To its visitors, Croatia offers accommodation in various hotels, apartments, camp sites, bungalows, health resorts and spas or village estates.
HOTELS– guests in these facilities are provided with accommodation and food. Whether it is breakfast, half board or dinner as well, it depends from hotel to hotel. The hotel may consist of several, and a maximum of 4 buildings. Depending on the location and quality of accommodation are to be classified in the lower (2 or 3 stars) and higher categories (4 or 5 stars).
APARTHOTELS– facilities for accommodation in which 51% of units have to be apartments and other accommodation units can be rooms.
TOURIST APARTMENTS– accommodation units designed and equipped so that the guests can make their own meals.
STUDIO APARTMENT– accommodation units equipped so that guests can sleep, stay, prepare and consume food all in one room.
BOARDING HOUSE– smaller than hotels and modestly equipped, boarding houses provide their guests with accommodation and food. Depending of equipment and level of service provided, they are classified in categories (usually up to 3 stars)
MOTELS– mostly located near roads and highways, at the entrance to the city or between two distant cities these facilities are adjusted for short stays.
CAMPS– located all over country, camps offer relaxation in direct contact with the nature. They can be public or private. Camping in Croatia is very popular and the increasing number of guests recognized the charm of camping along the clean sea and rich tourist offer.
ROOMS FOR RENT– are accommodation units inside of a larger building, house or apartment. Depending on the household, guests can be provided with meal service.
VILLAGE ESTATE– located in rural areas, village estates are the facilities where guests can use the entire space of the household. Many of them also provide the possibility to participate actively in the life and work on the farm.
HOSTELS– Youth hostels are popular among young people because of their close proximity to the beach or city center, and because they offer accommodation at attractive prices. Most of the hostels offer joint accommodation. The guest rents a bed (usually a bunk bed), and share the bathroom, living room and kitchen with other guests.

Official currency in Croatia is the kuna (1 kuna= 100 lipa). Foreign currency can be exchanged in banks, exchange offices, post offices and in the majority of tourist information offices, hotels and campsites. Even though kuna is the official currency, some institutions (private accommodation, small restaurants, Taxis) accept euro, but to keep in mind, this is on unofficial basis and individuals are not obliged to accept the euro as currency.
Credit cards (Eurocard / Mastercard, Visa, American Express and Diners) are accepted in almost all hotels, marinas, restaurants, shops and cash machines. Travellers checks commission is 2%.

Before visiting Croatia, we wish to inform you about average prices of food, beverages, transportation and any other cost you should know. Prices here are lower than prices in Italy, Germany, Norway, and higher than prices in the Czech Republic. In average, Croatian spends 7% less money on food, then citizens of other EU countries.
FOOD– The average cost of meal in favorable restaurant is 60 HRK (7,9 €), medium expensive ones 120 HRK (15,8 €), top restaurants 300 HRK (39,5 €), while for fast food you will pay 35 HRK (5 €).
BEVERAGE– In most of the Croatian restaurants and bars, for coffee you will pay 7 HRK (0,6 €), for cappuccino 10 HRK (1,3 €), for bottled water (0,25 l) 9 HRK (1,2 €), for soda or juice (0,25 l or 0,33 l) 13 HRK (1,7 €), for domestic beer 13 HRK (1,7 €), and for foreign beer (0,33 l) you will pay 15 HRK (2 €).
MUSEUMS AND FESTIVALS– Ticket prices for museums and national monuments range from 20-100 HRK (2,6- 13 €), while ticket prices for festivals tend to be a bit more expensive, from 40- 350 HRK (5,2- 46 €).
TRANSPORTATION
TAXI- The average starting price you’ll pay for a taxi is 15 HRK (2 €), price per kilometer is 5 HRK (0,7 €), while for an hour of waiting time you’ll pay 40 HRK (5,2 €). We must note that in some cities for a taxi ride within 5 km you will pay only 20 HRK (2,6 €).
BUS AND TRAMS- The average ticket price for the city bus ride is 10 HRK (1,3 €), and between cities cca 150 HRK (20 €) (depends of the distance). Osijek and Zagreb are the only two cities that have trams, ticket prices are between 10 and 15 HRK (1,3- 2 €), but you can buy daily ticket at a price of 30 HRK (4 €).
TRAIN- Average price of the train ticket amounts approximately as much as bus ticket. For further information, please contact Hrvatske Željeznice (HŽ) www.hzpp.hr
PRICES OF FUEL- Fuel prices may vary on individual stations, depending on the pricing policy of the company. The average price is 10 HRK (1,3 €) per liter.
TOLL- During the last decade, Croatia is constantly renewing its highways and the main parts have so far been completed. Price of toll from Zagreb to the very south of Croatia is cca 223 HRK (30 €). Exact prices can be found on the official website of Hrvatske autoceste d.o.o. www.hac.hr

