Common tourist scams in Croatia and how to avoid them

Croatia's tourist economy is seasonal and heavily concentrated. In July and August, Dubrovnik, Split, Hvar and Zadar take most of their annual visitors in a few weeks, and the scams that appear are the ones that work on people who are tired, hot and in a hurry. Almost none of them involve violence. They involve a price you did not agree to.

Taxis are the classic case. At airports, ferry ports and bus stations, drivers may approach you inside the terminal rather than wait at the rank, and quote a flat price that is well above the meter. The fix is simple: use a licensed rank or a ride-hailing app, and if you do take a street taxi, agree the total fare in euros before you put your bag in the boot. If the driver refuses the meter, walk to the next car.

Restaurants near the main sights sometimes add bread, olives or a cover charge you did not ask for, or bring a larger portion than ordered and bill for it. This is not always a scam — a couvert charge is normal in some Croatian restaurants — but it should be on the menu. Read the menu before you sit, ask for the price of anything sold by weight (fish, shellfish, steak), and check the bill line by line before paying.

On the water, unlicensed boat operators sell island trips from the promenade in Split and Hvar with no ticket, no insurance and no clear return time. Book through a registered agency or your accommodation, and get a written departure and return time. The same applies to "free" walking tours that end with a hard push for a large tip, and to currency offers on the street: Croatia uses the euro, so anyone offering to exchange kuna or another currency at a good rate is either out of date or not honest.

Pickpocketing does happen in crowds — the Stradun in Dubrovnik, the Riva in Split, packed buses and ferries — but it is far less common than overcharging. Keep your phone and wallet in a front pocket or zipped bag, and do not leave bags on the floor of a café.

If something goes wrong, ask for a receipt and note the time, place and any vehicle plate. Report overcharging to the police on 192, or 112 in an emergency. Your travel insurer may ask for a police report, so file one the same day if the amount is significant.

Pay by card where you can — it leaves a record and avoids the "no change" problem. Keep a small amount of cash for markets, small konobas and islands where card machines fail.

Photograph your rental car or scooter from every side before you drive off, and again when you return it. Damage disputes are one of the most common money arguments on the coast.

Agree the price of anything sold by weight before it is cooked. Fish and shellfish are usually priced per kilogram, and a large fish can cost far more than you expect.

Keep the emergency numbers saved: 112 for anything, 192 police, 194 ambulance, 195 sea rescue. English is widely spoken in tourism, so reporting is straightforward.

If you are travelling with a group, split the cash and cards between bags so one theft does not take everything.