Cyprus
Generous meze, delicious wine, and the Mediterranean. What more could you ask for?
Explore
We spent 3 months in the village of Dhoros, Cyprus. Half-way into the Troodos mountains overlooking Limassol, the village offered a wonderful perspective of the island.
General:
Activities in Cyprus:
Hala Sultan Tekke and The Larnaka Salt Flats
Holy Monastery of the Virgin of Kykkos
Paphos Activities and Adventure Guide
Getting In
- Cyprus is an island in the Mediterranean and has no land crossings.
- There are three airports through which visitors may enter: Larnaka International Airport; Paphos International Airport; and Ercan International Airport in Nicosia. Most tourists should avoid Ercan* (see Need To Know below).
- There are various ferries that operate out of Turkey to Cyprus – we do not recommend this.*
- Cyprus is a part of the European Union though not yet a member of the Schengen Zone. Tourist may visit visa-free for up to 90 days.
Money
- Cyprus is a moderate expense country. Visitors can enjoy their stay comfortably without spending extravagantly. With that in mind, it isn’t difficult to spend a lot if careless.
- Cyprus is a member of the European Union, thus the currency used is the Euro €.
- ATMs are reliable, but not widespread outside of airports, banks, and primary tourist locations.
- Most establishments will accept Visa Credit Cards. Be wary of fees that may apply though.
$1 USD = €0.85 (Euro)
A mid-level meal at a restaurant is €10.00
1-bed apartment in city center costs €370
1 gallon of gasoline costs €4.50
Climate
- Cyprus lies in the eastern Mediterranean off the coast of Lebanon and Turkey.
- The nation is generally very warm throughout most of the year. Summers are long and dry, while winters are short and cool. Expect temperatures to be 11C – 35C during the summer, with extremes up to 40C.
- Most precipitation occurs during the winter, though thunderstorms may appear in the Troodos Mountains.
- The majority of the country is low lying and arid. North of Limassol, the Troodos mountains rise up, providing cooler temperatures and some greenery. This area is a major region for Kommandaria wine.
- Snow occurs for brief periods, but only in the Troodos Mountains.
History
Cyprus has a long history, dating back to pre-historic times. The island has seen numerous occupations by various nations including the Egyptians, Greeks, Ottomans, British, and Turks. It served as an important post during the Crusades for those on their way to the Holy Lands. Cyprus came under British rule in 1878 until revolts led to its independence in 1960. In 1974, Turkey invaded the northern portion of the island. Cyprus remains divided to this day, with the capital of Nicosia being a split city managed by the UN.
Need to Know
- The 1974 Turkish occupation remains in effect today. Nicosia remains a divided city. Despite this, the country is stable.
- Tourists can enter Turkish-occupied Cyprus from the south via a UN controlled land crossing. * However, Cypriot authorities will not allow visitors in if they arrived via Ercan International Airport.
- Most Cypriots are Greek Orthodox. In the north, the majority are Muslim.
- There is little to no public transportation. Rent a car, get a taxi, or use charter tourist buses.
- Cyprus is dotted with numerous archaeological sites from many eras of history ranging from prehistoric to ancient Egyptian and Greek, to Medieval.
Warnings
- Cyprus is an extremely safe country with nothing, in particular, to worry about. It is considered the safest nation in the EU.
- Be wary of drivers on the road. Locals are known to disregard traffic lights and signals.
- When swimming, be wary of strong currents.
- Cyprus gets very hot in the summer months, be sure to carry water and appropriate protection.
We recommend reviewing safety guidelines by various state departments: – we make no guarantees to your safety!
US State Department – Moderate to High bias, with moderate levels of broad information. We advise checking against other sources to confirm veracity of statements.
British State Department – Low bias, and very thorough information. We recommend checking with the FCO for tourist warnings.
Australian State Department – Moderate bias, but with thorough information. We advise using as an additional resource for tourist warnings.