BASIC DATA - MONEY AND TRADE - FIRST AID - COMMUNICATIONS - DOCUMENTS AND REGULATIONS - DRIVERS - TRAVELING - TIPS FOR TRAVELERS - DANGERS

BASIC DATA 
area 56691 kilometars square - the land
31067 kilometars square - the sea
population 4 800 000
nationalities Croatians (mostly), Serbs, Hungarians, Czechs. Slovacs, Italians, Bosnians, Germans
capital city  Zagreb (aprox. 1 000 000 people)
coast-line 5835 km coast-line
4057 km coast-line of the islands
number of islands 1185 (66 inhabited)
climate Mediterranean along the coast - warm and sunny days and warm nights (in the summer)
continental in the inner part of the country - warm days and fresh evenings (in the summer) 
official language  croatian
official letters latin alphabet 
religion roman-catholics (mostly), orthodox, muslims and others
state constitution  parliament republic
elctrical voltage  220 V, 50 Hz
weather forecast  Croatia is in the GMT +1 zone. The zone is changing to GMT +2 fom last Saturday in March until the Saturday before the last Sunday in October.
drinkable water   The water from the pipe is drinkable in almost whole Croatia.

 MONEY AND TRADE
currency Official currency in Croatia is Kuna (devided into 100 lipa). The foreign currency can be exchanged in banks, post offices and official money exchanges, tourist agencies and hotels. Eurochecks can only be exchanged in banks. Payments for all goods can be done by credit cards and cash. Foreign citizens can get foreign currency for not-used kune based on the presentation of the account only in the bank, when they are leaving Croatia. There is a limit for the export of Croatian currency- 2000 kn.
The bank working hours are from 7 am until 7 pm, from Monday to Friday. The working hours on Saturday are until 1 pm. In the bigger towns some banks are opened even on Sundays.
credit cards   all major world credit cards - American Express, Diners Club, Eurocard/Mastercard, Visa etc. can be used
notification of tourist stay The tourist pay a fee for every day of their stay (aprox. 1 Euro a day). The children up to 12 years of age do not have to pay for this fee and children from 12 to 18 years of age have to pay half of the fee. All tourists have to be registered with the owner of accomodation at the local tourist office. The tourist board has to issue a written permit for the stay of every registered guest.
 
tax return  Tax return can be asked by the tourists who do not spend more than 500 kunas with a certified document "Tax Checque". Tax return will be announced in the period of 12 months.
Informations: Hrvatski carinski servis - Croatin custom service(tel: + 385 1 61 02 333) 
working hours  Shops and stores are opened from 8 am until 8 pm, from Monday to Friday and from 8 am until 2 pm on Saturdays. The fewer number of stores is closed by 4 pm. The most stores are opened on Sundays, especially in the summer. The fewer number of stores in the cities is opened 24 hours a day. The companies and comunal services usually work from 8 am until 4 pm from Monday to Friday.
 
holidays January 1 - New Year, January 6- Holly three kings, April 24, 2000. - Easter Monday, May 1- Labour day, May 30 - Dan državnosti, June 22 - Victory over fascism day, August 5 - Dan domovinske zahvalnosti, August 15 - Vela gospa, November 1 - All Saints, December 25-26 - Christmas holidays
tips The tips are not included in the food or beverage prices. If the tip is earned, it should be around 10% from the bill amount. Taxi drivers mostly do not expect a tip but they will appreciate it.

prices product quantity price (Kn)
coffe 100 g 6-9
sunflower oil  1 Lit. 10-12
olive oil  1 Lit.  44-60
sugar 1 kg 5-7
domestic beer (Pan, Karlovačko, Kaltenberg.....) 0.5 Lit. 3,10-3,60 
wine  1 Lit. 6-18 
wine- bottled (middle class) 0.75 Lit 18-55
egg 1 piece  1,10-1,40
bread 1 kg 2,80-5,40
soft cheese  1 kg 36-195
hard cheese  1 kg 50-120
"Pampers" dipers  44 pieces 63-85
daily papers  1 piece  6
weekly magazine 1 piece 10-12
juice 1 Lit.  10-20
Coca Cola 2 Lit. 13
pork meat  1 kg 25-50
young beef  1 kg 40-50
beef 1 kg 23-45
chicken  1 kg 25-35
calf meat  1 kg 40-195
lamb meat  1 kg 50-80
domestic cigaretts (Ronhill, Walter Wolf....) 1 box  11 
licenced cigaretts (Marlboro, Winston...) 1 box  16
mineral water  1.5 Lit. 4,60-6,10
petrol Normal  1 Lit. 6,60
petrol Super 1 Lit. 7,43
petrol Eurosuper 1 Lit. 6,83
diesel/Eurodisel 1 Lit. 5,42/5,69
motor oil  1 Lit. 22-88
 
