You know that feeling when you stumble upon a destination so magnificent, so utterly captivating, that you wonder why more people aren’t talking about it? That’s exactly how I felt the first time I landed in Georgia—the country nestled between the Caucasus Mountains and the Black Sea, where Europe meets Asia in the most glorious cultural collision you can imagine.
But here’s the thing: as much as I fell head over heels for Georgia’s snow-capped peaks, its legendary wine culture, and the kind of hospitality that makes you feel like family within five minutes, I also made some spectacular mistakes during my visits. We’re talking taxi scams at the airport, getting stuck in the wrong season in the mountains, and that one time I wore shorts to a monastery (let’s just say the grandmother guarding the entrance was not amused).
After countless trips to Tbilisi, Batumi, Kazbegi, and remote villages tucked away in Svaneti and Tusheti, I’ve learned these lessons the hard way so you don’t have to. Georgia is experiencing a tourism boom right now—and rightfully so—but this rapid growth means some classic travel pitfalls are becoming more common. The good news? Nearly all of them are completely avoidable once you know what to watch out for.
Whether you’re planning your first Georgian adventure or you’re a seasoned traveler looking to explore this Caucasian gem, this comprehensive guide will walk you through the 15 biggest mistakes travelers make in Georgia—and more importantly, how to sidestep them entirely. From navigating the chaotic marshrutka system to understanding why you should never refuse a Georgian grandmother’s fourth helping of khachapuri, I’ve got you covered. Let’s dive in and make sure your Georgian journey is filled with unforgettable memories for all the right reasons.
Let me start with the mistake that catches nearly everyone: the dreaded airport taxi scam. Picture this: you’ve just landed at Tbilisi International Airport after a long journey. You’re tired, disoriented, and just want to get to your hotel. That’s when they pounce—friendly taxi drivers offering to take you to the city center.
Here’s what typically happens: the driver approaches you right outside baggage claim, promises to use a meter (which is often a sketchy app on their phone), and before you know it, you’re being charged 300-380 GEL (approximately $110-140 USD) for what should be a 30-40 GEL ride (around $11-15 USD). Yes, I’m talking about a markup of nearly 1000%. One traveler I met was told the Tbilisi Sea—a small reservoir outside the city—was actually the Black Sea (which is 400 kilometers away)!
How to avoid this mistake:
First and foremost, download Bolt or Yandex on your phone before you land. These ride-sharing apps are lifesavers in Georgia and will show you the exact fare upfront—usually 25-35 GEL from the airport to central Tbilisi. If you absolutely must use a physical taxi, agree on the price before getting in the car, and insist on paying in Georgian Lari (more on currency later).
Pro tip: When booking your accommodation through Booking.com, look for hotels that offer airport pickup services. Many guesthouses will arrange a driver for a fixed rate, typically around 40-50 GEL, and you’ll avoid the hassle entirely.
Daily Budget Reality Check:
Speaking of money, let’s talk numbers. Georgia is remarkably affordable, but you need to budget appropriately:
Essential prices to know: A bottle of water costs 1-2 GEL, a coffee runs 5-7 GEL, a full meal with wine at a mid-range restaurant is 25-40 GEL, and that gorgeous khachapuri you’ve been dreaming about? Just 10-18 GEL. Seriously, Georgia is a budget traveler’s paradise.
For travel insurance that covers your Georgian adventures (including those sketchy mountain roads we’ll discuss later), check out VisitorsCoverage for comprehensive plans starting at just a few dollars per day.
This is the mistake I made on my very first trip. I looked at the map and thought, “How hard can it be? Georgia is tiny!” Spoiler alert: I was spectacularly wrong.
Yes, Georgia is geographically small—you could technically drive from one end to the other in a day. But here’s what the map doesn’t show you: those winding mountain roads, the hairpin turns that make your stomach drop, and the fact that what looks like a two-hour journey can easily turn into five or six hours.
The Georgian Military Highway from Tbilisi to Kazbegi (now called Stepantsminda)? It’s only 165 kilometers but takes 3-4 hours minimum—longer if you want to stop at Ananuri Fortress, the Gudauri ski resort, or any of the dozens of Instagram-worthy viewpoints along the way. And trust me, you’ll want to stop. A lot.
