Managing Money for Trip to Croatia: Travellers Checks/Credit Cards/Cash
 

Down to brass tacks on getting ourselves to Croatia.

1) Are credit cards widely accepted at restaurants/shops? We will be in Hvar/Dubrovnik/Split

2) Same with Travellers checks

3) Good to get Euro ahead?? (All our rooms already paid for)

4) Any tips on what to keep in mind when converting travellers checks/getting cash/using ATM's etc to ensure not throwing too much money away!

Thanks for thoughts

In Dubrovnik and Split you should have no problem using your credit card for most restaurants - I found most of the restaurants in Hvar, preferred cash (as of last year). Plenty of ATMs everywhere - no need to bring cash with you. As for shops - I remember using my credit card for items in both Dubrovnik and Hvar. Didn't buy anything in Split because I was just passing through.

as for knowing the exchange rate - I saw lots of things priced in kuna, euro and ocassionaly even US dollars (but that was about 4 years ago)

if you need a cheat sheet, try this:
http://www.oanda.com/convert/cheatsheet

if I remember correctly, 4 years ago it was about 7 kuna to $1 US - now it's about 6 kuna to $1 US

It wouldn't hurt to have a few Euros on you. Otherwise, your trusty ATM (Cirrus, Star) should be OK. Take two different cards, if possible. Just hit the first ATM for some kuna. Don't get more than you need, because you might be stuck with them after you leave Croatia.

I was amused to discover no less than three different ATM machines within a hundred feet of the ferry dock in tiny Korcula. ATMs were more plentiful (as was American English) in Dalmatia than in most of Italy.

Croatia's currecny is not the euro. But you can get their currency the kuna from ATMs. The currency is not freely traded so you will have difficulty finding a place in the US where you can get them.

Thanks for thoughts - This helps a lot
PS I knew Euro not Croatia currency but other posts had suggested that some rooms wanted to be paid in Euro.

It would be nice if our local Amex office could get us a few Kuna as it is always nice to land in a place with currency already in pocket.

We were not able to get kuna before leaving the US. You also can't exchange it if you bring any back.

Upon arrival you can get some at an ATM. They are everywhere.

We paid for everything with credit cards, got cash at ATM's. Had no problems.

Haven't messed with traveler's checks in a long time.

We were just in Croatia a few weeks ago, and were taken aback at how few restaurants, bars, and stores accepted credit cards -- in Zagreb, Trogir, Split, Hvar, and Dubrovnik. All the hotels accepted them, but only a very small number of restaurants accepted them. Even in Dubrovnik acceptance was limited -- the T shirt shops and the pizza restaurants required cash. We went through a lot of cash, but there were plenty of ATMs in all the locations, so didn't have any trouble. So do not count on being able to use credit cards.

I don't know why you would get Euros. There was an ATM at baggage claim in the Zagreb airport and so we were able to get cash immediately upon arrival. Getting cash is not a problem, and if you take out enough for a few days, you will definitely spend it, and then easily can go back for more. If I recall correctly, you can take out as much as 2000 or so kuna ($300+) or as little as 300 kuna ($50).

I hope to visit Croatia at end of December 2005. Cannot seem to find anywhere online approximately how much $$ things are in comparison to USA costs.

For example - how much would a restaurant meal be in US dollars? how much would some souvenir type shopping be in US dollars?

Anyone know what the weather is like between Christmas / New Years?

thanks.

Syv -
the current exchange rate is about 6 kuna for $1 US. Meals on islands are a bit more expensive than on the mainland.

Here's a menu from a restaurant in Stari Grad, Hvar:

http://www.stari-grad-faros.hr/eremitaz/enter.htm

Hope this helps.....