The tourist season has already started in Croatia, and its oldest and largest national park (of the 8 in total), the Plitvice Lakes National Park, is featured in almost all tour operators’ itineraries for Croatia, as well as individual “must-visit” lists. If you are planning to visit Croatia and Plitvice Lakes this year, or in near future, here are some recommendations from an experienced certified guide on what to do before and during the visit:
- Buy your tickets online through the national park’s online ticketing system, and make sure you choose the correct date of visit, hour and entrance (there are two). If you decide to try your luck and buy the tickets on the spot, be prepared to wait for the next available time slot if all the ticket have already been sold (this is especially relevant in high season, from June to September). The price of the tickets, as well as the conditions in the park, change from pre-season to high-season, and to post-season. Choose the period and pricing range that best suits you.
- If you are starting your visit to the park from outside of the region where the park is located (e.g. Zagreb, Zadar, Split), make sure to give yourself enough time to reach the park on time (the hour stated on your entrance ticket). You are allowed to enter for up to 1 hour after your allotted time. After that, your entrance ticket will be invalid.
- Check the weather and the current conditions in the park before your visit, and prepare yourself accordingly (umbrellas, sunscreen, hats, mosquito-repellents, etc.). Current conditions in the park are regularly published and updated on the national park’s webpage.
- Dress in comfortable clothes and shoes (flip-flops are fine if you are sure you can walk in them on different types of terrain). Always have enough water with you – there is quite a distance between rest stops. For the same reason, use the toilet before you enter the park.
- Except on ice-cream stands, the shops and restaurants within the park’s visiting area do not accept cash. Be sure to have your credit/debit card with you, but check which ones are accepted, and which are not.
- The restaurants within the visiting area of the park offer fast food only. If you have any diet restrictions, consider bringing your own food.
- If you are visiting without a local guide, check the map of the park and the available routes (see the descriptions here). The signs are available all over the park, so you can always check if you are going in the right direction. The electric boat and the panoramic vehicle are part of the experience and they are included in the price, but you can only use them once on the same route (no return trip).
- Respect the direction of the paths in the park, especially on the wooden paths that cross over the lakes, and always walk on your right-hand side if you are on a two-way path to avoid collision with other visitors. Some paths are narrow and passing above precipice with no railings. Mind where you step at all times!
- I you are part of a group guided tour, listen to your guide and never lose sight of them or your group. It is very difficult to find you if you get lost.
- Last but not the least: plan your visit according to your health condition(s). There are many options available (from easier to more difficult ones), and they are all worth it.
