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| The
following information is here to help answer any general questions
you may have about living in the North of Cyprus. |
| Flights:
Cyprus Turkish Airways, Flying to Northern Cyprus (Ercan Airport)
via Turkey (45 minute stop over). Alternatively, UK citizens can
fly to Larnaca (South Cyprus) and cross over the boarder without
restrictions (daily border passes). |
| Entry
Requirements: A valid passport. Children up to the
age of 16 should be inscribed on the passport of either parent |
| Currency:
North Cyprus currency is the Turkish Lira (TL). All foreign currencies
as well as traveller cheques are accepted in banks, hotels, and
exchange offices. Most of the credit cards are accepted in international
hotels, in some restaurants and shops and you can withdraw money
from certain banks. The cost of living in North Cyprus is very much
to the advantage of the European tourists. There are no limits for
foreign exchange imported to North Cyprus |
| Language:
The official language is Turkish, but English is commonly spoken.
|
| Time
Zone: GMT + 2 in winter. GMT + 3 in summer. |
| Electricity:
240 Volts, 50 Hz. Plugs are in English standards. It is advisable
to have an adaptor. |
| Area:
3,354 km². |
| Population:
175,118. |
| Climate:
North Cyprus enjoys the benefits of the Mediterranean climate. Long
hot summers and short winters with little rain. The temperature
in summer reaches 30/35 degrees Centigrade. Winters are mild. |
| Major
Towns: Lefkosha (Nicosia), Girne (Kyrenia), Gazimagusa
(Famagusta), Guzelyurt (Morphou) and Lefke. |
Travel
& Traffic: Traffic travels on the left as in
the UK. Road signs are international and the conditions of roads
are reasonably good. Many new developments are underway to improve
journeys between major towns. public Transport is by road only (there
are no trains). A good inexpensive network of buses and mini-buses
operate between the major towns. In addition there are dolmus services
(shared taxis) operating the same routes. Taxis are widely available
however, since there are no meters standard journey charges are
denoted.
Valid international driving licenses are valid for a period of 1
year after which time you are required to obtain a TRNC license.
Motor vehicles entering the country must have a valid insurance
certificate
|
| Car
Rental: Car rental prices are very reasonable. An
International driving licence is sufficient to rent a car. Cypriots
drive on the left just as the British do. Traffic signposts are
international. Roads, in general, are in a good state. Seat-belt
is obligatory. |
| Education:
Educational standards in Northern Cyprus are generally high. The
country currently has five universities with most lectures in English.
Bi-lingual education is available in many parts of the country,
from infant through to university level. Adult language classes
are also available for those wishing to learn Turkish. |
| Night
Life: Nightlife is relaxing; dining out in Girne
is an affordable pleasure with numerous harbour side restaurants
and bars offering a wide variety of food, a meal rarely costing
more than £10.00 per head including drinks. Seafood is excellent
being locally caught, but especially try the Turkish Cypriot Mezes;
a real delight. There are no noisy night clubs in Kyrenia, no lager
louts to ruin your holiday, guaranteeing a peaceful and relaxing
time
In the smaller back
streets you can find superb bistros and bars and for the more
adventurous there are many smaller lively Turkish restaurants
and coffee shops where you can dine for £5.00 to £10.00
each and really experience Cypriot hospitality at it's best. English
is widely spoken and Sterling is readily accepted with many places
advertising their prices in Pounds
|
| Cuisine:
As its Turkish, Greek and Lebanese neighbours, the Turkish Cypriot
cuisine is rich and varied. 'Meze' is starter and consits of a variety
of hot and cold appetizers, salads, meats, vegetables and fish dishes.
Variety of 'kebabs' can be found including lamb dishes such as shish
kebab and doner kebab. If you prefer white meat then we recommend
chicken shish or doner kebabs. Make sure you ask for 'kalamar' (squid)
as starter at local fish restaurants. At the end of a good meal
a food Turkish coffee is recommended. 'Raki' is the local tequila
- drink carefully! |
| Shopping:
Shopping in North Cyprus is very enjoyable. Salesmen are welcoming
but discreet. Objects made of copper, silver, bronze and onyx, Turkish
dolls, meerchaum pipes, local embroideries of Lefkara and backgammon
(tavla) boards are easily found in souvenir shops. Gold jewellery,
leather clothes and textiles are sold at reasonably cheap prices.
Prices being fixed there is no bargaining in North Cyprus. The majority
of shops are open between 08:00 am - 01:00 pm and 03:30 pm to 08:00
pm, except the market places which are open only in the mornings.
Attention: Export of antiquities is illegal! system mainly using
minibuses. Bus departures are frequent between big and smaller towns
during the day. However, the departure times are not fixed. Public
transport service is reduced after 05:00 pm and during the weekend.
|
Banking:
Not including the Central Bank of the Republic,
there are approximately 24 commercial and 25 off-shore banks. Some
banks have branches overseas while others have transaction arrangements
with UK counterparts. It is possible to hold a deposit account in
major foreign currencies and to cash cheques made out by British
banks with a 3% charge to draw in GPG and no charge to draw in TL.
Major international credit cards (Access, MasterCard, Visa, Diners
Club etc) are accepted at most hotels, restaurants and shops. ATM
services are available also. The central bank of Northern Cyprus
is responsible for the monetary, credit and exchange policy, and
acts as banker to the government.
General Bank hours: Winter –
8am to 12pm and 2pm to 4pm.....
Summer
- 8am to 12pm
|
