Safe in Bosnia?
 

About September this year we (2 of us) are planning on going down through Bosnia. We will be coming from Croatia into Bosnia and were thinking of visiting the area around Prijedor, Kijac, Jajce and Banja Luka.
Last week, I was advised (by a Bosnian) that this is not a safe area and I’m likely to have trouble – bikes stolen, robbed, worse! He continued to say that if anything did happen and I tried doing something about it that the authorities would not be interested.
Has anyone been here recently or experienced any problems?
Any help would be greatly appreciated as it looks like a fantastic area to visit and I’d really like to go there.

I was in Bosnia in June'05. I did not notice _anything_ that would concern me about my safety. Me and a friend parked motorcycles in front of a hotel overnight when came too late to find a better solution, no problems. If I only have an opportunity to visit Bosnia again, I will surely do it. I you have time to go further south, Mostar and the road along Neretva river are a must. Sarajevo probably as well but I haven't been there.
Roads are good, fuel cheaper than in sorrounding countries.

Kris

Don't worry about Bosnia - a little bit common traveling precaution (as in any other foreign country) will be enough to have a enjoyable stay in Bosnia.

Be sure to drive down to Mostar along the Neretva river. And, if you're in the neighbourhood, the canyon of the river Tara in Monte Negro is also very nice.

i was a couple of days in bosnia on a bike in the summer of 2005, no problems then. interesting place and good driving. but check local information about landmines before you get ofroad. go and spend some days in sarajvo. happy travels.

We were there last summer and felt safe. As mentioned in the previous posts, the scenery is goregous! The people were quite friendly too.

Just watch out for the speed traps and police at the end of no passing zones. Lots of cops with radar guns out there, but fortunately this has had a positive effect on the drivers.

If you need any further information, you can also contact the HU Community in Sarajevo.

Have fun.

We are already planning on going to Sarajevo and Mostar then across to Split - glad to know this is all being recommended.
I was only warned about the north west area of Bosnia - as you say - a bit of common sense goes a long way!
Thanks for your help and recommendations - and warning about speed traps!

In 1999 we went Dubrovnik - Mostar - Sarajevo - Banja Luka - Prijedor and then into NE Croatia by bike, and never had any hassles, the people were friendly everywhere we went. The only problems (which could well be fixed by now) were: unlit tunnels with BIG potholes hidden in them (go through them very slowly!); and the lack of bridges (all blown up) over the Sava and other major rivers, meaning the odd wait for ferries. Oh, and if you see red tape along the roadside, that means the area to the side is mined - so don't stray so much as an inch off the tarmac. Bosnia is very beautiful though, well worth going to.

I live in Sarajevo for almost 3 years, every summer I ride my bright red BMW GS 1100 all around the country (and also in Croatia, Montenegro and Albania) and I never had any problem.
Just use common sense!

can only echo what has been said. I was there two years ago with Mrs Spanish Bob and apart from the police who just love the radar gun trap routine - no probs at all. Just use basic precautions as you would in many countries and you will have a nice time in a very nice part of the world.

bob

A little bit off topic but....

Anyone know how to get a Letter of Invitation from somewhere/someone in Bosnia?

The embassy won't issue me a Visa without one, no problems with Serbia and Macedonia though...

Cheers All
Fernando

seems safe
 

In the region now... niksic-sarejova-banja luka-foca ... very safe ...

cheers,

As noted previously, slow waaay down when entering tunnels that are not lit. I lived in Bosnia for 6 years and have ridden all around by bike. Be very careful when riding. Having lived worked and travelled in over 70 countries I think that Bosnia is one of the most hazzardous places to drive/ride, because of other drivers. Don't take any chances.

I just have come back from Bosnia now (july 2006).
My route was Dubrovnik (HR) – Mostar – Sarajevo – Jajce – Bihac, mainly over tarmac but with sporadic off-road.

I slept in:
- Mostar: in the house of a native I met in a traffic signal (!)
- Near Jezero: free camping

The police stopped me near Mostar because speed excess (I was seeing the landscapes and I had no idea about my speed and less about the limit). When I spoke in english, they automatically let me go.

So, no problems at all.

You can have a look of my travel here.
In Bosnia:
http://static.flickr.com/77/195245056_6690a892cf_m.jpg

Thanks for all your help guys - we're off a week on Monday.
Have got the Chunnel booked to get over to France and then will see where the wind takes us.
The rough plan is to zip through the first bit then slowing down and spending time in Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia, south Italy and Sicily before heading home.
Roll on!!

Check also this:
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...zegovina-22402