As a YouPlanet Ambassador, I would like to share the Travel Guide below for your information and guidance when planning to visit Cyprus.
Cyprus is a divided nation with an invisible “Green Line” border which signifies that part of the country is ruled by Turkey. In time, it is thought that this line will disappear entirely since it is fading all the time. Traveling to Cyprus, located in the Mediterranean, will give you an opportunity to see sights of ancient monuments, castles and take in an actual archaeological dig.
Cyprus is full of sunshine and calming sea breezes that flow across what is rated as some of the best beaches in the world. The Grecian beauty of this idyllic country is prevalent in all it’s surrounding. The summers are hot and the winters are mild which makes this a perfect get-a-way anytime of year.
Country parts
The largest city on Cyprus is Nicosia which is
also the capital. It is also a separate administrative capital for the
Nicosia District. This city is authentic and is not generally on the
tourists list of places to see. Nicosia offers cafes and woodworking
shops to view; along with, walking the infamous “Green Line” since it is
on the boundary that divides the North from the South.
The second largest city is Limassol which is the principal sea port. This has become a must see tourist attraction. If offers the options of luxury, boutique as well as international hotels. However, if traveling on a budget, accommodations such as private apartments and villa rentals can be found just as easily.
Larnaca has been purported to have had population for about 6000 years, which is said to make it the oldest city in Cyprus. Larnaca has a variety of hotels, hotel apartments and restaurants which line the town’s main beach and are close to shopping.
Coral Bay, which is to the north of Paphos, has the best natural beaches located in that particular area. Coral Bay is a resort that offers villas that provide privacy by being set apart, one from the other. The villas are located just above the golden sand of the beach. Children can swim in the marked shallow area of the sea safely. This resort also offers water sports for your enjoyment.Hotels, bars and restaurants and shops are nearby for the visitors’ convenience. If traveling with the whole family, you can also find minimarkets to stock up on staples for cooking your own meals. The European Blue Flag beach is also close enough to see while staying at Coral Bay.
Peyia is a large, friendly village about 3.5km from Coral Bay. There are coffee shops, tavernas and grocery stores for your convenience. If eating out, the taverna of your choosing will usually create a special dish is requested in advance. Pea has beautiful forests and other scenic villages to tour on your days out that will stay in your memory for years to come.
The second largest city is Limassol which is the principal sea port. This has become a must see tourist attraction. If offers the options of luxury, boutique as well as international hotels. However, if traveling on a budget, accommodations such as private apartments and villa rentals can be found just as easily.
Larnaca has been purported to have had population for about 6000 years, which is said to make it the oldest city in Cyprus. Larnaca has a variety of hotels, hotel apartments and restaurants which line the town’s main beach and are close to shopping.
Coral Bay, which is to the north of Paphos, has the best natural beaches located in that particular area. Coral Bay is a resort that offers villas that provide privacy by being set apart, one from the other. The villas are located just above the golden sand of the beach. Children can swim in the marked shallow area of the sea safely. This resort also offers water sports for your enjoyment.Hotels, bars and restaurants and shops are nearby for the visitors’ convenience. If traveling with the whole family, you can also find minimarkets to stock up on staples for cooking your own meals. The European Blue Flag beach is also close enough to see while staying at Coral Bay.
Peyia is a large, friendly village about 3.5km from Coral Bay. There are coffee shops, tavernas and grocery stores for your convenience. If eating out, the taverna of your choosing will usually create a special dish is requested in advance. Pea has beautiful forests and other scenic villages to tour on your days out that will stay in your memory for years to come.
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| Map of Cyprus |
Getting there
By plane
Cyprus' main airport is Larnaca International Airport (LCA) and is located on the outskirts of Larnaka. Cypress Airways and National airlines from European countries offer non-stop flights from cities such as: Amsterdam, Brussels, Athens, Geneva, Moscow, and Prague. National carrier for North Cyprus is the Cyprus Turkish Airlines located at the Ercan airport in North Cyprus. This airline uses a route that stops over in Istanbul, Turkey. Here, you will change airplanes and then head to North Cyprus.By boat
Occasional ferries connect Cyprus to Greece. Services to Israel and Egypt have been terminated for time being, however there are 2 and 3 day cruises running in the summer months from about April to October. See CruiseCyprus.These mini cruises also run to Syria, Lebanon, Rhodes, the Greek Islands, The black Sea and The Adriatic.The ferry service from Greece runs from Piraeus, Rhodes and Ayios Nikolaos in Crete to Limassol. See the itinerary here. You may also catch a freighter from Italy, Portugal, Southampton and various other European ports. See Grimaldi Freighter Cruisesproviding you with the opportunity to bring a vehicle to Cyprus throughout the year. 09:53, 24 June 2007 (EDT)MaybeBooThere is a regular ferry service from Turkey, connecting Taşucu to Girne (north of Nicosia) http://www.fergun.net. See Northern Cyprus page for details.Travelling to and from the north
Prior to Cyprus's accession to European Union, evidence of entry to Northern Cyprus resulted in denial of entry to the Greek part of Cyprus at the very least. After the accession and according to EU legislation that considers Cyprus to have been admitted in full an entry to the Turkish part is formally an entry to whole Cyprus and must therefore not result in any disadvantage to travellers from the EU. Travellers from non-EU member states (as, for instance, Turkish citizens) must enter the island via one of the legal entry points (i.e. entry points in the Southern part of the island) in order to visit the Southern part.The Cyprus embassy in Washington on the phone (June 2006) when asked if the border is open to U.S. citizens, didn't give a 'No', but said that they recommend entering from the legal points in the Greek side.