How to avoid this mistake:
Don’t try to cram too much into your itinerary. A proper Georgia trip requires at least 10-14 days to do it justice. If you only have a week, pick two or three regions and explore them properly rather than spending half your vacation in transit.
Consider using GoTrip.ge—a platform I wish I’d known about earlier. It’s essentially long-distance Uber for Georgia, where you can book a private car and driver for routes between cities. Prices are fixed upfront (typically 30-40% cheaper than negotiating with a random driver), and you can stop wherever you want along the way. Perfect for that Georgian Military Highway journey or the drive to Batumi.
For exploring Tbilisi and other cities, book activities in advance through GetYourGuide. Their walking tours, wine tastings, and day trips are professionally organized and take the guesswork out of timing.
Let’s talk about something serious: road safety in Georgia is not a joke. Georgia has one of the highest road fatality rates in Europe, and after experiencing the driving culture firsthand, I completely understand why.
Georgian drivers are… let’s call them “creative.” They’ll create a third lane where only two exist, overtake on blind mountain curves, speed excessively, and sometimes drive under the influence. Pedestrians have virtually no right of way, even at marked crossings. The marshrutka (minivan) drivers are particularly notorious—I’ve seen them text while navigating hairpin turns on cliff edges.
In rural mountain areas, roads can be poorly maintained, with potholes, loose rocks, and sections washed away by landslides. Add unpredictable weather, inadequate lighting, and livestock wandering onto roads, and you’ve got a recipe for disaster.
How to avoid this mistake:
First, seriously reconsider renting a car and driving yourself, especially if you’re not an experienced mountain driver. The savings aren’t worth the risk. If you must drive, never do so after dark in rural areas, always drive defensively, and get comprehensive insurance coverage.
For most travelers, I recommend using a combination of transportation methods:
Absolutely avoid the decrepit marshrutkas for long mountain journeys. Yes, they’re cheap (often just 10-20 GEL), but they lack safety features like seatbelts, are poorly maintained, and the drivers’ behavior borders on reckless. The U.S. Embassy even prohibits its employees from using them.
If you’re renting a car through GetRentacar, make sure you’re getting a vehicle in good condition, and purchase the maximum insurance coverage available.
Timing is everything when it comes to Georgia, and showing up in the wrong season can seriously derail your plans.
Winter (December-February) sounds romantic with all that snow, right? Here’s the reality: unless you’re specifically going skiing in Gudauri or Bakuriani, winter in Georgia can be brutal. Tbilisi gets cold and gray, coastal Batumi is chilly and rainy (below 10°C), and many mountain regions become completely inaccessible. Roads to Tusheti, Svaneti, and other highland areas are closed due to snow. Plus, Georgia experiences frequent power outages during winter, meaning heating isn’t always reliable.
Summer (July-August) is peak season, which brings its own problems. Tbilisi becomes unbearably hot—we’re talking 35-40°C (95-104°F) with stifling humidity. Prices for accommodation and tours double or triple. The Black Sea coast is packed with tourists (mostly from neighboring countries), and train tickets to popular destinations sell out weeks in advance.
How to avoid this mistake:
The sweet spot for visiting Georgia is late spring (late April through June) or autumn (mid-September through early November). During these periods, you’ll experience:
If you’re planning to hike in Svaneti, Tusheti, or Kazbegi, aim for June through September when mountain trails are snow-free and passes are open. The Abano Pass to Tusheti, for instance, only opens around late May or June and closes by October.
Check weather conditions and road status before booking accommodation in remote areas—I learned this the hard way when I got snowed in near Vladikavkaz for two nights in December.
Here’s a mistake that caught me off guard: assuming you can use credit cards everywhere. While Tbilisi and Batumi have become increasingly card-friendly, much of Georgia still operates on a cash basis.
Many family guesthouses—which offer some of the most authentic and affordable accommodation in Georgia—only accept cash. The same goes for marshrutkas, small local restaurants, market vendors, and most tour guides operating in rural areas. I’ve seen frustrated travelers unable to pay for their meals or accommodation because they assumed their Visa would work everywhere.
