⚡ Quick Safety Tips
- Book Game of Thrones tours only through licensed operators with TripAdvisor reviews — unlicensed guides charge premium prices for basic walks
- In the Old Town, check restaurant prices before sitting — menus near the Stradun can charge 3x what restaurants just outside the walls charge
- Use the city bus or walk between beaches and Old Town — unlicensed taxi boats sometimes overcharge and lack safety equipment
- Keep bags closed in crowds at the Pile Gate entrance — the morning cruise ship crush is prime pickpocket territory
The 6 Scams
You're shown a simple menu with reasonable prices outside a restaurant in the Old Town. Once seated, a different menu appears — or the same items now cost significantly more. Some restaurants present prices in the old Croatian Kuna on the menu but charge you in Euros at the end, at an unfavorable conversion rate. Tourists stuck inside the city walls have limited options and staff know it.
Red Flags
- Menu outside doesn't match menu inside
- Prices displayed without the currency clearly noted
- Waiter who rushes you to order without time to review the full menu
How to Avoid
- Confirm menu prices before sitting down — especially currency
- Croatia now uses Euros, so any mention of Kuna is a red flag
- Look for restaurants one or two streets off the main Stradun for better value
You arrive at a city gate or attraction and a friendly English-speaking local offers to show you around for free or cheap. They seem genuinely helpful until they steer you toward specific restaurants, shops, and 'hidden gems' — all places where they earn commission for bringing tourists. Prices at these venues are inflated and you may be taken away from places you actually wanted to see.
Red Flags
- Unsolicited offers to guide you for 'free' or very cheap
- Guide insisting on specific restaurants or shops you didn't ask about
- Guide who gets uncomfortable when you want to go somewhere not on their route
How to Avoid
- Book official licensed tour guides through the Dubrovnik tourist board
- Be skeptical of anyone who volunteers guiding services uninvited
- Research restaurants independently on Google Maps or TripAdvisor before arriving
You arrive by cruise ship or ferry and taxis are waiting right at the dock. The drivers quote sky-high prices or don't use meters, knowing you're tired, loaded with luggage, and unfamiliar with local rates. Some will charge €40-60 for trips that should cost €15. The port area is an especially concentrated zone for overcharging.
Red Flags
- Taxis without visible license plates or company branding
- Driver quoting price by 'zone' rather than meter
- Groups of taxi drivers competing aggressively for your business
How to Avoid
- Use official licensed Libertas taxi or book via Bolt app
- Ask the price before getting in and confirm it includes luggage
- Walk slightly away from the main arrival area where competition lowers prices
You book a charming Old Town apartment online through an unofficial channel — it looks perfect, has great photos, and is priced attractively. When you arrive, either the apartment doesn't exist, it's completely different from the photos, or the 'host' has taken your payment and disappeared. Dubrovnik's extreme demand and limited legal accommodation makes fake listings very lucrative.
Red Flags
- Listings on non-mainstream platforms or from direct social media messages
- Host requesting payment via bank transfer or Venmo rather than secured platform
- Price significantly below comparable official listings
How to Avoid
- Book only through official platforms (Airbnb, Booking.com) with fraud protection
- Be very suspicious of last-minute 'great deals' in Dubrovnik especially in high season
- Verify the host has reviews and history before transferring any money
You approach a boat tour kiosk near the Old Harbour and get quoted one price. At departure, extras are added — 'park fees,' 'snorkeling gear rental,' 'captain's tip' — that weren't mentioned when you paid. Some tour operators also change departure times or cancellation policies without notice, denying promised refunds when plans change.
Red Flags
- Tour price that seems very low compared to competitors
- Verbal quotes without written confirmation of what's included
- Kiosk operator who becomes vague when asked what's included
How to Avoid
- Get a written receipt that clearly itemizes everything included
- Book through accommodation desk or established operators with reviews
- Ask explicitly: 'Are there any additional fees on the boat itself?'
You pay with a larger Euro note and receive change, but the vendor has slipped in a counterfeit lower-denomination bill or simply gives you less change than owed, hoping you'll be too distracted or polite to count it carefully. The Old Town's busy summer crowds make this easy to get away with dozens of times a day.
Red Flags
- Vendor who counts change for you rather than letting you count
- Change returned quickly without pause in a busy environment
- Bills that feel slightly different in texture
How to Avoid
- Count your change every single time before walking away
- Pay with smaller bills whenever possible to reduce change
- If you think you've been shortchanged, calmly recount in front of the vendor before leaving
🆘 What to Do If You Get Scammed
📋 File a Police Report
Go to the nearest Croatian Police (Policija) station. Call 192 (Police) or 112 (Emergency). Get an official crime report — you'll need this for insurance claims. You can also report online at mup.gov.hr.
💳 Cancel Your Cards
Call your bank immediately. Most have 24/7 numbers on the back of the card (keep a photo saved separately). Block any suspicious transactions before the thieves use your details.
🛂 Lost Passport?
Contact your nearest embassy or consulate. The US Embassy in Zagreb is at Ulica Thomasa Jeffersona 2, 10010 Zagreb. For emergencies: +385 1-661-2200.
📱 Track Your Device
If your phone was stolen, use Find My (iPhone) or Find My Device (Android) from another device. Don't confront thieves yourself — share the location with police instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
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