Croatia is part of the European Union and therefore accepts Euros (EUR).
United States dollars (USD) are often accepted, however, not as widely as Euros.
Most establishments now accept cards, however, some smaller island locations will only accept cash. This is rarely a problem as ATM machines are not difficult to find and are available in every port we visit.
Here are a few tips:
1. Currency – Most restaurants and excursion providers will accept Euros or US dollars.
2. Cash – Cash is the preferred method of payment in Croatia, especially on the islands, so it’s a good idea to bring some cash with you (Euros or US Dollars).
3. ATMs – There are lots of ATMs in Croatia, however, the fees they charge can be high, so it’s better if you bring a little more cash with you to reduce the number of times you will need to use them.
When using them, the ATMs ask if you would like to use their or your bank’s conversion rate. You should always choose the local currency, this way you can avoid the Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC), a currency conversion rate added by the payment processor.
The best bank machines are the ones that say “bankomat.” These are the bank machines and the ones that the locals use.
Avoid the ones that say “ATM” as they have been set up for tourists by a third party and charge higher fees.
4. Credit Cards – Some places will accept cards. If so, it’s wise to use them to reduce the number of times you need to get cash from ATMs.
