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|capital = [[Aqwa|Sukhumi]]

'''Abkhazia''' is a de fakto facto independent state on the eastern coast of the Black Sea and the south-western flank of the Caucasus. The country is recognised only by a few states, including [[Russia]]. The US views Western governments declared it as occupied by Russia, but you barely will see any of the Russian peacekeepers at all.

It Abkhazia was a part of the [[Georgia (country)|GeorgiaGeorgian]] SSR during Soviet times and most countries and the United Nations still consider it as a part of Georgia. Entering '''Abkhazia''' is illegal according to Georgian lawslaw. That's why travelling from Russia via '''Abkhazia''' to Georgia is curently not possible or connected with quite some difficulties for holders of non CIS-passports (July 2011).

===Hitchhiking===Hitchhiking in '''Abkhazia''' is definitely easy. It is recommended to read the [[E97]] article for specific information on hitchhiking in '''Abkhazia'''. Be aware that off the main road, especially in the southern districts, traffic can get very sparse.

Abkhaz drivers love to drive very fast, be aware of that and get out whenever you're afraid of crashing into roaming cows or horses along the way. Abkhaz police is very friendly in general, don't be afraid to hitchhike next to their police posts. Nevertheless, hitchhiking is possible everywhere, even inside the capital, and you won't wait long at all (most times, [[User:Platschi|platschi]] had no chance to even put his backpack off his shoulders).

''[[User:Redjo27|Redjo27]]: I went to Abkhazia in summer 2015 (which is tourist season) and I can say, that I had my worst hitchhiking experiences with locals there. They were shouting bad things, showing the middle finger and of course this had happened in other parts of the world as well, but not as often as in Abkhazia. Nearly everyone who stopped wanted money and one guy even a blow-job. I don't want to advice against going to Abkhazia, but I can just disagree about hitchhiking being easy in Abkhazia.'' ===Cities===

* [[Aqwa|Sukhum]] (Abkhaz: Аҟəа Aqwa, Georgian: სოხუმი, Russian: Сухуми)* [[Gal]]i

===Entry Permit===Holders of CIS passports can enter Abkhazia without any obligations, whereas each other traveller has to get an entry permit and a visa on the appropriate visa spot in advanceSukhum. Most likely you have to You can apply for an [http://www.mfaabkhazia.net/en/visa entry permit letter]online. [[User:Platschi|Platschi]] got his entry permit within two working days in June 2011. Afterwards, you have to get your visa at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in [[Aqwa|Sukhum]]. Note, that guards won't let you into the building if you are wearing shorts. Price in 2011 was 20$ USD (1 month tourist visa), to be payed beforehand in Rouble at a local bankor from 2012 you can pay in the ministry building. They don't stick it the visa into your passport, but if you do so yourself, you won't be able to visit Georgia another time.

===Sleeping===Abkhazians are in general extremely hospitable, so you won't have a hard time finding places to sleep there. Anyway, you can pitch your tent everywhere you want, just make sure not to be visible from the roads if you don't want to have plenty of friendly visitors caring about your safety. Next to that, in the Northern districts many people rent their rooms to tourists for a maximum of about 200-250 300 Rouble, depending on location.

===Transit===

Traveling from Russia towards Georgia is currently (December 2010April 2012) not advisablepossible. See aboveGeorgians will not let you in, if they let you in it would mean that have entered Georgia illegaly, according to Georgian law (Georgians did not check your passport on the border with Russia).  

There are rumours that the borders have reopened <strike>and Western travellers can go via Georgia to Abkhazia and further into Russia</strike>. According to the ''Ministry of Foreign Affairs'' of Abkhazia "transit from Georgia through Abkhazia to Russia is forbidden. You can only enter and back" (December 2010). Keep in mind though that you won't get an exit stamp by the Georgians in case of leaving to Russia, thus when entering Georgia another time, you'll most likely be not able to enter the country due to a missing exit stamp from the last time. Nevertheless, as of April 2012 it was still possible to enter to Russia after coming from Georgia. User [[User:Rozwal|Rozwal]] asked at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs whether he could go to Russia and was informed that Abkhazia is not a transit country and that it was not allowed. He tried anyway and without any problem and any questions asked he entered to Adler in Russia. * ''[[User:Rozwal|Rozwal]]: I really could not understand the whole deal with crossing to Russia. Literally every person in Abkhazia told me that it was not possible but on LonelyPlanet I found a lot of relations from people that did it. I went and I did it. However, maybe if they asked me if I came from Georgia and I confirmed they would not let me out? In my passport it is not possible to see whether I came from Russia or Georgia since neither of them give you stamps (Georgians do not give you stamps when you go to Abkhazia, Abkhazians do not give you stamps at all, and Russians do not give stamps at border with Abkhazia). So maybe they just assumed that I came from Russia and that's it? It is hard to say though. Anyway, after you cross to Russia after coming from Georgia, next time you come to Georgia, you are going to go to court and possibly to jail. As of July 2013, they are still working on changing the law to make it just a fine. But this is still not done. Good luck!

===TriviaMoney ===There are only few ATMs are not working in [[Abkhazia]](mostly in the capital), so make sure to bring some cash with you. Russian rouble The official currency is the currencyRussian Rouble, but you can exchange US Dollar or Euro Dollars and Euros in the capitalmost towns.

==Links==