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Cyprus Country Information
There is a great deal packed into a
small space on the island of Cyprus in the eastern Mediterranean.
Not only does it abound
with good beaches and holiday resorts, but its relatively tiny
landmass is riddled with the relics of ancient history, from the
beehive huts of primitive man to classical Greek and Roman ruins,
and everything imaginable in-between.
The charms
of Cyprus are many and varied. For a start the weather is sunny
and dry for most of the year, and the encircling sea is blue, clear
and enticing. There are modern luxury hotels in the coastal resort
towns, historic restored city precincts to explore, tavernas and
nightlife aplenty. Cyprus has remote picturesque mountain villages
and monasteries, beautiful churches, Crusader castles and fascinating
museums. The local people are extremely welcoming of tourists,
happy to share with them their innate love of life and camaraderie.
In Cyprus it is possible to mingle with crowds, or seek isolation
off the beaten track as the mood takes, even in peak holiday season.
For this reason the island is also a favoured destination for honeymooners,
a reputation enhanced by the fact that legend has it that Cyprus
was where Aphrodite, Greek goddess of love, rose from the sea.
Basic Information
Time: GMT +2 (GMT +3 from the last Sunday in March to last Sunday
in October).
Electricity: Electrical current is 240 volts, 50Hz. The UK-style
three square-pin plugs are used.
Currency: The
currency was changed to the Euro (EUR) on 1 January 2008. Major
credit cards are accepted at most establishments. Money
and travellers cheques can be exchanged at banks, open from Monday
to Friday. There are ATMs spread throughout the island, operating
24 hours a day.
Language: The majority of Cypriots speak Greek, and a small percentage
speaks Turkish. The Greek Cypriot dialect differs from mainland
Greece. English, German and French are spoken in tourist areas.
Travel
Health: No vaccinations are required. Samples taken from
poultry in north Cyprus on 29 January 2006 have tested positive
for avian influenza, but the risk to travellers is believed to
be low. Visitors should avoid all situations that would bring them
into close contact with domestic, caged or wild birds and ensure
that all poultry and egg dishes are well cooked. Health services
on Cyprus are of a good standard. UK citizens should bring with
them a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which enables them
to receive free emergency medical treatment. Medical fees are reasonable
in Cyprus, but supplies are expensive. Medical insurance is advised.
Tipping: A 10% service charge is levied in hotels and restaurants
so a tip is not obligatory, but small change is always welcome.
Taxi drivers, porters etc, appreciate a small tip.
Safety
Information: The terrorist threat is low, and crime against
tourists is rare.
Local
Customs: Avoid taking photographs near military establishments.
Religious customs such as Ramadan should be respected, particularly
in the north where most of the Turkish Cypriots are Muslim; avoid
eating, drinking, smoking and chewing gum in public during the
holy month. Women should dress modestly.
Business: Business in Cyprus is best conducted face-to-face, as
developing a working relationship based on trust is important.
Business is conducted formally, and dress should be smart and conservative
(a suit and tie are the norm). Greetings are usually made with
a handshake, and business cards are exchanged. It is common for
women to hold high positions and they are generally well respected
in the business world. Punctuality is important, but meetings may
not begin on time. Business hours can vary according to the season,
but are usually 8am to 1pm and 4pm to 7pm Monday to Friday in summer,
closing at 5pm in winter.
Communications: The international access code for Cyprus is +357.
The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g.
0044 for the United Kingdom). Area codes are not required. Mobile
phone operators use GSM networks and have roaming agreements with
most international operators, but not the United States. There
are public phones in all towns and villages and can be used for
domestic and international calls. Phone cards can be purchased
from shops, banks and post offices. Internet cafes are available
in the main towns and resorts.
Duty
Free: Travellers
to Cyprus over 17 years arriving from non-EU countries do not
have to pay duty on 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos
or 50 cigars or 250g smoking tobacco; 1 litre spirits with higher
than 22% alcohol volume or 2 litres spirits or aperitifs with less
than 22% alcohol volume, or 2 litres of wine; 50g perfume or 250ml
eau de toilette; 500g coffee; 100g tea; medicines for personal
consumption; and other goods to the value of €175. Prohibited
items include fresh fruit, meat and dairy products.