Speed limits:

• within settled areas 50 km/h
• outside settled areas 90 km/h
• on major roadways designed exclusively for motor vehicles 110 km/h
• on highways 130 km/h

Allowed quantity of alcohol on blood: 0,5 per mill.
During the summertime, on daylight, driving with headlights is not obligatory. Use of mobile telephones while driving is forbidden, and use of safety seatbelts is mandatory.

Custom regulations in the Republic of Croatia are almost entirely harmonised with EU regulations and standards, but the value of those non-commercial items that are brought into the country for personal use and are exempt from tax duty or PDV (VAT), is limited to only 1,000 HRK (kuna). Foreign and local currency and cheques may be freely taken in and out of the country by both foreign and Croatian citizens with foreign residence, but transfers of an amount of 10,000 Euros or more must be declared to a customs official. Valuable professional equipment and other technical devices must also be declared to a customs official at the border crossing.
VAT is refunded to persons who do not have permanent or temporary residence in Croatia, for individual goods purchased in Croatia, for amounts in excess of 740.00 HRK (Kuna), upon the presentation of a Tax Cheque form verified by a customs official during the export of purchased goods, at the latest 3 months from the day of purchase. Foreign nationals must claim Tax refunds within six months of the receipt issue date.
The permitted quantity of excise products that particular person (older than 17 years) can enter:

• 200 cigarettes
• 50 cigars
• 250 grams of tobacco
• 1 liter of strong alcoholic beverages (alcoholic beverage content greater than 22 %)
• 2 liters of medium strong alcoholic beverage
• 4 liters of wine
• 16 liters of beer

For further information contact Carina.hr www.carina.hr

Power supply: 220 V, frequency: 50 Hz

A valid passport or some other identification document recognised by international agreement; for certain countries a personal identity card is sufficient (a document which testifies to the identity and citizenship of the bearer).
The travel document which an alien is using to enter Croatia must be valid for at least another three months after the planned departure from Croatia and issued within the previous 10 years.
VISA– All aliens who are holders of valid Schengen documents, as well as national visas and residence permits of Bulgaria, Cyprus, and Romania do not require an additional (Croatian) visa for Croatia. All those who do not have such documents, must obtain a visa, and they can submit application for visa no sooner than three months prior to their travel. The issuance procedure has been simplified and speeded up. The average time of waiting is 5 working days, and the fee is 35€.
The procedure is very simple– it is enough to fill in visa application form and enclose the following documents:

• valid travel document
• color photo 35×45 mm
• valid travel health insurance
• proof of payment of visa fee
• documents that prove the purpose of journey, ensured accommodation, means of subsistence during the journey and stay, means of transport and intent for return to the country of origin

Aliens who require a visa for Croatia can fill out the visa application form on-line at crovisa.mvep.hr (available in English, Russian, Ukrainian, Albanian, and Turkish language). Visa applications can also be submitted at VFS Visa Application Centres. Detailed information: Diplomatic missions and consular offices of the Republic of Croatia abroad or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration of the Republic of Croatia: www.mvep.hr