Even more problematic: bringing the wrong currency. While you can exchange US Dollars or Euros for Georgian Lari, the exchange rates at airports and touristy areas are terrible. You’ll lose 10-15% of your money in unfavorable conversion rates.
How to avoid this mistake:
Withdraw Georgian Lari (GEL) directly from ATMs as soon as you arrive—you’ll get the best exchange rate this way. ATMs are plentiful in Tbilisi and other cities, and most accept international cards with reasonable fees.
Carry a healthy amount of cash when traveling to rural areas. For a week-long trip, I typically withdraw 500-700 GEL ($180-250 USD) in cash to supplement card payments in cities.
For managing your money abroad, I strongly recommend getting a Revolut or Wise card before your trip. Both offer:
With Revolut, you can even set spending budgets for your trip and track expenses in real-time—incredibly useful for staying on budget.
Pro tip: Always choose to be charged in Georgian Lari when paying by card, not your home currency. The “dynamic currency conversion” option that merchants offer almost always gives you a worse exchange rate.
This is where cultural sensitivity becomes crucial. Georgia is an intensely Orthodox Christian country—more than 83% of the population actively practices the faith. Churches and monasteries aren’t just tourist attractions here; they’re living, breathing centers of worship.
I learned this lesson the embarrassing way when I showed up at Svetitskhoveli Cathedral in Mtskheta wearing shorts and a tank top. The grandmother guarding the entrance stopped me immediately, her disapproving look speaking volumes before she even said a word. Lesson learned.
The non-negotiable rules:
For women:
For men:
For everyone:
How to avoid this mistake:
Pack accordingly! Even if you’re visiting in summer, bring:
Most major churches provide disposable headscarves and wrap-around skirts at the entrance, but don’t count on it—smaller churches and monasteries in rural areas often don’t have these amenities.
When booking accommodations through Booking.com, look for places that provide cultural briefings or have staff who can guide you on local customs.
This misconception can lead to serious communication challenges, especially outside major tourist areas. While younger Georgians in Tbilisi, Batumi, and Kutaisi often speak decent English, the older generation typically speaks Georgian and Russian—but definitely not English.
The Georgian alphabet is unique and completely unrecognizable to anyone unfamiliar with it. Street signs in rural areas are often only in Georgian, making navigation a genuine challenge. I once spent 20 minutes trying to find a specific guesthouse in Sighnaghi because I couldn’t read the street name, and nobody I asked spoke English.
How to avoid this mistake:
Download Google Translate with offline Georgian language packs before you leave home. The camera translation feature is a lifesaver for reading signs, menus, and written directions.
Learn a few basic Georgian phrases—locals genuinely appreciate the effort:
Get a local Georgian SIM card immediately upon arrival—you’ll need reliable internet for translation apps and navigation. I recommend Magti or Geocell, both available at the airport. A tourist package with 10-15GB of data costs just 15-30 GEL ($5-11 USD) and lasts 7-15 days.
For reliable connectivity without the hassle of physical SIM cards, consider Yesim—an eSIM provider that works instantly upon landing. Perfect if you have a newer smartphone that supports eSIM technology.
Pro tip: Screenshot or save offline maps of your destinations in Google Maps. Hotel addresses, restaurant names, and attraction details should all be saved beforehand, preferably with both English and Georgian text.
This scam is insidious because it preys on Georgia’s famous hospitality culture. Here’s how it works: you meet friendly locals (often on dating apps like Tinder, or they approach you on the street), they invite you for drinks at a “great local bar,” you have a fantastic time, and then—bam!—the bill arrives for 800-3,000 GEL ($300-1,100 USD) for a few drinks.
This happened to friends of mine in Tbilisi. They met a group who seemed genuinely friendly, went to a bar in what appeared to be a normal neighborhood, ordered what they thought were standard drinks, and ended up with a bill exceeding $2,000. When they protested, the “friendly” locals disappeared, and intimidating staff appeared.
The bars involved in these scams often aren’t listed on Google Maps or have no reviews—major red flags.
