Contact us: +385 91 764 1300 | info@terramagicacroatia.com |
About Terra Magica Adventures
Terra Magica Adventures is a boutique adventure travel agency prioritizing responsible travel and sustainable tourism. We are based in Croatia and run trips throughout the Adriatic and Balkan regions. We operate year-round and offer a wide range of nature-based activities, including kayaking, biking, hiking, SUPing, rock climbing, rafting, sailing, skiing, snowboarding, and more.
Our tours combine outdoor adventures with culture, cuisine, and history. This combination allows guests to explore stunning natural areas in a fun and active way while also being immersed in the local way of life.
We specialize in hand-crafted itineraries and take an individualized approach to trip planning. On all of our tours, we seek to connect people in a meaningful way to each destination, providing guests with unforgettable experiences and lasting memories.
Our mission is to help travelers escape the crowds of tourists and enjoy authentic experiences. From secluded beaches on Croatia’s rocky coastline to mountain huts high up in the Julian Alps, we take our guests to beautiful places off the typical tourist track.
We also seek to support local communities in each of our destinations by working closely with small, local businesses and individuals who share our goal of maintaining the magical environments and experiences that make our region so special.
Our Story
Terra Magica Adventures was founded by Tihomir and Becky Jambrovic. United by their love of nature, outdoor adventure, and travel, Tihomir and Becky created the company to share their passion with others and provide travelers with more options for responsible holidays in Croatia and surrounding countries.
The company’s name, translated as ‘magical land’ or ‘magical Earth,’ is a nickname for Istria, a region in northwestern Croatia where Terra Magica Adventures is based. The name captures the romantic, mystical vibe created by Croatia’s fairytale landscapes, but also underscores the uniqueness and exceptional value of environments in Croatia and beyond.
Our Team
Tihomir (TJ) and Becky Jambrović, Co-Founders
Tihomir (TJ) and Becky started Terra Magica Adventures in 2018. TJ was born in Zagreb, Croatia. Prior to launching Terra Magica, he had been working in the adventure travel industry for years and guiding trips through Scouts. From snowboarding and backcountry skiing to rock climbing and sailing, TJ always seeks out adventure and is happiest when outside.
Becky was born in New York State in the US and relocated to Croatia in 2017. She loved spending time outdoors from an early age and often went hiking, camping, canoeing, and cross-country skiing with her family. Before she moved to Croatia, Becky studied Anthropology at Cornell University and later worked in public relations. She enjoys all different outdoor activities, especially freediving, rock climbing, and skiing.
Ana Sladić, Guide & Adventure Travel Agent
Ana was born and raised in Zagreb, the capital of Croatia. She formally studied Forestry and Environmental Sciences and has always loved exploring the outdoors. Before joining Terra Magica Adventures, Ana was an educator teaching people how to sustainably interact with nature and later worked as a river guide. These experiences, together with her adventurous spirit and curiosity, led her to continue her journey in the outdoor industry.
Cycling and hiking are some of Ana’s favorite outdoor activities, and she will always find a way to go for a ride or a good walk. Besides ascending to great mountain heights to experience the beautiful views, Ana likes to explore the hidden world of the underground as a speleology intern. As a Terra Magica Adventures guide and travel agent, Ana enjoys sharing her knowledge of Europe’s natural beauties and her love of outdoor activities with others.
“I’m going on an adventure!” – Bilbo Baggins
Martina Žepina, Guide & Adventure Travel Agent
Martina was born in Zagreb, Croatia. From an early age, she enjoyed spending time in nature with summers on the seaside and the rest of the year on hiking trips with her grandparents.
Her formal background is in healthcare, but she has always been drawn to the outdoors. During her time at the University of Applied Health Sciences studying Laboratory Medicine, Martina pursued her childhood dream of finishing a scuba diving course and helped in a scuba center during summer breaks.
While working as a medical laboratory technician in the Children’s Hospital Zagreb, she always tried to find a way to spend time in the mountains or near the sea. That’s how she discovered freediving and sport climbing.
In addition to sport climbing, Martina enjoys ascending rocky alpine routes and winter hikes. She has finished mountaineering school and completed a high mountain course, allowing her to tackle greater challenges in the mountains.
Martina is happiest when she can show others all the beauty that Croatia’s and Slovenia’s nature has to offer, and that’s what brought her to TMA: a desire to do what she truly loves, to be outside, to explore and have fun, and to share this experience and her knowledge with others.
