Bosnia & Herzegovina for Digital Nomads: The Complete Guide

Bosnia & Herzegovina is one of the most underrated destinations in Europe. It’s not nearly as popular as its neighbors Montenegro or Croatia, but for travelers in the know, it’s a serious gem. A visit here is slightly heartbreaking, as you uncover the layers of truth behind the history of a war not long past. But it will show you magic, as you discover some of the most beautiful scenery and nature you never knew existed. Factor in the great food, blended culture and fair prices, and for digital nomads it’s a no brainer. Here’s a full guide to Bosnia & Herzegovina for digital nomads!

History of Bosnia & Herzegovina

Where to even begin when trying to explain Bosnia & Herzegovina. I guess we could refer back to the post World War 2 era, when all the countries of the Balkans (Montenegro, Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, Macedonia and Bosnia & Herzegovina) were united as Yugoslavia under communist leadership.

This created a huge conflict due to the very different ethnic and religious groups living in these countries that were then operating as one under the strain of communism. In Bosnia & Herzegovina itself, there are three ethnic groups: The Serbs (Orthodox), The Bosniaks (Muslim), and the Croats (Catholics) that still exist today.

The Bosnian War

Once the communist leader Tito died, and Yugoslavia began to disintegrate from 1991 – 1992, the conflict within Bosnia & Herzegovina reached a climax. Depending who you ask, history will designate a different group as the aggressor. I won’t be getting into that, however, I will say that the resulting conflict between the 3 ethnic groups led to a huge genocide of the ethnic Bosniaks (muslims). It’s estimated that over 100,000 Bosniaks were killed.

That war only happened a couple decades ago, and it’s very much visible still today. War-torn buildings are left standing as if the war happened yesterday, bullet holes pepper the sides of historic homes, and you can still very much feel the weight of the tragedies that took place here. It’s a very sobering but important aspect of visiting Bosnia & Herzegovina – for the history lesson itself.

What’s the Deal with the Name?

The history behind the name Bosnia & Herzegovina is the fact that it actually is two separate regions. Bosnia occupies the region in the north of the country, which accounts for about 80% of the whole nation. Herzegovina is the smaller region in the south, where the historic city of Mostar is located.

There is no formal border between the two regions.

Practical Info

Visa

Bosnia & Herzegovina is not part of the Shengen area, nor is it part of the EU. If you are coming from the Shengen EU region, you will not use any days from your 90 day Shengen visa.

Americans can stay in Bosnia & Herzegovina for up to 90 days without the need for a visa.

For more info on all things related to visas, click here.

Weather

Visiting Bosnia & Herzegovina can be enjoyable year round. Depending on the activities, certain times are better than others.

Summer

Summer is the best time to visit if you plan to visit waterfalls and go swimming. The temperature will be scorching hot, with daytime temperatures reaching 100 degrees F (38 C) easily in the cities. But for taking a dip, this season is ideal.

Natural water sources like Kravice Waterfall will be full of people hanging out and enjoying the refreshing water in the heat. Even in Mostar, people congregate along the riverbanks creating makeshift beaches in the summer months.

Autumn

This is a good time of year to visit for hiking and non-water related outdoor activities. The temperature will be much more comfortable than summer, ideal for outdoor adventures. Bosnia does also get a fair share of autumn foliage, so you can enjoy the colors in this season as well.

Winter

Winters in Bosnia & Herzegovina can be long, lasting up to 6 months with freezing temperatures dropping as low as -20 C (-4 F). A lot of the natural areas of the country will be too cold or icy to fully explore. To avoid the coldest time of year opt to visit outside the months of November through late March.

Spring

Late spring is also a great time to visit to beat the summer heat, but still get fair weather for outdoor activities. If you plan to hike, you’ll see a lot of fresh flowers blooming along the trails and in the mountains.

Wifi

Wifi in Bosnia & Herzegovina has room for improvement, but in general is fast enough to work on. According to Speed Test in February 2022, mobile download speeds were 22 mbps while fixed broadband was about the same.

By experience, I’d advise you to not optimistically rely on fast wifi everywhere you go. As a digital nomad, if you like to spontaneously settle into random cafes and bars to work (like I do), you may encounter unreliable wifi in many cases.

It’s best to check on the wifi situation everywhere before you decide to work. You can email or call hotels and ask for screenshots of the wifi speed from Airbnb hosts beforehand to be sure what you’re getting.

SIM Card

You can get a SIM card to alleviate some of the worries related to spotty wifi. A prepaid data SIM card from HT Eronet costs 20 BAM ($12 USD), which gets you 7 GB for the month.