 FIRST AID 
medical assistance During his/her stay in Croatia each tourist has a right to medical care in every hospital, ambulant or a clinic. The prices of services are nominal and they equal the prices payed by Croatian citizens. The visitors from Slovakia, Czech Republic, Polland, Hungary and Grat Britain should bring their passports only. The tourists from other countries should have another suitable document beside their passport. Slovenian guests can use their health cards. For the special medical care in private clinics guests pay the same price as local people.
veterinarian assistance  there is a number of veterinarian clinics in all major cities and towns
health preventive  Despite a relatively good medical protection, it is best to take precations in order to avoid unpleasant situations during the trip. The most important thing is to avoid an extensive sun exposure, wear a hat and sunglasses and use sun-lotion with high protection factor, especially during the warmer part of the day (from 11 am until 3 pm).
Drink plenty of water to avoid a feeling of exhaustance and dehidration! The flowing water is drinkable (if it is not - it will be marked). The bottled spring water is sold in all stores.

Swimming is not recomended right after meals, so wait at least two hours before you jump into the water after lunch. The sea urchins like the clean sea of Croatian Adriatic and the best protection from their pricks are the plactic sandals for swimming.
 
 COMMUNICATIONS
telecommunications The post offices are opened from 7 am until 7 pm and until 1 pm on Sundays. There are bigger post offices in bigger towns that are opened until 10 pm during the summer. The stamps are sold in post offices and on kiosks. The public phones can be used only with calling cards. The cards can be bought in post offices, kiosks and hotels.
GSM communication  There are two GSM networks in Croatia - CRONET and VIPNet (both operating on 90 MHz). Croatian GSM networks have a trade agreement with GSM operators in numerous world countries. Guest-users of GSM can receive special information about Croatian GSM networks at the following phone numbers:
CRONET: +385 9120
VIPNet: +385 (0)91 71950 
radio programs in foreign languages The first program of Croatian Radio at 92.1 MHz - the news in English each day at 08:30, 10:30, 14:30 and 20:30. On Sundays the first news go at 09:30. The second program of Croatian radio at 98.5 MHz (from July 1, until September 15) - after the news in Croatian comes a report on road conditions in Croatia by the Croatian Autoclub in English, German and Italian language.

 
 DOCUMENTS AND REGULATIONS
embassies and konzulats Germany
Italy
Hungary
Czech Republic etc.
visa publishing places The entrance visas to Croatia are issued in the embassies and consulates of Republic of Croatia. Only in the extreme cases the visa can be issued on the international border crossings of Republic of Croatia. The children have to be registered in their parents' passports or they need to have their own passport. The loss of money or some other personal document needs to be reported at once to the nearest police station. The police will issue you an official notice on loss of the document that will serve you for the request of issuing the new passport. The pets do not have to be quarantined during the border crossing, but they need to have a vaccination document.
 
personal documents  A passport or some other form of personal identification is necessary. The visitors can stay in the country up to 3 months.
custom regulations No tax fees are needed for personal belongings. Other things like GSM phones, any profesional, technical and sporting equipment can be brought into the country if it is properly reported during the border crossing. Without any Custom fees you can bring the following things into Croatia: 200 cigaretts ili 50 cigars, 1 litre of wine, 1 litre of high alcoholic beverage, 60 ml of perfume and 250 ml of toalett water. The sporting props, cameras and electronic equipment need to be oraly reported to the custom officer (this goes for personal cell-phones or telephones installed in cars). The foreign currency can freely be brought in and out of Croatia. The domestic currency up to 2000 kunas in value can be brought out. The pets need to have a suitable veterinarian certificate. The boats and Yachts that are brought by guests for their own enjoyment are not reported but ownership needs to be documented. Before 3 m long boat is put into the sea, a harbour office needs to be notified. A special permit is needed for the transport of boats on trailors 18 m long.
 