The transport of house pets across state borders is possible only with the necessary veterinary documentation certifying the animals’ state of health. Cats and dogs must be fitted with an electronic identification system (microchip). When bringing your pet into the Republic of Croatia, it is your responsibility to meet all the conditions necessary for its importation. Please check, for instance, whether your pet has been vaccinated, that is, re-vaccinated, on time, whether an antibody titer test has been performed and whether it has a valid passport or veterinary certificate. If your pet does not meet these criteria, then your entry into the Republic of Croatia may be denied, that is, your pet can be returned to the country of origin or quarantined at the permitted border crossing.
In line with the Regulations on veterinary conditions for the non-commercial transportation of pets, the following animals species are considered as pets: dogs, cats, pet ferrets (Mustela putorius) from the marten family (Mustelidae), invertebrates (except for bees and crayfish), ornamental tropical fish, amphibians, reptiles, all bird species (except for poultry), rodents and rabbits.
General import conditions for pets coming from EU member states and low-risk countries outside the EU:

• They must be fitted with an electronic identification system (microchip). If the animal is fitted with a microchip that is not in line with the ISO Standard 11784 or 11785, the owner must provide the appropriate microchip scanner. The name and address of the animal’s owner must be determinable at all times. The animal’s passport or certificate, which is transported with the animal, needs to contain the microchip number which has been issued by a veterinarian
• They must be accompanied by a passport or certificate issued by a veterinarian authorized by the relevant body
• They must be vaccinated against rabies

Pets coming from high-risk countries must fulfill the following conditions:

• They must be fitted with an electronic identification system (microchip)
• They must have a veterinary certificate issued by an official veterinarian or, at re-entry, a passport (dogs from Croatia)
• They must be vaccinated against rabies
• They must have undergone a test on the neutralization of antibodies with the titration of antibodies equaling at least 0.5 IJ/ml on a sample taken by a certified veterinarian, in a certified laboratory, 30 days after vaccination at the earliest and three months prior to transfer. A list of authorized facilities can be found at the following web page: www.ec.europa.eu

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All Croatian cities and large towns have at least one clinic or hospital, while smaller places have dispensaries and pharmacies only. Foreign visitors who are covered by health insurance in their own country are not obliged to pay for emergency medical services during a private stay in the Republic of Croatia if a convention on Social Security has been signed between Croatia and the visitors’ country of origin, i.e. if they have in their possession a certificate stipulated by such a convention confirming their right to health care. Persons coming from countries with which no such convention has been signed personally, bear the costs of health services rendered.
The number you have to dial in case of an emergency of any kind is 112.

January 1st – New Year’s Day
January 6th – Epiphany
Easter Sunday and Easter Monday
May 1st – Labour Day
Corpus Christi
June 22nd – Anti-Fascist Resistance Day
June 25th – Statehood Day
August 5th – Victory Day and National Thanksgiving Day
August 15th – Assumption Day
October 8th – Independence Day
November 1st – All Saints’ Day
December 25th and 26th – Christmas Holidays

BANKS AND POST OFFICES– Monday to Friday, banks and post offices are open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturdays only in the morning. Nevertheless, during the tourist season working hours are usually extended. There are also plenty of ATM machines located in town, hotels, gas stations, etc.
If you are sending a letter or a post card, you can buy post stamps at kiosks and throw them in the mailboxes located outside of the post office.
GAS STATIONS– in bigger towns and most of the highways, gas stations are open 24 hours a day. In smaller places, they work mostly from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
PHARMACIES– Most of the pharmacies in bigger towns are open Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., while in smaller places they work part time. Saturdays they work only in the morning, and Sundays are closed.
SHOPS– Most of the smaller shops are open Monday to Saturday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., while Sundays are closed or work part time. Exceptions are shops in major tourist destinations where shops tend to be open until midnight. Also, across Croatia there are numerous shopping centers working every day from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Croatian phone number consist of 9 or 10 digits. If you are calling from foreign networks, it is necessary to dial the international access code 00 and 385. The largest network operators in Croatia are T-Mobile, VIP and Tele 2, and each of them has prepared a special prepaid offer for tourists to help them communicate with their loved ones without much cost.
T- Mobile offers a special summer package to all the tourists visiting Croatia- „Unlimited Surfing in Croatia“, and the offer includes:

