|
In Croatia you can see forests, mountains, plains, the sea and karst without crossing more than a hundred kilometres. Our country extends from the furthest eastern edges of the Alps in the north-west to the Pannonian lowlands and the banks of the Danube in the east; its central region is covered by the Dinara mountain range, and its southern parts extend to the coast of the Adriatic Sea. In terms of International law, traditional heritage reaches back to Middle Age Princedom (791-924 A.D.) and Kingdom (925-1102) to its current standing as the Republic of Croatia, declared on June 25, 1991.
Local Currency - Croatian Kuna [HRK]: 1 Kuna = 100 Lipa. There are 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 Lipa coins, 1, 2, 5 and 25 Kuna coins and 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1,000 Kuna banknotes.
Foreign currencies can be exchanged at banks, exchange offices, post offices and at most tourist agencies, hotels and camping grounds. Banking hours are 8h to 18h from Monday to Friday. On Saturdays banks are open until 13h Hotel Neptun offers currency exchange services to its guests.
Credit cards: Most hotels, restaurants and shops accept credit cards [American Express, Diners Club, Eurocard/Mastercard, Visa]. Cash dispensing machines [ATMs] are ubiquitous.
Electricity: Voltage of power grid – 220V, frequency 50HZ.
Water: Tap water is potable throughout Croatia.
Time zone: GMT plus one hour in winter and GMT plus two in summer.
Customs regulations: Customs regulations of the Republic of Croatia are in line with the standards of European Union countries. Foreign currency is freely brought in and taken out of the country (up to a value of 3.000 euros); up to a value of 15.000 kn for domestic currency. More expensive professional and technical equipment should be registered at the border. Dogs and cats, accompanied by their owner, need to have an International certificate from a registered veterinarian stating that at least 15 days and not more than six months have passed since their vaccination against rabies. Tax refund for goods purchased in Croatia over 500 kuna in value with a validated "Tax cheque" at departure from the country.
Purchase tax reimbursement for foreign citizens: Tourists making purchases in Croatia (apart from petroleum derivatives) which exceed 500 Kuna per receipt may reclaim VAT ("PDV"). At point of purchase the sales person will provide on request a form PDV-P, which should be filled out and stamped, on the spot. On leaving Croatia the receipt must be verified by the Croatian Customs service. A PDV refund in Kuna can be obtained within six months, either at the same shop where the goods were purchased (in which case the tax is refunded immediately), or by posting the verified receipt back to the shop, together with the account number into which the refund should be paid. In this case the refund is dealt with within 15 days of receipt of the claim.
Working hours: Shops and department stores are open between 8h and 20h, and on Saturdays from 8h to 14h Public services and companies usually work from 8.30h to 16.30h from Monday to Friday.
Post and Telecommunications: Post Offices are open from 7h to 19h, and on Saturdays until 13h. Postage stamps are sold in Post Offices and at newsstands, and public telephones can be used only with phone cards, which can be purchased in Post Offices and at newsstands, in hotels and tourist complexes.
|