personal safety  The criminal intensity in Croatia is lower than in other European countries. Still, we recommend a few precaution measures: lock your car when you exit it, do not leave the baggage unprotected and do not keep your documents and money all in one place. If you are in any way uncomfortable and you notice that something is missing from your belongings report it to the police immediately.
driving documents  During the drive a drivers licence is obligatory, as well as the traffic permit for the vehicle and a green card (for the foreign guests).
drug abuse  All types of drugs are illegal in Croatia and their possession and consumption are under Offense and Criminal law.
 

DRIVERS
speed limits  50km/h in the inhabited areas
80km/h out of inhabited areas (unless it is regulated othervise)
130km/h on highways
driving under alcohol influence The highest allowed alcohol limit in the blood is 0,5 promils.
road fee  The road fee is payed for the following road ways:
Zagreb - Karlovac
Zagreb - Krapina
Varaždin - Čakovec
Zagreb - Slavonski Brod
tunnel Učka
Krčki bridge
gas stations  Opened from 7-18h every day, and during summer until 22:00h.
There are gas stations opened non-stop in most bigger cities and by the major international roads
fuel Eurosuper 95, Eurosuper 98, Normal unleaded 91, Super 98 i Diesel.
 

TRAVELING
international airports  Zagreb, Split, Dubrovnik, Pula, Rijeka, Zadar, Osijek, Brač
airplane traveling  From almost all international airports regular flights go to Croatian capital - Zagreb, from where you can continue your flight towards the coast. Croatia Airlines and a few other foreign companies fly each day to Zagreb. In the high season the number of flights is increasing and the numerous charter flights go directly towards the greatest tourist destinations in Croatia: Pula, Rijeka, Split, Brač and Dubrovnik.
Croatia Airlines: Savska 41, 10000 Zagreb, tel. +385 (0)1 427 751, fax. +385 (0)1 427 935. Central office for reservations: 062 777 777.
Air distance from Zagreb to some bigger cities in Europe: Vienna 360 km, Paris 1410 km, Bruxelles 1355 km, Prag 620 km, Budapest 350 km, Rome 880 km.
Examples of flight durations: From London to Zagreb; 2 hours and 30 minutes, from New York to Zagreb; 10 hours and 35 minutes.
Offices of companies that do business in Croatia:
Adria Airways
Zagreb, Praška 9, tel: 481 00 11, 481 00 16, fax: 481 00 08
Air France
Zagreb, Kršnjavoga 1, tel: 483 71 00, fax: 483 71 05
Airport Zagreb, tel: 626 59 57
Austrian Airlines
10000 Zagreb, Trg N. Zrinskog 6, tel: 42 02 55, fax: 42 06 65
Airport Zagreb, tel: 626 59 00, fax: 626 59 01
British Airways
10000 Zagreb, Kneza Borne 2, tel: 455 33 36, fax: 455 33 38
Airport Zagreb, tel: 456 25 06, tel: 456 25 15, fax: 456 21 84
ČSA
10000 Zagreb, Trg N.Š. Zrinskog 17, tel: 487 33 01, fax: 487 32 03
Airport Zagreb, tel: 456 24 79
KLM
10000 Zagreb, Mihanovićeva 1 Hotel Esplanade, tel: 457 31 33, fax: 457 31 36
Lufthansa
10000 Zagreb, Kršnjavoga 1, tel: 483 61 82, fax: 43 44 72
Airport Zagreb, tel: 456 22 37 (t&f) 652 62 66
SAS
10000 Zagreb, Kršnjavoga 1, tel: 42 60 30, fax: 42 44 81
Swissair
10000 Zagreb, Trg N.Š. Zrinskog, tel: 42 02 55, fax: 42 58 97
Airport Zagreb, tel: 456 22 57, tel: 456 23 60
 