• 7 days FLAT internet surfing at 4G speed up to 75 mbit/s
• nano, micro, SIM card
• 5 HRK remaining on the account

The price of the package is 85 HRK (11€) and it can be bought at T-centers, Tisak and iNovine kiosks, post offices, and at INA and Tifon gas stations. After 7- days expiration period you will receive a text message.
More info: www.hrvatskitelekom.hr
VIP– the Vipme International tariff is a service for your phone with affordable calls and internet on your vacation. You can reach fixed networks in countries covered by this promotion for only 0.06 €/min. The price of a SIM card is 1.3 € (10 HRK). SIM cards are available at newsstands, gas stations, supermarkets, post offices and Vip stores throughout Croatia.
More info: www.vipnet.hr
Tele 2– Tele 2 has prepared an excellent starter pack for the tourists during summer season- „Cheapest Surf & Call“, and for only 50 HRK you will receive:

• 3 GB of data
• 1000 minutes towards all Croatian networks
• Calls to landline networks in 16 European for only 0.39 HRK/min (0.05 EUR/min)*
• 10 HRK on your account

More info: www.tele2.hr

BY PLANE– Thanks to the cheap low cost airlines, more and more tourists come to Croatia by plane. There are regular flights towards Zagreb from almost every international airport. During summer season, some airlines operate towards popular destinations such as Dubrovnik, Pula, Split, Zadar and islands of Brač and Lošinj.
Airports in Croatia:
Zagreb airport- Pleso bb, 10 150 Zagreb, +3851 62 65 222, www.zagreb-airport.hr
Split airport- Kaštelanska cesta 96, 21 120 Split, +38521 203 555, www.split-airport.hr
Osijek airport- Vukovarska 67, 31 000 Osijek, +38531 514 400, www.osijek-airport.hr
Rijeka airport- +38551 842 132, www.rijeka-airport.hr
Zadar airport- +38523 205 800, www.zadar-airport.hr
Pula airport- Valtursko polje 210, 52 100 Pula, +38552 530 111, www. airport-pula.hr
Dubrovnik airport- +38520 773 377. www.airport-dubrovnik.hr
Lošinj airport- Privlaka bb, 51 550 Mali Lošinj, +38551 231 666, www.airportmalilosinj.hr
Brač airport- Terminal bb, 21 400 Supetar, +38521 559 715, www.airport-brac.hr
BY CAR– To enter Croatia, a driver’s license, an automobile registration card and vehicle insurance documents are required. An international driving license is required for the use of rent-a-car services. The permit is issued by the parent motor-club. During the summer season traffic at border crossings is more intense, what may cause some delay. The simplest way to travel trough Croatia is via highways where pay toll is mandatory, and during holidays you may encounter a longer delay on the way to the sea. To avoid such thing, head for “D8 state road” and make your journey unforgettable by magnificent landscapes whose beauty leaves no one indifferent.
Interactive map of Croatia – http://map.hak.hr/
BY BUS– Bus is the most used form of public transportation in Croatia, the country has an extensive network of long distance, intercity and international buses. All routes are operated by private bus companies, who have been issued licenses to serve specific routes. The main bus hubs in Croatia are Zagreb, Rijeka, Zadar, Split and Dubrovnik, from those cities you can reach most other cities in Croatia. During summer season, especially July and August, there is a large number of additional summer holiday bus routes to the Adriatic coast, from almost any country in Europe. Tickets can be bought at bus stations or on the bus and during the entire ride you must keep with you.
BY TRAIN– During the last few years, Cratian Railways (HŽ) increased the number of international lines. Currently there are direct railway lines between Zagreb and Budapest, Vienna, Munich, Frankfurt, Zurich, Ljubljana, Belgrade and Sarajevo. You can get to Croatia from the rest of the European countries using non- direct lines.
More info: http://www.hzpp.hr/en

International country code: +385
Emergency: 112
Roadside vehicle assistance (HAK): 1987
Information- local and intercity numbers: 11888
Search and rescue at the sea: 195
General informations: 18981