Bosnia - One Night Trip - Money Question
Sep 26th, 2010, 12:01 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 295
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Bosnia - One Night Trip - Money Question
Going Split-Mostor-Kotor (Montenegro). Will I need to obtain Bosnian currency for a short stay - can probably pay hotel and meal with credit card. Will have Croatian Kuna and Euros.
Sep 26th, 2010, 01:53 AM
#2
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,087
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The Bosnian Convertible Mark (KM) is linked to the Euro under a two currency agreement. The euro to KM rate is fixed at approximately 1 euro = 2 KM.
You can only get KM when in Bosnia & Herzegovina. There are plenty of ATMs around the streets of Mostar.
Mostar is very much a tourist destination these days. Hundreds of day visitors coming up from the coast on tours only have euros and Croatian kuna with them, and everywhere will take these (though they work out their own exchange rate with kuna - and very much in their favour!).
Credit cards are not accepted in many places, particularly the smaller restaurants. Everyone prefers cash.
When I was in Mostar earlier this year my bill was in euros and the waiter was surprised when I asked to pay in KM!
Go with your kuna and euros (which you'll need in Montenegro) and get out enough KM to cover your hotel bill, meals and whatever else you may need. Don't get too many as you won't be able to use them when you leave BiH.
Mostar is absolutely delightful in the evening and early morning, but is filled with a heaving mass of people during the day. After the crowds have left the city settles, you can clearly hear the muezzin call to prayer echo round, and see the sky glow behind the white minaret towers as the sun sinks behind the surrounding hills. Have a wonderful time.
You can only get KM when in Bosnia & Herzegovina. There are plenty of ATMs around the streets of Mostar.
Mostar is very much a tourist destination these days. Hundreds of day visitors coming up from the coast on tours only have euros and Croatian kuna with them, and everywhere will take these (though they work out their own exchange rate with kuna - and very much in their favour!).
Credit cards are not accepted in many places, particularly the smaller restaurants. Everyone prefers cash.
When I was in Mostar earlier this year my bill was in euros and the waiter was surprised when I asked to pay in KM!
Go with your kuna and euros (which you'll need in Montenegro) and get out enough KM to cover your hotel bill, meals and whatever else you may need. Don't get too many as you won't be able to use them when you leave BiH.
Mostar is absolutely delightful in the evening and early morning, but is filled with a heaving mass of people during the day. After the crowds have left the city settles, you can clearly hear the muezzin call to prayer echo round, and see the sky glow behind the white minaret towers as the sun sinks behind the surrounding hills. Have a wonderful time.
Sep 26th, 2010, 04:27 AM
#3
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 20,440
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
julia_t-- We will be driving from Sarajevo to Dubrovnic next weekend (!) and plan to stop in Mostar en route. Our friend who lives in Sarajevo claims a few hours will give us enough time in Mostar but I gather you would recommend an overnight? we had thought of going back via train after we return to Sarajevo from Croatia. My husband is a big train fanatic and the route is supposed to have interesting engineering (tunnels) as well as spectacular scenery.
Sep 26th, 2010, 07:53 AM
#5
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,087
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Vttraveler...
Yes a few hours in Mostar would be sufficient. Early October is still quite busy in Dubrovnik and Mostar. I loved staying there overnight, I loved the eastern feel to it, but if you have already been in Sarajevo for a day or so then you will already have experienced the Bascarsija and be familiar with the Turkish feel of it all. So I think a few hours would be OK if that is all you have.
I know you posted on my Sarajevo trip report, and I wrote one a few years ago entitled Mostar, a City of Beauty and Bullet Holes which if you haven't read it might give you a bit more of an idea of what to expect. 2007 I think it was.
The train will have spectacular scenery - I could see the track curving along the side of the mountains when I was driving from Sarajevo to Mostar. I did hear that the track was undergoing repair work this summer, though I think I remember it mostly being on the Mostar-Ploce end. Your friend in Sarajevo should be able to advise you on this.
I wish you a wonderful time. My heart is calling me back to Sarajevo. I can't wait for your trip report - you will write one won't you?
Yes a few hours in Mostar would be sufficient. Early October is still quite busy in Dubrovnik and Mostar. I loved staying there overnight, I loved the eastern feel to it, but if you have already been in Sarajevo for a day or so then you will already have experienced the Bascarsija and be familiar with the Turkish feel of it all. So I think a few hours would be OK if that is all you have.
I know you posted on my Sarajevo trip report, and I wrote one a few years ago entitled Mostar, a City of Beauty and Bullet Holes which if you haven't read it might give you a bit more of an idea of what to expect. 2007 I think it was.
The train will have spectacular scenery - I could see the track curving along the side of the mountains when I was driving from Sarajevo to Mostar. I did hear that the track was undergoing repair work this summer, though I think I remember it mostly being on the Mostar-Ploce end. Your friend in Sarajevo should be able to advise you on this.
I wish you a wonderful time. My heart is calling me back to Sarajevo. I can't wait for your trip report - you will write one won't you?
Sep 26th, 2010, 08:42 AM
#7
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 20,440
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I promise I will write a trip report although I can't promise it will be as detailed as yours. I had missed the earlier report on Mostar and enjoyed reading that and seeing your pictures.
We will have to see about the time in Mostar and whether we should schedule a separate day trip there. There are other places we would like to see between Sarajevo and Dalmatia (Blagaj and Počitelj both look fascinating, and our friend says we must stop in Jablanicko for grilled lamb
It is interesting to see people's reactions when we tell them we are going to BiH--they are either intrigued or mystified.
We will have to see about the time in Mostar and whether we should schedule a separate day trip there. There are other places we would like to see between Sarajevo and Dalmatia (Blagaj and Počitelj both look fascinating, and our friend says we must stop in Jablanicko for grilled lamb
It is interesting to see people's reactions when we tell them we are going to BiH--they are either intrigued or mystified.
Sep 26th, 2010, 12:56 PM
#8
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,939
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
julia_t We had 2 full days in Sarajevo. First impression was: a huge city. We took a taxi from the bus station to our hotel. We saw many buildings still in use with hundreds of bullet holes in them. We saw a few totally destroyed buildings still standing. So kinda scary feeling at first. The we arrived at our hotel-Hotel Michele. It was great! The hotel was decorated with antiques and antique art. My kinda of decor. The manager met us at the taxi and carried both my bags up the short flight of steps. Every one of the staff at this hotel was so nice. And the breakfast was delicious.
We just strolled through the old town and snapped pictures. We did not venture out of the city. We were told at the hotel that if we wanted to go outside the city, that we should hire a guide. We really enjoyed our stay there, but there was not many tourists. Maybe just not enough sights to see. But my son wanted to go there, so we did.
We just strolled through the old town and snapped pictures. We did not venture out of the city. We were told at the hotel that if we wanted to go outside the city, that we should hire a guide. We really enjoyed our stay there, but there was not many tourists. Maybe just not enough sights to see. But my son wanted to go there, so we did.
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Patrick
Europe
20
Oct 24th, 2002 06:15 AM