“The summit is what drives us, but the climb itself is what matters.” – Conrad Anker
Terra Magica Adventures Responsible Travel Policy
Policy Aims
On our tours, we work to inspire our guests to become actively involved in and advocate for the preservation and conservation of the places they visit in Croatia and the Adriatic region.
Our responsible travel policy aims to:
- Promote environmental stewardship and minimize negative impacts on the natural environment
- Benefit local communities and minimize negative social impacts of tourism
- Support local partners in building a more sustainable future for Croatia
- Provide meaningful, engaging travel experiences that are socially, economically, and environmentally responsible
- Provide a framework through which we can implement sustainable practices, monitor and improve our efforts, and encourage our partners to do the same
As part of our commitment to responsible travel, we discuss our sustainability efforts with our guests, colleagues, and partners and share how they can contribute to improving the sustainability of Croatian tourism. We recognize that international travel will always have some kind of impact, particularly when it comes to transport. Our goal is to ensure that when people do travel, it is done as sustainably and responsibly as possible, with benefits for local communities and the environment.
Below are the ways we work to create benefits for local people and the planet.
Environmental Responsibility
Croatia has extraordinary biodiversity for a small country, and around 9% of Croatian territory is considered protected. As a travel company operating in some of Croatia’s 444 protected areas, it’s crucial that we minimize our environmental impact and work to build a sustainable future for Croatian tourism. Tourism in Croatia continues to grow year after year, making it more important than ever to be aware of the industry’s effects on the environment and mitigate them at every opportunity.
At Terra Magica Adventures, we are passionate about outdoor adventure and actively seek to protect and preserve the environments in which we recreate. All of our guides are trained to reduce the group’s environmental footprint and to communicate with guests about how they can minimize their impacts on the places we visit. Below are the primary ways we commit to traveling in an environmentally responsible way.
Environmentally-friendly activities: One of the most significant ways we minimize our impact on the environment is that our activities themselves do not use energy or fuel. Whether it’s kayaking through azure waters on the Adriatic coast or cycling in inland Istria, we choose activities that have a low carbon footprint.
Group size: We keep our groups small – often 8 or fewer people – to ensure each guest has a meaningful and unforgettable experience while also reducing our impact on the places we visit. Whether we’re exploring an area on foot or by bike, we always stay on marked trails to reduce our environmental footprint.
Off-the-beaten-path destinations: On all of our adventures in Croatia, we strive to get off the beaten path and experience less-visited places. Some of our routes follow the coast, but many take you inland to explore mountains, rivers, lakes, forests, and rolling countryside. We recognize that many travelers want to see some of the famous sites, so we offer a balance of “must-see” places and hidden gems. When we do visit popular attractions, such as Plitvice Lakes National Park, we try to plan our visit during off-peak hours to reduce the strain on resources. We also avoid popular places on holidays and busy weekends whenever possible.
Waste reduction: In addition to reducing our own waste through thoughtful meal planning and avoiding single-use plastics, we combat pollution and littering by picking up any trash that we see on our excursions. We encourage guests to do the same. Our guides carry trash bags to collect any litter along our route – whether it’s on land or at sea.
Although some national parks and areas we visit have trash receptacles, many other areas are “carry in, carry out.” In these places, we take any waste we generate with us when we leave and ensure we are leaving the area as we found it, or even better.
Single-use plastics and reusable water bottles: Croatia is blessed with abundant water sources, and clean water is available from the tap everywhere we visit in the country. As a result, we avoid using bottled water on our tours whenever possible. We encourage guests to carry a reusable water bottle with them at all times, which they can refill at designated areas along our routes.
We avoid single-use plastics whenever possible in our meal plans. Meals are typically served in restaurants using reusable dishes and silverware, but we occasionally have picnic lunches in remote areas where we cannot realistically bring reusable items. In those cases, we opt for more sustainable materials, such as compostable wooden cutlery and paper plates.
Water: Although Croatia has many natural springs, rivers, and water sources, we always emphasize the importance of water conservation with our guests and partners and seek to limit our personal water consumption. We encourage guests to reuse towels and plan our trips so that we stay at the same bed and breakfast multiple nights whenever possible, thereby avoiding excessive washing of bed linens and towels that comes with single-night stays. We choose local partners who share our environmental values and encourage their guests to minimize water use, reuse towels, etc., through signs and information packets that are placed in the rooms.
