Croatia: Trip Preparation & Destination Information

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Croatia: Trip Preparation & Destination Information

About Croatia

Overview

Croatia is a land of ancient ruins, magnificent waterfalls, lavender fields, and a mix of Roman, Renaissance and Baroque architecture. This small country boasts 10 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the oldest being Plitvice Lakes National Park, home to 16 crystal-clear lakes that due to their minerals and organisms, as well as the positioning of the sun, will change color from turquoise to blue, to aquamarine, to green. Nicknamed “The Pearl of the Adriatic”, the coastal city of Dubrovnik is a medieval walled city, whose bastions, forts, and towers were built between the 12th and 15th centuries. Famous not only for its breathtaking scenery, Dubrovnik, with its medieval and dramatic architecture, was the backdrop for the filming of Game of Thrones. 

 

Disclaimer: Space is a precious commodity in Europe, especially in its most dense cities, be prepared for smaller hotel rooms. The same goes for bathrooms and elevators, don’t be surprised if they feel cozier than those in the US.

 

Capital City: Zagreb

Population: 3.95 million (2022 est.)

Currency: Euro 

Time Zone: Central European Time (GMT +2)

Emergency Number: 112

Outlet: Types C/F

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Packing List

Speak the Language

Language: Croatian is the most popular language in the country, and 95% of the population are Croatian native speakers.

 

  • Hello - Zdravo
  • Goodbye - Doviđenja
  • Thank you - Hvala vam
  • Do you speak English? - GovoriŠ li engleski?
  • How are you? - Kako si?
  • I’m fine, thank you - Dobro sam, hvala
  • What’s your name? - Kako se zoveš?
  • My name is… - Moje ime je..
    • Where is... - Gdje je..
        
    • An ATM - bankomat
    • The bathroom- kupaonica

 Google Translate: Google Translate: Download the Google Translate app or click here 

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Fun Facts


  • Croatia is one of the most verdant and green countries in the world. 10% of the country is home to 11 Nature Parks, 8 national parks, and 2 nature reserves. One of its most famous national parks is Plitvice Lakes National Park.
  • The Croatian currency, the Kuna, is named after the pine-marten, a cat-sized mammal that’s part of the weasel family. This is because, in the past, pine marten’s fur was used for trading.
  • Croatia has more than 1,200 islands, islets, and crags off the coast of the mainland. However, only 48 are inhabited. Hvar and Korcula receive the most visitors of all the islands.
  • Croatia is the home of the popular dog breed Dalmatians. The breed dates back to the 17th century. The coast is named after the breed.
  • Nikola Tesla was born in the northern Adriatic region of Lika.

Tipping

Tipping Suggestions: Tips for Guides, drivers and restaurants are not included. Tips provide supplemental income, and, while not mandatory, are greatly appreciated. If the local teams have added to the experience, please reward them.

Guides USD $10-15 per person/per day
Drivers USD $5-10 per person/per day
Restaurants  USD 10-20% of the total bill

 

FAQ

Where can I find information on travel safety? Check out the website for the most up-to-date information on safety while traveling. To minimize the risk of pickpocketing it is recommended to be discreet: don’t flash anything of value, keep a firm hand on your camera, and carry shoulder bags slung across your body. Overall it’s a good idea to avoid badly lit areas completely at night and deserted inner-city areas by day.

 

Is the water safe to drink? Yes, the water in Croatia is drinkable anywhere in the country, so no matter where you go, you should be able to drink from the tap.

 

Will all the hotels have Air Conditioning? Air conditioning is not standardized across Croatia, especially in coastal areas or mountainous areas known for historically cooler weather. 

 

Do I need a Visa? For Visa information, visit click here. Make sure your passport is valid for at least six months after you return home and has two or more blank pages. Otherwise, some countries may not let you enter.

 

What about vaccines? For vaccination information, click here.

 

Do you recommend travel insurance? While not required, we highly recommend all travelers get travel insurance for their trip to protect themselves from the unknown! Check out travel insurance options from our partner, worldnomads.com or from a provider of your choice.

 

What does public transportation look like? Public transport in Croatia is reliable and easy to use. Croatia’s public transport consists, above all, of an extensive bus and ferry network. You can also get around Croatia by plane, however, train travel within Croatia is unfortunately very limited.

 

How much should I pack? As we will be using shared transfers and spaces throughout our tour we recommend all travelers pack as lightly as possible. Please review our luggage restrictions below.

 

Is Uber or Lyft available? Uber and Lyft are available in most major cities like Zagreb, and Dubrovnik, as well as in coastal destinations like Split.

 

What about Wifi? Internet cafes and hotels in Croatia's large cities and tourist-orientated towns have wifi. Expect less internet accessibility in rural areas.

Luggage Restrictions

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