State Dept Travel Warning - Bosnia H. Day trip Mostar ok?

No one can really answer this but you, because as you say, you are responsible for the decision affecting your family. So my experience of a week in Sarajevo in 2024 and 2 weeks across the country in 2023 aren’t really relevant. (However, for the record, I traveled as a solo female traveler and loved every minute and felt perfectly safe. However none of that is quantifiable.)

For perspective, though, here are other European countries ranked Level 2: Germany, France, Belgium, Spain, Denmark, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden, and the U.K. In fact, a good portion of the world is Level 2, most with the same warning.

It would be silly to say that danger doesn’t exist in most countries. But neither from my experience nor from my reading of the advisories are things currently worse in Mostar. Just keep an eye on it before you go.

A lot of the language in State Department ADVISORIES are boilerplate for the Alert level. Nowhere does it say Warning! If you read the advisory, it describes standard precautions applicable to many areas in the world where crime is present.

I am more interested in this tunnel that runs the length of BiH? The only way you miss all of BiH is by way of the coast and the new bridge.

Mostar is worth the time but there is a lot more worth the time in BiH as well. Ive been a few times, the last was May 2024 and am trying to get back at least once a year. Next trip maybe September or October this year. Solo, mostly out of the cities.

Some day it may not be possible to visit as there is a smell in the air that the war of the 1990's could flare up again. But for now, I listen to what the State Deartment says and go and enjoy. But if you choose not to, that would be an understandable decision too.

Thank you all! What a marvelous service. This is the good stuff of social media. I have taken to heart all that you have said so kindly and thoughtfully. I find most interesting the points about how so many nearby (and well traveled) countries have the same 'advisories' (not 'warnings' - point taken). Re the elusive tunnel. I will loop back on that - if I can find it again. I was confused by how GPS was taking me across the border from Montenegro to Croatia via BiH and asked Google if there was a tunnel between bordering towns and the answer was 'yes' - according to Google, so take with a grain of salt. If I do decide to meander through BiH, what are the border times like btwn Montenegro and BiH and then from BiH to Croatia? If it's not pretty seamless then we probably won't have time. Thank you again friends!

Mostar is stunning. I think it’s a “don’t miss.” I was there shortly after the bridge was rebuilt. Amazing place.

As one of the posters above points out, so many parts of Europe are level 2 alerts for terrorism.

I’ve only done the border crossing 2 or 3 times, so can’t say with any assurance. However those times were fairly quick and easy. The one I hear takes more time is the coastal road Dubrovnik to Kotor, but I have never taken that route. Just be sure you ask your car rental company about going to those countries and that you have appropriate insurance documents from them.

The scariest sounding part of the Level 2 advisory isn't terrorism; never heard of a terrorist attack in BiH other than during the war.
The "unique" warning is land mines left over from the war. It's been a few years since an incident near as I can tell, but I suspect if you went walking through uncultivated open fields, there would be some chance. That's just not going to happen on a trip to Mostar or Sarajevo. But they gotta be complete in forwarding their knowledge. Then, the issue of political stability. It's barely a country by some definitions. It is more of a coalition of states with 3 presidents. But I suspect there will be months of indicators if that starts to unravel.

My favorite places are Travnik, Jajce, Sarajevo, and the hotel Kraljevac on a river in Kljuc. I try and return every year. Beautiful country.

If you didn't want to rent a car, I know someone who can set up transfers in Croatia, Montenegro, and Bosnis & Herzegovina (BiH is the short name).

Well, our Rick Steves Tour has us staying in Mostar overnight next week, if that’s any help.

It sounds like we need to try to make a detour to Mostar work, either that or plan another trip allowing more than half a day - ha (I tend to pack the days full, not wanting to miss a thing!). I will ask locals about the border crossing times when we are there to hopefully get some clarity on that piece. Thank you everyone! I will definitely be back to this forum. Way to go Rick!

You don't say how you are getting to Zabljak and how much of Montenegro you are seeing. I am sitting in Budva today. My 4th trip to Montenegro and I become more impressed with each trip. I hope you get to see more.

It's mainly a hiking trip with our active adult kids with some must-see historical towns sprinkled in. We fly in and out of Split and have rented a car. Hiking and exploring Mjlet for a few days (Ston/Mali Ston on way out), a day/overnight in Dubrovnik, continue to Bay of Kotor area for a day and a half then drive to Zabljak via Budva to hike Durmitor for a few days, then driving day to Zadar (where we could pass via Mostar - thus my original question) to hike Plakenica, Plitvice, then back to Split/Trogir before flying home. Two full weeks! So hard to choose with all of the wonderful options! We will have to come back.

Absolutely have to come back. :) I spent several nights in Durmitor and it’s so gorgeous. And I am not even a hiker.

I just returned from trip 4 to Montenegro. But your interests and what I went for dont line up well so not much I can add.