HEALTH CARE

Foreign tourists do not pay for emergency health services if Croatia and the tourist's country of origin have a health care agreement. If not, the tourist must pay for health care costs immediately. Hospitals and clinics are located in all major centers, while doctor's offices and pharmacies can be found in smaller tourist destinations.

HEALTH PRECAUTIONS

In spite of generally good health care system, it is best to take a few sensible precautions during your holiday. The most important is to avoid overexposure to the sun, wear hat and quality sunglasses, and use a high-factor suntan lotion, especially during the hottest part of the day (11 a.m. till 3 p.m.). Drink plenty of water to avoid exhaustion and dehydration. Tab water in Croatia is generally safe to drink, but if you feel uncomfortable, bottled spring water is for sale throughout the country. Swimming after a full meal is not recommended for at least two hours. Wild beaches are usually not cleaned from sea urchins that like Croatia's clean waters. If you notice their presence, the best solution is to wear plastic or other adequate shoes to enter and get out of the water safely.

TRAVELLING WITH CHILDREN

Croatia offers you a great pleasure when travelling with children. Private accommodation is the most flexible solution. You can probably make arrangements with your hosts that will suit your family habits. Using the kitchen is also an advantage. Kids will love the freedom they can have on plenty of beaches you can take them to, just outside the town or village. Ask your hosts to give you instructions on best location. All resorts have organized some fun for children on the beach, where you can let them lose the energy with minimum supervision. For the beach, you may want to consider some plastic shoes for water for small children. Soft wind will cast the heat and trick one often to forget sun-protection. From 11 a.m. till 3 p.m. it's best to keep children out of the sun or well protected. For nights it's best to have a mosquito repellent ready if you notice their presence. In old towns and tourist resorts you will find nice pedestrian areas to walk and enjoy with your family. If you have a small baby, you will find it more practical to have some accessory that will help you carry your baby, because some parts of particularly interesting old town centres on the coast have stone floors and struggling with a chair will ruin all the fun.