Cyprus Travel Guide

Full Name

Republic of Cyprus

Former Name

None

Capital City

Nicosia

Government Type

republic note: a separation of the two ethnic communities inhabiting the island began following the outbreak of communal strife in 1963; this separation was further solidified after the Turkish intervention in July 1974 that followed a Greek junta-support

Area Size

9,250 sq km (of which 3,355 sq km are in north Cyprus)

Time Zone

UTC/GMT +2 hours

Climate

The climate is temperate and Mediterranean with dry summers and variably rainy winters. Summer temperatures range from warm at higher elevations in the Troodos mountains to hot in the lowlands. Winter temperatures are mild at lower elevations, where snow rarely occurs, but are significantly colder in the Troodos mountains, where there is sufficient snow for a seasonal ski facility. Dust storms are frequent throughout the year.

Geography

The third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea (after Sicily and Sardinia), Cyprus is geographically situated in the eastern Mediterranean and just south of the Anatolian peninsula (or Asia Minor) of the Asian mainland; thus, it is commonly included in the Middle East (see also Western Asia and Near East). Turkey is 75 kilometres north; other neighbouring countries include Syria and Lebanon to the east, Israel to the southeast, Egypt to the south, and Greece to the west-north-west.

Languages

Greek, Turkish, English

Culture

Indeed, the most compelling cultural aspect of Cyprus may be the island itself: The passage of ten millennia has made this small country an endless banquet of history, each civilization comprising another course of the feast. And time has only strengthened the identity of the Cypriots themselves; a people who can read the very same inscriptions on the ancient temple walls their ancestors chiseled so many sunsets ago. In the hills or along the coast, in town or country, wherever you go in Cyprus, the cultural feast will follow.

History

A former British colony, Cyprus received independence in 1960 following years of resistance to British rule. Tensions between the Greek Cypriot majority and Turkish Cypriot minority came to a head in December 1963, when violence broke out in the capital of Nicosia. Despite the deployment of UN peacekeepers in 1964, sporadic intercommunal violence continued forcing most Turkish Cypriots into enclaves throughout the island. In 1974, a Greek-sponsored attempt to seize the government was met by military intervention from Turkey, which soon controlled more than a third of the island. In 1983, the Turkish-held area declared itself the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus," but it is recognized only by Turkey. The latest two-year round of UN-brokered direct talks - between the leaders of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities to reach an agreement to reunite the divided island - ended when the Greek Cypriots rejected the UN settlement plan in an April 2004 referendum. The entire island entered the EU on 1 May 2004, although the EU acquis - the body of common rights and obligations - applies only to the areas under direct Republic of Cyprus control. At present, every Cypriot carrying a Cyprus passport has the status of a European citizen; however, EU laws do not apply to north Cyprus. Nicosia continues to oppose EU efforts to establish direct trade and economic links to north Cyprus as a way of encouraging the Turkish Cypriot community to continue to support reunification.

Travel Information

The national airline is Cyprus Airways (CY). Larnaca (LCA) is 5km south of Larnaca and 50km from Nicosia. Taxis are available outside the airport terminal. Facilities: Duty-free shop, tourist information, bank/bureau de change, bars and restaurants, Cyprus Hotel Information and Reservation Office, car hire and post office. Pafos (PFO) is 15km east of the city. Taxis are available outside the airport terminal. Facilities: Tourist information, duty-free shop, Cyprus Hotel Information, cafeteria and car hire. Main ports: Passenger ships from the ports of Limassol and Larnaca connect Cyprus with various Greek and Middle Eastern ports, including Piraeus, Rhodes, Heraklion, Haifa, Port Said, Jounieh and many Greek islands. For detailed information on ferry boats and shipping lines, contact the Cyprus Tourism Organisation. One-day cruises are organised from May to October, weather permitting. Several cruise lines call at Cyprus. Since 1974, the Cyprus government declared the ports of Famagusta (Ammochostos) and Kyrenia, and the airport of Ercan, all in the northern part of the island, as illegal ports of entry to Cyprus.

Accommodation

There are over 500 hotels and hotel apartments scattered throughout the island. There are also simple hotels that are ungraded. A VAT charge of 15% is added to bills. Most hotels and hotel apartments offer discounts during the low season, which for seaside resorts is from 6 November to 15 March (excluding the period 20 December to 6 January) and for hill resorts from 1 October to 30 June. There are discounts for children occupying the same room as their parents: under one year, by private arrangement; one to six years, 50% discount; six to 10 years, 25% discount. Some hotels may only charge 80% of the daily room rate for single occupancy of a double room. Visitors should check discounts with their hotel prior to arrival.

Visa Requirements

Visas are not required by all nationals of the EU, Australia, Canada and USA for the following durations: nationals of EU countries who may stay for an unlimited period; Nationals of Australia, Canada and the USA for stays of up to 90 days. Nationals not referred to above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements. Passport valid for at least three months beyond length of stay required by all nationals referred to above except: EU nationals holding a valid national ID card. EU nationals are only required to produce evidence of their EU nationality and identity in order to be admitted to any EU Member State. This evidence can take the form of a valid national passport or national identity card. Either is acceptable. Possession of a return ticket, any length of validity on their document, sufficient funds for the length of their proposed visit should not be imposed. Nationalities with stamps or visas of the 'Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus' in their passports are only allowed to enter Cyprus after the visas/stamps are cancelled by the Immigration Authorities of the Republic of Cyprus.

Getting Around

Traffic drives on the left. Bus services connect all towns and villages on the island every day except Sunday and public holidays. The main operators include Inter City Buses and Nicosia Buses. Rural buses are limited to one or two services each day and can be slow; however, they are a good way of seeing the more remote villages. Taxis run 24 hours between all the main towns on the island. Fares are regulated by the government and all taxis have meters. Rural taxis can only be hired from the base station and do not have a meter. Car rentals should be reserved well in advance during the summer season. Nicosia Buses operates an efficient bus service in the capital. Services in Limassol are run by the Limassol Urban Bus Company (E.A.L.) Limited. Smaller operations service other Cypriot towns and cities, though few services are frequent or used often by tourists. Taxis are widely available; a 15% surcharge is in operation from 2300-0600. Tipping is expected.

Health & Safety

No vaccinations are required. 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. The terrorist threat is low, and crime against tourists is rare.

National Holidays

1 Jan - New Year’s Day. 6 Jan - Epiphany. 19 Feb - Green Monday. 25 Mar - Greek National Day. 1 Apr - Greek Cypriot National Day. 6 Apr - Greek Orthodox Good Friday. 9 Apr - Greek Orthodox Easter Monday. 1 May - Labour Day. 28 May - Pentecost (Kataklysmos). 15 Aug - Assumption. 1 Oct - Cyprus Independence Day. 28 Oct - Greek National Day (Ochi Day). 24-26 Dec - Christmas.

Currency

Cyprus Pound (CYP)

Electricity

240v AC, 50Hz

Working Hours

Business hours are 8.00am - 1.00pm and 4.00pm - 7.00pm Monday to Friday in summer. Closing at 5.00pm in winter.

Emergency Numbers

112