Our Honest Review of the Day Trip from Dubrovnik to Mostar and Kravica Waterfalls

During our stay in Dubrovnik, we decided to take one of the popular day trips into Bosnia and Herzegovina, this time visiting both Mostar and Kravica Waterfalls in a single day. Before booking, we considered renting a car and exploring everything on our own. Still, in the end, we decided to try one of the organized tours, partly for convenience and partly to see what the overall experience would really be like. In this blog post, we share exactly how the trip went from start to finish, what we liked, what we did not enjoy as much, and whether we think this kind of day trip from Dubrovnik is actually worth it.

Why We Chose an Organized Day Trip From Dubrovnik to Bosnia and Herzegovina

This was our very first time visiting Bosnia and Herzegovina, and since day trips from Dubrovnik are extremely popular, we spent quite a bit of time deciding how we wanted to do it. Dubrovnik has a fantastic location for day tours, as several countries and famous destinations are within just a few hours. At first, we looked into public buses and renting a car to drive independently, but in the end, we decided to go with an organized tour. Considering the border crossing process, possible paperwork requirements, parking, navigation, and the limited time we had, the organized option felt much easier and less stressful for a first visit.

If it is your first time visiting Bosnia and Herzegovina and you have only one day, this tour is a good introduction to the country. While you obviously cannot see everything in a single day, it still gives you a nice first taste of the atmosphere, culture, landscapes, and some of the country’s most famous spots like Mostar and Kravica Waterfalls.

What You Should Know Before Visiting Bosnia and Herzegovina

Once we decided we wanted to take an organized day trip from Dubrovnik to Bosnia and Herzegovina, we quickly fell down the rabbit hole of comparing tours and operators. Because Dubrovnik is such a popular base for day trips, many companies offer very similar itineraries, each with different prices, schedules, reviews, and stop durations. We spent quite a while researching different options before finally choosing the From Dubrovnik: Mostar and Kravica Waterfalls Day Trip.

In the end, this particular tour stood out to us because the reviews were consistently good, the itinerary seemed balanced, and overall, it felt like one of the better-organized options available. We also liked that it combined both Mostar and Kravica Waterfalls in a single day without squeezing in too many additional stops.

Our Honest Experience With the Dubrovnik to Mostar and Kravica Waterfalls Day Trip

Spoiler alert: Overall, we enjoyed this day trip from Dubrovnik to Mostar and Kravica Waterfalls, and one of the biggest reasons was the tour guide. From the very beginning, they were friendly and organized, keeping the whole day running surprisingly smoothly, considering how much ground the tour covers in a single day. The trip itself started a little slowly with early pickups and the longer drive toward the border. Still, once we crossed into Bosnia and Herzegovina and the stops started, the day definitely picked up pace and became much more exciting.

The Early Morning Pickup in Dubrovnik

As with many day trips from Dubrovnik, you quickly realize, while researching, that the tours usually start very early in the morning. It makes sense considering the distance, border crossings, and the number of places packed into a single day. For our tour, the pickup time was 6:40 in the morning. Our pickup point was the main “Dubrovnik bus station” area, which in reality is a busy roadside bus stop near a petrol station. There are several pickup locations across the city, though many travelers can also choose a direct hotel pickup depending on where they stay.

Compared to the Kotor tour we had done the day before, the pickup process here actually felt much less chaotic and much more organized. When the bus arrived, there was a clear sign in the front window showing that it was the bus going to Mostar. One of the tour guides stepped out and loudly called the names of the people who were supposed to board, which honestly made the whole process feel easy despite the early morning rush.

What to Eat in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Just like the day before, the process on the bus started with the tour guide collecting everyone’s passports shortly after boarding. After finding our seats and settling in, we officially started heading toward the Bosnia and Herzegovina border crossing. The first part of the drive was quite relaxed, mostly following the coastline out of Dubrovnik before eventually reaching the border crossing. It is roughly 50–60 km from Dubrovnik, and it took us around one hour to reach it, depending on traffic and pickups along the way. Since Bosnia and Herzegovina cuts through a small section of the Adriatic coast around Neum, this border crossing is used by many travelers passing through the region.

The Border Crossing Into Bosnia and Herzegovina and First Stop

Compared to the border crossing we experienced on our day trip to Kotor, this crossing into Bosnia and Herzegovina felt smooth and fast. We think part of the reason is that there are several border crossings between Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, which helps spread traffic out a bit more. When heading toward Kotor and Montenegro, there is a single main coastal route that almost everyone uses, which creates long waits and traffic jams. 

