My wife and I will be in Croatia in May of this year on a biking / boat trip in the Dalmatian Islands with time in Split and Dubrovnik. I would appreciate advice on whether or not I need to purchase a small amount of the Croatian currency in advance or wait or wait and withdraw Kuna from an ATM when we are in Croatia? If purchasing in advance, does anyone have a recommendation for best place to purchase - - my bank, PNC, does not deal in Kuna currency. Thank you.
Posted by
Lynnwood, Washington
8880 posts
Wait and withdraw there.
Posted by
Connecticut
692 posts
Definitely wait and withdraw there. It’s more convenient and perhaps easier to judge what you’ll actually need as you begin your stay.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23626 posts
A debit card at a local bank owned ATM should be more than adequate. There are currency exchanges on the internet that will mail you Kuna. I don't think it is necessary to pre-purchase.
Posted by
Coquitlam
237 posts
Depends on your comfort level. We always have some local currency on hand when we arrive, so we are not looking for an ATM upon arrival. We like the piece of mind, but others are okay picking up some when they arrive. It really is your choice.
Posted by
Portland, Oregon
5687 posts
Use a local ATM once you arrive if you really need cash. Or try to use your credit cards for everything. Sometimes you'll have to pay for certain things in cash.
Posted by
Calgary
1741 posts
I'm with Bob. (I'm also going to Croatia in May, BTW.) I take out a small amount at my bank, so that I can have cash for a tip or small purchase or to get change for a toilet (if necessary) when I arrive and don't have to immediately find an ATM. Then I use credit cards and take money out at local ATMs as needed.
Two things to note:
Some banks require that you use specific ATMs, or there is a higher fee involved. For instance, my bank requires that the ATM is on the Plus network in order to avoid the higher fee. This is one reason why I don't want to have to find an ATM on the spot when I arrive.
In case you aren't aware, when you use a credit card, you may be asked if you want to convert the transaction to your currency. This might seem easier, but don't do it. The conversion rates tend to be higher than if you let your cc provider do the converting.
Posted by
The Heartland USA
8967 posts
Do you have any other leftover currency of another kind from a previous trip? When I had a small quantity of leftover CHF from a previous trip (and no plans for another visit), I took those on my next trip abroad, and exchanged them for some euro at the airport. Yes, you get hosed on the exchange rates, but it solved two problems at once, with a relatively minor cost.
Posted by
Brooklyn, NY
4259 posts
They also have ATMs at the airport. Also, since they will be changing over to the euro sometime in 2023, many places are already accepting them. If you have any left over from a previous trip, bring them with you. Credit cards are also accepted in most places now.
Posted by
6 posts
Do any of the ATMs dispense Euro or it's just Kuna?
Posted by
Portland, Oregon
5687 posts
As of January 1, 2023, I imagine they'll all be dispensing Euros or soon thereafter.