Organize your stay Montenegro
Money Montenegro
The official currency of Montenegro is the Euro since its independence in 2006, even though the country is not part of the Eurozone. So be careful, whether you withdraw money from an ATM or pay directly with your bank card, you will be charged a 5% commission fee each time, so try to carry as much cash as possible. Montenegro uses the euro, but does not have its own currency as it is not yet a member of the European Union. Current transactions are mostly done in cash, although the use of bank cards is now widespread, especially for payments in large hotels and in many restaurants. But if the vast majority of establishments of all kinds are equipped with CB terminals, they are still reluctant to use them to avoid paying commissions and taxes and to gain cash. Thus, except in the top of the range, the terminal is often "out of order". Ask from the start if the bank card is accepted and if the terminal is working.
Budget & Tips Montenegro
Montenegro is no longer a very cheap country for everyday expenses; some restaurants and many hotels tend to match Western prices. Transportation can be even more expensive if you want to get off the beaten track, as it is often necessary to rent off-road vehicles to reach the more remote mountain areas. Montenegro is, on the other hand, particularly cheap when it comes to bus and train lines (for example, €3 between Podgorica and Nikšić). In fact, Montenegro can be divided into two for tourism: the coast where, especially in the mouths of Kotor, prices are close to those of the French Riviera, and the rest of the country which remains very affordable. Some ideas of prices before leaving: a local hamburger(pljeskavica) 1 to 2 €, a night in a hotel about 30 € per person in summer (50 in Budva or Tivat), a night in a private home between 10 and 20 €.
The tip is never included in the bill. It is therefore imperative to leave about 10% of the bill to the waiter. Unfortunately, the French do not necessarily have this reflex and can thus have a bad reputation with restaurant and tourism professionals. In cafés, it is acceptable to round up the amount to the nearest euro. Do as the Montenegrins do: say U redu ("or redou") to mean not to give change.
On the other hand, haggling is not really part of the customs except for negotiating the price of a room in a local's house and a cab fare which would seem exorbitant.
There are few taxes: prices are always inclusive of tax. For hotel nights, a local tax is added, of the order of 1 € per day and per person (this varies from one city to another).
Passport and visas Montenegro
A simple identity card is enough, as is your passport. All passports issued in France are now biometric. They include your photo, your fingerprints and a secure chip. To obtain a passport, go to the town hall with a tax stamp, proof of address, an identity card and two passport photos. The passport is issued within approximately three weeks. It is valid for ten years. Children must have a personal passport (valid for five years). Before leaving, remember to photocopy all the documents you take with you. You should take one copy of each document with you and leave the other with someone in France. This will make it much easier for you to renew your documents with the consular authorities if they are lost or stolen. You can also keep copies on the official website (mon.service-public.fr). All you have to do is create an account and scan all your identity documents and other important documents in the confidential area. If you have any doubts about entering Montenegro, please contact the Embassy of Montenegro in Paris (90 boulevard Flandrin, 75116 Paris, 01 53 63 80 30, [email protected]).
Driver's license Montenegro
The French driving license works in Montenegro provided that you have an insurance that works abroad. There are several car rental offers in Montenegro from local and international providers. In case of breakdown, call the Montenegrin Automobile Federation at 00381113331100 ([email protected]).
Health Montenegro
If tap water is generally drinkable, it is advised, to avoid any inconvenience, to drink mineral water or tap water previously treated with one Hydroclonazone® tablet (available in pharmacies) per liter of water. On site, general practitioners provide consultations at the hospital(bolnica) and in dispensaries. If you have a fever or a sprain, go to the nearest clinic - Dom Zdravlje - where you will be assigned a doctor. Hospital equipment and emergency services being of average quality, it is recommended to take out repatriation insurance and to return to France for treatments other than first aid. However, there is no need to carry a full first aid kit: pharmacies are quite numerous, both in the big cities and
there are plenty of pharmacies in both large and small towns, and you can find everything you need to treat minor injuries. For advice before your trip, do not hesitate to consult your doctor. You can also contact the travel medicine society of the Institut Pasteur medical center at 01 45 68 80 88 (www.pasteur.fr/fr/sante/centre-medical) or visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website under the heading "Advice to travelers" (www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/voyageurs).
Reminder of the emergency numbers to call even from a cell phone: police: 122, firemen: 123, medical emergencies: 124, roadside assistance(Pomoc na putu): 19807.
Mandatory vaccination Montenegro
No vaccinations are required to enter Montenegro. However, it is advisable to be up to date with the vaccines against hepatitis A and B, typhoid, tetanus, poliomyelitis and finally tick-borne encephalitis (for stays in wooded areas).
