Where can you buy lari at a favorable exchange rate?

I recommend buying lari from money changers on the street, especially if it's small amounts, for example, $100. Why is that? When you think of exchange offices in Russia, Belarus or Ukraine, you immediately think of fortified walls, alarm systems, armed guards and other security measures. It's not quite the same in Georgia.

More often than not, in Georgia, you can find a small room where an elderly man sits and drinks tea, after which he'll take out a big bundle of money and count your lari. And cases of robbery or fraud in such exchange offices are practically nonexistent. It's also nice that the exchange rate on the street is slightly higher.

The only caveat to note is the exchange rate of companies that provide microloans and credit. Such organizations may offer a much higher rate than banks and money changers on the street. However, you must be prepared to provide documents, usually your passport.

After you give them the documents, they will scan them and ask for your phone number. Thus, you will be entered into the database as a customer of this organization, after which they will call you and aggressively offer their services.