OVERVIEW

Bosnia and Herzegovina shares borders with Serbia and Montenegro in the east and southeast, and Croatia to the north and west. It has a short Adriatic coastline of 20km (12 miles) in the south, but no ports. Travel by road is the usual means of transport in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Many of the roads are still in poor condition but the rail service is gradually being restored. There are a few city center hotels in Sarajevo. In the recent past, it was only foreign journalists who stayed there but that is slowly changing, as the situation stabilizes. The cuisine of the region includes Turkish influences. Specialities are bosanski lonac (Bosnian meat and vegetable stew) and lokum (Turkish delight). In past years, the health spas of Jahorina, Bjelasnica and Igman were renowned for good skiing. The Adriatic Coast offers unrestricted fishing, although a special permit may be needed for fishing in rivers and lakes with nets or traps.

Social Conventions
Bosnia & Herzegovina is characterizeded by its ethnic and religious diversity and visitors should respect the customs and traditions of the various ethnic and religious groups. The main ethnic groups are the Bosniaks (48 per cent, also sometimes referred to as Bosnian Muslims), the Serbs (37.1 per cent) and the Croats (14.3 per cent). As a sign of acknowledgement of the three main religious communities (Islamic, Orthodox and Roman Catholic), the Government of Bosnia & Herzegovina allows its citizens to take off two working days per year for religious purposes. Visitors should be aware that drinking alcohol in public may be considered offensive by Muslims. Visitors should avoid expressing opinions about the war or other sensitive issues.

Tipping
Tipping is customary for taxis, as well as in hotels and restaurants; the bill is often rounded up.

International Travel:

Note
There continues to be a threat from terrorism to Western targets. Visitors must be particularly vigilant in public places and tourist sites. Unexploded landmines remain a real danger and travelers should be careful not to stray from roads and paved areas. If traveling within the Republika Srpska, visitors must remain vigilant and avoid drawing attention to their presence. All public demonstrations or gatherings must be eschewed.

Air
The national airlines are Air Bosna (JA), which operates flights from Amsterdam, Belgrade, Copenhagen, Gothenburg, Istanbul, London and Stockholm to Sarajevo, and Air Srpska (R6), which operates regularly from Banja Luka to Belgrade and Zurich, with plans to expand the service to destinations in Germany and France. Other airlines serving Sarajevo include Adria Airways, Air France, Austrian Airlines, Croatia Airlines, KLM, Lufthansa, Malev Hungarian Airlines and Turkish Airlines. Flights from London are also operated by Adria Airlines (via Ljubljana) and Croatia Airlines (via Zagreb).

International airports
Sarajevo (SJJ) is the main international airport. Banja Luka (BNX) and Mostar (OMO) also receive a small number of international flights (from Vienna and Zagreb).

Departure tax
US$12. Transit passengers not leaving the airport transit area are exempt.

Rail
The railway system was badly damaged during the civil war but restoration is underway. Rail services now link Sarajevo, Mostar, Doboj and Banja Luka to Zagreb, Belgrade, Ljubljana and Ploce. However, services are slow; the Sarajevo–Zagreb journey takes around nine hours.

Road
Bosnia & Herzegovina’s road network is still in the process of being reconstructed, following massive damage during the 1992-1995 civil war. It is possible to enter the country by car from Croatia. Drivers from the UK should note that Green Card motor insurance is not extended to Bosnia & Herzegovina; compulsory third-pary insurance is available at border crossing points. There are frequent bus services from Sarajevo to many Eastern and Central European cities, including London.

Note
The border crossing from Croatia at Bosanski Brod is now open.

Duty Free
The following goods may be imported into Bosnia & Herzegovina without incurring customs duty: 200 cigarettes or 20 cigars or 200g of tobacco; 1l of wine or spirits; 1 bottle of perfume; gifts to the value of &Euro;76.70.

Internal Travel:

Rail
Rail links between the Federation of Bosnia & Herzegovina and the Republika Srpska have been restored. In addition, a few local services are operating.

Road
Travel by road is the usual means of transport in Bosnia & Herzegovina. Road conditions are still poor, but many roads are now being restored. The safety and condition of urban roads is generally fair, although rural road maintenance is seriously lacking. The risk of landmines has decreased in the last few years, as most mines remaining from the war are now clearly marked. However, visitors are still advised to exercise caution when traveling outside main cities and towns. Caution should also be taken when driving at night or during winter. Drivers should keep to the main roads. The emergency number for roadside assistance is 987. The capital, Sarajevo, is the nodal point for all Bosnia & Herzegovina’s main communications routes, which go west to Banja Luka, and then to Zagreb, capital of Croatia; north to Doboj, and then to Osijek in Croatia; east to Zvornik, and then to Belgrade in Serbia & Montenegro; south to Mostar, and then the Adriatic Sea; and southeast to Foca, and then to Podgorica (formerly Titograd). Documentation: An International Driving Permit is required.

Geography
Roughly triangular in shape, and the geopolitical center of the former Yugoslav Federation, Bosnia & Herzegovina shares borders with Serbia & Montenegro in the east and southeast, and Croatia to the north and west, with a short Adriatic coastline of 20km (12 miles) in the southeast, but no ports.