We will travel to Croatia mid September through mid October. We plan on renting a car driving from Istria to Dobrovnik. Three questions. 1. We would like recommendations for car rentals. 2. Is it best to use local currency or the Euro ? how about ATM's ? 3. Accommodations: availability of pensions, B&B's or such. We enjoy the freedom of travel without the restrictions of lodging reservations . Any assistance and suggestions will be appreciated.

I can answer Question 2. You want the local currency, the kuna, generally easily obtained through ATM's, which are readily available. We had to try a couple of banks before we found one that worked, but it was available everywhere since, as in the UK and Canada, there are only a few banks in the country with lots of branches.

You can exchange euros for kuna at banks, but the lines are endless (you often have to take a number and wait) and a few very tourist oriented shops will take them, but not to your advantage.

You will, however, need euros if you drive through Slovenia, and they were accepted in Montenegro. But Croatians dislike Montenegrans and Slovenians, so I would not point out to them that they are behind their neighbors.

Car hire

economycarrentals.com
auto-europe.co.uk
novacarhire.com
weltrentacar.hr

You should have no problem just turning up for rooms in the towns you visit.

Economy car rental had a good price and they even dropped the car off at our hotel and picked it up from our hotel when we were done--avoids the need to find the car rental place which can be trying.

My wife and I did the same trip last September. We used Auto Europe and have used them many times in the past. There are plenty of ATMs to get local currency. We had no problems finding hotels or B&Bs.