Europe

EXPLORE Bosnia & Herzegovina                                  Your Comprehensive Destination Guide At a Glance Total area: 19,641 square miles Capital: Sarajevo Main Religion: Diverse, with the main religions being Sunni Islam, Serbian Orthodox Christianity, and Roman Catholic Population: 3.2 million people (2023) Official Languages: Bosnian, Serbian, and Croatian Currency: The Kenyan shilling is the currency in Kenya. The conversion rate was from 1 USD to 127.62 Kenyan shillings. All major credit cards are accepted. Banking Hours: 08:00-18:00 and Sat 08:00-13:00 Telecommunication: Country code: +387   Climate: The Mediterranean climate, with mild winters and hot summers, in the slight coastal stretch; the transitional Mediterranean climate in the western plain (Mostar); and the continental climate, with cold winters and hot summers, in the hilly areas (Sarajevo) and the northern plain (see Bihac and Tuzla). And the chilly mountain climate of the Dinaric Alps. Travel Requirements Bosnia and Herzegovina has the following entry requirements: Passport: Ensure your passport is valid, in good condition, and will remain valid for at least 90 days after your departure. Visa: A visa is not required for stays of up to 90 days for citizens of the EU, the United States, and Canada. Citizens of other nationalities should check with their embassies before traveling.  Proof of funds: Documents that demonstrate you have sufficient funds to cover your trip. Proof of travel can be either a round-trip ticket or a travel itinerary. Documents required for your next destination are proof of onward travel. Documents such as a business cover letter, conference registrations, or other support letters serve as proof of travel purposes. Proof of residence: If you don’t live in your home country, you should bring proof of residence.  Transportation Options   Main Airport: Due to the war’s damage to much of its transport infrastructure, particularly the rail network, Bosnia-Herzegovina is not the easiest country to navigate. Things are improving, however, and decent bus services will almost always be able to get you where you want to go; it’ll just take a little longer than you might expect. Trains: The Swedish government donated the Bosnian trains, which are quite old. The wars severely damaged the rail system, resulting in repairs that were not optimal. In addition, there is widespread smoking on the trains, and they are frequently overcrowded. The route from Mostar to Sarajevo stands out as an exception. There are a few railway lines across the country, but due to severe underfunding, most trains are too slow or irregular to be worth considering. However, one exception is the twice-daily route that connects Sarajevo and Mostar, which is incredibly scenic. Exercise increased caution on public transportation due to pickpockets and those posing as ticket controllers. Buses: Local tram and bus services are reliable. Inter-city bus services are also widely available. There are buses from Croatia to Mostar. The buses were clean and on time. There are several border crossings as the road weaves out of Croatia to Bosnia, then back into Croatia, then back into Bosnia. The border crossings were stricter, as this is not the Schengen zone, and you may have to exit the bus. The local Mostar Bus operates the route from Mostar to Medjugorje, departing across the street from the main Mostar Bus Station, just like it does for Blagaj. 40-minute trip one-way. The schedule posted was accurate. Larger bus companies operate this route from the main bus station. Note: To further complicate matters, there is also a Mostar West/Croat Bus Station. Taxis: Taxi service is available in most towns and for intercity travel. Use only registered taxis whose license plates begin with “TA.” Make sure the driver turns on the meter to prevent overcharging. Travel Safety Tips Exercise a high degree of caution in Bosnia and Herzegovina due to crime and the risk of unmarked landmines and unexploded ordnance in rural and isolated mountainous areas. While there have been no recent terrorist attacks in Bosnia and Herzegovina, they could occur anywhere and at any time. Be alert to possible threats, especially in public places. Terrorists may target tourist areas or other places frequented by foreigners where large crowds may gather. Health Safety The World Health Organization (WHO) has found the Sarajevo public water supply to meet its standards. Experts do not consider the water to be a health risk. Sarajevo’s tap water does not contain lead, but it lacks natural fluoride, necessitating a supplement for children to maintain dental health. A variety of fresh fruits and vegetables are available in the markets. Although most people consider them safe, it’s advisable to thoroughly wash all unpeeled vegetables and fruit to prevent foodborne disease. Fun Facts! The name Bosnia comes from the Indo-Germanic word Bosana, which means water. Sarajevo hosted the Olympic Games in 1984. Bosnia and Herzegovina ranks 10th in the world in terms of coffee consumption. Bosnia and Herzegovina is a country that has more waterfalls than Italy, France, and Germany combined. Perućica is one of the last remaining rainforests in Europe. In the small town of Konjic, located by the Neretva River, there is a nuclear bunker known as the Atomic War Command, built during the revolution in Yugoslavia and under Josip Broz Tito. In the area of Zavidovići, around 50 stone balls have been found, distributed in eleven places. Related Blogs Our Family Road Trip Through the Beautiful Balkans Read More Hidden Wonders of Bosnia and Herzegovina Read More ATTRACTIONS and ACTIVITIES Mostar Famous for the Stari Grad or Old Bridge. The Old Bridge is an Unesco World Heritage site that was rebuilt after the war. The replica was finished in 2004 and readded to the UNESCO list in 2005. Medjugorje Since 1981, in a small village called Medjugorje, the Blessed Virgin Mary has been appearing and giving messages to the world. Our Lady of Medjugorje, also called Queen of Peace and Mother of the Redeemer, is the title given to alleged visions of Mary, the mother of Jesus, said to have begun