Good to know
Good to Know
- Bakuriani is more cash-dependent than Tbilisi or Batumi due to its mountain location; plan to withdraw cash from a fee-free ATM early in your visit.
- Service charges (usually 10%) are often added automatically at upscale restaurants; check your receipt before leaving an additional tip.
- Never accept dynamic currency conversion (DCC) offers at ATMs; always choose to be charged in Georgian Lari for the best exchange rate.
- Wise and Revolut cards are excellent options in Georgia for minimizing fees on both ATM withdrawals and card payments.
- Tipping is genuinely optional in Georgia—service workers earn salaries and tips are appreciated but never expected.
- When paying by card at a restaurant, the service charge typically goes to the kitchen; tips left separately go directly to wait staff.
- Always carry small denominations (5, 10, 20 GEL notes) for tipping and small purchases, as change can be difficult to break at smaller establishments.
- Bank of Georgia ATMs charge 3 GEL per withdrawal; avoid them in favor of Basis Bank, Cartu Bank, or Liberty Bank.
- If staying in a traditional guesthouse or renting from a local host, confirm payment methods in advance—many accept cash only.
Banks With Fees
Bank of Georgia
- Typical Fee
- GEL 3.00
- Notes
- Fee not always displayed at ATM; may be charged as a surprise
Fee Free Options
Basis Bank
- Fee Status
- Fee-free for foreign cards
- Notes
- Green-branded machines where available
Cartu Bank
- Fee Status
- Fee-free for foreign cards
Liberty Bank
- Fee Status
- Fee-free for foreign cards
- Notes
- Most extensive ATM network across Georgia including smaller towns
Available Banks
Bank of Georgia
- Type
- Retail Service Center
- Address
- D. Aghmashenebeli str. 20a, Bakuriani
- Services
- Account opening, deposits, transfers, card services
Account Opening For Foreigners
- Process
- Foreigners can open personal accounts in-person or remotely through a representative.
- Timeline
- 2-5 business days for remote opening depending on the bank
Required Documents
- Valid passport (notarized copy if opening remotely)
- Completed KYC form from the bank
- Proof of source of income (e.g., bank statements)
- Georgian SIM card for SMS notifications
Cards
- Minimum Card Payment
- Some establishments may have a minimum card payment requirement of 10-20 GEL
- Notes
- Card acceptance is increasingly common in Bakuriani's hotels, restaurants, and ski facilities. Visa and Mastercard are universally accepted. American Express has limited acceptance.
Accepted Types
- Visa
- Mastercard
- Maestro
Tipping
- General Culture
- Tipping in Georgia is appreciated but not mandatory and not as firmly ingrained as in some Western countries. Service workers earn salaries, so tips are a gesture of appreciation, especially meaningful in the hospitality industry where wages are low.
- Cash Payment For Tips
- Always tip in Georgian Lari cash when possible; service workers often cannot easily exchange or use small amounts of USD/EUR
- Taxi And Transportation
- Tips not expected for taxi drivers but rounding up or tipping via Bolt app appreciated for excellent service
Restaurants
- Service Charge Percentage
- Many restaurants include 10% service charge automatically; check receipt before tipping extra
- Tip Method
- Cash tips in Georgian Lari are preferred and most appreciated
- Upscale Restaurants
- 10% is norm if service charge not included
- Service Charge Common
- Yes
- Casual Local Restaurants
- Tipping not expected; small change is a nice gesture
- Typical Tip Without Service Charge
- 5-10% for standard service
Guides And Services
- Tour Guides Group
- GEL 10
- Beauty Services Spa
- 10-15% tips are expected when you receive a service (e.g., scrub attendant)
- Tour Guides Private
- GEL 20
Availability
Limited in Bakuriani compared to major cities. ATMs exist in the town center but are scarcer than in Tbilisi or Batumi.
Withdrawal Limits
Typically 500-2000 GEL per transaction; most machines 500 or 2000 GEL
Cash Currency
- Local Currency
- Georgian Lari (GEL)
- Notes
- Cash is essential in Bakuriani for small establishments, traditional markets, street food, guesthouses, and tips. Mountain villages outside Bakuriani center are primarily cash-only.
Practical Notes
- Best Strategy
- Withdraw larger amounts from fee-free ATMs (Basis, Cartu, or Liberty Bank) to minimize trips. Carry a mix of cash and card.
- Mobile Wallets
- QR code payments via Georgian bank apps available but only useful with local bank account
- Cards Recommended
- Wise and Revolut cards work well in Georgia for both payments and fee-free ATM withdrawals at major banks
- Contactless Payments
- Apple Pay and Google Pay work at most card terminals in Bakuriani's main establishments and hotels
- Mountain Area Caveat
- Bakuriani is a mountain resort town, so cash is more essential than in major cities. Always carry enough cash for a full day of activities, as ATM access is limited and not all mountain guesthouses/small vendors accept cards.
Exchange Offices
- Location
- Found in larger towns (Borjomi is 40km away); much less common in Bakuriani itself
- Notes
- In cities with exchange offices, rates vary by 3-5% between offices; compare LED boards before exchanging. Airport rates are consistently 5-10% worse than city rates.
Cash When Needed For
Cash When Needed For
- Small family-run restaurants and cafés
- Mountain guesthouses and traditional lodges
- Street food vendors and local bakeries
- Bazaars and traditional markets
- Minibus (marshrutka) transport
- Tips and gratuities
- Small corner shops
Currency Conversion At ATM
- Dynamic Currency Conversion
- Always decline conversion offers at ATM and choose to be charged in Georgian Lari (GEL) for better exchange rates
Bank of Georgia maintains a presence in Bakuriani, enabling basic account opening and services for nomads and residents.
Account Types
Current accounts support transactions in multiple currencies (GEL, USD, EUR), ideal for international transfers and everyday transactions.
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this money & payments research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
More About Bakuriani
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.