How to Plan a Trip to Croatia

From the clear waters of the Adriatic Sea in the West to the fertile plains and wine country in the East, Croatia is a country filled with history, adventures and great food. It's been a tourism hot spot for years. Cross the border and find out why.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• A sense of adventure

1. Choose when you want to visit Croatia. Tourist season in the country is highest in July and August when many people hit the beaches of the Adriatic. If you want to avoid the crowds but still enjoy the warmer weather, plan to travel in May, early June or September. If warmer weather isn't an issue for you, travel during the off-season months and have the tourist spots to yourself!
2. Decide how you will arrive in Croatia. You have a few options. You can fly, ride the train or bus, take a ferry from Italy or drive. After you've decided, book tickets and get on with planning your trip.
3. Pick and choose what you would like to see on your trip. The length of your trip will determine how much you are able to see. The country is split into different regions: The Dalmatian Coast, The Highlands, Central Croatia and Slavonia. To decide which places you want to visit the most, buy a Croatian guidebook or visit Croatia's National Tourism Board's Web site.
4. Book your hotel. Whether you're staying in a 4-star hotel or in a youth hostel, there are a lot of options for travelers in Croatia. Be aware that if you're traveling during the summer months, you'll need to book your hotels well in advance.
5. Learn a few words in Croatian. A lot of locals in Croatia speak at least a little English or German. Still, it's always a good idea to learn a few words in Hrvatski, or Croatian. Here are a few to get you started. Good afternoon is "Dobar dan." Please is "Molim." Thank you is "Hvala."
6. Buy a converter for electrical appliances you want to bring on the trip. The electrical current in Croatia is 220V, 50Hz. Standard European two-pin plugs are used.
7. Exchange some money into the Croatian Kuna. You can either do this at your local bank, at the airport or simply withdraw money from an ATM in Croatia.
8. Pack your bags, head out the door and enjoy unique experiences on your trip to Croatia!

Tips & Warnings

• You'll need a valid passport to enter the country. If your passport if from the European Union, the United States, Canada, New Zealand or Australia, you won't need a visa and may stay for up to 90 days. No vaccinations are required to enter the country unless you are coming from an infected area.
• Every town in Croatia has a tourist office. They will have maps, brochures and oodles of information to help you enjoy your time in their city.
• Some beaches in Croatia allow topless and nude sun bathing. If that's up your alley, settle in and enjoy the rays. If not, consider yourself warned.
• Croatia is one hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time in the winter and two hours ahead in the summer.
• Every few years, the Croatian Coast experiences something they call "Medusa" season. It's when loads of jellyfish make their way up and down the coast. Their presence makes it dangerous to spend a lot of time in the water. Check with the tourism office beforehand to avoid being stung.