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Bosnia & Herzegovina can be very low, especially when compared to Montenegro and Croatia nearby. You can easily thrive on $1,400 USD a month here, while still enjoying your stay by sight-seeing, indulging in the nightlife, and eating well. If you are super budget oriented, it’s very possible to even spend $1,000 – $1,200 USD for the month.

Accommodation

An Airbnb apartment in Sarajevo starts at around $350 USD for an entire apartment, with most apartments listed between the $400 – $700 range.

Banja Luka has less options, which is likely why the apartments cost a bit more. Airbnbs here are listed between $500 – $800 for entire apartments.

Food

Food in Bosnia & Herzegovina is very cheap. You can easily buy groceries for the week for $30 if you are health conscious. Otherwise, it’s very easy to get by eating out most meals.

A fresh borek (huge meat breaktfast pastry) from a bakery costs about 50 cents making a very filling breakfast. A filling meal of cevapi (local sausage) can be as little as $2 USD. A Bosnian coffee will cost $1 – $3 USD, a beer $1 – $2 USD, and a nice meal in a restaurant will be $6 – $12 USD.

You can probably plan to spend around $500 – $600 if you plan to eat out a lot and go drinking a few times a week. If you will cook more and don’t drink much, you can spend well under half.

Transport

Getting around Bosnia & Herzegovina will likely involve a combination of the train and buses. A bus ride from Sarajevo to another major city, or even to a neighboring country, will cost anywhere from $5 – $25 USD depending on the distance.

The train from Sarajevo to Mostar costs 11.90 BAM ($7 USD) one way. For those more rural areas where you’ll take a taxi for the day, it can cost 50 BAM ($30 USD). I had to do this to get from Pocitelj to Kravice Waterfall.

If you plan to travel all around the country using trains, buses, and occasional taxis, you can expect to pay less than $200 USD on transportation for your whole stay.

Where to Stay

Bosnia & Herzegovina is not a huge country by any means, so no matter where you stay it will be easy enough to get around to visit other places. Instead, where you choose to stay should be determined more on what you value from a digital nomad base in Bosnia & Herzegovina.

Sarajevo

Sarajevo is the beating heart of Bosnia & Herzegovina. It is both the geographical and cultural capital of the country so to fully understand Bosnia & Herzegovina, you have to start here.

This city is beautiful in parts, but also quirky in others, and down right gritty in some. It definitely bears the scars to hint at it’s tragic history.

If you are interested in leaning into the history and culture of Bosnia, I’d recommend basing yourself here. You have the most museums, locals who speak English, and social opportunities to get to know the people of Bosnia & Herzegovina.

You’ll also be located somewhat in the center of the country, with the most train connections for ease of getting around to other places.

Banja Luka

If you like cities, but not the dirty and chaotic aspects of them, opt to base yourself in Banja Luka. This is the second largest city in the country, but with many stark differences. The prices are lower (although Bosnia & Herzegovina as a whole is not expensive), the city is cleaner and more scenic, and the population is less dense.

Coming here, you’ll be met by green mountains and clean air. You can have the best of city life, without some of the grittier aspects. Plus, if you are coming or will go to Croatia after, this city is closer to that border.

Mostar

Generally, I wouldn’t recommend staying in Mostar as a digital nomad. The old town is very touristy, and although there is an actual small city beyond that, it’s not entirely impressive. I’d only recommend staying in this area to be closer to the many points of interest nearby, and for extensively traveling the south of the country.

You have waterfalls, national parks, and historic towns, all within day trip distance. Plus in summer, you can totally swim in the river and hang out on the riverbanks here. With all the visitors and locals doing the same, it can be a very lively and surprisingly fun digital nomad base.

Things to Do

The best part of visiting Bosnia & Herzegovina is split between enjoying the beautiful nature, and learning about the turbulent but super interesting history. If you love both, you’ll have a great time here. Here are the top things to do in Bosnia & Herzegovina.

Learn the History

You honestly can’t come to this country and not learn something about the history. Not only do people love to talk about it, but the writing is on the wall – literally. You’ll see bullet holes even in the old town walls of Mostar, old buildings left standing in ruins from the war, all telling the story of a war that ended not long ago.

In most cities, there are museums you can visit to learn more about the war, and the history of how this country came to be. I’d recommend the Museum of War and Genocide in Mostar and the National Museum in Sarajevo.

Visit Waterfalls

Bosnia & Herzegovina is home to an impressive number of waterfalls given its size. The most famous one may be Kravice Waterfall, which is a total must visit. But beyond that there are many more. Una National Park is home to several waterfalls such as Strbacki buk and Una Waterfalls. Pliva Waterfall can be found conveniently right in the middle of the town of Jajce.