Weather and Climate in Cyprus
Sunshine is the order of nearly every day on the island of Cyprus,
which has a typical Mediterranean climate. The weather in Cyprus
is characterised by long, hot and dry summers and mild winters,
punctuated by brief autumn and spring seasons. The best time
to travel to Cyprus is during summer when blue skies are guaranteed,
and gentle sea breezes moderate the heat on the coastal resorts.
During winter temperatures remain pleasant, but there can be
snow and rainfall in the interior Troodos Mountains.
Larnaca enjoys a Mediterranean climate,
with abundant sunshine year round. Long dry summers and mild
winters are separated by
short autumn and spring seasons. Summer is a time of high temperatures
with cloudless skies, but the sea breeze creates a pleasant atmosphere
in the coastal areas. Winters are mild, with some rain and snow
on Troodos Mountains. Nicosia enjoys a Mediterranean climate, with abundant sunshine
year round. Long dry summers and mild winters are separated by
short autumn and spring seasons. Summer is a time of high temperatures
with cloudless skies, but the sea breeze creates a pleasant atmosphere
in the coastal areas. Winters are mild, with some rain and snow
on Troodos Mountains.
Limassol experiences a Mediterranean climate with plenty of sunshine
and warm weather. Summers are long and dry and winters mild. Spring
and autumn are short. Summer is a time of high temperatures with
cloudless skies, but the sea breeze creates a pleasant atmosphere
in the coastal areas.
Top of Page
Cyprus Visa and Country Information
- Entry
requirements for Americans: US nationals must have a passport valid for
three months beyond
the period of intended stay. A visa
is not required for a stay of 90 days, provided the visit
is for tourist purposes.
- Entry
requirements for UK nationals: British nationals must have
a valid passport. For holders of passports endorsed British
Citizen, British National (overseas), British Overseas Territories
Citizen,
British Subject, with right of abode in the U.K. or 'European
Union' on the front cover, a visa is not required for a
stay
of 90 days,
provided the visit is for tourist purposes only. In all
other cases a visa is required and passports must be valid
at least
three months
beyond the period of intended stay.
- Entry
requirements for Canadians: Canadians must have a passport
valid for three months beyond the period of intended
stay. No
visa is required for stays of up to 90 days, provided
entry is for tourist
purposes only.
- Entry
requirements for Australians: Australians must have a passport
valid for three months beyond the period
of
intended stay. No
visa is required for stays of up to 90 days, provided
entry is for tourist
purposes only.
- Entry
requirements for South Africans: South Africans must have a
passport valid at least three months beyond
the
period of intended
stay. However, it is advised to hold a passport valid
for six months beyond the period of intended stay.
A visa is
required.
- Entry
requirements for New Zealanders: New Zealand nationals must
have a passport valid for three months
beyond the
period of intended
stay. No visa is required for stays of up to 90
days, provided entry is for tourist purposes only.
- Entry
requirements for Irish nationals: Irish nationals must hold
a valid passport. No visa is required.
Passport/Visa Note: Travellers, except EEA nationals, should
hold an onward or return ticket as well as sufficient funds
for period
of intended stay in Cyprus. It is also advisable to have a
hotel reservation. Nationalities that require a visa are recommended
that their passport is valid for at least six months beyond
the
period of intended stay. Travellers should note that foreigners
entering Cyprus north of the UN-patrolled 'green line' are
deemed by the Government of the Republic of Cyprus to have
entered illegally,
and can be fined when crossing to the south (EU). Policies
and procedures are subject to sudden change and visitors should
check
on the current situation before departing for Cyprus. EU passport
holders with a Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus stamp in
their passport will not experience difficulties when entering
the Republic
of Cyprus.
Note: Passport and visa requirements are liable to change at short
notice. Travellers are advised to check their entry requirements
with their embassy or consulate. Top
of Page
Attractions in Cyprus
- Choirokoitia - About 20 miles (32km) from Larnaca on the
Lefkosia-Lemesos road, archaeological excavations have revealed
one of the oldest
Neolithic
sites on Cyprus, dating to 7,000 BC. Choirokoitia (also known
as Khirokitia) was home to primitive farmers who cultivated
wheat and barley.
- Cyprus
Archaeological Museum - This museum
was established to
collect, study and display archaeological artefacts from all
over the island. Some of the exhibits are as
old as 8,500 years. The museum is arranged in chronological order.
- Byzantine
Museum - The largest collection of icons on the island of
Cyprus is displayed in the Byzantine Museum in the Old City
of Nicosia. The icons date
from the ninth through to the 18th centuries.