At the border crossing, we first got off the bus and walked to the Croatian checkpoint window, where passports were checked before continuing on foot toward the Bosnia and Herzegovina checkpoint. There, we received the entry stamp for Bosnia and Herzegovina before officially entering the country. While we were walking through the checkpoints, the bus itself had already crossed the border and was waiting for us on the Bosnia and Herzegovina side. That meant that as soon as each person got their passport stamped, they could immediately board the bus again without everyone having to stand around waiting for the vehicle to cross afterward. It made the whole border crossing feel much quicker and smoother overall.

Right after crossing the border into Bosnia and Herzegovina, our first stop was Neum, a small coastal town that is the country’s only access to the Adriatic Sea. Bosnia and Herzegovina has only about 20 kilometers of coastline, making Neum unique and strategically important. Because of this small coastal section, Dubrovnik used to be somewhat separated from the rest of Croatia by land, which is also why the famous Pelješac Bridge became such an important project. From the area around Neum, you can even spot the bridge in the distance. The bridge now allows travelers to bypass the Bosnia and Herzegovina border crossings entirely when traveling between different parts of Croatia.

Our stop itself was at Hotel Jadran Neum, where we had around 20–30 minutes to stretch, use the bathroom, grab coffee, or take some photos before continuing deeper into the country. We arrived sometime around 9 in the morning, and it was a really pleasant little break after the early pickup and border crossing. We ended up getting a coffee and a croissant there, which were actually really delicious and exactly what we needed before continuing toward Mostar.

The Drive From Neum to Mostar

After the nice coffee break in Neum, we continued our journey toward Mostar. The drive itself turned out to be a really beautiful part of the tour because it gave us our first proper glimpse of Bosnia and Herzegovina beyond the coastline. The landscapes were incredibly green, mountainous, and much more scenic than we expected. Even though Mostar was still quite far away, around 90 kilometers from Neum or roughly 1 hour and 20 minutes by bus, the ride never really felt boring because something was interesting to look at outside the window.

This was also the point where we started appreciating our tour guide even more. The tour was run by a married couple who now organize and guide these trips together. Throughout the drive, they shared many interesting stories and facts about Bosnia and Herzegovina. They talked not only about the country’s history and political situation, but also about the Bosnian War and how deeply it impacted people living there. We learned that the bus driver himself had actually fought in the war, and sadly, his brother also fought but lost his life during the conflict. Hearing these stories from locals made the whole experience feel much more personal and authentic rather than just a standard sightseeing tour.

Mostar Travel Guide: Everything You Need to Know Before Visiting

Arriving in Mostar

After the border crossing and our stop in Neum, we finally arrived in Mostar just a few minutes before 11 in the morning. Once we got off the bus, another local guide was already waiting specifically for the walking tour through Mostar itself. Before starting, we received some quick information about the visit plan, including a reminder that we needed to be back at the bus by 13:30 because the tour would continue toward Kravica Waterfalls afterward.

This time, we decided to stay with the guide for the tour rather than wander off on our own. During the waddle, we learned much more about Mostar’s history, the destruction during the Bosnian War, and how the city slowly rebuilt itself afterward. The guided part itself is not extremely long since Mostar’s main attractions are fairly concentrated around the old town and the famous bridge area. However, it still gave us a much better understanding of the city beyond just taking photos. After the tour finished, we then had free time to explore on our own before returning to the bus.

After the walking tour ended, we spent some time exploring Mostar on our own. One of the first things we watched was the famous divers jumping from the Stari Most, a long-standing local tradition and one of the most iconic sights in the city. Seeing them jump into the cold Neretva River from such a height was honestly both impressive and slightly terrifying.

After wandering around a little more, we were focused on one thing: food. We really wanted to try Bosnian cuisine, which turned out to be absolutely delicious. In the end, we stopped at Restaurant Lagero, which we can only highly recommend. The restaurant has beautiful views overlooking the old bridge and the historic part of town, and the food was one of our favorite meals of the entire trip.

