Documents & Entry

• Visitors from many countries can enter Bosnia and Herzegovina visa-free for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned departure date.
• When entering through the Neum Corridor from Croatia, travelers holding a multiple-entry Schengen visa can also pass smoothly. However, fuel and accommodation prices are lower in the Bosnia and Herzegovina section, making it worth staying overnight.
• No additional formalities are required when traveling between the two entities (the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republika Srpska).

Money & Spending

• The Bosnia and Herzegovina marka is only used domestically. Use small bills to buy water and snacks before leaving the country—it cannot be exchanged back into foreign currency abroad.
• Banknotes issued by the two entities have different designs but are fully interchangeable and equal in value. Any cashier will accept either, so there’s no need to pick specific bills.
• Markets, taxis, and old town snacks only accept cash. Budget around 30–50 marka per person per day. Bank ATMs are more reliable than standalone ones at tourist sites.
• Prices are less than half of those in Western Europe. A main meal at a restaurant costs around $8–$14 per person and is very satisfying.
• Tipping is usually rounded up or 5–10%. No tip is expected for taxis.

Safety & Etiquette

• If you hike in mountain areas outside marked trails, always go with a companion and consult locals. Some remote forested regions still have unmined areas—never enter unmarked paths.
• Diving off Mostar’s Old Bridge is only permitted for members of locally registered clubs during fixed afternoon performance hours. Tourists imitating this are both risking danger and won’t be covered by insurance.
• Maintain a respectful demeanor at war museums and cemeteries, and check if photography is allowed before taking pictures.
• When entering mosques and churches, dress modestly with shoulders and knees covered. Avoid eating or drinking noisily in public during the daytime in Ramadan.
• Wear waterproof, non-slip shoes in winter—Sarajevo gets snowy and slippery. Cable cars may stop operating in high winds, so plan alternative activities.

Communications & Practical Info

• You can buy a local SIM card at the airport or in the old town. Bosnia and Herzegovina’s international calling code is +387, and calls between the two entities are treated the same.
• Most cafés and guesthouses offer free Wi-Fi. Bus stations provide luggage storage services.
• Shops are generally closed on Sundays (except souvenir shops in the old town), so stock up on essentials in advance.

Seasons & Festivals

• During the Sarajevo Film Festival (August), accommodation across the city gets very tight—book several weeks in advance.
• In winter, the Jahorina and Bjelašnica ski resorts have well-developed facilities and much lower prices than the Alps.
• In Mostar, July and August afternoons are extremely hot. Schedule sightseeing for mornings and evenings, and save midday for riverside dining.
• When crossing into Croatia toward Dubrovnik via the Neum border, expect queues of 1–2 hours in peak season—allow extra time.