Eat Unique Cuisine

The food in Bosnia & Herzegovina definitely reflect the many cultures that have influenced it’s current existence. It’s a blend of Turkish flavors mixed with European cuisine, and that’s just scratching the surface.

While here, you can be sure to discover unique dishes you won’t find elsewhere. As pictured above: you must try Bosnian coffee – every day if you can!

Aside from coffee, you can try national dishes such as Bosanski Lonac (a stew), klepe (dumplings), cevapi (comfort food),Tufahija (dessert), and the many unique soups.

Visit Old Towns

This country is home to a lot of well preserved old towns, many of which are a blend of Ottoman and European architectural styles. These are often among the best places to explore in Bosnia & Herzegovina.

Think winding cobbled alleyways, old mosques making up the skyline, and old coffee houses lining the streets. A few of the best old towns are Pocitelj, Mostar, Jajce and Konjic.

Places to See in Bosnia & Herzegovina

If you spend time in Bosnia & Herzegovina as a digital nomad, you have quite a few places to tick off your bucket list! Here are the must-see places in Bosnia & Herzegovina for digital nomads.

Sarajevo

Sarajevo shows a certain element of Bosnia & Herzegovina that needs to be experienced. A quirky city of both old and new. A city of beautiful and ornate buildings that stand next to dilapidated, bomb destroyed buildings.

Sarajevo really captures the essence of a country trying to leave behind its past, but never forgetting. Here you have loads of options for museums to really dig into the history, as well as many cafes, bars, and restaurants.

Nightlife here is also always on. Even on a Tuesday night you’ll see lots of people out and about lining the streets outside the bars.

Mostar

Mostar would easily be the best destination in Bosnia & Herzegovina if it weren’t for the massive crowd of people that think the same. This place gets insanely packed. Even in the era of COVID I found it so busy that it was difficult to walk down the narrow alleyways.

Still, this places holds a rich history, not to mention the beautiful and iconic Stari Most Bridge. In summer, people line the riverbanks and swim – it’s a very lively summer spot.

While here be sure to do a free walking tour, check out the war museum, and the Craft Beer Garden imaimože for local beers!

Kravice Waterfall

Kravice Waterfall is 10 times more impressive in real life than in photos, which is a huge feat in itself. I mean look at it!

This curved wall of several free falling waterfalls is an incredible place to explore in summer months, when the colder water will be an inviting break from the heat.

You can swim right up to the waterfalls (they aren’t that strong) and explore the many pools and caves right beneath them.

In front of the waterfall, the entire lagoon becomes sort of a natural waterpark in summer. With restaurants and bars lining the shores, it’s an amazing place to chill for the afternoon.

Sutjeska National Park

Sutjeska National Park is the oldest and largest national park in Bosnia & Herzegovina. It’s home to the Maglic Mountain, the highest peak in the country. Here you’ll find mountains, waterfalls, lakes, and thick forests. Of course this makes it an amazing hiking destination, especially in spring or fall.

Pocitelj

This town is one of the best preserved historic villages left in the country. It can be regarded as an open air museum, as it holds a huge historic significance dating back from medieval times.

You’ll lose your breath a bit walking up and down the winding paths along the hillside, but the views are incredible. You’ll see many domed mosques making up the skyline, and breathtaking nature in the background.

Jajce

This town is located in the center of the country, and is home to many beautiful sites.  It was the home of medieval kings, and even Ottoman rulers as part of its long and varied history. Here you’ll find a fortress, a beautiful old town, and even explore creepy catacombs if you want.

But the main draw of visiting may be Pliva Waterfall, the cities very own waterfall right in the center of the town. Nearby, you also have the Pliva Lakes which are a stunning area of natural beauty.

Blagaj Monastery

One of the most iconic structures in Bosnia & Herzegovina is the Blagaj Monastery. It’s set idyllically right into a cliff next to the turquoise river, making it a very unique structure.

As a dervish monastery, this place was established at the height of the Ottoman Empire. Visiting here now, you can explore the monastery itself (for a fee) and the nearby area of Blagaj, which is home to a few restaurants right along the river.

Medjugorje

This is a very peculiar town that became famous for religious reasons. It was said to be the place of several historic apparitions from the Virgin Mary over the years, with the most famous appearances occurring in 1981.

Naturally, this town is now hugely significant for religious aspects. It is now a catholic pilgrimage site, where people visit just to trek up the hill to the apparition site. Even if you aren’t religious, it’s an interesting place to visit, and the hike offers nice views it itself.

