Cyprus Travel Tips

The currency of the Republic of Cyprus is the Cyprus pound (CYP), which is divided into 100 cents. Banknotes come in 20, 10, 5 and 1 Cyprus pounds and coins come in 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 Cyprus cents.

The currency in Northern Cyprus is the Turkish lira (TL). Banknotes can be found in 10,000,000; 5,000,000, 1,000,000, 500,000, 250,000 and 100,000 Turkish lira, while coins come in 100,000, 50,000, 25,000, 10,000 and 5,000 Turkish lira. The Turkish lira is subject to high and frequent inflation.

There are no currency restrictions on importing local currency, although exporting the Cyprus pound is restricted to CYP 100. Importing large amounts of foreign currencies must be declared. Visit this site for further information about the currency in Cyprus.

Banks at Larnaca and Paphos international airports provide exchange bureaux services on a 24-hour basis. Similar facilities are also available at Lemesos harbour. Hotels, large shops and restaurants normally accept credit cards and traveller's cheques although banknotes of major foreign currencies are occasionally accepted. Rates of exchange are published daily in the local press. There are many ATM machines outside most banks in all towns and resorts.

All banks close at weekends and on public holidays. Christmas Eve is a working day for banks. From September to June, banks are open from 08:30 until 12:30 and on Monday afternoons from 03:15 to 16:45. In July and August, banks open from 08:15 until 12:30. Some have special afternoon tourist services and will cash traveller's checks from 15:00 until 18:00. Visit this site for further information on banks in Cyprus.

If you are travelling to Cyprus from the EU, you do not have to pay duty on alcohol or tobacco products, provided that they are for personal consumption only. Duty-free allowances for Cyprus are 250 grams of tobacco; 1 litre of spirits or 2 litres of wine; 0.6 litres of perfume; and up to CYP 100 in other goods. Prohibited items include fresh fruit, meat and dairy products.

Exporting antiques over 100 years old and other historic artefacts is strictly forbidden unless permission is granted by the Department of Antiquities in Nicosia.

220V/50Hz UK plug

No vaccinations are required to visit Cyprus, but it is advisable to ensure that your tetanus vaccination is up to date. Samples taken from poultry in January 2006 tested positive for bird flu, but the risk to travellers is believed to be low. Visitors to the northern region should try to avoid any situation that would bring them into close contact with wild birds and ensure that all poultry and egg dishes are well cooked. 

Health services on Cyprus are of a very high standard. Visitors travelling to the republic of Cyprus from countries within the EU should travel with a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which allows them to receive free emergency medical treatment. This card does not apply in northern Cyprus. Medical fees can be expensive, so adequate medical insurance is advised if you are planning to travel to the Turkish side of the island.

Tap water is generally safe to drink and milk is pasteurised. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish, preferably served hot. Pork, salad and mayonnaise may carry increased risk. Vegetables should always be cooked before eating and fruit should always be peeled.

Prescriptions which are issued by a state doctor are free but they must be collected from a state pharmacy. If you do not have an EHIC, you will have to get your prescription from a private pharmacy and will therefore be charged.

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Greek is the official language of the Republic of Cyprus, but English is fairly widely spoken in hotels. In Northern Cyprus, Turkish, not Greek, is the official language and Turkish names designate cities and towns, for example, Nicosia is known as Lefkosa.

Cyprus is a very safe island and experiences very little violent crime. People often go out without locking their front doors and many cars are unlocked when parked. But it is advisable to always be on your guard, as there have been cases of muggings and spiked drinks, especially in the busy resort of Ayia Napa. Street crime is not a large problem in Cyprus and in general, it is safe to walk the streets at night, although try to avoid badly lit areas on your own. There is the danger however of being hit by a motorbike while you walk along the street, as bikes are known to mount the pavement when traffic is particularly bad.

Some women may feel threatened from the attention they get from local men. Normally the men just like to stare and it is usually harmless despite being intrusive. It is best to ignore them unless they continually hassle you, in which case you can ask for help from a passer by or threaten to call the police.

Life in Cyprus is very much focused on the family, which is the centre of the social structure. The term ‘family’ includes the immediate family as well as the extended family, who are all expected to help their relatives. Elders are respected and children are expected to take care of their parents as they get too old to care for themselves.

During an introduction, many Cypriots lower their eyes as a sign of respect. Always let your host introduce you and remember that you must be invited first before being able to use someone’s first name. Very religious Muslims will never shake hands with a woman. When you leave a gathering, always say goodbye to everyone individually.

A service charge of 10% and value-added tax of 8% are automatically included in all bills. This eliminates the need for tipping, unless you have been impressed with the service. If this is the case, an additional tip of five per cent is acceptable.

Tax-free shopping is available at both Larnaca and Paphos international airports.

The international dialling code for Cyprus is +357.

GMT +2

No visas are necessary for holders of valid passports from the United States, Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, or mainland European countries. Visitors from other countries should contact their nearest Cypriot embassy prior to travel.