Croatia

After more than a decade of civil and ethnic unrest, Croatia is once again emerging as an attractive tourist destination. With its magnificent coastline boasting 1,185 islands, islets and reefs; and countryside scattered with Roman ruins and picturesque medieval villages, Croatia is fast becoming a rival to the magical Greek islands in luring lovers of fun, sun, local colour, great food and history.

After centuries of fighting for independence, and being sliced and diced geographically to suit political and ethnic divisions, Croatia has ended up arc-shaped. Its long Adriatic coastline forms the western leg, tapering to the unique ancient seaport of Dubrovnik in the south, while the land between the rivers Drava and Sava form the northern section. The capital, Zagreb, sits in-between.

The most prominent feature of Croatia's tourist industry is its Dalmatian coastline, which is indented with rocky cliffs, peninsulas and small inlets. Numerous good quality hotels and marinas have been resurrected or constructed in the past few years, and the Croatian province is once again beginning to enjoy a tourist boom reminiscent of its heyday in the 1930s. There is a special atmosphere to Croatian towns and villages, many of which are built on the sites of ancient Greek settlements dating from the 4th century BC. This, coupled with a welcoming and determined population, Mediterranean climate, scenic beauty and lush vegetation, is aiding Croatia's rise from the ashes of war into one of the world's best tourist hotspots.

Climate

The coastal region enjoys a Mediterranean climate with hot dry summers and mild winters. Minimum winter temperatures are around 39 °F (4 °C) and summers average around 79 °F (26 °C). Inland a continental climate is predominant with hot summers and cold winters.

Money

The official unit of currency is the Kuna (HRK). One Kuna is divided into 100 Lipa. ATMs are plentiful throughout the country and banks, authorised bureaux de change, post offices or most hotels will exchange foreign currency or travellers cheques. Banks open Monday to Saturday and some banks also open on Sundays in the main cities. Major credit cards are widely accepted at the main hotels and restaurants, and may be used to draw cash from ATMs, which are widely available throughout the country.

Passport Visa

All foreign passengers to Croatia must hold return/onward tickets and the necessary travel documentation for their next destination, and proof of sufficient funds to cover their stay in the country (at least EUR 100 or equivalent per day of stay in Croatia; or EUR 50 per day, if in possession of a tourist voucher or confirmed invitation). NOTE: It is highly recommended that your passport has at least six months validity remaining after your intended date of departure from your travel destination. Immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources.

Entry Requirements

• US citizens must present a passport (it may be expired up to six months). Visas are not required for stays of up to 90 days.
• UK nationals must have a passport valid for the period of intended stay in Croatia. For stays of up to 90 days, a visa is not required for holders of British passports endorsed British Citizen; or for holders of British passports, provided that the passport contains a Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode issued by the United Kingdom, or that the "holder is entitled to re-admission to the United Kingdom", and endorsed British National (Overseas), British Overseas Citizen, British Overseas Territories Citizen, British Protected Person or British Subject. Other UK passport holders should check with the embassy whether a visa is required for travel.
• Canadian citizens must have a passport valid for the period of intended stay in Croatia. No visa is required for stays of up to 90 days.
• Australian citizens must have a passport valid for the period of intended stay in Croatia. No visa is required for stays of up to 90 days.
• South African nationals must have a passport valid for the period of intended stay in Croatia, and a visa is required.
• Irish nationals must have a passport valid for the period of intended stay in Croatia. No visa is required for stays of up to 90 days.
• New Zealand citizens must have a passport valid for the period of intended stay in Croatia. No visa is required for stays of up to 90 days.

Health

No vaccinations are required, however there is a risk of tick-borne encephalitis for those travelling in forested areas during the summer months. The bird flu virus was found in dead migratory swans and stringent measures have been taken by the Croatian authorities to contain the virus. Travellers to Croatia are unlikely to be affected, but should avoid any contact with live birds and ensure poultry and egg dishes are well cooked. Medical care is fairly good, with free emergency medical care available to UK citizens with a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), though some medicines are in short supply in public facilities. Non-UK nationals are advised to invest in health insurance.

Embassy Consulates

• Embassy of Croatia, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 588 5899.
• Embassy of Croatia, London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7387 2022.
• Embassy of Croatia, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 562 7820.
• Embassy of Croatia, Canberra, Australia: +61 (0)2 6286 6988.
• Embassy of Croatia, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 342 1206.
• Embassy of Croatia, Dublin, Ireland: +353 (0)1 476 7181
• Consulate General of Croatia, Auckland, New Zealand: +64 (0)9 836 5581.

Foreign Embassies

• United States Embassy, Zagreb: +385 (0)1 661 2200.
• British Embassy, Zagreb: +385 (0)1 600 9100.
• Canadian Embassy, Zagreb: +385 (0)1 488 1200.
• Australian Embassy, Zagreb: +385 (0)1 489 1200.
• South African Honorary Consulate, Zagreb: +385 (0)1 489 4111.
• Honorary Consul of Ireland, Zagreb: +385 (0)1 631 0025.
• New Zealand Consulate, Rome, Italy (also responsible for Croatia): +39 06 853 7501.