Croatia - Eastern Europe - page 132

Croatian Embassy Locations
In the United States
Croatian Embassy: 2343 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington DC 20008 ( & 202/
588/5899; fax [phone]; [e-mail]).
In Canada
Croatian Embassy: 229 Chapel St., Ottawa, Ontario, K1N 7Y6 ( & 613-562-7820;
fax [phone]; [e-mail]).
In the United kingdom
Croatian Embassy: 21 Conway St., London, W1P, 5HL, U.K. ( & 44 20 7387-2022;
fax [phone]; [e-mail]).
In Australia
Croatian Embassy: 14 Jindalee Crescent, O'Malley Act, 2606, Canberra ( & 61 2
6286-3544; [e-mail]).
In New Zealand
Consulate General of the Republic of Croatia: 131 Lincoln Rd., Henderson/
PO Box 83200 Edmonton, Auckland ( & 64 9 836-5581; fax [phone];

[e-mail]).

MONEY
The official currency of Croatia is the kuna (kn), which comes in notes of 5, 10, 20,
50, 100, 200, 500, and 1000 kn. One kuna equals 100 lipa, and coins with values of
1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 lipa and 1, 2, 5, and 25 kuna are in circulation. To convert
prices in kunas to current prices in U.S. dollars, go to www.xe.com/ucc.
EXCHANGE At press time, the exchange rate was 5.8 Croatian kuna to 1 U.S. dol-
lar. With Croatia's anticipated E.U. membership in progress, many Croatian busi-
nesses are beginning to express their prices in euros and kuna, though euros are not
yet widely accepted. ATMs (aka Bankomats in Croatia) have been installed in almost
all towns and are the most convenient and economical way to obtain Croatian cur-
rency. Foreign currency can be changed at post offices, banks, exchange offices, and at
some hotels and travel agencies, but beware of service charges, which can be as high
as 3%. Any Croatian bank will handle credit card cash advances.
CREDIT CARDS Most stores, hotels, and upscale restaurants in larger cities accept
credit cards, but establishments in small towns generally do not. Most small businesses
and market vendors do not accept traveler's checks.
Note: Many restaurants, hotels, and shops offer a discount for cash payments.
WHEN TO GO
July and August are high season on the Croatian coast and islands. This is when the
coast is at its best—and worst: Hotel rooms are the priciest, restaurants the busiest,
and crowds can be overwhelming. However, Zagreb and other interior cities can be
bargains in summer because many citizens head for the coast. The downside is that
some Zagreb restaurants and shops may be closed for vacation. In May, June, Septem-
ber, and October, coastal weather is usually mild, the sea warm, and prices lower, but
some establishments might be shuttered and some ferry routes might be canceled or
on reduced schedules.
Weather in Croatia is divided into two miniclimates. Northern Croatia has a Con-
tinental climate, with average temperatures ranging from near freezing in January to