 |
| 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
|