Respecting wildlife: We often see wildlife on our tours, both on land and at sea. These are exciting moments for our guests, but it’s important to remain respectful of the animals and avoid altering their natural behavior. We remind guests to keep a safe distance and to avoid feeding or disturbing the animals.
Environmental advocacy: As a company and as individuals, we advocate for the preservation of Croatia’s natural resources, participate in beach clean-ups, and support local environmental initiatives. We support trail maintenance work in the areas we visit and volunteer our time to ensure the trails remain in good condition. We also support marine research and conservation through the Blue World Institute, an EU Site of Community Importance and Special Area of Conservation. The institute protects populations of bottlenose dolphins, loggerhead sea turtles, sharks, and rays in the Adriatic Sea. We encourage travelers in Losinj to visit and support the institute’s projects, including the Marine Education Center, Sea Turtle Rescue Center, and Marine Science Museum. In addition to serving as a regional education hub and hosting many school groups, the institute’s projects attract tourists and provide opportunities for employment, internships, and volunteering for the local community.
Visiting national parks and protected areas: As an outdoor adventure tour operator, our adventures in Croatia highlight the country’s gorgeous natural beauty and include visits to protected areas and national parks. Not only do the entrance fees directly support park programs and maintenance, but the revenue demonstrates to governments that these and other natural areas are worth protecting. Some of the national parks and protected areas that we visit on trips run by Terra Magica Adventures in Croatia are:
- Ucka Nature Park
- Forest Park Cape Kamenjak
- JU Kamenjak
- Plitvice Lakes National Park
- Paklenica National Park
- Krka National Park
- Mljet National Park
- Cres-Losinj Marine Protected Area
- Risnjak National Park
- Brijuni National Park
- Sjeverni Velebit National Park
- Velebit Nature Park
- Medvednica Nature Park
Transport: We structure our itineraries to minimize driving time between locations. Some of our tours are based entirely on the Istrian peninsula and require very little driving time and fuel. When we must drive between locations, we use a fuel-efficient vehicle that is appropriately sized for the group.
Office initiatives for the environment: In our offices, we limit the use of printed paper, print double-sided, and always recycle any paper that must be printed out. We focus on digital marketing efforts whenever possible and minimize the use of printed brochures. We avoid single-use plastics in and out of the office and encourage employees to do the same. Furthermore, we don’t require employees to come into the office unless absolutely necessary, which helps us reduce the carbon footprint of commuting.
Vegetarian and vegan meal options: Although meat and seafood are significant parts of the Croatian diet and culinary traditions, we ensure guests have access to vegan and vegetarian meal options and communicate the importance of this with our partners. We strive to include as many low-impact food options as possible and work to reduce the climate impact of our food choices, particularly by sourcing products locally. We are committed to working with our restaurant partners to provide more plant-based meals than traditionally available in Croatian cuisine.
Economic Responsibility
Croatia has one of the highest rates of unemployment in the European Union, and many young Croatians emigrate to other countries in search of better work opportunities. Our company and our partners are seeking to combat this by employing local people and bringing income to communities that are highly dependent on tourism for their livelihood. Travel and tourism account for around 25% of Croatia’s GDP, but these figures are even higher in many of the coastal areas that we visit on our trips. Here are the ways we support Croatian communities economically.
Employing local people: One of the ways we support the communities we visit is by employing local people as guides, trip planners, drivers, and other staff. This ensures our guides are familiar with the area, benefits the local community economically, and helps facilitate positive relationships with locals. Any of our guides who were not born in Croatia have lived here for extended periods of time and are well versed in the language, culture, customs, and lifestyles of the Croatian people.
Working with small, local partners: From lodging to restaurants, we partner with small suppliers who share our mission of giving back to the community and employing local people. For lodging, we place our guests in small, family-owned bed and breakfasts rather than chain hotels. For meals, we eat in locally-owned restaurants that serve fresh local ingredients. We choose our partners carefully, communicate our expectations, and ensure they are also dedicated to supporting the local community with employment opportunities and product sourcing. We request that all our partners and suppliers read our Responsible Travel Policy and commit to implementing the aspects that are relevant for their businesses.
Local products: Our meals are sourced almost entirely from locally-produced products with seasonal ingredients. This allows guests to taste local and regional specialties, while also supporting the area’s small-scale agriculture and fishing traditions, providing financial benefits to small producers, and minimizing food miles. We also visit various farmers’ markets and artisanal shops and encourage guests to support the community by buying local products rather than imported souvenirs and goods.
