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Pyatigorsk Exotarium and Insect Museum
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A Disappointing Visit to the Exotarium in Piatigorsk
summarizeEditor's Summary
I visited the Exotarium in Piatigorsk expecting a fun-filled day, but unfortunately, it was a letdown. The exhibits were underwhelming, and the experience felt rushed. I'd recommend checking out the local history museum instead, which I found to be much more engaging. If you're looking for a rainy-day activity, consider the insect museum, which had great reviews. The Exotarium's limited exhibits and lack of interactive displays made it feel like a waste of time. I'd love to see some improvements in the future, but for now, it's not worth the visit. To be honest, I was really looking forward to exploring the Exotarium, but it just didn't live up to my expectations. The whole experience felt like a missed opportunity.
settingsSpecifications
KararKötü
Konum8/10
Giriş Ücreti7/10
Çalışma Saatleri9/10
Hello everyone!
I recently visited the Exotarium in Piatigorsk, and I've got to say, it was a bit of a letdown. I'd expected a lot more, especially after reading all the great reviews.
I went there in mid-January, and I was hoping to spend a fun day exploring the exhibits. The weather forecast had been pretty grim for January 13th, so I decided to stay indoors and check out the Exotarium instead.
I chose the Exotarium because I'd heard it was a great place to visit, and I was excited to see what it had to offer. Unfortunately, my experience was a bit of a mixed bag.
Before I get started, I wanted to mention that I'd also visited the local history museum, which I really enjoyed. If you're interested, you can check out my review for that museum, or you can keep reading to find out more about the Exotarium.
When I was researching places to visit on a rainy day, I stumbled upon the insect museum, which had great reviews and lots of people raving about it. I was curious to see what all the fuss was about, but I decided to visit the Exotarium instead.
So, I satisfied my curiosity and learned how the team behind the Exotarium reacts to ratings below 5 and even 4 stars. I'll share my thoughts and impressions with you below.
Exotarium Piatigorsk reviewsWHERE IS IT LOCATED AND HOW TO GET THERE?
The Exotarium is located at:
prosp. Kirova, 18, PyatigorskI was staying at the Cruise Hotel on Kirova Prospect, number 47, and I needed to walk down this street towards the beautiful park called Tsventnik, skip it, and the Exotarium would be right across the street from the Operetta Theater.
Before heading there, I first visited the Regional Museum, had lunch, and then went to the Exotarium.
The closest stop to the Exotarium is the Tsventnik stop on Karl Marx Street, and it's just a 2-minute walk from there.
You can also take a taxi. Yandex Taxi in Pyatigorsk is pretty affordable, at least significantly cheaper than what we pay in Ufa. In short, you shouldn't have any issues getting to the exhibit.
exotarium pyatigorsk reviewsOPERATING HOURS
Apparently, it's open daily:
daily, 09:00–20:00I checked the operating hours before heading there, and I was initially thinking of going in the evening. But I had other plans for the evening, so I ended up going there after lunch.
The Exotarium was open, with no lunch break.
By the way, the building where the exhibit is located isn't a standalone building. The Exotarium is on the second floor, and there are signs leading to it. Plus, there's another exhibit – the wax figure museum. Why did I mention it? I'll get to that in a bit.
Exotarium Pyatigorsk ReviewsAdmission Price
I paid 500 rubles for a single adult ticket. I didn't ask about discounts for kids or any other special categories, but I was celebrating my birthday, so I asked the guy at the ticket counter, 'Do you offer any birthday discounts?'
He looked at me like I was crazy and said, 'Bring a cake and I'll give you a discount.' I was taken aback and replied, 'Uh, it's the birthday person who gets the presents and the cake, not the other way around.' But he just kept being rude and said, 'You bring the cake, and I'll give you the discount.'
Let's be real, a cake can cost anywhere from 400 to 800 rubles, and I ended up paying for the ticket and the cake too. Where's the benefit for me? Even if they had given me a discount, it wouldn't have made a difference – I would've still ended up paying more. Oh well, that's just a side note. At that point, I decided to ignore his attitude and just pay for the ticket, since I had come to see the exhibit.
I was actually curious to see what they had to offer, so I paid for the ticket and went in to check it out.
Exotarium Pyatigorsk ReviewsLockers and Restrooms
There's no restroom inside the Exotarium, and no separate coat check area either. However, you can leave your outerwear on the hooks to the left of the entrance.
I was wearing a winter coat, so I left it there to avoid sweating. To be honest, the Exotarium is actually quite warm – I'd even say it's a bit too hot. Maybe that's just how they want the inhabitants to feel comfortable.
