Do I need to carry my passport at all times in Batumi, Georgia, or is it safe to leave it in the hotel safe?

Locals and frequent visitors note that Georgia's crime rate is relatively low — after several trips to Batumi there were no theft incidents, especially when staying in mid-range or better apartments with security.

It's recommended to keep the original passport in the apartment safe (most secured complexes have one in the room) and carry only a photocopy of the document to the beach or on walks.

Some travelers instead prefer to always carry the original passport with them in any foreign country, reasoning that abroad the document should be on hand in case of an ID check.