Tick-borne encephalitis in Central Europe. This disease is transmitted to humans by ticks, which are very present in forests in summer. Two weeks after the bite, the symptoms are similar to those of a summer flu. The disease can lead to neurological complications of varying degrees of severity, with impaired balance and reduced intellectual capacity. In 1 to 2% of cases, it is fatal. There is a vaccine, but no specific treatment, so if you are not vaccinated, wear long, light-colored clothing when walking in the woods and inspect your body thoroughly after any hike.
Hepatitis A. For hepatitis A, the existence of prior immunity makes vaccination unnecessary. It is common if you have a history of jaundice, have been abroad for a long time, or are over 45 years old. Hepatitis A is usually mild, but it can be serious, especially after age 45 and if you have pre-existing liver disease. It can be caught through water or poorly washed food. If you have liver disease, vaccination against hepatitis A is highly recommended before any type of travel where hygiene is precarious.
Security Montenegro
Montenegro is a fairly safe country in terms of petty crime. The main dangers for travelers are road insecurity, due to the behavior of some drivers, and a low seismic risk. Earthquakes have marked the history of the country, reducing entire cities to rubble. The last major earthquake was in 1979 on the Montenegrin coast. Slight earthquakes are currently felt several times a year, but do not usually cause any damage. Finally, hikers and those who tackle the country's mountains should be accompanied by a local guide if they are not experienced. Indeed, although these mountains are relatively modest in size (2,000 m on average), they are nevertheless mountains not to be taken lightly. There is no mountain rescue as in France. Few maps are reliable but the paths are more and more marked. Also, one must beware of sudden temperature changes, even in the middle of summer (beware of the continental influence). For the latest information on security in the country, consult the "Advice to travelers" section of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website: www.diplomatie. gouv.fr/voyageurs. Be aware, however, that the site provides an exhaustive list of potential dangers and that it sometimes gives a somewhat alarmist picture of the real situation in the country. See also our "Health" section.
Time difference Montenegro
Montenegro shares the same time zone as France, both in winter and in summer. Obviously, as Montenegro is located in the east of Europe, the sun sets early in winter.
Spoken languages Montenegro
The official language is Serbo-Croatian, even the Bosnian, Turkish and Roma minorities use it. In addition to Serbian, young and old speak English: you will be impressed by the level of English in shops and on the street in general. Having this language is equivalent to a passport. Italian is used on the Adriatic coast and now French in the seaside spots.
You can learn Serbian on the Internet for free (www.srpskijezik.edu.rs, www.loecsen.com, ilanguages.org/en/serbian.php, voyage.linternaute.com). If you want to learn more about the language, you can order some paperback books about Serbian from a big bookstore. The universities of the Sorbonne (Paris IV) and Bordeaux offer a complete training, but if you are in a hurry, it is better to contact the Institute of Oriental Languages in Paris (Inalco). This institute offers evening courses for employees and prepares very practical notebooks.
Communication Montenegro
The country is almost entirely covered by three mobile phone operators: Telenor , T Mobile , M : tel . They cover almost the whole country and work perfectly. For heavy mobile phone users, it may be a good idea to buy a prepaid card: expect to pay €3 to get a local number with credit for the first few calls. Then you can buy top-up cards. The most common way to call is via the Internet with the Viber application, which you can download onto your mobile phone. You can even see the person you are talking to with the Skype application. Finally, most post offices are equipped with landline telephones from which you can make international calls.
Internet cafés are becoming less common in the country. In fact, most hotels of all categories offer free wireless Internet (Wifi) and more and more bars, restaurants and public places are equipped with a free wireless connection. So no more worries in this area.
Electricity and measurements Montenegro
220 volts is used everywhere. This means that you can recharge your cell phones and other devices without any problems.
Otherwise the abbreviations and labeling of weights and measures are the same as in the rest of Europe. So don't be surprised if in restaurants fish and meat are offered in grams or even kilos.
Luggage Montenegro
The small Montenegro allows you to go from the beach to the high mountains during the day. Therefore, in addition to beach and summer clothes, it is advisable to bring walking shoes and warm clothes for the high mountains where it can also rain in summer. Be careful, in the middle of winter, in January and February, it is very cold in the whole country. The climate is continental, so equip yourself accordingly! Hikers wishing to explore the mountains of Durmitor outside the months of July and August should bring a rope, an ice-axe and even crampons, as snow is usually present until early summer on the highest mountain peaks. Also, a compass is not superfluous, as the existing hiking maps are not very accurate. Be aware that snakes are very numerous in the countryside surrounding the lake of Skadar, so a venom syringe can be part of your kit if you plan to explore this region on foot.