Year-round operation: Unlike many tourism businesses in Croatia, we operate year-round and therefore support local people and small businesses throughout the year. This is one of the key ways we aim to combat the issues seasonality creates for sustainability. While weather conditions prevent us from operating all of our tours throughout the year, we run various day trips and rent out bikes year-round.
We’re also working on developing Digital Nomad Tours for travelers already in Croatia on the country’s new digital nomad visa. We’re excited about this new offer since we will focus on trips outside of the standard tourist season, generating income for local businesses during times of the year when they do not typically see much traffic. These trips also have a lower carbon footprint since travelers are already in Croatia and are not flying into the country.
Less-visited destinations: We seek to spread tourist dollars around to diverse communities by going beyond the typical tourist itinerary. While we do visit some famous locations, we also strive to take our guests off the beaten track. This provides a richer experience of Croatian life and culture while also providing economic benefit to communities and locations that see fewer tourists.
Social Responsibility
At Terra Magica Adventures, we are committed to fostering positive relationships between tourists and local communities. Here are the ways we seek to ensure our trips are socially responsible, celebrate Croatian culture, and provide benefits for host communities.
Strong community ties: Our staff members have good relationships with family farms, wineries, shops, restaurants, and other small, locally-owned businesses in the communities we visit. On both our multi-day tours and single-day excursions, we visit and recommend these places to guests whenever we have the opportunity to do so. We make sure to recommend a diverse group of locally-owned businesses to circulate tourist dollars throughout the community rather than concentrate them among a few organizations.
Visits to community projects and interaction with local people: We also visit and recommend trips to farmers’ markets and artisanal shops with handmade products where guests can purchase foods, drinks, jewelry, paintings, and other crafts made by local producers and artists. This is an excellent way to support communities, interact with local people, and learn about regional traditions, crafts, and cultural heritage. Through these visits and recommendations, we seek to share the positive impacts of tourism, foster cultural exchange, and spread income from tourism around the community.
Sharing Croatian history, current events, and culture: Our guides are informed about current events and Croatian history and are happy to answer any questions guests may have about our country. We also direct travelers to historical and cultural sites and local cultural events happening in the areas we visit.
Local guides: Whenever possible, we conduct our tours in-house with Terra Magica guides. As a result, we are able to ensure a local guide accompanies groups on their visits to Croatian communities. When we do use any destination suppliers, we also request these organizations do the same and make sure that a local guide accompanies travelers.
Pre-departure trip info for planning and preparation: We provide all of our multi-day tour guests with a detailed pre-departure packet ahead of their visit so that they know what to expect upon arrival in Croatia. The packet includes information about the local currency, transportation, a detailed packing list, tipping etiquette, safety, and essential vocabulary, such as “please” and “thank you.” This way, guests feel comfortable when they arrive and are likely to receive a warm welcome from locals.
Combating issues stemming from over-tourism: Croatia welcomes around 20 million tourists every year. Over-tourism is a problem in many parts of Croatia, which stresses local communities and has negative impacts on the environment. We actively seek to combat over-tourism by choosing off-the-beaten-path locations and attractions to visit on our tours. For example, we avoid overcrowded destinations like Dubrovnik and Split on nearly all of our trips. If we do visit a popular destination or attraction, such as Plitvice Lakes National Park, we keep our groups small and visit top sites at off-peak hours to reduce the strain on resources.
Transparency and accountability: As part of our commitment to responsible travel, we think it’s important to communicate our values to guests, employees, partners, and the community. We are transparent in our operations and seek to promote dialogue about sustainable tourism best practices – both to hold ourselves accountable and to encourage others to join the conversation. In these ways, we can make sure that we are all working towards building a more sustainable tourism industry in Croatia and benefiting the local communities where we operate.
Review process and continuous improvement: We believe that traveling responsibly means continually improving our sustainability efforts. At Terra Magica Adventures, we review our trips each year and find ways we can improve guest experiences and community benefits while also reducing our environmental footprint. We value client and partner feedback and take all of their suggestions into consideration when working to improve our tours and our sustainable practices.