Different entities and web pages claim different things. In June 2006, 4 U.S. passport holders (the writers herein) took a boat from Turkey to Northern Cyprus. On the boat there were other casual travelers planning to cross the border to take a flight back home. We were needing to get to Limassol to catch another boat. The local who gave us a ride to Ledra Palace thought we wouldn't be able to cross. The person at the gate told him that it is ok. We passed with no problems, noticing the sand bags and bullet holes on the deserted buildings. The Greek side let us in without stamping our passports and no questioning. In Limassol the woman in the passport control made a little fuss about entering from the north, but after a few minutes we got our passports back and boarded. I am not sure what this means... it is possible that Greek side won't let us in in the future. You don't have problem entering from the check points from south to north and vice versa.The only problem is that the Turkish side in the north wants to stamp the passports, as it is like you are entering a different country. The only country that is recognised by the UN is the Republic of Cyprus. The Turkish Republic of Cyprus is only recognised by Turkey, which actually controls the northern territory of Cyprus.
Update: As of October 2007, We (two Canadian passport holders) travelled from Tasucu Turkey to Larnaca Cyprus in the North. The plan was to travel to Israel which necessitated our cross from the North to South in Cyprus. While our internet research suggested that we could catch a bus, we were advised by taxi drivers at Larnaca that this was not possible. In the end, we took a taxi from Larnaca to Limassol. This took approximately 1 1/2 hours and cost 90 Cyprus pounds. Our taxi driver advised us that it could have cost up to 120 Cyprus pounds.
Our real concern was whether we would be allowed to board to boat from Limassol to Haifa, Israel. It is possible to take a boat on Louis Cruise lines which offers a 3 day cruise to the Holy Land that lands in Haifa. It is also possible to take this cruise one way for 178 Cyprus pounds for two people.
At Limassol, the woman at passport control was a bit confused and went into the back office but we were allowed to board the boat with no trouble and little fanfair. This is, of course, subject to change. There is no need to have the stamp in Northern Cyprus on a separate piece of paper instead of your passport as you will need to advise passport control in the south how you got into the country.
The main crossings between the south and north are:Astromerits/Zodhia (by car only)Agios Dometios/Kermia/Metehan Ledra Palace (by foot only)-the oldest crossing, just outside the walls of old Nicosia to the west of the cityPergamos/BeyarmuduStrovilia near Agios Nikolaos-located at the eastern part of the island.
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| Saranata kolones ruins phaphos, cyprus |
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| Aprhrodite rock |
Getting around
Getting around in another country can be
confusing and trying sometimes, but finding maps from the internet or
the Embassy can help you through this. There are no railways located in
Cyprus, so this will not be an option for transportation.
Taxis in Cyprus are an affordable luxury for getting around and seeing the sights. There are also legitimate and above-board rental agencies to be found; but be careful of this mode transportation since rental cars cannot usually be taken across the border. Also remember to drive on the left.
Taxis in Cyprus are an affordable luxury for getting around and seeing the sights. There are also legitimate and above-board rental agencies to be found; but be careful of this mode transportation since rental cars cannot usually be taken across the border. Also remember to drive on the left.
When to go
The peak season between July and August can
bring temperatures of approximately 80 degrees and higher; but the skies
are clear and this enables a touring adventure you will never forget.
In the off season between December and January, rain will not be a
deterrent when visiting the beautiful sites of the Toodros Mountains.
The temperature for this season is usually about 50 degrees.
Warnings
The first smart thing to do before going to
Cyprus would be to inform the Embassy of your trip. This will give
enable you to receive the most recent updates on safety and security
information for Cyprus. This will also enable the Embassy to help you in
case of emergencies as well as contact family and friends.
When trying to enter a U.N. buffer zone in Cyprus, only use a designated crossing point. Under no circumstances should a military installation, or any other such construction, be photographed. There will be signs posted that prohibits photographs being taken; watch for them.Although crime rate is low, when traveling through Cyprus, beware of the timeshare touts. They will pick out tourists and offer a scratch card that when scratched will say you won maybe a little something. If you agree to come with them to get your winnings, they will then take you some remote place where you will then have to sit for approximately 4 hours to listen to a seminar. When offered a scratch off, refuse and keep moving.
Take heed of going to cabarets in Cyprus; they are usually not what they seem. Tourists who attend establishments such as these are sometimes drugged and robbed while enjoying the entertainment. So, be careful of choosing your entertainment destinations; there are some that are to be enjoyed.