How to avoid this mistake:
Be extremely cautious about accepting invitations from strangers to specific bars or restaurants, especially if they’re insistent about the location. If someone you just met is steering you to a particular establishment, that’s a red flag.
My safety rules:
Stick to well-established areas like Fabrika in Tbilisi, the bars around Rustaveli Avenue, or the Batumi Boulevard area. Book restaurants in advance through GetYourGuide food tours to discover legitimate local spots.
This is less of a “mistake” and more of a missed opportunity that would be tragic to overlook. Many travelers stick exclusively to hotels and hostels in Georgia, completely missing out on one of the country’s most authentic experiences: the family guesthouse.
A guesthouse (stumari) is typically a family home where they’ve converted a few rooms for guests. But it’s so much more than accommodation—it’s a cultural immersion experience. Your hosts become your local guides, cultural interpreters, and often, lifelong friends.
When I stayed at a guesthouse in Mestia, the family included me in their supra (traditional feast), taught me how to make khinkali (Georgian dumplings), arranged a shepherd to guide me on a hike, and called ahead to reserve me a marshrutka seat to my next destination. All of this was included in the 40 GEL ($15 USD) per night rate.
Why guesthouses are incredible:
How to avoid this mistake:
Book guesthouses through Booking.com—many are now listed with reviews. Search for “guesthouse” or “homestay” in your destination.
Be prepared that most guesthouses only accept cash payment—another reason to keep Georgian Lari on hand. When you arrive, confirm the price includes breakfast and discuss dinner options.
Some of my favorite guesthouse experiences:
Pro tip: Guesthouses often don’t have 24/7 reception. Message your host in advance with your arrival time—they’ll wait for you with tea and often, a full meal.
You’re sitting at a supra (traditional Georgian feast). The table is overflowing with food: plates of khinkali, khachapuri, grilled meats, fresh vegetables, and so much wine. You think, “Perfect! Let’s eat and drink!” Wrong. You’re about to commit a cultural faux pas.
Georgian toasting is a serious, structured ritual led by the tamada (toastmaster). This isn’t “cheers and bottoms up”—it’s an art form with rules, order, and expectations that can make or break your experience.
The rules you must know:
How to avoid this mistake:
When invited to a supra, pace yourself—these feasts can last 4-8 hours with dozens of toasts. Georgian men typically consume 3+ liters of wine at a supra, but as a visitor, you’re not expected to match that.
If you can’t keep up with the drinking (and trust me, you probably can’t), it’s okay to take small sips rather than emptying your glass each time. Explain you’re not a heavy drinker—Georgians will understand, especially for women.
Never refuse food completely—it’s considered offensive. Try a little bit of everything offered. Georgian hospitality is intense; your host will keep refilling your plate. The phrase “Dido madloba, male vart” (dee-do mad-lo-ba, mah-le vart) means “Thank you very much, I’m full”—you’ll use it a lot.
Experience a proper supra by booking a traditional Georgian feast through GetYourGuide—you’ll get the cultural experience with a guide to help you navigate the customs.
Pro tip: If attending a supra at someone’s home, bring a gift—flowers (odd numbers only—even numbers are for funerals), chocolates, or a bottle of good wine. Never show up empty-handed.
Here’s where things get confusing: Georgia is blessed with incredible natural springs and mineral waters, but tap water safety varies dramatically depending on where you are.
In rural areas and small mountain villages, tap water is often sourced directly from mountain springs—completely safe and delicious. I’ve filled my bottle countless times from village taps in Svaneti and Tusheti without any issues.
But in Tbilisi? That’s a different story. The water quality itself might be okay, but the aging Soviet-era pipe infrastructure is the problem. If you’re staying in an old building, water might be contaminated with residue from deteriorating pipes. While it probably won’t make you seriously ill, it might not sit well with your stomach, especially if you’re not used to it.
How to avoid this mistake:
Carry a reusable water bottle and fill up at natural springs whenever possible—Georgia has countless mineral water springs, and locals will point you toward them. The famous Borjomi and other mineral waters come from these sources.
