Dreaming of your Coming Holidays!

Cyprus Travel Tips for first-time visitors will save you time, money and ensure you make the most out of your holidays in Cyprus. Most first-time visitors will arrive and depart through Larnaca which makes an excellent jumping-off point or punctuation at the end of the trip. With its beautiful sandy beaches, crystalline water and venerable ancient sites, Cyprus lives up to all the hype. But how to appreciate this beautiful island to suit everyone’s taste and antiquities dotting the landscape like a historical map of western civilization? With such great food, warm sun and gorgeous beaches, it is no wonder Cyprus is such a popular tourist destination. If you are about to travel there for the first time, here are a few things you should know.

Cyprus Travel TipsChoice of Hotel

Double check hotel reviews and don’t totally rely on what agent claims. Always check other travelers experience in particular hotels which you are thinking to choose. If reviews are at least 70% positive, you can choose the hotel and photos posted will help to show the real situation of the accommodation.

Be suspicious if the price of a hotel is really low compared to the same category hotels. It is said all over that what we pay is what we get, but if you just pay €25 per night for a hotel in the same area and same star value, don’t expect it to be good.

Hotel Location

Cyprus Travel TipsBefore booking, check the area and the location of the hotel. Imagine if your chosen hotel stay is far from what you expect with no buses passing by, with the result of having to pick a taxi daily to take you to the city centre.

Consider Time of Arrival

What most people do not consider is the time of arrival and the extra cost of getting from the airport to your hotel and back in the middle of the night. Arriving at 2 a.m. or so might seem cheap, but if the hotel is not picking you up for free and you are forced to catch a taxi in the middle of the night, do not expect to pay what you would pay if you were catching a taxi during the day. And, if your hotel is within walking distance of a bus stop, the public coaches/buses are much cheaper than a taxi.

Transfer

Cyprus Travel TipsIf you plan using public transfer and you arrive at night you will find it hard to find any. Assure that you don’t arrive on public holidays unless you arranged to be picked up, because buses are not working those days. There is the alternative of taxis of course, but as in several other countries taxis are quite expensive, in Cyprus are expensive too.  If it is late at night, taxi drivers will try to charge more and you may end up paying triple the price for the same transfer. What to do? Arrange your transfer before coming to Cyprus.

Meals

Cyprus Travel TipsIf you want to feel the taste of the real life of Cyprus, consider having a few meals outside the hotel, even if you are in an all-inclusive. Be sure to try the Cyprus Meze! Usually, reception staff have some nice offers to make and they can guide you accordingly. The best restaurants among locals are not always included in tourist guides or restaurants that usually tourists are driven when on excursions by an agent.

Cyprus Travel Tips

Tipping

Cyprus Travel TipsUsually, service employees in small restaurants are paid poorly and they rely on tips. It’s usually good tipping etiquette to leave a 10 to 15% gratuity, but better tip as you feel, if the waiter went out of his way to please you. Some waiter staff don’t deserve it, but if you decide to leave a tip don’t leave just one or €2 as they will be offended. Often in Cyprus there may already be gratuity added to the bill, but keep in mind that this might go to the owner of the establishment and not the staff.

Cyprus Travel Tips

Negotiating price

If you decide to buy your souvenirs from one shop and you buy several you could politely ask if you can have some discount. Usually, owners offer a small discount on their own depending on the pieces you bought. If you just bought one souvenir don’t try to negotiate the price. Once again the owner will feel insulted and this is the last thing you would want to do.

Best Souvenir to bring back home

Cyprus Travel TipsLefkara lace is a delicate style of needlework only found in Cyprus, and in intricate piece of this handiwork is a perfect and easily transportable gift to bring back in your luggage.

Cyprus Travel TipsStray Cats

There is an abundance of stray cats in Cyprus. It doesn’t matter where you are on the island, there will always be a cat or two around you. It is estimated that there are 2 million cats in Cyprus. That is a lot of cats for an island country that only has a population of 1 million people. During the busy tourist season, a lot of people are around and feeding the stray cats. What happens the rest of the time? Well, there are fewer people but still a lot of cats that need care and food.

Health and Safety

If you do run into difficulties the emergency services number is 112. Also make sure you take out comprehensive travel and health insurance before your trip. Especially if you’re going to Northern Cyprus as your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) will not be valid.

Entering the north side (Passport validity) – if you’re travelling to the north of Cyprus your passport should be valid for at least 6 months from your date of entry to the north; otherwise your passport should be valid for the proposed duration of your stay in Cyprus.

There will be no change to the rights and status of EU nationals living in the UK, nor UK nationals living in the EU, while the UK remains in the EU.

Some Extra Tips

  • Have a UK type of plug adaptor along to charge your phone
  • Driving is done on the left side of the road
  • The local currency is Euro
  • Current Time

6 COMMENTS

  1. Very useful information for first-time visitors! I have family members living here and this summer my dream is coming true….we shall be visiting our relatives soon and I cannot wait to meet them and explore the lovely island of Cyprus!

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