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The
currency
The Croatian currency is the Kuna (local abbreviation kn, international
abbreviation HRK), which is divided into 100 lipas (lp). When visiting
Croatia, you can exchange most currencies and most credit cards
are accepted. Notes consist of 500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5 kuna.
Each bears a likeness to a Croatian hero.
Each kuna is divided into 100 lipa. There are silver coloured 50
and 20 lipa coins and bronze 10 lipa coins. The value of the kuna
is tied to the value of the euro. It is quite common for accommodation
to be priced in euros however you will pay in kuna.
Who`s
featured on the banknotes ?
5
kn - Ban (Viceroy) Petar Zrinski and Knez (Duke) Fran Krsto Frankopan
- Croatian noblemen of the 17th Century; landmark: Varazdin Fortress;
10 kn - Juraj Dobrila - noted Croatian bishop who promoted Croatian
cultural rights and advanced the Croatian language; landmark: Amphitheater
in Pula.
20 kn - Ban (Viceroy) Josip Jelacic - military hero of revolution
in 1848; landmark: Eltz Castle in Vukovar, and Vucedol Dove.
50 kn - Ivan Gundulic - greatest Croatian poet of the 17th Century;
landmark: City of Dubrovnik.
100 kn - Ivan Mazuranic - first non-aristocrat to be named Ban (Viceroy);
landmark: Church of St. Vitus in Rijeka.
200 kn - Stjepan Radic - political leader and founder of Croatian
Peasant's Party, assassinated in the Belgrade Parliament in 1928;
landmark: Town Command in Osijek.
500 kn - Marko Marulic - greatest Croatian poet of the 15th and
16th centuries; landmark: Diocletian Palace in Split and figure
of Croatian King.
1,000 kn - Ante Starcevic - political leader, ideologist and founder
of the Croatian Party of the Right; landmark: monument to King Tomislav
and Zagreb Cathedral.
Exchanging
money
There are numerous places to exchange foreign currency and most
offer similar rates. The Post Office will also exchange currencies.
Most places will make a charge of 1% to 1.5%. Kuna can be exchanged
for another currency only at a bank and only on production of a
receipt showing a prior transaction. Hungarian currency is difficult
to exchange in Croatia.
Credit
cards
Most major credit cards are accepted at ATMs all over the country
and within banks. Remember to have your four digit PIN number handy.
Tipping
Service charges are already included in your restaurant bill however;
if you feel you have received excellent service then feel free to
leave a tip. Don’t leave the money on the table; put it in the hand
of the waiter. Tour guides on excursions expect to be tipped and
a tip of 15-20KN would be quite acceptable. Shop prices are fixed
so there is no chance of bargaining however in street markets it
is quite acceptable to barter.
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