In Tbilisi and other cities, either:
For staying connected and finding safe water sources, spring locations, and more, make sure you have reliable internet with a Yesim eSIM or local SIM card.
Georgia is at a critical juncture. Tourism has exploded from barely registering on the international radar in 2010 to attracting millions of visitors annually. This rapid growth brings prosperity but also risks—overtourism, environmental degradation, and cultural erosion.
I’ve watched popular spots like Kazbegi and Sighnaghi transform dramatically in just a few years. What were once peaceful villages are now crowded with tour buses, and local prices have skyrocketed to match demand. If we’re not mindful, Georgia could lose the very authenticity that makes it special.
How to avoid this mistake (and be a responsible traveler):
Support local communities directly:
Minimize environmental impact:
Respect cultural heritage:
Book responsible tours:
Look for operators committed to sustainable practices through GetYourGuide. Many now offer:
Specific sustainable experiences to book:
Consider visiting lesser-known regions to help distribute tourism benefits more evenly: Racha, Adjara’s inland areas, Samtskhe-Javakheti, and Imereti are all spectacular but receive far fewer visitors than Tbilisi-Kazbegi-Batumi circuits.
I touched on this earlier, but it deserves its own section because it’s such a common mistake. Travelers look at Georgian maps and think, “Oh, it’s only 150 kilometers—should take about 90 minutes, right?”
Wrong. So wrong.
That 150-kilometer journey might take 4-5 hours because:
I once tried to visit Vardzia (cave monastery) as a day trip from Tbilisi. Google Maps said 3 hours each way. Reality? Nearly 5 hours each way, leaving me exactly 45 minutes to see one of Georgia’s most impressive historical sites before racing back. Rookie mistake.
How to avoid this mistake:
Plan realistic itineraries:
Break up long drives:
Use professional transportation:
For rental cars through GetRentacar:
Sample realistic travel times:
Georgia is an adventure tourism paradise—trekking in the Caucasus, paragliding over valleys, white-water rafting, canyoning, skiing in Gudauri, and zip-lining across gorges. It’s thrilling, exhilarating, and honestly, sometimes poorly regulated.
Here’s the uncomfortable truth: adventure tourism safety standards in Georgia don’t always meet international expectations. Equipment might be outdated, guides may lack proper certification, rescue infrastructure is limited in remote areas, and helicopter evacuation from mountain areas can cost $10,000-50,000.
Trails in places like Tusheti, Svaneti, and Kazbegi are often unmarked, weather changes rapidly, and cellphone coverage is spotty or nonexistent. I’ve hiked routes where the “trail” was just occasional cairns, and getting lost was a real possibility.
How to avoid this mistake:
Purchase comprehensive travel insurance that specifically covers:
VisitorsCoverage offers excellent plans for adventure travel starting at just $1-3 per day. Make sure your policy specifically lists activities like trekking above 3,000 meters, skiing, paragliding, and river rafting—many standard policies exclude these.
Additional adventure safety tips:
Book adventure activities through vetted operators on GetYourGuide—they verify safety standards and insurance coverage, giving you an extra layer of protection.
This would be the saddest mistake of all. Georgian cuisine is spectacular—a unique blend of Eastern European, Middle Eastern, and Central Asian influences that creates something entirely its own. Yet I’ve met travelers who stick to familiar chain restaurants or international food, missing out on one of Georgia’s greatest treasures.
Georgian food is diverse enough to satisfy any palate. Meat lovers will swoon over mtsvadi (grilled meats), vegetarians have countless options (many Georgian dishes are naturally vegetarian), and the bread—oh, the bread—is worth the trip alone.