Terra Magica Adventures – Travelers’ Code of Conduct
We developed our Travelers’ Code of Conduct to provide accurate pre-trip information for our guests, help them prepare for their tours, and travel more responsibly. In addition to information about Croatia, the Travelers’ Code of Conduct provides suggestions for how guests can minimize any potential damage to or negative impacts on the environment, marine ecosystems, and wildlife during their travels.
We distribute our Travelers’ Code of Conduct to all guests and staff members and make it available to our partners. Furthermore, all of our multi-day tour guests receive a detailed pre-departure packet, which includes:
- Travelers’ Code of Conduct
- Recommended packing list
- Detailed itinerary
- Additional trip-specific Information
- Resources for travel arrangements in Croatia in case guests want to explore on their own before or after the tour
Minimize Environmental Impacts
Leave No Trace
One of the best ways you can minimize your impact while traveling and visiting natural areas is to follow the seven principles of Leave No Trace (LNT). The seven principles are rooted in research and evolve based on ongoing input from land managers, biologists, and other outdoor education leaders. The principles provide a framework for recreating responsibly and apply to nearly all outdoor activities. The Leave No Trace principles are:
- Plan ahead and prepare
- Travel and camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly
- Leave what you find
- Minimize campfire impacts
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of other visitors
Here are some of the ways you can apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your tour with Terra Magica Adventures. Your guides are educated about their surroundings and trained to minimize the group’s potential negative impacts. We will join and support you in leaving no trace during your Croatian adventures.
- Always stay on marked trails. Follow your guide and do not cut any new switchbacks or paths.
- Avoid feeding or disturbing animals you see on our routes, whether it’s along a hiking trail or in the sea.
- Leave it better than you found it. Never leave any litter or waste behind, and take any waste you see with you. Your guide will have a trash bag to collect any items you find.
- Avoid single-use plastic and do not buy bottled water. Croatia has many freshwater resources and very clean water. Some of the areas we visit on our trips, such as Paklenica National Park, have places to fill water bottles directly from mountain springs. No matter where we go, there will be places where you can refill your reusable water bottle.
- If you’d like to buy a drink other than water, opt for something packaged in a recycled aluminum can. This is the most eco-friendly option of widely available single-use drink containers.
- Bring reusable shopping bags for any groceries and souvenirs you purchase.
- Use only eco-friendly/biodegradable toiletries and reef-safe sunscreen. This is required on our sailing tours, but we recommend it on all of our trips. The term ”reef-safe” is not regulated, so check the ingredients in your sunscreen. The active ingredient should be a physical blocker rather than a chemical blocker. Look for non-nano titanium dioxide or zinc oxide.
- Invest in reusable travel containers for your shampoo, conditioner, and other toiletries. You can refill these with your favorite products rather than purchasing new mini bottles for each trip. Shampoo bars are also an eco-friendly choice for travel, and these can go in your carry-on bags since they’re not liquid.
- Do not remove any natural object from its place. We observe nature but do not disturb or alter it.
- Be respectful of others and avoid playing music, yelling, or talking loudly while we’re hiking or spending time outdoors.
- Yield to others when your guide instructs you to do so. This could be on a biking route, hiking trail, or while paddling on the sea.
- Choose a trip with activities that match your skills, goals, and abilities. Our trips are planned and guided by professionals and can be modified to meet the needs of the group. However, it’s important to be realistic about what you want out of your adventure tour and what you are capable of, and then choose a trip that is well suited to you. Please reach out to our team if you have any questions about our tours’ level of difficulty.
- Be mindful of your energy consumption and take measures to reduce it. Limit your use of air-conditioning and heating, and turn off lights and appliances when you are not using them and when you leave your accommodation.
Reduce Water Consumption
Although Croatia has abundant water resources, it’s important to conserve water at every opportunity. Reducing water consumption lowers the amount of energy required to deliver water to homes and businesses, which in turn reduces pollution. It also cuts down on wastewater and the energy required to treat it. We recommend reusing towels in your accommodations whenever possible and turning off the water while brushing your teeth, washing your hands, and showering until you need to rinse off. Many European toilets have two flush buttons, and the smaller button uses less water. Use the smaller flush option whenever possible to reduce your water consumption.
Support Local Communities
On our tours, we visit a variety of locally-owned shops with handmade crafts and farmers’ markets with local products. We also direct guests to locally-owned businesses when they have free time or are looking for a particular item or unique souvenir.