Bosia & Herzegovina for Digital Nomads

There are many reasons to love Bosnia & Herzegovina as a digital nomad, but a few downsides you should be aware of.

The Positives

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Bosnia & Herzegovina is very affordable, especially when compared to neighboring countries or the rest of Europe. You can really enjoy your time here while still saving a lot of money each month.

The Natural Beauty

The natural beauty here may surprise you, as this is still somewhat of a hidden gem destination so there isn’t a ton of information online. But you’ll be spoiled once you arrive with amazing scenery everywhere you go (except maybe in Sarajevo). Even just riding the train takes you through the most beautiful mountain valleys. The country only has one beach, but makes up for it with it’s numerous rivers and waterfalls – many of which you can swim around!

Blended Culture

The culture in Bosnia & Herzegovina is very much a blend of many different cultures from around Europe and further East. It draws influences from the Austro-Hungarian era, as well as the Ottoman era, and not to mention the mixed ethnic groups that still live here. Sometimes walking down the street feels like you’ve transported to a small town in Turkey or something.

Historical Value

If you love history, you could spend an eternity here learning about the crazy things that this country has seen. Even if you aren’t interested, it’s hard to visit Bosnia & Herzegovina and not learn couple things that will interest or surprise you.

The Negatives

Spotty Wifi

The wifi can be an issue if you are the type to like to hop around and work in different places. You can’t really just pop into any cafe and connect to wifi to work. In many cases it doesn’t work or is extremely slow. Even in hotels, it’s wise to ask about the wifi before you book to avoid a work related disaster later.

Lack of Time Orientation

If you love the punctuality of the Swiss or Japanese public transportation systems, you’ll be a bit frustrated to find that is not quite the case here. Buses and scheduled trains are routinely late. So much so, that you can likely count on departing 5 – 30 minutes behind schedule more than departing on time.

Political Tension

Bosnia & Herzegovina has one of the most complicated political structures in all of Europe and maybe even the world. For starters, they have 3 presidents at any given time on a rotation scheme. Each president represents the 3 main ethnic groups. Obviously this creates a very palpable tension, and is a constant reminder of past conflicts.

As a digital nomad this won’t affect you too much, but it goes without saying that openly discussing politics, or taking too strong a stance on any side can get you into a heated argument quickly. Avoid at all costs.

Safety in Bosnia & Herzegovina for Digital Nomads

Bosnia & Herzegovina ranks at number 72 on the Global Peace Index for 2021. For reference, the US is ranked at #122 (far lower).

Generally, Bosnia & Herzegovina is safe for tourists and digital nomads. But this country does have a number of dangers unique to it.

Land Mines

You can’t just venture off into the wilderness or go off-trail when hiking in Bosnia & Herzegovina. The country is still in a slow and laborious process of removing the estimated 1 million landmines leftover from the war. These are located in both rural areas as well as near cities.

This may sound startling, and it is, but keep in mind a good chunk of those landmines are thought to be inactive by now. Still, since there is no way to know which of those are live and which aren’t, or to be sure where they are, you can’t take any chances.

When hiking in Bosnia & Herzegovina, be sure to stick to clearly marked trails and if you can, go with a local. It’s sad because the nature in Bosnia & Herzegovina is stunning, and it’s very tempting to wander off and explore. But if you value your limbs, this is entirely not advisable.

Crazy Drivers

I found the driving in Bosnia & Herzegovina to be on the reckless side, from the standpoint of a pedestrian and passenger. People drive like mad on the roads, both in and out of cities and it can seem chaotic at times.

My taxi driver from Mostar was speeding in the middle of the road on both lanes, while talking on the phone with one hand, and trying to take a video with the other.

When crossing the road, be sure to look and make sure the driver sees you. Try not to jaywalk here because it can be extra dangerous given the way people drive. At night, I’d really recommend not crossing the roads in all black attire, if you know what I mean.

Safety in Bosnia & Herzegovina for Female Travelers

Looking at statistics, Bosnia & Herzegovina is very safe for female travelers. But sadly statistics don’t often tell the whole story.

Like any country, Bosnia has its share of bad people and weirdos. To decrease the chances of something bad happening I’d highly recommend: having a local SIM card for emergencies, having the Google Translate app to readily translate things to people who don’t understand English, and as solo woman, do not even bother hitchhiking.

I had a really scary incident where I accepted a ride from a local because I didn’t want to wait 2 hours for a taxi. I had been traveling in the Balkans for a while at that time and felt too complacent. The drive became very uncomfortable and scary, but the situation would never have escalated that way if I took the above precautions.

And that’s all you need to know when planning a trip to Bosnia & Herzegovina as a digital nomad. Have you been here? What did I miss?

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