Renting a car in Cypress can also be tricky. Some car rental agencies will try to you to get you buy extra insurance. They will tell you that unless you agree to the insurance fee, you will not be able to drive the car. Also, they will inform you that you will not be charged unless an accident occurs and will have you sign a real credit card slip. These are not the only extra fees which they will try to force on you, so be careful.
When trying to enter a U.N. buffer zone in Cyprus, only use a designated crossing point. Under no circumstances should a military installation, or any other such construction, be photographed. There will be signs posted that prohibits photographs being taken; watch for them.Although crime rate is low, when traveling through Cyprus, beware of the timeshare touts. They will pick out tourists and offer a scratch card that when scratched will say you won maybe a little something. If you agree to come with them to get your winnings, they will then take you some remote place where you will then have to sit for approximately 4 hours to listen to a seminar. When offered a scratch off, refuse and keep moving.
Take heed of going to cabarets in Cyprus; they are usually not what they seem. Tourists who attend establishments such as these are sometimes drugged and robbed while enjoying the entertainment. So, be careful of choosing your entertainment destinations; there are some that are to be enjoyed.
Renting a car in Cypress can also be tricky. Some car rental agencies will try to you to get you buy extra insurance. They will tell you that unless you agree to the insurance fee, you will not be able to drive the car. Also, they will inform you that you will not be charged unless an accident occurs and will have you sign a real credit card slip. These are not the only extra fees which they will try to force on you, so be careful.
Health
Cyprus will have government hospitals and
private clinics where medical attention can be administered if needed.
They also have private sector physicians who have received their
education either in the United Kingdom or the United States. Cyprus is
rated by the World Health Organization to be one of the safest,
health-wise, in the Mediterranean.
For staying healthy while on your trip, try to avoid animal bites and scratches. Before leaving the US, find out what type of vaccinations will be needed before going into Cyprus. Also, update your tetanus vaccination. Stay away from animal even if they look as if they are healthy; even dogs or cats. If children are traveling with you, keep an eye on them and make sure they follow the same rules.
Knowing the danger of the food and water will also be a help when traveling to Cyprus. This is usually the main cause of illness for tourists. Do not consume and food that is sold on the streets. Make sure whatever is eaten is well done and don’t eat unpasteurized dairy products. Another point to be made is that the tap water in Cyprus will be either desalinated sea water or rain water. Water there is more precious than gold, so do not waste it. The last point about the water is that it is heavily chlorinated; so if you do not like the taste of chlorine, then I would recommend buying bottled.
For staying healthy while on your trip, try to avoid animal bites and scratches. Before leaving the US, find out what type of vaccinations will be needed before going into Cyprus. Also, update your tetanus vaccination. Stay away from animal even if they look as if they are healthy; even dogs or cats. If children are traveling with you, keep an eye on them and make sure they follow the same rules.
Knowing the danger of the food and water will also be a help when traveling to Cyprus. This is usually the main cause of illness for tourists. Do not consume and food that is sold on the streets. Make sure whatever is eaten is well done and don’t eat unpasteurized dairy products. Another point to be made is that the tap water in Cyprus will be either desalinated sea water or rain water. Water there is more precious than gold, so do not waste it. The last point about the water is that it is heavily chlorinated; so if you do not like the taste of chlorine, then I would recommend buying bottled.
History
The United Kingdom took over Cyprus government
in 1878. This was to protect them from the Ottoman Empire. With the
dissolving of the Ottoman Empire in 1925, Cyprus became a Crown Colony.
EOKA, National Organization of Cypriot Struggle, fought to end the
British rule over Cyprus and for a union with Greece between 1955 and
1959. Their struggle resulted in an independent republic in 1960.
The Cypriot population consisted of only 18% Muslim Turkish Cypriots in 1960. The Constitution, at that time, held safeguards to ensure the participation of Turkish Cypriots in State affairs. An article in the Constitution was created so that the Turkish Cypriots and the Greeks could manage each of their municipalities in big towns. However, the article was not put into play by the President Archbishop Makarios (President) or the Republic.
In 1974, Turkey invaded Cyprus which led to the southern Turkish Cypriots to move north and the Greek Cypriots who lived in the north moved south. Northern Cyprus was declared in 1975 under the name “Turkish Federated State of Northern Cyprus” which was then changed to the present form of its name in 1983.
The Cypriot population consisted of only 18% Muslim Turkish Cypriots in 1960. The Constitution, at that time, held safeguards to ensure the participation of Turkish Cypriots in State affairs. An article in the Constitution was created so that the Turkish Cypriots and the Greeks could manage each of their municipalities in big towns. However, the article was not put into play by the President Archbishop Makarios (President) or the Republic.
In 1974, Turkey invaded Cyprus which led to the southern Turkish Cypriots to move north and the Greek Cypriots who lived in the north moved south. Northern Cyprus was declared in 1975 under the name “Turkish Federated State of Northern Cyprus” which was then changed to the present form of its name in 1983.
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