Please avoid bargaining with the local sellers at these small shops and stands. Often, they are selling things that they made or grew themselves, and they put a lot of effort into and take pride in their work. For example, if you purchase apricot jam at a farmers market in Croatia, there is a good chance the apricots were grown in a small family orchard and the jam was made using an old family recipe passed down through generations.
When you buy these local products, you are supporting people in communities that depend on tourists for a substantial portion of their income and people who, in many ways, are still recovering from the economic hardship following the 1990s war and the 2008 financial crisis.
Experience Croatian Culture and History
On many of our tours, we include visits to cultural and historical sites as part of the group activities. We also allow our guests some free time to explore on their own and get a deeper look at the parts of Croatian culture and history that interest them the most. Your guide is aware of local cultural events and historical sites and will happily provide suggestions for things to do and places to explore on your own.
About Croatia & Preparing for Your Visit
Below you’ll find some basic information about Croatia to help you plan your trip and feel welcome upon your arrival. If you book a multi-day tour with Terra Magica Adventures, you’ll receive a detailed pre-departure packet with all of the information below, plus additional information specific to your trip. This includes a detailed itinerary, a packing list, and resources for travel arrangements in Croatia if you’d like to explore on your own before or after the tour.
An Overview of Croatia
Tourism accounts for around 25% of Croatia’s GDP, and Croatian people tend to be very friendly and welcoming to tourists. Croatia is a very safe country. Crime is low, and pickpocketing is rarer than in many other European countries. While you should always exercise caution when traveling, you can generally relax in Croatia and just enjoy the beautiful scenery.
Weather and Climate
Croatia has three main regions: coastal, continental, and mountain. The coastal region has a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild winters that can be wet and windy. Summers on the coast typically see daytime highs from around 25 to 30°C (77 to 86°F), with lows ranging from 18 to 22°C (64 to 72°F). However, heatwaves in July and August can easily see temperatures rise into the mid to upper 30s Celsius (90s Fahrenheit). You should expect slightly cooler temperatures and more rain in the spring and fall. Winter temperatures in the coastal region typically range from 5 to 10°C (41 to 50°F), but they can dip below freezing in rare instances.
The continental region has hot summers and cold winters, with temperatures often dropping below freezing. Summers in the interior can be quite hot since temperatures reach the mid to high 30s Celsius (90s Fahrenheit), and there is no sea breeze to cool you off. Croatia’s mountain region has pleasant summers, cool springs and autumns, and cold winters with heavy snowfall.
When to Visit Croatia
The best time to visit Croatia for most people is between April and October, but visits between November and March also have their perks. The best time for you to go to Croatia will depend on what you want to do while you’re there.
If you want to enjoy watersports and spend time in the Adriatic Sea, the best time to visit is between June and September. July and August are the hottest and busiest months, with crowded beaches and packed towns along most of the Croatian coast. We do our best to get away from the crowds on all of our trips, but you’ll inevitably encounter some busy areas in July and August.
If you want to enjoy land-based activities like cycling, hiking, and sightseeing, March to May and October to November are excellent times to explore Croatia’s coastal areas and rural inland landscapes. Autumn is a wonderful time for culinary enthusiasts to experience the wine and olive harvests and taste prized white truffles in Istria. However, you’ll have a more limited selection of restaurants and attractions in many coastal areas due to seasonal closures.
December to February is quiet along the Istrian and Dalmatian coasts, but there are many celebrations and festivals to enjoy in other parts of Croatia. In December, head to the Advent festivities in Zagreb, Croatia’s lively capital. In addition to the city’s numerous museums, parks, and cafe bars, you can enjoy mulled wine, Croatian dumplings and sausages, and outdoor skating rinks. February in Croatia features Carnival celebrations in Rijeka, Samobor, and other parts of the country. The Feast of St. Blaise in Dubrovnik on February 3 is a unique Croatian tradition that also makes a wonderful experience for winter travelers.
While the Croatian climate does not allow us to operate all of our tours year-round, we are open throughout the year and offer many guided single-day tours, such as cycling, hiking, and rock climbing, in every season. For multi-day tours, visiting during the shoulder season (April to May and mid-September to October) is an excellent way to reduce the impact of your travels and to support local businesses during times when they see less traffic and income.
Local Currency
As of January 2023, Croatia uses the euro (EUR) as its official currency. Until the end of 2023, prices will be listed in both the euro and the former currency, the Croatian kuna (HRK), at the fixed exchange rate of 7,53450 HRK = 1 EUR. However, you can no longer pay in kuna. If you have kuna left over from a previous trip to Croatia, you can exchange them at a bank until the end of 2023.