- Catacombs -
A large pistachio tree marks the entrance to the underground
catacombs of Agia Solomoni in Kato Paphos. The tree is a strange
sight,
festooned as it usually is with pieces of cloth tied onto it
by the faithful as offerings, in the hope that this sacred
tree will cure various ailments.
- Baths
of Aphrodite - A romantic
side trip from Paphos is a visit to the natural grotto on
the Akamas Peninsula near Polis (30 miles/48km
north of Paphos)
where legend has it that the Greek goddess of love, Aphrodite,
used to take her baths.
Airports in Cyprus
Larnaca International Airport (LCA)
- Location:
The airport is three miles (5km) outside of Larnaca.
- Time:
GMT +2 (GMT+3 between the last Sunday in March and
the last Sunday in October).
- Contacts:
Tel: +357 24 816400
- Getting
to the city: Transport to hotels and resorts is provided
by 24-hour taxis, or Intercity bus services
are available.
- Car
rental: Hertz, Avis, Budget, Europcar, Sixt, Thrifty and
a number of local companies are represented
at the
airport.
- Facilities:
Airport facilities include banks, bureaux de change, a café,
a post office, duty free shopping and a gift shop. Snacks
and light refreshments are available 24 hours. There are
disabled facilities available, including wheelchairs.
Tour operators are available in Arrivals.
- Parking:
Short-term parking is available in front of the terminal
building.
- Departure
Tax: None.
Paphos International Airport (PFO)
- Location:
The airport is situated nine miles (15km) east of Paphos.
- Time:
GMT +2 (GMT +3 from the last Sunday in March to last Sunday
in October).
- Contacts:
Tel: +357 24 816400
- Getting
to the city: Taxis offer transport to the city centre from
outside the airport terminal and there
is a regular bus
service
into town departing outside the terminal building.
- Car
rental: Avis and Europcar are represented at the airport
along with several local companies.
Facilities: Airport facilities include a bureau de
change, ATM and bank, bar, cafe and restaurant, medical
centre,
duty free
shopping and a hotel reservation desk. Light refreshments
are available.
Disabled passengers are catered for.
- Parking:
Short-term parking is available near the terminal building.
- Departure
Tax: None.
Top
of Page
Driving
Information
Drinking and driving:
The maximum legal level of alcohol in the blood is 0.049
per cent. Persons suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol may
be
subjected to a blood test.
Driving licence:
All national driving licences accepted. Minimum age for driving
a
temporarily imported car and / or motorcycle is 18.
Fines:
The Cyprus traffic police are empowered to impose on-the-spot fines
for
traffic offences.
Fuel:
LPG is not available. Unleaded petrol (95 and 98 octane) and diesel
is
available. No leaded petrol (lead substitute additive available).
It is forbidden to carry petrol in a can. Credit cards accepted
at most filling stations,
check with your card issuer for use in Cyprus before travel.
Driving
Distances:
Please click here http://www.viamichelin.com/ for
driving distances
Lights:
Vehicle lights must be used between half an hour after sunset and
half an
hour before sunrise. Spotlights are prohibited.
Motorcycles:
Wearing of crash helmets compulsory, for the rider and pillion
passenger.
Motor Insurance:
Third-party compulsory. Green Card recognised.
Passengers / Children in cars:
Children under five cannot travel as a front seat
passenger. Children over five and under ten must use a suitable
child restraint
system.
Seat belts:
Compulsory for front / rear seat occupants to wear seat belts, if fitted.
Speed limits:
Standard legal limits, which may be varied by signs, for private
vehicles without trailers. In built-up areas: 31 mph (50 km/h) or
40 mph (65
km/h) depending on the road, outside built-up areas: 49 mph (80 km/h)
and 62
mph (100 km/h) on motorways. Minimum speed on motorways: 40 mph (65
km/h).
Compulsory equipment:
- Warning
triangle - two must be carried
Other
rules / requirements:
Rule of the road is drive on the left; overtake on the right.
Use of vehicle horn prohibited between 2200 and 0600 hours, and
in the vicinity of
hospitals.
Spiked tyres and snow chains are permitted on mountain roads in
winter.
A GPS based navigation system which has maps indicating the location
of fixed
speed cameras must have the ‘fixed speed camera PoI (Points
of Interest)’ function
deactivated.
The use of radar detectors is prohibited.
Eating and drinking whilst driving is prohibited.
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