the booking site alone.

Individuals dressed in dark clothing or partial uniform approach tourists on Rustaveli Avenue claiming to be plainclothes police conducting a currency inspection or drug search. They request to examine the tourist's wallet, passport, or bag, and then pocket cash or swap genuine banknotes for low-denomination replacements before returning the wallet. The Georgian national police do not conduct random wallet checks on the street, making this a straightforward impersonation scam.

How to avoid: Never hand your wallet or passport to anyone on the street, regardless of the badge they show. Real Georgian police wear clearly marked uniforms and operate from identifiable vehicles or fixed checkpoints. If you are uncertain, ask to be taken to the nearest police station — genuine officers will comply.

Money changers on Batumi Boulevard and near the old town market quote competitive lari rates but shortchange during the transaction using fast-counting methods. Some booths display one rate on the board but apply a different rate during the transaction, claiming the board rate applies only to large amounts.

How to avoid: Use ATMs (Bank of Georgia, TBC Bank) for GEL withdrawals at interbank rates. If using a change booth, verify the exact rate that will apply before handing over currency and count all notes received before leaving the counter.

Teams of pickpockets work the Batumi Boulevard seafront promenade, particularly in the crowded sections between the Musical Fountain and the alphabet tower. One member creates a distraction — spilling something, asking for a photo, or staging a minor argument — while an accomplice targets bags and pockets. The long, densely populated promenade is Batumi's main tourist artery and attracts persistent petty theft operators, especially during summer evenings.

How to avoid: Wear a cross-body bag kept in front of you while walking the boulevard. Decline assistance from strangers who approach immediately after any incident near you. Keep your phone in a front pocket rather than a back pocket or dangling from your hand.