train traveling  The railroad connects all major Croatian towns except Dubrovnik. Direct lines connect Croatia to Slovenia, Hungary, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Slovakia, France, Germany, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Yugoslavia. There are middle connections with all other European countries.
As an example of trip duration we bring you the following: Munchen - Rijeka; 9 hours, Vienna- Rijeka; 5 hours.
The types of trains driving through Croatia are: EuroCity (EC), InterCity (IC), ekspres (Ex), fast (B), and local trains.
EuroCity and InterCity lines:
EC "Mimara": Berlin - Leipzig - Munchen - Salzburg - Ljubljana - Zagreb;
IC "Croatia": Vienna - Maribor - Zagreb;
IC "Kvarner": Budapest - Zagreb - Rijeka;
IC "Drava": Budapest - Čakovec - Ljubljana - Venetia
bus traveling  The regular international bus lines connect Croatia with Austria, Italy, Hungary, France, Germany, Slovakia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. This way of transportation is the cheapest one if you are coming into Croatia from middle Europe. Croatia also has very good and well developed national bus lines that reach the smallest hamlets on the coast. Information of Bus terminal Zagreb: tel. +385 (0)1 313 333.
 
ferry and boat traveling The regular passanger and ferry lines are in traffic between Italian (Venetia, Trieste, Ancona, Pescara and Bari) and Croatian harbours. The daily ferry line connects Rijeka and Split throughout the entire year. The line continues to Dubrovnik three times a week. The ferries that go from Rijeka to the southern part of coast are a good solution for the drivers who can avoid a hard drive down the coast in that way. If you are coming from far away you can relax on the boat until the arrival to the destination of your vacation.
Information: Jadrolinija, Riva 16, 51000 Rijeka, tel: +385 (0)51 330 899, fax: +385 (0)51 213 116.
All harbours, including the ones on the islands, are reachable by regular ferry lines. During the summer season the frequency of rides increases on all lines.
car traveling  The road connection of middle Europe to the destiantions on Croatian coast is being regularely improved. During the summer months the traffic on border crossings is of higher intensity, which can cause shorter delays. You need a green card of insurance and a valid drivers licence for the entrance to Croatia and a drive through Croatia. The road fee is charged on the highways and semi-highways and bridges. Private car prices are from 6 to 12 kunas. The fuel is cheaper in Croatia than in some other countries of western and middle Europe. Some gas stations in bigger towns and on the main roads are open 24 hours a day, and the rest of them are working from 6 am until 8 pm.
Unleaded petrol is poured on all gas stations and it is marked green. In July and August, Croatian radio stations regularly broadcast the news about road conditions in Croatian, English, and German language. The traffic regulations: You drive on the right side of the road in Croatia. If the signs do not show otherwise, the speed limits are: 130 km/h on the highways and semi-highways, 100 km/h on the roads with two lines, 50 km/h in the inhabited areas, 80 km/h out of the inhabited areas. The amount of money fee depends on the offence quantity. The allowed alcohol limit in the blood is 0,5 ppm.
The traffic accident has to be reported at once to the police at the number: 92. The road assistance: Hrvatski Autoklub (The Croatian Autoclub) is cooperating with autoclubs of other countries.
HAK, Draškovićeva 25, 10000 Zagreb, tel: 01 4554 433, fax. 01 448 630. The road assistance service available 24 hours a day at the phone number: 987.
Rent-a-car: The driver must be older than 23 and must own a drivers licence. The most international rent-a-car agencies have their own offices in major Croatian towns.
 

TIPS FOR TRAVELERS
traveling with children Croatia offers many pleasures for families with children. The private accomodation is always the easiest to adjust to own needs. In a deal with the person who is renting, you can adjust the space and meals to your habbits. The usage of your own kitchen is always an advantage when you have children.
The children will enjoy the freedom of runing around the beautiful beaches close to the town, and the best thing to do is ask the hosts which beach is suitable for the children. If you decide to stay in town you will surely find an organized party on the beach for the kids where they could spend the rest of their energy with a minimal surveillance. For swimming on the beaches outside of town we reccomend plastic sandals because there are many sea urchins.

The mild wind (maestral) will run the heath away so you could accidently forget your sun-lotion. If that happens, it is extremely important to move the children away into the shade and protect them with clothes between 11 am and 3 pm, when the sun is the warmest. In the evening, if you notice mosquitos, protect the uncovered parts of your body with a mild insect-repelant lotion or put some kind of electrical protection inside the room.

