By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Travel Editor
I am here to answer your basic questions about Hvar, Croatia. By the way, I am writing this article while in Hvar.
Is Hvar Expensive?
Well, a beer is 7 Euros so from this American’s standpoint on that alone, I would say no. Cocktails are 13-18 Euros and basic food (pizzas, pasta, sandwiches) are in the 15-20 Euros range. Oddly, burgers are big in Croatia (locals “blame” the Americans for this) and they are pricey at about 20 Euros.
Some hotel rooms are expensive, 150-400 Euros depending on the place and the season. Booking on line will assure you pay the highest prices. As alternatives there are Airbnbs and small private places in people’s homes, which is where I am now. When the hot-shot celebrity jet-setters arrive in August, the 5-star hotels charge rates of 2,000 Euros a night. That being said, I found a small, confortable place upon arriving by ferry for 60 Euros in mid-May. Here’s how I did it.
As with anywhere in the world, prices go up in the high season, which in Hvar is July and especially August.
Hvar Nightlife
I’ll dive into the Hvar nightlife in another article but for now there is good bar action in Hvar. The main bar is in an alley halfway around the port, a series of three small bars called Kiva Bar. People go in and out of them and drink and socalize in the alley. Up the stairs just to the right, Lola Bar is a PubClub.com favorite; it, too, is in an alley and the vibe of the place is just plan fun. Carp Diem Beach Bar is where the jet setters and celebrities go in August and starting in July it rages at night. It’s on an island and you take a water taxi there from Hvar town.
There are also bars along the waterfront – including Carp Diem right across from the ferry stop – and Seven, which is around the corner from Kiva. Hula-Hula, about a 10-minute walk to the right along a beautiful walk path, is a great afternoon bar where you can leap into the deep water between cocktails.
Is Hvar Cashless?
While in Hvar, you will notice lots of ATM machines. There are as many of those as bars. This is because while much of the world has gone cashless, Hvar still relies on the Euro for most purchases. Some bars and restaurants do not take credit cards.There is just one underwater Internet cable so service is spotty and can be unreliable in July and August. This affects the credit card machines and one waiter told PubClub.com that 60% of the bars and restaurants do not take credit cards.
Pro’s Tip: Avoid the yellow ATM machines. Those are like the kind you find in convenience stores in the USA and charge a large withdrawal fee. Be sure and use a bank’s ATM.
The WiFi Connection In Hvar
In the summer, with so many people on the island – 20,000 as opposed to less than 10,000 the rest of the tourist months of May-September – then you can be waiting for-EVER to post those make-my-friends-and-followers jealous photos and videos on social media.
Rocky Shores & Beaches In Hvar
I won’t ever be seeing any “white, unspoiled beaches” press releases about Hvar in my e-mail inbox. The beaches here – there are small ones a 10- 30-minute walk in either direction from the port (to the right is better and there are more of them) – as well as dozens of places along the way to stop and pop into the water for a swim.
Just know this tho: Croatia is basically one big rock with gorgeous coastlines. The beaches are pebbles and it’s recommended to even wear your flip flops when wading to get into the water. Some entrances have boulders so be careful, and you often have to make your way down rocks to get to the water. Some places have sea urchins and you definitely don’t want to step on one of those things in your bare feet. That being said, the sea is cool, clear and well worth the small effort to get into it.
Blame It On JUGO
Hugo is a hot wind that sometimes sweeps across Hvar, bringing with it evil spirits or bad luck. The locals really believe in it so whenever something bad happens they say “blame it on JUGO.” So if you have a mishap or, say, knock over some drinks in a bar, just say to the server, “blame it on JUGO.” They will smile and laugh.
Is Hvar Worth Visiting?
I can answer that question in one word: absolutely.