Originally, after eating, we planned to cross the bridge and explore the other side of Mostar a bit more. Unfortunately, this was one of the biggest negatives of our visit. The bridge was so packed with tourists that once you stepped onto it, you basically became part of a slowly moving crowd. It felt extremely overcrowded and uncomfortable, so in the end, we decided to skip crossing altogether and instead enjoy the atmosphere and our meal a little longer.

After lunch, we spent a little more time walking through the old town and browsing the souvenir shops around Mostar. We can really recommend buying souvenirs here because many are well-made and very affordable compared to other tourist destinations. There was a nice mix of handmade crafts, Bosnian coffee sets, magnets, textiles, and traditional items connected to the local culture.

Eventually, we slowly made our way back toward the parking area where the bus had originally dropped us off earlier in the day. The parking spot was located near the Church and Monastery of Saints Peter and Paul, which is also known for its tall bell tower overlooking the city. Near the parking area, there was also a public bathroom available. It costs €1 to use, but after several hours of walking around in the heat, you sometimes no longer question it. We used the short break to refresh a little before the bus arrived, and we continued our journey toward Kravica Waterfalls. 

Arriving at Kravica Waterfall

 

We left Mostar around 14:00 and continued toward Kravica Waterfalls, about 42 kilometers away, so the drive took a little under an hour. During the journey, our tour guide once again shared interesting facts about the region, the waterfalls, and the surrounding Herzegovina area, which honestly made the bus ride much more interesting.

We arrived at Kravica Waterfalls around 15:00, and this time there was no guided tour included. Instead, we had free time to explore the waterfalls on our own. Overall, we had roughly one hour there, which again felt a little short, especially if you wanted to swim or fully relax. You can read much more about our full experience at the waterfalls in our separate blog post linked below.

What to Expect at Kravica Waterfalls

As we mentioned in our separate blog post about Kravica Waterfalls, the waterfalls are another very touristy destination, especially in the middle of the day when most tours arrive. As a result, the area can feel quite overcrowded and hectic at times. The one hour we had there was technically enough to walk down, take some pictures, explore the main area a little, and then slowly head back up toward the bus. But honestly, it still felt slightly rushed.

For example, if you actually wanted to swim, relax by the water, have a drink, or enjoy the atmosphere without constantly checking the time, one hour would definitely not be enough. Overall, the stop gives you enough time to see the Kravica Waterfalls, but not enough to fully enjoy the experience.

Before boarding the bus again, we bought a few souvenirs and continued our journey back toward Dubrovnik. This time, though, we returned via a different route and headed toward another border crossing rather than retracing the same road from the morning.

Along the way, we drove through the Neretva Valley, also known as Dolina Neretve. The landscape there is huge, flat, and completely different from the mountainous areas we had been driving through earlier. Our guide explained that a large lake once covered the area, but today it has been transformed into fertile agricultural land for growing fruits and vegetables. Seeing the endless green fields stretching across the valley was really impressive and added another completely different side to Bosnia and Herzegovina.

This time, on the way back toward Dubrovnik, we crossed via the famous Pelješac Bridge, which was interesting to experience after hearing so much about its importance earlier during the day. The bridge now connects southern Croatia directly with the rest of the country, bypassing the Bosnia and Herzegovina coastal corridor near Neum.

One thing we enjoyed about this tour was that the route formed a loop rather than simply driving the same road there and back. We entered Bosnia and Herzegovina through one border crossing and returned to Dubrovnik via a different route, the Pelješac Bridge and the Neretva Valley. Because of that, the bus ride felt much more varied, as we kept seeing new landscapes and different parts of the region throughout the day, rather than repeating the same scenery twice.

We arrived back in Dubrovnik around 19:15. Along the way, the bus stopped at several drop-off points around the city, where people could get off earlier depending on where they were staying. We decided to get off at the same main bus station stop where we had started the tour in the morning. Before heading back to our hotel completely exhausted, we grabbed a quick hot dog from the nearby petrol station, which honestly felt like the perfect ending after such a long day of traveling and exploring.

What We Loved About the Tour

• Visiting another country in just one day from Dubrovnik.
• No stress about transport, parking, border crossings, or navigation.
• Easy pickup process with several pickup points around Dubrovnik
• The route formed a circle, so we saw different scenery throughout the day.
• Felt less rushed compared to our day trip to Kotor
• Seeing three different places in one day: Neum, Mostar, and Kravica Waterfalls.
• Friendly and informative tour guides who shared personal local stories.
• Learning more about Bosnia and Herzegovina’s history and culture directly from locals
• Beautiful bus ride with constantly changing landscapes.
• Smooth and organized border crossing experience
• Great first introduction to Bosnia and Herzegovina for first-time visitors.