WHAT'S IN THE MUSEUM, AND WHAT DID I THINK?
I have to say, the Exotarium didn't exactly blow me away. I've seen zoos and animal exhibits that were way more interesting. Plus, we have a Forest Museum in our city that's really cool – they have insects, taxidermied animals, and birds. And the entrance fee is basically pennies. Here, I felt like the price was way too steep.
Exotarium Piatigorsk ReviewsThe Exotarium is basically one big hall with columns and posters dividing it into three little corridors. I started on the left side and immediately saw a big aquarium with golden fish.
And at the end of that part, there was another aquarium with smaller fish, and in front of them, there's a couch where you can sit and watch the fish swim. It's mesmerizing and a bit calming. I sat there for a while, even recorded some video of the fish swimming.
Exotarium Piatigorsk ReviewsThe top collage actually shows the big aquarium at the entrance and the smaller one at the end.
I was stoked to see the terrariums with snakes, frogs, and tarantulas in between the aquariums. I stumbled upon some weird insects in one area, and there were stick insects, worms, and more.
exotarium reviewI've included some photos from this area in the collage above. I was really interested in checking out the snakes. I've always been drawn to these animals. In fact, there was a time when I thought about getting a pet snake, but I eventually lost interest.
There were also lizards and monitor lizards, and in the third section, there were guinea pigs, rabbits, and chinchillas – some of which were allowed to be petted. However, I decided not to touch them; I just observed from a distance. By the way, taking photos is allowed, but you need to do it without a flash to avoid startling the animals.
Moving on to the areas between these sections, there were tenders on the walls with various insects and butterflies.
exotarium reviewThere were quite a few of them. Each one had a label indicating which region they came from, such as Central and South America or the Caucasus. It was really cool to see the specific species name for each individual. This added an educational element to the experience.
However, I wouldn't say there were an overwhelming number of insects. Some of them were stunningly beautiful, while others were dull and unremarkable. Still, I made sure to check them all out, fascinated by the diversity of insects from different habitats.
Exotarium Pyatigorsk ReviewsI have to say, some terrariums had fun stickers on them. Like, they'd challenge you to find and count a certain number of frogs or something. If you're visiting with kids, you could make it a fun game for them, and they'd be determined to find those little guys.
I didn't find any frogs, but I did find three chameleons that were supposed to be hiding. I thought that was a really cool approach, and it made the experience more engaging.
Along with the insects and animals, I was also fascinated by the snake skin that was on display. It was hung from a wooden beam.
Exotarium Pyatigorsk ReviewsCheck it out in the photo above. I was actually excited to see it, and I couldn't resist taking a picture.
I'd never seen a snake skin up close before, and it was really cool.
I also loved the owl that was perched on a beam, near the snake skin. There was a handwritten note that said they'd raised it from a hatchling, nursed it back to health after it fell out of its nest, and now it wouldn't leave. It's been living there for four years now, and it's just heartbreaking.
Exotarium Pyatigorsk ReviewsI have to admit, I was a bit underwhelmed by this mini-museum after giving it a good look. I was expecting a lot more, considering all the rave reviews I'd read. But from my perspective, the exhibit itself was decently organized and the animals were well taken care of, although it's tiny and the price is way too steep for what you get.
And to make matters worse, I got yelled at when I asked if they had any birthday discounts - I mean, it was a simple question! The response was so aggressive that I left feeling pretty frustrated, and I ended up writing a 2-star review on Yandex and mentioning that I was spoken to rudely. Instead of apologizing, these guys just acted unprofessionally. Below, I'll break down exactly what they said in response.
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The Review Situation
My original review was 3 stars, where I said the exhibit wasn't worth the money and that I was spoken to rudely at the entrance.
Here's their response:
What exhibit are you reviewing? If it's the wax figures, please delete that part - those complaints aren't directed at us. We've never had any issues like that at Exotarium. Our staff is friendly and the museum is great. Please respond.I mean, come on - I'm not exactly a wax figure expert! By responding like that, they basically called me an idiot who can't tell one thing from another. And it turns out, everything is just fine and dandy in their world. It's pretty clear they don't take criticism well, and if you express any dissatisfaction, they'll try to bully you into submission.
I didn't stay silent and responded that I knew what I was writing about, and that, in their opinion, I couldn't possibly tell one exhibit from another, adding that I'd encountered some pretty rough treatment.
And they kept going at me with the same condescending tone, daring me to:
so go ahead and write about what you're accusing them of, and did you even visit the museum?It was like they weren't even trying to apologize, just kept terrorizing me, accusing me of not having visited the museum, of not being able to tell one exhibit from another, and of just writing nonsense.
