Capital
Nicosia
The local time
GMT +2 (- 1 hour to Moscow)
Telephone
Cyprus does not have a single phone number for calling the police, ambulance or firefighters – 199 or 112.
To call to Russia, you can use both telephones located in the hotel and street payphones. Long distance phone cards are sold at post offices, supermarkets and some banks. Their face value is 2, 5 and 10 CYP. A call from a street payphone will cost you several times cheaper. On the Cyprus does not have a discount for negotiations up to 30% at night.
Dial rules:
For an international dial out, dial 00, then the Russian code 7, the code of the city you plan to call. When calling back, use the following combinations:
- Cyprus- 357
- Larnaca – 4
- Limassol – 5
- Paphos – 6
- Ayia Napa – 3
If you call the Cyprus Hotel, then when dialing, use the following combination: 8-10-375-city code – the six-digit telephone number of the hotel.
Currency
Since January 1, 2008, the national currency of Cyprus has been the euro.
It is better to change foreign currency in banks – they have a more favorable rate. Banking institutions are open on weekdays from 08.30 to 18.30. Technical break from 12.30 to 16.30. In the period from October to April, the afternoon banking hours are shifted by 1 hour (from 15.30 to 17.30).
You can exchange traveler ‘s checks at the hotel reception or at the bank. On theCyprus e in use credit cards.
Shops and shopping
Store opening hours:
From Monday to Saturday from 08.00 to 13.00 and from 15.00 to 17.30 in winter.
Monday – Saturday from 08.00 to 13.00 and from 16.00 to 19.00 – in summer.
Sunday is a day off.
On Wednesdays and Saturdays the shops are open until noon.
Good souvenirs from Cyprus will be liqueurs and wines, Namas wine, lace, paintings, handmade silverware, original jewelry, fur coats, leather goods, as well as local sweets (halva, Turkish delight, suzukos). See liuxers for Cyprus customs and traditions.
In stores on Cyprus is not accepted to bargain, fixed prices are set here. You can try to knock down the cost of goods in the market, but in the high season, fruits can be bought here for next to nothing.
Prices
Price level for Cyprus e below European. Here, for $35, you will rent a room in a cheap hotel for a day, pay for travel and groceries from the store. For $70 a day you will find a decent hotel and two meals a day in restaurants.
Tips
In restaurants in southern Cyprus, a 10% service charge is automatically added to the client’s bill. In the northern part, this is practiced only in the most expensive establishments. Here it is recommended to leave the waiters “for tea” on their own.
Tipping is also given to taxi drivers, porters or maids in the amount of 1-2 pounds.
Beaches
Coastal area on Cyprus does not belong to the municipality. Therefore, the entrance to the beaches is free even if it is in front of the hotel.
Transport
Cyprus does not have 2 international airports, they are located in Paphos and Larnaca.
The cheapest means of transport are buses. You can use them from 6 a.m. to midnight, in the off-season – up to 19 p.m. Travel in a fixed- route taxi will cost 2 times more. The capacity of this bus is up to 10 people.
Taxi. You can order a taxi both on the street and from your hotel room. There are two tariffs for the transportation of passengers: daytime (from 6 am to 8.30 pm) and night – it is 15% more expensive.
In the countryside, taxis can only be taken at the base station. The fare is paid per mileage and depends on the direction of travel.
Rent a car for Cyprus is possible everywhere. This service includes car insurance, unlimited mileage, and you will be provided with a map of the city. Gasoline is paid at a separate rate. Important: on Cyprus is a left-hand drive, the steering wheel in the car is on the right. You can distinguish a rented car from a regular one by the Z sign on its license plate.
Accommodation
On the Hotels of various levels of comfort are open for tourists in Cyprus: from 2 to 5 stars. At the same time, even 2-star hotels are equipped with air conditioning, but you will have to pay extra for it. The higher the class of the hotel, the more services it provides. Some of them have their own swimming pools, beaches and tennis courts, which function even in winter.
The hotels serve breakfast only. In 2-star hotels it is continental, in 3-star and 5-star hotels it is a buffet. Recently, half-board meals for tourists have been practiced – you will be offered a choice of lunch or dinner.
Electricity
Mains voltage is 240 V, three-phase sockets. Adapters can be taken from the hotel staff, leaving a deposit, or bought for 1-1.5 pounds at the nearest store.
Tourist safety
Be careful on the roads. Heavy fines are imposed for drinking alcohol while driving or driving under the influence of alcohol.
Tap water for Cyprus is not drinkable. But make sure that all taps are closed – water is highly valued here, especially in summer.
Lots of mosquitoes at night. Use insect repellant to keep them out. If you have an allergic reaction to topical medications, contact your doctor immediately.
On the beach, always use sunscreen – this will protect you from burns. The sun is especially dangerous during the period from 11.00 to 15.00. During this period, try to drink as much non-alcoholic liquid as possible.