Must-try Georgian dishes:
Khinkali: Soup dumplings filled with spiced meat or mushrooms (for vegetarians). The technique matters—hold them by the topknot, take a small bite, suck out the hot broth (carefully!), then eat the dumpling. Don’t eat the topknot—it’s too doughy. Costs: 0.80-1.50 GEL each (about $0.30-0.55)
Khachapuri: Cheese-filled bread that varies by region. Adjarian khachapuri is boat-shaped with an egg and butter on top; Imeretian khachapuri is round and pizza-like. Costs: 10-18 GEL ($3.50-6.50)
Lobiani: Like khachapuri but filled with seasoned beans—hearty and delicious. Perfect for vegetarians. Costs: 8-15 GEL
Pkhali: Vegetarian cold appetizers made from spinach, beetroot, or eggplant mixed with ground walnuts and garlic. Costs: 5-8 GEL per plate
Badrijani Nigvzit: Eggplant rolls stuffed with walnut paste—incredible. Costs: 8-12 GEL
Churchkhela: The “Georgian Snickers”—strings of nuts dipped in concentrated grape juice. Sold by street vendors for 3-5 GEL
Georgian Wine: Georgia invented wine 8,000 years ago. A glass of house wine costs just 5-10 GEL ($2-3.50), and a bottle starts at 15-25 GEL in restaurants
How to avoid this mistake:
Embrace Georgian food wholeheartedly:
Budget-friendly eating:
Where to eat like a local:
Book food tours and Georgian cooking classes through GetYourGuide—they’ll introduce you to dishes and restaurants you’d never find on your own.
Georgia is one of those rare destinations that exceeds even the wildest expectations—if you know how to navigate it properly. The country sits at that perfect sweet spot: undiscovered enough to feel authentic, developed enough to be accessible, affordable enough for any budget, yet special enough to leave permanent marks on your soul.
I’ve watched Georgia transform over multiple visits, and while tourism growth has brought changes (some good, some challenging), the country retains that magical quality that makes travelers fall head over heels. The warmth of Georgian hospitality isn’t a marketing slogan—it’s genuine. The food isn’t hyped—it’s legitimately delicious. The landscapes aren’t photoshopped—they’re actually that spectacular.
But like any destination experiencing rapid tourism growth, Georgia has its pitfalls. The mistakes I’ve outlined aren’t meant to scare you off—they’re meant to help you have the experience of a lifetime without the setbacks that can turn a dream trip into a frustrating one.
Your Essential Georgia Toolkit:
Before you leave:
Upon arrival:
During your trip:
Essential apps to have:
Money management reality:
On a comfortable mid-range budget, expect to spend 200-300 GEL per day ($70-110 USD), which covers:
Budget travelers can absolutely manage on 100-150 GEL daily ($35-55 USD) by staying in hostels or budget guesthouses, eating at local spots, and using public transport.
Here’s my challenge to you: Go to Georgia. Go with open eyes, an open mind, and an empty stomach (you’ll fill it quickly). But go prepared.
Use this guide as your roadmap to avoid the rookie mistakes that can derail your trip. Book smart (use those affiliate partners I’ve recommended—they’re genuinely useful services I rely on myself). Travel responsibly. Support local communities. Respect the culture. And for the love of all that is holy, never—and I mean never—refuse when a Georgian grandmother offers you more food.
Georgia will challenge you, delight you, confuse you, and ultimately, change you. It’s a country that demands you slow down, share meals that last six hours, toast to things you didn’t know needed toasting, and embrace a culture that treats strangers like family within minutes.
The mountains will take your breath away—sometimes literally, when you’re gasping at 3,000 meters. The food will expand your waistline and your culinary horizons. The wine will flow freely (so freely). And the people? The people will restore your faith in human kindness.
I’ve returned to Georgia six times, and I’m already planning trip number seven. Each visit reveals new layers, hidden valleys, undiscovered villages, and family guesthouses where I’m welcomed like a returning son. That’s the magic of Georgia—it never runs out of surprises.
If this guide has been helpful (and I sincerely hope it has), then you’re going to love what’s coming next. I’m constantly exploring new destinations, uncovering travel hacks, discovering hidden gems, and yes, making mistakes so you don’t have to.
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Drop a comment below sharing your Georgia experiences, questions, or concerns. I personally respond to every comment because I believe the best travel advice comes from collective wisdom. Have you been to Georgia? Made any of these mistakes? Discovered something I missed? Share it!
Your Georgia adventure is waiting. The mountains are calling, the wine is flowing, the khachapuri is hot from the oven, and somewhere, a grandmother is preparing a guest room just for you.
Safe travels, and Gaumarjos! (Cheers!)
Frank
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