In the old towns and tourist destinations you will find nice promenades for your family, but we recommend to bring a carrier with you because the fight with the carriage in the stone streets of old centres will completely desturb the ambience for you.
 
women travelers   The women travelers do not need any special warnings. For those not intoduced with the mentality, especially on Adriatic, men always try to be galant and try to make as better impression as possible on women, with the intention or without it. Do not think of courting as of abuse, even though it depends from the situation. Of course, as anywhere else, avoid entering isolated bars and streets in bigger towns unless you are with your friends. The Croatian Society is basically partial what reflects on the social behavior and customs, so feminism has never got too much space. Swimming in topless has become almost a normal thing on all beaches, so - go ahead!
"gay" travelers  Homosexuality is legal in Croatia since 1977. and it is mostly tolerated even though it is not welcome everywhere, especially in the small communities. There is a society of homosexuals in Zagreb called "Ligma" (Lesbian and Gay Men Action), tel: +385 1 276 188, PO Box 488, 10001 Zagreb.
invalid travelers Because of the increased number of physically disabled people after the war, the greater attention is being payed to all of their problems. The public toilets, railroad stations, bus stations and airports, most hotel and stores have an eased access for the wheel chairs while the ferry and boat access still hasn't been resolved. For all necessary information you can call the Comity of Organizations of Croatian Invalids on the phone number +385 1 48 29 394, Savska cesta3, 10000 Zagreb.
 

dangers

TRAVELING SICKNESS - during the trip you could have problems with travelin sickness that appears through throwing-up, disyness, weakness and even fever. You can reduce the possibility of your suffering if you avoid smoking and reading during the trip. Before the trip you can prevenively take a pill (for example Dramamine), eat something light and drink something diet.

SUN BURNS- Sun on the Adriatic is extremely strong, even when it is cloudy. To protect yourself it is smart to avoid sun exposure during the middle of the day, put an adequate sun lotion on the exposed parts of the body, wear a cap or a hat and good sunglasses.

SUNSTROKE - sun exposure can cause sunstroke. It appears through strong headache, throwing-up, cramps and high temperature. Avoid sun exposure, drink plenty of fluid enriched with minerals. If the temperature is high you should see the doctor because this state is not harmless.

DIARRHEA- too much fluid during the heaths can lead you to another problem that is not pleasant at all. Be very careful what you drink, especially the water from the well or a pipe that have no guarantee of cleanliness.

HYPOTHERMIA - exposure of the body to low temperatures can be equally dangerous in the summer as well as in the winter. That is the state when the body loses more heath than it can produce. The symptoms are: numbness, fever, nesuvisli govor, cramps, aggression, lethargy etc. The person needs to be warmed up gradually (do not rub), remove the wet clothes, give something light and sweet if the person is conscious, warm fluid (not alcohol!). Take the person to the doctor if possible.

THE STINGS AND THE BITES OF INSECTS- most commonly they are more unpleasant than dangerous, except for the people who are allergic. There are lotions that repel insects and if you are already bit use the adequate creme, lotion or a bandage. Special attention needs to be payed to the spider "Black Widdow" whose females have a poisonous bite.

DANGERS IN THE SEA - Sea urchin; be careful where you step in the shallow water, if you "stepped on" tweezers are the only solution. The jellyfish;even though they are rare they can burn you. The cold bandage and an adequate creme, and a visit to the doctor are the best solutions. Vlasulja can burn just like the jellyfish. About the dangers of drowning and sharks we will not write. If you do not know how to swim well, do not try to impress your fiancee with swimming to open sea, because you have great chances that your fiancee will not getting married. At least not to you.

TICKS - if you have walked through grass areas where there are ticks check if some of them "ticked" to your skin. If it did, use tweezers to grab the head of the insect and slowly pull it out. Be careful not to take off the back part, and leave the head. Spilling different lotions on your skin will not help. Ticks can be dangerous disease transferees for men and the best preventive way to protect yourself is to protect the lower part of the body with clothes and shoes, if you are exposing to danger.

SNAKE BITES -the best way to protect yourself from the snake bites is to be well dressed and to keep on to the marked roads and paths. If the snake bites you you should immediately immobilize the bitten part and tie it so the poison would not spread through blood and you should send someone for help at once. Try to follow the behavior of the bitten area because based on that you can identify the type of snake faster and easier and the necessary anti-poison. Do not try to catch the snake!