https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/travel-safety/europe/bosnia-and-herzegovinaBosnia and Herzegovinahttps://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/travel-safety/europe/bosnia-and-herzegovina/bosnia-history-for-travellersBosnia and Herzegovina have come a long way to reach political stability. However, local political difficulties and ethnic tension still exist. Random politically-related violence could occur with little to no warning.2019-07-04T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/travel-safety/europe/bosnia-and-herzegovina/bosnia-history-for-travellershttps://www.worldnomads.com<p>It's unlikely you'll get involved, especially if you understand a little more of Bosnia and Herzegovina's history. It'll also make more sense of what you see around town.</p> <ul> <li><a href="#historical-violence"> Historical Violence </a></li> <li><a href="#social-unrest"> Social Unrest </a></li> <li><a href="#legal-system"> Legal System </a></li> </ul> <h2 id="historical-violence">Historical violence in Bosnia</h2> <p>Bosnia has a violent history, and there are numerous examples you can see around the country to remind visitors. Such as the red plastic that fills holes in the sidewalks and streets. These&nbsp;holes are from shell craters that have been filled in with red in memory of the war.</p> <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/Travel-Safety/Balkans/bosnia-red-filler-on-roads.jpg" /> <figcaption> Red plastic filling holes in sidewalks. Photo credit: iStock/Photokanto </figcaption></figure> <p>Many buildings are still marked with sprays of bullet holes, more than you would think possible.</p> <figure><img src="https://media.worldnomads.com/Travel-Safety/Balkans/bosnia-bullet-holes.jpg" /> <figcaption> Bullet holes. Photo credit: iStock/fredrikarnell </figcaption></figure> <h2 id="social-unrest">Social unrest in Bosnia</h2> <p>Large-scale demonstrations and protests could still occur, and might turn <a href="/travel-safety/europe/bosnia-and-herzegovina/bosnia-crime-dangers " target="_blank">violent easily</a>. Violence is also somewhat possible at any form of large-scale gatherings, such as sporting events (particularly soccer), which have a history of getting out of control. The combination of alcohol, large amounts of people and passion for sports seems to be a good formula for violence.</p> <p>In June 2010, a police officer was killed and several others injured when an explosive device was detonated outside a police station in Bugojono, a town in central Bosnia.</p> <p>Though politically motivated violence is in decline, this should serve as a caution to those foreign travelers visiting this country.</p> <h2 id="legal-system">Legal system in Bosnia</h2> <p>Bosnia and Herzegovina have a legal system that is comparable to most first-world countries. But there are exceptions. One is that photography of military installations, government checkpoints, troops and the U.S. Embassy are forbidden.</p> <p>Be aware this may include civilian airports, bridges and equipment being used for military purposes, so if you have doubts, just ask. Better safe than sorry. You wouldn't want to cut your holiday short just for taking a quick pic of a bridge.</p> <p>Some local laws are also different than other countries in Europe. For instance, there are no anti-smoking laws. So expect restaurants, cafes and even public transport to be filled with clouds of smoke.</p>iStock/Greg Sullavan 0585067008 iStock Mostar Bridge, Bosnia and Herzegovinahttps://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/travel-safety/europe/bosnia-and-herzegovina/dangers-in-bosniaLearn about the possible dangers of landmines, poor air quality, driving conditions and local laws before you go.2018-01-18T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/travel-safety/europe/bosnia-and-herzegovina/dangers-in-bosniahttps://www.worldnomads.com<ul> <li><a href="#landmines">Watch Out for Landmines </a></li> <li><a href="#pollution"> Air Quality </a></li> <li><a href="#seismic-activity"> Natural Disasters </a></li> <li><a href="#driving"> Driving Conditions and Special Laws </a></li> </ul> <h2 id="landmines">Watch out for landmines</h2> <p>The last estimate, in 2015, recorded around&nbsp;20,000 minefields, and more than&nbsp;80,000&nbsp;active land mines. But, there are efforts in place to make Bosnia landmine-free.</p> <p>The Bosnia and Herzegovina Mine Action Centre (BHMAC) says there are&nbsp;1,400 communities affected by mines, and the safety of around&nbsp;545,000 people is in question.</p> <p>Between&nbsp;1996 and 2017, landmines caused 1,750 injured and 612 deaths.&nbsp;</p> <p>Most urban areas have been cleared, but unpaved roads, abandoned or derelict buildings and minor roads are still hazardous.</p> <p>Do not travel into or around the former lines of conflict, including some of the suburbs surrounding Sarajevo, as this area has a particularly high number of landmines. The best way to keep your limbs intact is to stay on hard surfaces when traveling and avoid abandoned buildings.</p> <h2 id="pollution">Poor air quality</h2> <p>If you've got&nbsp;asthma or other chronic respiratory conditions, there's a chance you might react negatively to the air quality in Bosnia and Herzegovina, especially in Sarajevo.</p> <p>With the high amount of pollution and allergens in the air, it's important to have the appropriate medication with you at all times.</p> <p>If passive cigarette smoke is a problem for you, be prepared .... Bosnians love to smoke!</p> <h2 id="seismic-activity">Natural disasters</h2> <p>Bosnia and Herzegovina resides in an area of active seismic activity, and earth tremors happen every so often.</p> <p>Larger-scale earthquakes also occur, although this is less likely.