Sochi’s resort season has begun with high prices impacting tourists’ spending. The cost of a vacation in Sochi has significantly increased this year, affecting everything from beach access to entertainment and food.

Many tourists are finding ways to avoid the high costs. Due to expensive airfare and limited train tickets, more people are driving to Sochi, resulting in traffic congestion. On the beaches, many vacationers are opting to lie on the narrow strip of sand between the water and paid sun loungers to avoid rental fees.

The central Adler beach “Chaika” has many unoccupied sun loungers, with prices starting at 800 rubles for a plastic one and 1,000 rubles for a rattan lounger. Bungalows cost 4,000 rubles, and clam-shell beds are priced at 3,000 rubles.

Tourists are noticing the increased costs of even basic items. A tourist from Yaroslavl, noted that water costs 100 rubles a bottle, ice cream is 300 rubles, and latte ice is 350 rubles. Beach entertainment such as banana boat rides cost 500–600 rubles, while jet ski rides are 1,500–2,000 rubles for 15 minutes.

Paid beach areas like the pool at Mandarín Beach are also expensive. Admission costs 3,000 rubles for adults and 2,000 rubles for children, with sun loungers an additional 700 rubles. A resident of Krasnodar complained about the high prices and poor quality of food at the pool’s cafe, citing a dish of red mullet costing 1,200 rubles for 200 grams and tasteless mussels priced at 1,350 rubles.

Even the “free” beaches are not entirely free from costs. Although accessible without admission fees, these beaches are now filled with paid amenities such as sun loungers, umbrellas, and bungalows. Swings along the water’s edge cost 300 rubles per hour or 2,500 rubles for the whole day.