You can exchange money at all major airports, banks, and exchange offices in Croatia. You can also withdraw kuna from ATMs, which are widely available throughout the country. Some ATMs take a large provision, so use an official bank ATM when possible. Ask your guide for recommendations if you’re unsure.
Many businesses in Croatia accept credit cards, but some small businesses and most farmers’ markets are cash only. We recommend carrying cash with you so that you can purchase local products from small vendors. Small bills and exact change are very much appreciated in Croatia, especially when paying small businesses and local sellers.
Tipping Etiquette
Servers in Croatia receive a regular salary and don’t depend on tips for their wages. Tips are, however, encouraged for good service. A 10% gratuity is standard in restaurants, but you can leave 15% if the service and meal are excellent. In cafe bars and casual eateries, it’s normal to round up your bill. For example, if you ordered a coffee for 1,75 euros, you can leave the change (0,25 euros) as a tip and round your bill up to 2 euros.
There are no set tipping rules for taxis, maids, skippers, guides, and other services in Croatia. No one will be offended if you choose not to tip, but tipping is a token of gratitude for good service. If someone goes above and beyond or does something special for you, a tip will be much appreciated. The industry standard for tipping outdoor tour guides is between 10% and 20% of the cost of the tour, but ultimately this is up to your discretion.
It’s not usually possible to tip on a credit card in Croatia, so make sure you have cash to leave a gratuity. Tips in restaurants, bars, taxis, and hotels should be in euros, but you can tip your Terra Magica guides, drivers, and skippers in USD, EUR, or GBP.
Entry Requirements
As part of the European Union, travelers from the EU/European Economic Area, the United Kingdom, and the United States do not need a visa to enter Croatia for tourism. A passport is sufficient for entry, along with proof of meeting current COVID entry requirements. You can check with the Croatian Ministry of the Interior regarding the latest requirements.
Key Croatian Phrases
The official language in Croatia is Croatian, a Slavic language similar to Bosnian, Serbian, and Montenegrin. Many people in Croatia speak good English, especially in areas that welcome tourists. Still, it means a lot when travelers make an effort to learn some of the local language and are familiar with the vocabulary used in daily interactions. Here are some basic Croatian phrases to help you on your visit.
- Dobro došli (doh-bro dosh-lee): Welcome
- Da (dah): Yes
- Ne (neh): No
- Živjeli (jee-veh-lee): Cheers
- Molim (moh-leem): Please/you’re welcome
- Hvala (ha-va-la): Thank you
- Dobar dan (doh-bar dahn): Hello/good day
- Bok (bohk): Hi/bye
- Kako ste? (kah-koh steh): How are you?
- Dobro jutro (doh-broh yoo-troh: Good morning
- Dobra večer (doh-brah ve-cher): Good evening
- Doviđenja (doh-vee-jeh-nyah): Goodbye
- Drago mi je (dra-goh mee yeh): Nice to meet you
- Oprostite (oh-pro-sti-teh): Excuse me
- Može (moh-jeh): Okay/that works
- Govorite li engleski? (goh-voh-ree-teh lee en-glees-kee): Do you speak English?
Questions, Concerns, and Feedback
We constantly strive to improve our tours and guest experiences while also reducing any potential negative impacts our trips have on the environment and local communities. We are happy to answer your questions and welcome feedback from guests on our tours. If you have any suggestions or feedback regarding your experience or ways we can improve, we would love to hear from you and will get back to you as soon as possible with a reply. All travelers on our multi-day tours will receive an electronic feedback form following their trips, but we invite you to reach out at any time regarding questions, concerns, and suggestions.
In accordance with Article 6 of the Law on Provision of Tourism Services and Article 10, Paragraph 3 of the Consumer Protection Act, customers may submit complaints regarding the quality of contracted services in the following ways:
- by mail to: Terra Magica Adventures d.o.o., Sportska 11, 10292 Gornji Laduč, Croatia
- via e-mail at: info@terramagicacroatia.com
Complaints must be made in writing within 8 days of the provided service. We will confirm receipt of your complaint as soon as possible and issue a response in writing no later than 15 days after the receipt of the complaint.
Do you have any other questions about Croatia, our tours, or our commitment to responsible travel? Let our team know, and we’ll get back to you!