Banja Luka

Entry requirements vary by passport. Check the requirements for your specific passport on the Bosnia and Herzegovina page at Yoogo.

The official currency is the Bosnian convertible mark (BAM), which is pegged to the euro. Card payments are accepted in hotels, larger restaurants, and shops in cities, but cash is still widely expected in smaller establishments, markets, and rural areas, so it is worth carrying some local currency.

Bosnia and Herzegovina is generally a safe destination for travellers, with violent crime rates remaining relatively low and most visits to Sarajevo, Mostar, and other cities passing without incident. Petty theft such as pickpocketing can occur in busy tourist areas, and some rural regions retain unexploded ordnance from the 1990s conflict, so it is advisable to stay on marked paths when hiking.

Intercity buses are the most practical and widely used option for travel between Sarajevo, Mostar, Banja Luka, and other towns, with services running throughout the day. The twice-daily Sarajevo to Mostar train is notably scenic and recommended, though the broader rail network is limited and slow. Within Sarajevo, trams and trolleybuses serve the main routes.

Late spring (May to early June) and early autumn (September to October) offer the most comfortable conditions, with warm temperatures and fewer crowds than the peak summer months. July and August can be very hot in Herzegovina, while winter brings heavy snow to the mountainous interior, which suits winter sports but can complicate road travel.

Bosnia and Herzegovina has three official languages, Bosnian, Serbian, and Croatian, which are mutually intelligible South Slavic languages written in both Latin and Cyrillic scripts. English is widely understood among younger people and those working in hospitality and tourism in the main cities, though knowledge of a few basic phrases in the local language is appreciated outside tourist areas.

No vaccinations are required for entry, but travellers are generally advised to be up to date on routine immunisations including hepatitis A, diphtheria, tetanus, and measles, mumps, and rubella. Those planning outdoor activities in forested or rural areas may wish to discuss tick-borne encephalitis vaccination with a travel health professional before departure.

Tipping is not mandatory but is appreciated for good service. In restaurants and cafes a tip of around 10 per cent is a reasonable gesture, and it is customary to leave the tip in cash even when paying by card. Taxi drivers are typically tipped by rounding up the fare.