Croatia
Travel Tips. Just for you.
You’ve put so much thought, energy and time into picking your destination and finalizing your itinerary. Just as important as the big picture, the small details can make or break a trip. Select your destination and discover great tips, tricks, and hacks for making travel smooth and hassle-free.
Everything You Need to Know
Before You GO!
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VISA AND PASSPORTS +
- You need a valid US passport to enter Croatia.
- You do not need a visa if you hold a valid US passport.
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CONSULAR INFORMATION +
The US State Department provides Country Specific Information sheets for every country in the world as well as Travel Alerts and Warnings. For this information, call 888 407 4747 or 202 501 4444 or visit travel.state.gov.
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HEALTH +
- Insurance: Travelers should make sure their health insurance plan covers them when outside of the United States. The U.S Embassy cannot pay medical bills.
- U.S. Medicare and Medicaid does not pay overseas.
- Adequate medical care is readily available in Croatia, but the condition of hospital facilities may not be comparable to U.S. standards. Travelers to Croatia may obtain a list of English-speaking physicians on the U.S. Embassy’s website. We do not endorse or recommend any specific medical provider or clinic. You may require a prescription to get some medications that you can purchase over-the-counter in the United States.
- Public medical clinics may lack advanced resources and specialized medical supplies.
- Credit card payment is not always available. Some hospitals and medical professionals require cash payment.
- Private hospitals may require advance payment or proof of adequate insurance before admitting a patient.
- For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad, consult the World Health Organization (WHO), which contains additional health information for travelers, including detailed country-specific health information.
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Special meals and allergies +
If you require special meals for health or dietary reasons, please let your J2 operator know at least 60 days prior to your departure.
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TRAVEL INSURANCE +
We strongly recommend that you purchase your own travel insurance. Please discuss land, air. and health insurance options with your insurance provider. Some insurance programs provide more comprehensive coverage when the policy is purchased in close proximity to the initial trip deposit. We therefore recommend that you secure insurance within 14 days of your initial deposit payment date.
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CURRENCY AND BANK INFORMATION +
- The kuna is the currency of Croatia.
- Click here to obtain the most current exchange rates.
- In general, credit cards are widely accepted in Croatia but not as widespread as one might think.
- In general, banks will give you a better exchange rate than exchange offices.
- ATMs are another option for dispensing cash, although please note that only kuna will be dispensed.
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ELECTRICITY +
- In Croatia, the standard voltage is 220V and the frequency is 50 Hz.
- Make sure to bring a travel adapter so you can safely use electric shavers, traveling irons, phone rechargers, and other small appliances.
- For more information, visit worldstandards.eu.
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TIME ZONE +
Croatia is eight hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time, US. To determine current time in major cities around the world, visit timeanddate.com.
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CELL PHONES +
Tips to avoid international roaming charges:
- Use your existing plan – contact your local carrier to find out plans and prices for data roaming.
- Rent a device – rent a phone, download your information, and use the borrowed device as if it were your own.
- Get a local SIM card – Make sure your phone is “unlocked” before purchasing a local SIM card in your destination and using your phone on the local network.
- Wi-Fi only – Turn off your cellular data, switch your phone to airplane mode, and enable a Wi-Fi connection to access Internet hotspots in your destination.
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INTERNATIONAL CALLS +
Because of the time difference between the United States and Croatia some advance planning is in order so you can call at a convenient time and when calling charges are lowest.
For international calls from Croatia to US:
00 + 1 + the area code and phone number.
For example, to dial a number in Atlanta, Georgia, you would dial 00 + 1 +404 (Atlanta area code) + your party’s phone number. -
CUISINE +
Traditional Croatian cuisine is wide and varied, yet it’s hard to distinguish dishes that are exclusive to Croatia. Croatian traditional food varies a lot from one Croatian region to another. And while there are some dishes you’ll find throughout Croatia, many dishes found in one Croatian region aren’t probably even known in another region. The Croatian coast is renowned for its fish and seafood.
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FACILITIES FOR THE DISABLED +
- Some of the cities’ old towns are pedestrian-only with streets made of stone, which can make walking more of a challenge than on modern roads.
