Tourist Scams in Montenegro

Restaurants in Budva Old Town and along the Slovenska Obala promenade automatically add a per-person cover charge (kovert) of 2–5 EUR plus a mandatory service charge of 10–15% that is not visible on the menu. Tourists unfamiliar with local billing customs rarely query the charges. The practice is especially common at restaurants with outdoor seating facing the sea.

How to avoid: Ask before sitting whether a cover charge or service fee applies. Request the full itemised bill and verify each line. If charges were not disclosed, dispute them politely before paying — restaurants rarely push back hard if challenged calmly.

Souvenir kiosks and snack stands immediately outside the cruise port gate charge 3–5x the prices of shops a few streets into the Old Town, targeting passengers on tight time schedules.

How to avoid: Walk 5 minutes into the Old Town before buying anything. Compare prices before committing — the same olive oil or prosciutto costs a fraction just meters away.

Taxis at Tivat Airport and Kotor's cruise port quote flat fares to the Old Town 3–5x the standard rate, targeting newly arrived tourists unfamiliar with local prices.

How to avoid: Pre-book a transfer through your accommodation. If hailing a taxi, agree on a price before entering and confirm it's the total — not per person.

Jet ski rental operators on Mogren Beach and Jaz Beach in Budva rent equipment without conducting a documented pre-rental inspection, then claim pre-existing scratches or hull damage were caused by the tourist after the ride. Tourists are pressured to pay cash for repairs costing hundreds of euros or threatened with police involvement. The damage is often fabricated or grossly exaggerated.

How to avoid: Photograph and video the entire jet ski from all angles before starting, and insist the operator signs a written condition report. If they refuse documentation, do not rent. Pay only by card so you have a chargeback option.

During the peak cruise season from May to October, souvenir stalls and small shops clustered around Trg od Oružja (Arms Square) and along Pjaca od Kina apply sharply inflated prices to goods during the few hours cruise passengers are ashore. The same items — local honey, lace, olive products, and replica maritime charts — are priced 200–400% higher than in shops further from the main square. Vendors often refuse to negotiate and create a sense of urgency around departure times.

How to avoid: Walk at least two blocks back from the main square into the residential lanes of the Old Town to find local shops with more consistent pricing. Compare prices across at least two or three vendors before buying. If a vendor references your ship's departure time to pressure a decision, treat it as a signal to walk away.

Taxi drivers at Budva bus station and along Mediteranska Street routinely refuse to use meters and quote inflated flat rates to tourists. Fares to the Old Town from outlying hotels can be quoted at 3–4 times the metered rate. Drivers often claim the meter is broken or that a flat rate is mandatory. The scam targets new arrivals who do not know local fare norms.

How to avoid: Always insist on the meter before entering the cab. If the driver refuses, get out and find another taxi or use a ride-hailing app. Ask your hotel for the expected fare before you travel.

At the entrance to the city walls leading up to St. John's Fortress, individuals present themselves as official guides or wall wardens and insist that a guided escort is mandatory. They lead visitors partway up the 1,355 steps, then demand payment — often €20–40 — before continuing or allowing passage past certain points. These individuals have no official status and the wall can be ascended entirely without a guide.

How to avoid: Purchase your wall entry ticket only from the official booths at the Sea Gate (Vrata od Mora) or the North Gate (Sjeverna vrata). Politely decline any individual who approaches you on the steps claiming that a guide is required. The ticket price is fixed and displayed at the entrance.

Private beach operators on Budvas Slovenska Beach and at the beach clubs in Bečići charge premium rates for sunbeds and umbrellas without prominently displaying the price list, then add charges for towels, drinks, and parasol servicing that were not mentioned at the start. Tourists who complain are told the additional charges are standard and non-negotiable. Some operators quote one price verbally but charge a higher rate on the final bill.

How to avoid: Check the posted price board before sitting down and ask for a written price confirmation if you plan to stay for the day. Verify the daily rate includes the umbrella. Free public beach sections exist beside most private operators — you are entitled to use them.