GENERAL
INFORMATION ABOUT CYPRUS
Useful Statistics
- Located at the heart of the eastern Mediterranean, Cyprus has a
landmass of 9,251 square kilometers (3,572 square miles). Population in
1994: 730,000.
- The island is demographically diverse, with 77% of the population
Greek Cypriots, 18% Turkish Cypriots, and the remainder Maronites,
Armenians, Latins and others.
- The largest towns are Nicosia (Lefkosia) with a population of
186,000; Limassol (Lemesos) with 143,000; Larnaka with 64,000; Paphos
with 34,000.
Government
Cyprus, an independent sovereign republic, has a presidential system of
democratic government. Free elections are held every five years for the
election of President and Members of Parliament. Over 23 years ago, in
1974, Turkey invaded Cyprus, resulting in 37% of the island coming under
Turkish occupation. This event was accompanied by the displacement of
200,000 Greek Cypriots, one third of the population, and damage to
monuments and antiquities that were part of the Cypriot culture. A series
of U.N. General Assembly resolutions have condemned the invasion. A
solution has yet to be found, despite a series of talks held since 1975.
Greek is the main language of Cyprus, but English is spoken almost
everywhere.
Before You Leave; Towards Cyprus
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You will Need
- A passport
- A national driver's license
- To drive on the left
You won't Need
- A visa
- An International driver's license
- Any vaccinations
Cyprus enjoys a Mediterranean climate, with abundant sunshine year round.
Long dry summers and mild winters are separated short autumn and spring
seasons.
Summer is a time of high temperature with cloudless skies, but the sea
breeze creates a pleasant atmosphear in the coastal areas.
Winters are mild, with some rain and snow on the mountains.
March: Winter apparel with medium-weight wear.
April, May: Blossom season. Medium-weight and summer apparel:
Light woolies or long sleeved cotton for the evening.
June, July, August:Very light-weight summer clothing. Ideal for
swimming and all beach/water activities.
September, October: Light-weight apparel for the day and
medium-weight for the evening in October.
November:Medium-weight apparel. Light sweaters.
December, January, February: Winter clothing - not heavy coats
though.
Cyprus offers a wide variety of holiday accommodation, ranging from
modern, large and luxurious establishments, to small and simple
family-run operations. Holiday accommodation includes: hotels, hotel
apartments, tourist villages, tourist villas, camping sites, traditional
houses, guest houses, youth hostels. Most hotels and hotel apartments
have swimming pools, tennis courts, sports facilities, sauna, central air
conditioning e.t.c... The rates charged by these establishments are
approved by the Cyprus Tourism Organization, and most hotels offer
special off-season discounts.
For a list of hotels and their prices in Cyprus, click here
TAXI Service
Intercity Service Taxis connect all major towns in Cyprus and run every
half hour. Passengers share 4-7 seats. Also, in each city, there are
hundreds of taxi's where you can signal to them to stop and transfer you
anywhere within the city limits.
Car Rental
As regular transport service is not available to remote areas where many
places of interest are to be found, driving in Cyprus is most advisable.
Self-drive car rental firms have offices in all towns, as well as at the
Larnaka International Airport. A list of firms supplying self-drive cars
can be found in the Cyprus Tourism Organization's annual "Guide to
Hotels, Travel Agencies and other Tourist Services" obtainable from all
Cyprus Tourism Organization Offices in Cyprus and abroad. Prices range
from U.S$ 26.00 for a small car to U.S$ 50.00 for a medium-sized car for
one day. Be reminded that driving is on the left.
Car Rental Companies
- Auto-Europe: 800-223-5555
- Avis Rent-a-Car: 800-331-1084
- Hertz Rent-a-Car: 800-654-3001
- Budget Rent a Car: 800-472-3325
- EuroDollar: 800-800-6000
Guided excursions are organized by Sightseeing Tour Operators, and
reservations for these excursions can be made directly or through your
hotel desk. Tours are available from Limassol, Paphos, Larnaka,
Agia
Napa, Paralimni and Polis.
Currency and Credit Cards
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The currency is the Cyprus pound,
which is divided into 100 cents. The exchange rate as of January 1996 is
2.2 U.S$ or 2.9 Canadian dollars for 1 Cyprus pound.
All major credit cards are accepted at most places.
Banking hours for the public: Monday-Friday 08:15-12:30. Centrally
located banks provide "afternoon tourist services" from Tuesday to Friday.
Banks at the Larnaka and Paphos International Airports provide services
throughout the day, as well as a night service for most flights. Banking
facilities are also available at the Limassol Harbor.
Throughout the island
Ambulance, Police, Fire Service, and Night Pharmacies call 199.
All police officers speak English. Crime in Cyprus is at a very low
level.
Medical Services and Hospitals
Medical treatment and assistance is offered free of charge to
international tourists in case of health emergencies at the Ambulatory
and Emergency Department of Government Hospitals/Institutions.
Cyprus is a paradise for the sports enthusiast. Sports include angling,
sea sports, golf, cycling, sailing/yachting, swimming, hiking/nature
trails, and water sports.
Marinas and yacht harbors
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Larnaka Marina
Larnaka Marina is situated in the bay of Larnaka and lies 110 nautical
miles from Beirut, 182 n.m. from Tel-Aviv, 230 n.m from Port-Said, and
300 n.m. from Rhodes. The position of the marina is 34 deg., 55 min.
North - 33 min East. The Marina is an official Port of Entry, and has
berthing facilities for 450 yachts of various sizes.
St. Rafael Resort
East of Limassol. The marina, located at 33 deg., 11 min. latitude - 34
deg.,42 min, has 227 berths.
Telephones
98% of the world's telephones are accessed automatically from Cyprus.
You can also call direct from your local telephone operators.
The international dialing code for Cyprus is 357.
Time
7 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time (EST).
Electricity
240 volts, a.c 50 Hz. Sockets are usually 5 amp., or 13 amp., square-pin.
Shopping
Traditional hand-made items can be purchased in every corner of the
island. At the Handicraft Center in Nicosia, visitors can see the
artisans weaving, basket-making, wood-carving, working with leather;
pottery and traditional hand-made copper goods. All items are for
sale.
Shopping hours: May-Sep: 8:00-13:00 and 16:00-19:00; Oct-April:
8:00-13:00 and 14:30-18:00. Closed Wed. and Sat. afternoons, all day Sun.
Tourist areas remain open longer.
Value Added Tax
V.A.T has been introduced in Cyprus on the purchase of all goods and
services at the standard rate of 8%.
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.
Travelers arriving in the Republic of Cyprus may enter the Republic only
through the legal ports of entry: Larnaka and Pafos International
Airports,
or the ports of Larnaka, Limassol and Pafos. The ports of Famagusta
Kyrenia
and Karavostasi, as well as the airports in the part of the Republic
illegally occupied by the Turkish invasion forces have been declared by
the
Government as prohibited ports of entry and exit, and no passenger should
enter or leave the Republic from these ports.
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RETURN TO THE CYPRUS ACCESS PANEL