- Many sites and streets require going up and down stairs. Most of the major hotels have ramps that make the stairs a non-issue.
- Should you require handicapped facilities, please contact our office.
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LANGUAGE +
Croatian is the national and official language in the country and one of the official languages of the European union. Croatian is also one of the official languages of Bosnia and Herzegovina and a recognized minority language in Serbia and neighboring countries.
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WEATHER +
A continental climate exists in the interior of Croatia which means that winters can be pretty cold, with temperatures often falling below 0°C/32°F. Snow is very likely and can be pretty heavy during the winter. Summers, on the other hand, can very often be sweltering with temperatures often reaching the mid to high 30s °C/high 80s or low 90s °F.
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BAGGAGE +
Confirm baggage limitations with your international carrier before packing. Remember that airlines can change their baggage restrictions at any time.
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FLIGHTS AND AIRPORTS +
- Be sure to reconfirm your international flights with your airline 24 hours prior to your departure.
- Passengers must check in for international flights from the US/Canada at least three hours prior to departure time.
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Airport Security +
Security checks are carried out routinely for your protection and safety. Expect to be asked about the contents of your luggage, about who packed it, whether anyone asked you to transport items for them, and whether your luggage remained with you before you arrived at the airport. Do not take any mail, packages, or unknown items from anyone either before or after arriving at the airport.
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ARRIVAL & DEPARTURE TRANSFERS +
- If your package includes arrival and departure transfers, this will be detailed in your travel documents which will be e-mailed to you up to one week prior to your trip.
- If you deviate from the arrival and/or departure dates and time as specified in your travel documents, you will need to arrange your own transfers. Alternatively, you may request a transfer service up to three working days prior to your arrival and the cost of the transfer service will be added to your invoice.
- When requesting a transfer service, please provide us with your flight information. Your arrival transfer is guaranteed for up to one hour from your scheduled arrival time in order to compensate for minor delays.
- J2 Adventures or the transfer company will not be responsible for delays, for any reason, beyond one hour from your originally scheduled arrival time. In case of a delay, it will be your responsibility to contact us directly and/or to make other transfer arrangements, such as by taxi.
- Transfer costs are not refundable and any additional expenses will be your responsibility.
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CHECKING IN AT YOUR HOTEL +
If you arrive at your hotel before the customary 3:00 p.m. check-in time, your room may not be available. Store your luggage with the concierge and take the time to walk around and get a feel for your new city.
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PROTECTING VALUABLE ITEMS +
- Hotel safes are usually provided and can be used to protect valuables such as passports, medications, jewelry, money, and electronics. If you must carry valuables, keep them on your person at all times, be mindful of your surroundings, and take extra caution in crowds.
- We recommend photocopying the personal information pages of your passport and leaving one copy with a family member or friend and packing another in a place separate from the passport itself. You can also scan your passport and email a copy to yourself for easy online access. This will help you to secure a replacement quickly should the need arise.
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SHOPPING +
Where and whether to shop while traveling with J2 Adventures is a personal choice and shopping is never compulsory. If at any point during your journey you feel pressured to shop or make purchases, please discuss the matter immediately with your tour educator.
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TIPPING GUIDELINES +
We recommend the following for tipping (amounts in US dollars):
- Groups of 20 participants or more:
J2 educator $8, local guide $5, and driver $3 per participant per day - Groups of 10-19 participants:
J2 educator $10, local guide $6, and driver $3 per participant per day - Hostess (when included):
$4 per participant per day or a minimum of $100 per group per day - Security guard and/or a youth counselor (when included):
$1 per participant per day to each security guard or youth counselor - Recommended restaurant tipping when lunch or dinner is on your own:
10%-15% depending on your satisfaction. - Porter:
Included in your package.
- Groups of 20 participants or more:
J2 STUFF.
We have everything you need to know before you go. Check out our Instagram my_j2adventures for cool updates and interesting tidbits.
START PLANNING LET’S EXPLORE.
Whether you have a journey in mind, want to join a featured trip, or simply want to explore, drop us a note. We work really hard to be a loved travel company that delivers amazing and memorable experiences. So please do not be surprised when we say “yes” to every reasonable request you make!