Dubrovnik and Dalmacija travel guide

Streetsmart
Left Hospital Right Croatian policeman
Security and Health
Reciprocal Health
Agreements
Most European countries,
including the UK and
Ireland, have reciprocal
health agreements with
Croatia. Those covered
by these agreements
can get free emergency
medical care in Croatia,
but will have to pay for
other consultations and
prescription charges. As
Croatia is not in the EU,
you do not need an EHIC.
Travel Insurance
It is unwise to rely on
reciprocal health agreements.
Comprehensive
travel insurance (see
p101) can save huge sums
if you become ill or are
involved in an accident.
Bites and Stings
Stray animals may
have rabies and should
not be petted. The spines
of sea urchins on rocky
shorelines can cause
infection, but you can
prevent problems by
wearing shoes. Ticks
found in forests between
April and August can carry
tick-borne encephalitis or
Lyme disease; cover up
and wear insect repellent.
In summer, the region’s
mosquitoes may also
give you nasty bites.
Sun Precautions
Sunstroke, sunburn
or dehydration can spoil
a holiday. You can protect
yourself by wearing
sunscreen with a high
SPF and a sunhat, and by
drinking plenty of water.
Health Centres
and Hospitals
All Dalmatia’s main towns
and cities have either a
health centre or a hospital
where you will be able to
see a doctor. The quality
of care is parallel to that
given in many Western
European countries, with
clean and well-equipped
facilities and highlytrained
staff.
Pharmacies
Centrally located
pharmacies (ljekarna)
are found in most cities,
towns and resorts. In
rural areas you may have
to travel some way to
locate one. Opening hours
are usually from 8am to
8pm Monday to Friday
and from 8am to 2pm on
Saturdays. Pharmacists
often speak English and
for minor ailments they
can suggest suitable nonprescription
medicines.
Crime
Crime rates are lower
in Croatia than in most
European countries, with
serious crimes against
tourists particularly rare.
Tourists do, however, fall
prey to pickpockets. Take
a sensible approach to
your personal safety and
that of your valuables. If
you become the victim
of a crime, contact the
police immediately.
Vehicle Breakdown
Rental cars in Croatia
usually have emergency
breakdown cover. If you
are planning to take your
own car, contact your
automobile association
to check how you can
arrange international
breakdown cover.
Documentation
The Croatian police
are entitled to ask you to
produce an identity card
or passport at any time.
You must also show one
of these forms of ID when
checking into accommodation.
When driving, you
must have the correct
documentation with you,
including your driver’s
licence, in case the police
want to inspect it. Tourists
are rarely stopped, but
you can be fined for failing
to produce documents.
Landmines
Most of Dalmatia has
for years been clear of
landmines laid in the war
of the early 1990s, but
they do still exist. Around
Skradin, Krka National
Park and the border area
with Bosnia, fields and
even whole villages still
have signs warning of
landmines. Walkers
heading off the beaten
track should use a recent
map, stick to trails and
seek local advice about
the possibility of mines.
Emergency
Phone Numbers
Police 92
Fire 93
Ambulance 94
Breakdown: 987
Maritime rescue: 9155
104
English is widely spoken in Croatia, as are German and Italian.