What We Didn’t Love About the Tour

• The overall schedule felt a bit rushed at times.
• Limited free time in both Mostar and Kravica Waterfalls.
• Not enough time to properly relax or swim at the waterfalls.
• Early morning departure from Dubrovnik may not suit everyone.
• Extra costs during the day add up quickly.
• Around €20 extra for two people for the Kravica Waterfalls entrance tickets.
• Around €3 border-crossing/tourist tax per person.
• Public bathrooms often require additional payment
• Mostar and Kravica Waterfalls were both crowded around midday.
• The waterfall area felt more commercialized than expected, with restaurants and buffet stands near the falls.
• You can experience long border waits during peak season, although our crossing was smooth.
• If you prefer slow travel and deeper exploration, this kind of tour may feel too fast-paced.

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Would We Do the Day Trip Again

Yes, we would do this tour again, and overall we enjoyed it much more than the day trip we previously did to Kotor. The day felt better organized, less stressful, and the combination of Neum, Mostar, and Kravica Waterfalls gave us a very good first impression of Bosnia and Herzegovina. If your goal is to experience another country while staying in Dubrovnik, then this kind of tour works very well.

That said, just like with the Kotor trip, this is still more of an introduction rather than a deep exploration. If you prefer slower travel, want to experience Mostar properly, relax longer at the waterfalls, or explore more hidden places around Bosnia and Herzegovina, then we would personally recommend doing the trip independently or staying at least one night in Mostar before continuing onward.

One Day Trip from Dubrovnik to Kotor

Is the Dubrovnik to Mostar and Kravica Waterfalls Day Trip Worth It

Yes, if…

• You want a simple introduction to Bosnia and Herzegovina
• You want to visit another country while staying in Dubrovnik
• You do not want to plan transport, parking, or border crossings yourself
• You want to see multiple places in one day
• You enjoy organized tours with guides and structured schedules
• You want to experience Bosnian food, culture, and landscapes in a short time
• You have limited time, but still want a taste of Bosnia and Herzegovina

No, if…

• You prefer slow travel and spending more time in one place
• You want to explore Mostar at your own pace properly
• You want enough time to relax or swim at Kravica Waterfalls fully
• You dislike crowded tours, buses, and tight schedules
• You want full flexibility during the day
• You dislike early departures and long travel days
• You expect a calm and relaxed experience rather than a fast paced itinerary

Overall, we would say this day trip is worth it for travelers who want an easy and convenient first look at Bosnia and Herzegovina from Dubrovnik. But if you want to experience the country beyond the main highlights, Bosnia and Herzegovina deserves more than just a rushed day trip.

Tips Before Booking a Dubrovnik to Mostar and Kravica Waterfalls Tour

• Bring your passport or a valid ID because you will cross the Croatia–Bosnia and Herzegovina border
• Bring cash for bathrooms, snacks, coffee stops, souvenirs, and extra fees during the day
• Wear comfortable shoes because Mostar has stone streets, and Kravica Waterfalls include stairs and walking paths
• Bring swimwear and a towel if you plan to swim at the waterfalls
• Expect crowds in both Mostar and Kravice, especially around midday
• Do not expect a slow travel experience because the schedule is quite packed
• Bring water and snacks because it becomes a long day overall
• Keep your phone charged because you will spend several hours on the road and taking photos
• Arrive at the pickup point early because the buses usually run on a tight schedule
• If possible, sit by the window because the drive through Bosnia and Herzegovina is very scenic
• Be prepared for weather changes because mornings can feel chilly, while afternoons get very hot
• If you want a deeper experience, consider staying overnight in Mostar instead of doing only a day trip

Montenegro Facts You Should Know Before Visiting

In one day, we visited Mostar, tried Bosnian food, learned more about the country from local guides, and visited Kravica Waterfalls. The schedule felt packed at times, but it gave us a first look at the country and helped us decide we would like to return.
Next time, we would probably stay at least one night in Mostar and explore at a slower pace. But if you are staying in Dubrovnik and want to visit Bosnia and Herzegovina for the first time, this tour is a good introduction.

Pack your bags and waddle more!

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