</p> <p>An <a href="/travel-safety/how-to-survive-an-earthquake-travel-safety-tips" target="_blank">earthquake</a>&nbsp;in 2016, with an epicenter 17km from the town of Mostar, and 54km from Sarajevo, measured 4.3 on the Richter scale. Tremors were felt in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Croatia.</p> <h2 id="driving">Driving conditions and special laws</h2> <p>Expect a few differences when you drive around Bosnia and Herzegovina. There are less than 40km&nbsp;of four-lane highways in the entire region. The remaining roads aren't in the best condition, becoming very narrow and winding in places, without guardrails.</p> <p>It's rare to find guardrails on roadsides, which means no reflectors, throw in some fog, especially during the early morning and at night, and you have very limited visibility. Plus, it's rare to find streetlights outside of the major city centers.</p> <p>Taking all these warnings into consideration, driving at night isn't recommended.</p> <p>During the winter months, add ice, snow and even landslides.... what a nightmare!</p> <p>Because of the poor driving conditions, between the 15^thof November and the 15^thof April, the law requires all vehicles to use snow chains and winter tires. Don't disregard this; though the fine isn't heavy, the cost of losing control of your car can be deadly.</p> <p>The law also requires that vehicles have a safety vest, spare tire, first aid kit, safety triangle, towing rope and spare light bulbs at all times. This is rarely checked, but again, it's in your best interest to have these things in case of an accident.</p> <p>Local drivers aren't exactly the best in the world, so be aware of the cars around you. Don't expect them to follow the law. Drunk driving and speeding (often while intoxicated) along the winding roads in the region are a problem. Even if you're a safe driver, the person speeding around the next bend might not be.</p> <p>If, after taking all these warnings into consideration, your plans still include driving through Bosnia and Herzegovina (including the road section at Neum on the Dalmatian Coastal Highway), make sure that you have all of the correct papers.</p> <p>Check that you have the original registration and ownership papers related to your vehicle, as well as your driver's license and Green Card third-party insurance papers.</p> <p>You should be able to get temporary third-party insurance at Split, as well as other main Croatian cities and main border posts. You can't purchase these at the Neum border.</p> <p>All sorts of people may be curious about these papers, such as border guards or customs officers. As these people tend to carry machine guns, it's best to have your papers in order.</p>iStock/tcerovski 0538511411 iStock A danger sign in Bosniahttps://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/travel-safety/europe/bosnia-and-herzegovina/bosnia-crime-dangersFind out how to avoid petty theft, places you shouldn't go, and other safety tips for your trip to Sarajevo.2019-07-03T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/travel-safety/europe/bosnia-and-herzegovina/bosnia-crime-dangershttps://www.worldnomads.com<p>There has been a recent rise in crime in <a href="/stories/connection/the-roses-of-sarajevo" title="Roses of Sarajevo">Sarajevo</a>, often in the form of theft. Reports from the embassy have shown an increase in armed robbery, breaking and entering, motor vehicle-related thefts and pick-pocketing.</p> <p>While several of these incidents did involve foreign travelers, it seems as if it's mostly part of the general trend of increased <a href="/travel-safety/travel-scams-101" target="_blank">criminal activity</a>&nbsp;in Sarajevo.</p> <ul> <li><a href="#theft"> Theft </a></li> <li><a href="#trains"> Crime on Trains </a></li> <li><a href="#violent-crime"> Violent Crime </a></li> <li><a href="#safety"> Safety Advice </a></li> </ul> <h2 id="theft">Theft in Bosnia</h2> <p>One of the exceptions to this is pick-pocketing. Foreign travelers are easy prey because they don't follow local customs and usually have money to steal. For instance, Bosnians don't usually wear backpacks, but travelers do, and pickpockets are very good at stealing from backpacks without you noticing.</p> <p>Beware of beggars; a common scam is for the beggar to act as a distraction while the pickpocket steals your wallet. Keep track of your wallet, bag, purse, or handbag at all times. Placing it behind your chair, out of your sight, while eating or sitting in a public place&nbsp;are excellent ways to lose it.</p> <h2 id="trains">Crime on trains in Bosnia</h2> <p>Watch out for theft and fraud on trains. There have been several cases of theft from locked compartments because the locks aren't secure. Keep your valuables on you, or out of sight. As for fraud, there are always various scams going on, so be careful and use common sense. If someone tries to tell you that you have to pay a strange extra fee you've never heard of, it might be a scam. Use caution. If a beggar approaches you on the train, keep your hand on your wallet. Someone might be about to steal it.</p> <p>Be especially careful on trams, where there this kind of activity is even more likely to happen.</p> <h2 id="violent-crime">Violent crime in Bosnia</h2> <p>When it comes to violence, criminals in Bosnia and Herzegovina use direct approaches to settle their various differences. And by direct, I mean they use hand grenades.&nbsp;</p> <p>In 2010, there were 27 separate incidents where criminals used hand grenades for various reasons.</p> <h2 id="safety">Safety advice in Bosnia</h2> <p>In general, take the same precautions you would take while traveling anywhere else. Keep any important items out of view, try to blend in with the locals, avoid ostentatious displays of wealth, like waving around fistfuls of money and covering yourself in bling. These actions simply tell criminals you have money to steal, and you'll make yourself a target.</p>iStock/MikePax 0530415924 iStock A market in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina