Basic things you must know about Cyprus before your first visit
- FancifulRoamer
- Aug 31, 2024
- 4 min read
Updated: Apr 23
Cyprus is a beautiful island in the East of the Mediterranean Sea. It has a great strategic position, so many civilizations fought over it. It was the Greeks who took over in the 12th century, and the national identity became Greek Cypriot.
Nowadays, Cyprus is its own country and is part of the EU.
In the 70s, the North of Cyprus was invaded by the Turks, and it's still under their occupation. The country is split, and the UN maintains a buffer zone. I wouldn't recommend visiting the North, as the area is not legally managed by Cyprus or the EU. It is only recognized by Turkey.
The official languages are Greek and Turkish, but most people speak English as well.
Read on for more basic things to know about Cyprus before your first trip.
Currency
The local currency is the euro.
Cards are not always accepted in Cyprus, so it's helpful to have cash with you. There are exchange shops in touristy areas.
It's great to have Revolut when traveling to Europe, as you can exchange money in your app. You also receive virtual and physical cards that you can easily cancel and replace.
When withdrawing cash, avoid the Euronet Atms, they have awful fees and exchange rates. It's safest to use ATMs inside banks, in case your card gets eaten. Also, there should be fewer people loitering around because of security.
Eurobank and Hellenic Bank had the best conversions for cash withdrawals.
Weather
Cyprus has mild winters and hot, humid summers. I would not recommend visiting from June to August. In September, the sea is still warm, but it won't be extremely hot. Plus, all the locals flock to the seaside during the summer.
We were in Cyprus in February, and the weather was beautiful. You cannot swim in the sea during the winter. But that was a minor inconvenience, offset by the amazing weather, food, sights, walks, people, and pastries.
The winter low average is 7'C/ 45' F. The maximum is around 17'C/ 63' F. There are 300 days of sun in Cyprus, making it a perfect winter destination. I think it's a great retirement place, especially for British nationals.
Summer minimum temperatures are 20' C/ 68' F and they rise up to 33' C/ 92' F. And that's measured in the shade. The sun and humidity make it hard to bear without AC.
The only time to step out in the summer is at sunrise and sunset. Avoid any walks during the summer days, and definitely don't go hiking.
It's hotter the further inland you travel. Nicosia, the capital, becomes uncomfortable in the summer. The coast is refreshed by the sea breeze. The Troodos mountains are always cooler and have snowy winters.
Transportation
In Cyprus, they drive on the left side of the road. You can travel by car rentals, buses, taxis, and Bolt. There is no Uber in Cyprus.
Taxis, unfortunately, don't have meters, and the drivers take advantage of that. A 10-minute trip from the hotel to the airport was 20 euros, and he said it like it just came off the top of his head.
I recommend picking a town and then buying excursions to explore the island. I loved seeing the traditional crafts in the mountains.
Like most European airports, the airplanes don't connect to the terminal. So you will need to carry your hand luggage up and down stairs and across the tarmac. Sometimes a bus brings you to the plane, where you walk up the many stairs in order to board.
While you can visit the Northern part of Cyprus, that doesn't mean you should. You can walk through a checkpoint to Nicosia, and you'll receive a stamp on your passport. The North majority is Muslim Turks. The area has fancy new investment houses, hospitals, shops, and support from Turkey. They don't have chain restaurants, shops, not even McDonald's. It's generally safe. But if something happens to you, you may not receive the help you need. There are no consulates and the North is not regulated by Cyprus.
Healthcare
There are both public and private healthcare systems in Cyprus. As an EU citizen, you will receive limited free care with your health insurance card (EHIC).
The private sector is way more affordable than the USA and Canada.
For example, I had to check my Thyroid hormone levels. It took 2 minutes and 20 euros. I had the results the next day, by email.
In Canada, 20 CAD was only the tax for the lab. I also had to pay for an online consultation to get a blood test order. Then I received a letter in the mail, 2-3 weeks after the blood draw, asking me to pay a few hundred dollars (for a few basic tests). And finally, I could access my results. Very different systems.
The downside of the public system is that it's very crowded, so the wait times are long.
For very good doctors, with lots of experience, you'll have to make an appointment 2-3 weeks in advance. This is available for both private and public systems. In a pinch, you'll receive care quickly in a private clinic.
Phone data
The plug adaptor for Cyprus is the UK one, with 3 rectangular prongs.
Cyta and Primetel offer great prepaid SIM cards for Cyprus. One SIM card is under 15-20 euros, with plenty of data for your stay. Most phone cards are now valid in all EU countries.
Hotels and rentals usually have good wi-fi. In remote parts or Cypriot villages, you may have less coverage. Before roaming around in your rental car, make sure you have print screens of your directions.
Laundry
The Airbnbs have dryers listed, but they're usually just hair dryers. It's common to dry clothes on the line, seeing how there are so many sunny days.
Hotel laundry services are very pricey, of course.
I used coin laundromats, and I liked that I could use my own detergent. For quick washes, I use detergent sheets and the sink. Most clothes worn are light and quick drying, so it's easy.
Wash and fold services are scarce, but you'll find one in touristy areas.
Extra tip for cat lovers: carry cat food cans and kibble. You'll encounter numerous cats, and you'll feel bad if you don't feed them. The cats here seem more cautious than the ones in Greece. There are people looking after them, but I don't think they receive enough attention.
I hope you enjoy the tips. Be safe and make sure to try all the tasty pastries.
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