BiH is one of the least popular countries in the Balkans and while neighboring Croatia and Montenegro receive most tourist due to their coastal position, BiH only has a 25 km strip of access to the sea. BiH makes up for that with incredible rocky mountains and turquoise blue rivers. There are numerous waterfalls and other incredible landmarks to be seen. Almost 30 years after the conflict the city of Sarajevo saw a revival. BiH capital blends east and west having Vienna like features left over by the Austro-Hungarian influences and Ottoman architecture making it truly an incredible place to visit. BiH has a lot to offer however there are risks and important information visitors should beware of before their trip.

Traveling info

All visitors traveling to BiH must have a valid passport with the exception of EU citizens and citizens of countries which signed the Schengen agreement. Those citizens may use their national ID card in order to enter BiH. Certain nationals will require a visa prior to their trip whilst others may enter BiH for a maximum of 30 days every 60 day period without the requirement of a visa. (list in sources). Visitors who choose to drive in BiH must have their valid license, certificate of insurance and their vehicle registration documents at all times whilst driving. Those who hold driving permits not issued by the countries of the Schengen zone agreement are recommended to obtain an international driving permit to avoid misunderstanding especially when the driving permit is issued in non-Roman scripture or lacks owners photograph on it.

Traveling hazards

Driving in BiH can be quite a challenge, although roads between major cities are in fair conditions, secondary and rural roads are poorly paved if at all and often minorly or majorly blockaded by landslides. Driving at night through mountainous areas is particularly difficult and dangerous. Local drivers often disregard traffic laws and drive aggressively. Wild animals crossing the roads is a common occurrence and often causes traffic accidents. Around 100 traffic-related accidents are reported daily in BiH for various reasons.

Environmental hazards

There are two species of large mammal predators which may pose threat to people however these are very few in numbers in BiH and avoid areas of human activity. These two are brown bears and grey wolves. Despite their fierce reputation these animals prefer to stay away from people unless directly approached, in such circumstances the animals might attack. There are 3 species of vipers which are dangerous for humans, the European common viper, Horden viper, and the asp viper. All three are venomous and might cause severe damages to a person’s health sometimes even resulting in death. Ticks are present throughout all of Europe including BiH. These parasites carry Lyme disease which is very dangerous and difficult to cure. If bitten by a tick, submit it to a laboratory for Lyme disease testing.
There is a very small stip of Adriatic coast which belongs to BiH. There have been no reports of any marine creature attacking anyone however there have been reports in the neighboring countries. Despite that, the coastal waters are generally safe to swim in. It is wise to choose guarded beaches which provide extra safety in the form of trained lifeguards.
BiH suffers from earthquakes several times a year however none of the earthquakes are severe enough to cause major damage. Excessive rainfall however often causes floods and landslides which in turn have a catastrophic influence on BiH citizens often blocking or destroying roads and urban areas.

Health hazards

There are currently no outbreaks of any diseases nor are there any required vaccinations in order to enter the country. There are several vaccines which are recommended. These are the routine vaccines also known as the MMR vaccines, hepatitis A and B and rabies vaccine. BiH public healthcare is highly decentralized and varies in parts of the country. Facilities in Sarajevo will generally provide a better quality of service however waiting lines can be quite long. Private facilities provide a much better quality of service and have much shorter waiting times.
In case of an emergency dial 124.

Crime

BiH is generally safe for tourists however petty crime is common and it is important to stay cautious and keep a close eye on your belongings especially in crowded areas or on public transport. Thieves often work in groups and employ a variety of tactics in order to pickpocket or directly steal from their victims. To avoid becoming a target it is best to avoid exposing signs of wealth by wearing expensive jewelry or clothing. Violent crime does happen however it mostly involves gang members fighting for dominance. Bosnian gangs have quite an arsenal as they usually involve the use of hand grenades which often are smuggled into western Europe. BiH is a major trafficking route into western Europe. The country has a very strict drug policy and possession of even the smallest amount may lead to imprisonment as a mean of fighting drugs.

Summary

When visiting BiH be sure to see the Stari most and the old Bosnian towns which amaze with their middle eastern like architecture. Remember that planning your trip with Travset.com will give you the quickest information about nearest emergency services and will also help you purchase indispensable travel insurance for the trip of your lifetime. Please feel free to comment and share the experiences of your travels with Travset.com.

Sources

(Visa)
http://www.bhembassy.no/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=17&Itemid=28&lang=en
(Vaccinations)
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/bosnia-and-herzegovina