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Bosnia Maraka
The official currency currently in use in Bosnia is the konvertibilina marka which is also used in Herzegovina. It translates, as the name would suggest, as 'convertible mark' and it is pegged to the euro. Each marka is then sub-divided into 100 feninga.
The konvertibilina marka and feninga derive their names from the
German Mark and Pfennig, which were in use until the Germans adopted the euro.
The international symbol for the marka is BAM and it is usually denoted in Bosnia by the letters KM.
The currency is issued as both coins and banknotes. The coins are issued in the denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, feninga, 1, 2 and 5 maraka. (Maraka is the plural of mark).
Notes are issued in the form of 50 feninga, 1 marka, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 maraka.
History of the konvertibilina marka
The marka is quite a new currency, being issued as late as 1998, having first been established as a currency in 1995, following the Dayton Agreement, which was a framework for peace agreed following the conflict in Bosnia.
The new currency was established as a way of making sure that a fresh start was made and that the bitter conflict which had rocked Bosnia would be put behind the people and so the marka was born.
Originally the marka was pegged to the German mark and it was equivalent to one Mark. Then in 2002 when the euro was adopted by
Germany, the euro was adopted as the currency to which the marka was pegged.
Getting hold of Maraka
It is quite easy to get hold of maraka due to the fact that there is an extensive and quite comprehensive system of ATMs throughout Bosnia.
So if you are travelling to Mostar or Sarejevo then there will be no problem. The only time that you may have difficulty accessing an ATM is in the very small, rural villages, where it is better to have a supply of maraka just to ensure that you do not run out of funds.
However, try to take out very small amounts from an ATM machine. If it will let you take out less than 50 maraka then take out 40. This is because it tends to issue quite big notes, usually around 50 maraka and then you can have real problems when it comes to cashing them. Mainly this is because it is a poor country and quite a cheap country, so what may be a small amount by Western standards, is much more in Bosnian terms.
Bosnia is mainly a cash based Society, so you could well find that your credit card is not readily accepted, unless at the larger hotels and usually international type hotels. Certainly outside of cities you will not be bale to use credit cards.
Generally it is possible, particularly in the cities to use euros to make payment, but only notes, you will not be able to use coins. If the notes are tattered or rather old, then they may not be accepted, so if you are taking euros as some kind of standby or emergency funds, then make sure that you take ones that are crisp, shiny and look as if they are just off the printing press!
If you want to take travellers cheques, it is probably best to take these in euros. You will also find that it is not possible to exchange travellers cheques at all banks, only some will exchange them. This can be a pain, but since banks are generally open from 8 am until 7 pm (apart from lunch) you should not have too much difficulty finding a bank where you can exchange cheques. If a bank refuses to accept them, they will usually tell you the nearest place where you can change them, so don't be afraid to ask.
Safety Issues
Bosnia is not the most dangerous country to visit, indeed it is actually relatively safe. However, there are some risks that you should be aware of, simply so that you can minimise the risk of anything happening to you when in the country.
Possibly the greatest risk, particularly to independent travellers is the risk of landmines. No one knows exactly how many unexploded landmines there are in Bosnia, but estimates range from 5,000 to 30,000 right up to 1 million, depending on your outlook!
So there is a real risk. As a result extreme caution should be exercised at all times. The main way that you can avoid landmines is through avoiding going into any abandoned houses. During the conflict they were often heavily armed with landmines and as a result, if you do venture inside, you may not come out again. Really there is no real reason why you should wish to root around abandoned property, so this is not a difficult condition and will help ensure your safety.
In addition, if you are in the countryside, try to remain on official paths at all times ie on the paved areas of land: these are generally much safer.
Crime rates are not extortionately high in Bosnia. There is some petty crime, but it is not rampant, so as long as you take basic precautions and ensure that your belongings are with you and safe at all times, then you should be ok.
One thing that you do need to be aware of is that within Bosnia and Herzegovinia, there are effectively two sections. One is the Bosnian 'side' and the other is the Serb 'side'. Although these two sections live in 'peace' there is still some ethnic tensions that bubble up to the surface every so often.
After Kosovo declared independence in 2008, there was an increase in the number of demonstrations held and ethnic tensions heightened. There is still much bitterness about the war and what happened in the days when conflict effectively tore Bosnia apart. All travellers to the country should be aware therefore that violence can erupt at times. It is also advisable not to pass any comments about the conflict, particularly if unsolicited, because many people are very bitter about it and do not take kindly to westerners making perhaps, in their eyes, ill informed judgements about the conflict.
Since 2007 there has been an increase in the number of violent crimes taking place, with armed robberies as well as explosions. Word on the street has it (and to some extent this has been corroborated by the police), that these crimes are actually linked to very organised criminal gangs. The risk of being a victim of this type of crime, remains fairly low statistically, but nevertheless, care should be taken at all times and if you see any suspicious type of activity just try to leave the area, using a firm pace, but not running.
Using your Maraka
Bosnia as a country is still much cheaper than other countries, even its neighbour Croatia. It is therefore very good value for travellers and is a place where you can eat, drink, have good quality accommodation and get around quite easily, without breaking the bank.
Eating out in restaurants is relatively cheap and the quality of the food tends to be very good. Food hygiene is very important in Bosnia, so you will be safe when eating out, although the food itself may not be to everyone's taste!
Some of the food available is quite fatty and very much meat orientated, with few alternatives being available for vegetarians, although soup can sometimes be described as vegetarian, but for all that it may still contain meat stock.
Getting around Bosnia, despite the threat of landmines is actually quite easy and safe. All the train routes and bus routes are clear of mines, so this is not really a problem. The only difficulty with the trains is that they are very slow and usually they do not have enough carriages, which makes them almost as overcrowded and uncomfortable as trains in the UK, but Europeans will find them to be of quite a low standard.
Shopping is also very good value in Bosnia as a whole, with prices substantially lower than in Europe. In Sarajevo you will find some good quality shoes, leather goods and clothes on sale at very cheap prices, particularly when you consider the quality of the goods.
There are markets in almost every town and city and again, the quality of the products is not reflected in the prices. Many of the items for sale have been made by the person selling them, or a member of their family, so they are a good way of making sure that they get a fair price for their work.
Overview
Bosnia is a country that is still trying to come to terms with the past and it will take some time before the country returns to being a stable and secure country. But for all the damage wrought by the conflict it is still a beautiful country, with much to offer travellers who are willing to experience a country that is not as sophisticated or as advanced as some of its neighbours. It is still very poor and to some extent this will carry on for some time, since the whole infrastructure of the country was ripped apart by the years of war and conflict.
Yet is has some beautiful countryside, a warm and pleasant climate during the summer and some fantastic ski resorts for the winter. In addition, you should also try to take in Neum, which is on the coast and is very touristy, but still stunningly beautiful. It is Bosnia's only seaside town and the countryside in this area is simply exquisite.
So after all the 'war torn' images that the west has seen of Bosnia, since the 1990's, the tourist destination of Neum, the vibrant capital, Sarajevo and the quaint town of Mostar will really offer a different 'vision' of Bosnia and one that is a vision full of hope, which is something that Bosnia really does need!
For further detailed advice about practicalities as well as up to date information about the political situation and safety to travel, visit the Foreign Office's website. If the political situation changes at any time, then this website is updated. It can be found at: http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/
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