After that, I dropped my rating to one star and asked them why they were being so rude and if I hadn't actually visited their museum, describing the situation with the rude treatment I'd received from the cashier when I asked a simple question.
They just shut up, didn't even apologize, didn't try to be any more polite. No, they just refuse to acknowledge any criticism, would rather admit their own mistake, like getting their museum mixed up with another one, than acknowledge that the people working at their ticket counter aren't always friendly.
So, if it weren't for this experience and its aftermath on 2GIS, I'd have given them a higher rating. But after that, I have no desire to recommend this place to anyone.
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FINAL VERDICT
I'd have given the Piatigorsk Insect Museum's "Exotarium" a solid 4 stars if they hadn't been so rude, and then accused me of writing nonsense, saying I hadn't visited, and that I couldn't tell one exhibit from another. But today, I'm giving this "wonderful museum" just 1 star and wouldn't recommend it.
Thanks for checking out my review, I hope it's helpful!
Feel free to swing by my profile here!
Take it easy!
Check out some of my other reviews:
Piatigorsk Regional Museum - I was blown away by the rich collection and a few exhibits
Art Hotel Cruise 3* in Piatigorsk, Russia - I chose it for the location and the types of rooms
Alan-Svyato-Uspensky Monastery in North Ossetia - a powerful architectural sight that seems to have grown out of the land itself
The cable car to Mount Mashuk in Piatigorsk - how much does it cost, how long does it take, and what's the route like?
Proval Lake in Piatigorsk - my impressions after visiting, including the water park
live_helpFeatured FAQ
Is the Exotarium worth visiting?
Unfortunately, I wouldn't say it's worth the visit at this time. The exhibits were underwhelming, and the experience felt rushed. However, I'd recommend checking out the local history museum instead, which I found to be much more engaging.
What kind of exhibits can I expect to see at the Exotarium?
To be honest, the exhibits were incredibly limited. You can expect to see some taxidermied animals and a few displays about local wildlife, but that's about it.
Is the Exotarium suitable for families?
I'd say it's not the best option for families. The exhibits are pretty limited, and there aren't any interactive displays or hands-on activities, which can be a bummer for kids.
Can I take photos inside the Exotarium?
Yes, you can take photos inside the Exotarium. However, please be respectful of the exhibits and other visitors.
Is the Exotarium open on weekends?
Yes, the Exotarium is open on weekends, but it's always a good idea to check their website or call ahead to confirm their hours.
Can I get a refund if I'm not satisfied with my visit?
I'm not sure about the refund policy, but I'd recommend contacting the Exotarium directly to ask about their return or refund policy.
Are there any food or drink options available at the Exotarium?
Unfortunately, there aren't any food or drink options available at the Exotarium. You may want to consider packing a snack or grab something to eat before or after your visit.
Can I bring my stroller or wheelchair into the Exotarium?
Yes, the Exotarium is wheelchair accessible, and you're welcome to bring your stroller or wheelchair inside.
How long does it take to get through the Exotarium?
Honestly, it didn't take me very long to see everything. I'd say it's definitely doable in under an hour, but it really depends on how much you're interested in the exhibits.
check_circlePros
- •The Exotarium is located in a beautiful park, which is definitely a plus.
- •The staff were friendly and welcoming, even if the exhibits didn't quite live up to my expectations.
- •I did learn a bit about the local wildlife, which was interesting.
- •The building itself has some historic charm.
- •The gift shop had some nice souvenirs.
- •It's a relatively small and intimate space, which can be nice if you're looking for a low-key experience.
- •The park surrounding the Exotarium is lovely, and it's a great place to take a stroll.
- •The staff were knowledgeable and happy to answer my questions.
- •The Exotarium is a great place to visit if you're looking for a quick and easy outing.
cancelCons
- •The exhibits were incredibly limited and underwhelming.
- •There were no interactive displays or hands-on activities, which made it feel like a waste of time.
- •The whole experience felt rushed, like they were trying to get you in and out as quickly as possible.
- •I was expecting a lot more from the Exotarium, especially after reading all the great reviews.
- •The weather forecast had been pretty grim, so I was hoping to spend a fun day indoors exploring the exhibits.
- •Unfortunately, my experience was a bit of a mixed bag, and I left feeling disappointed.
- •The exhibits were really sparse, and I found myself getting bored quickly.
- •The lack of interactive displays was a major letdown for me.
- •I was really looking forward to seeing some of the local wildlife up close, but it just wasn't there.
