Almond Holiday Village

Time/Temp. in Cyprus

EditRegion4

General information about Northern Cyprus

Helpful information before your travel to Northern Cyprus...

Geography:
Cyprus is the third largest island in the Mediterranean. It is located 70kms south from Turkey, 100 kms west from Syria and 320 kms north from Egypt. Northern Cyprus has a population of 200,000 and an area of 3,355 sqkm. Capital City beeing Nicosia ( Lefkosa) – the only devided capital city in the world. Other Cities - Famagusta ( Gazimagosa), Kyrenia ( Girne), Morfou (Guzelyurt) , Lefka (Lefke), Yeni Iskele.

Language
The Language is Turkish. But you will find that even in the little villages locals can speak some English.

Religion
The population is mostly Muslim. There are also other small religious groups which are Moronites (Christian Arabs), Roman Catholics and Jews.

Climate
Typical Mediterranean climate with very warm, dry and long summers between May and October and mild winters alternating cold and warm weather from December to Febuary. March, April, November beeing the short automn and spring months.

Coastline
Miles and miles of golden sandy beaches with crystal clear waters, Northern Cyprus has the most cleanest and the most safest coasts in the Mediterranean.

Currency
The main currency in Northern Cyprus is Turkish Lira “ YTL” – meaning the NEW Turkish Lira. Some will remember how easy it was to be a millioner in Northern Cyprus...but at the end of 2004 the zeros were thrown off the Turkish Lira giving it its new name.

Eventhough YTL is the main currancy – Sterling £, Euros and Dolars are widely excepted. Some places also offer prices in all currancies - which makes life easier for tourists.

All major credit cards are accepted in Nortern Cyprus – but you must remember that little local villages/restaurants/shops may not have this facility.

Travellers cheques are not very welcomed, but will be exchanged subject to a percentage or a lower rate at exchange offices.

Currency Exchange
As you will get a better rate for your money locally, we would reccommend that you exhange your money here instead of your home country. There are many exchange offices as well as banks which will assist you. Almond village also exchanges currancy subject to availability.

Banks/ATM’s
Banks and ATM’s are very easy to find in Northern Cyprus – expecially in Kyrenia. ATM’s function 24/7 where as banks are open Monday- Friday, summer period 08.00 – 12.00 and winter period 08.30 – 12.30 / 14.30 – 15.30. The nearest one to Almond Village is only 10-15 minute walk away.

Passports and Visas
A valid passport is needed on entry to Northern Cyprus. A visa will be granted to you at entry for EU citizens but other country citizens should ask their embassy before entry attempt.

Getting to Northern Cyprus
By Air
- Cyprus Turkish Airline , Pegasus Airlines and Turkish Airlines all offer international flights to Northern Cyprus, Ercan Airport, via Turkey. Flights between the UK and Northern Cyprus generally include a courtesy stop in Turkey of approximately 45 minutes. It is not necessary to disembark or change aircraft. There are negotiations with other European Carriers which are interested in flying direct to Northern Cyprus – more information will be available soon.

- Scheduled flights from Turkey are available from Istanbul, Ankara, Antalya, Izmir, Dalaman, Adana, Trabzon and Gazi Antep with Cyprus Turkish Airlines, Pegasus Airlines , Atlas Jet and Turkish Airlines.

- Due to the opening of the borders between the North and South of Cyprus - Larnaca Airport is now a very is very popular destination for holiday makers and locals. After a direct flight to Larnaca Airport, South Cyprus, transfers are arranged to Almond Holiday Village, North Cyprus. You do not need a visa or special documents. You only need a valid EU passport. You will be granted a visa at the border. Our driver will arrange for all your paper work to be done with out you getting out of the vehicle. Airlines such a BA, Excel Airways, First Choice, Thomsons, Thomas Cook, Austian Airlines, Olympic Airways, Czech Airlines, Lufthansa, Cyprus Airlines ect – all have direct and charter flights to this destination.

By Sea
- Akgunler and Fergun Shipping Companies provide scheduled ferry-boat services from Mersin, Tasucu, Antalya, Alanya and Anamur in Turkey to North Cyprus.

Please click here for more information on Flights

Border Crossings and Regulations
The green line between the North and the South of Cyprus has been open since the 23rd of April 2004. Travelling backwards and forwards is now not only possible for Turkish and Greek Cypriots but also for Tourists. It has also enabled day trips for tourists on each side to explore the other side.The opening of the borders have given the world the Turkish Cypriot view of the Cyprus Problem and Turkish Intervention – which has been for years dominated by only the Greek Cypriot Community. The main crossing points are open 24 hours a day and you are not restricted on the number of times you cross backwards and forwards or the duration of your stay.

You do not need a visa or special documentation to pass the border if you have a valid EU, British or US passport. You will be granted a visa at the border. You will need to fill in your name, passport number and nationality on the visa slip granted. This visa needs to be presented on departure. If you are not a EU or US citizen then you will need to apply for nesessary visa/ documentation before entry attempt. Your visa form will get stamped on arrival/departure “not” your passport - so those who worry about the rumour that they won’t be allowed onto the Greek or Turkish mainland with stamps from North or South Cyprus needn’t worry.

Please note that if you have a hire car from North Cyprus - you will not be allowed to cross of border to the South of Cyprus.

If you’re travelling to Northern Cyprus from South Cyprus you should drive to Nicosia and follow the few signs that exist to “Keryneia” and you will arrive at the Metehan crossing point. The protocol for crossing the borders in Cyprus is the same whichever crossing point you choose. Please note that hire cars from South Cyprus are allowed to enter Northern Cyprus providing the Greek Hire Companies permit this. All cars have to purchase additional insurance at the border crossing point – this is a fairly straight forward procedure.

Current Border Crossings/Checkpoints
1) Metehan (Nicosia):
This is concidered the main crossing point between the two sides of Cyprus. Driving and walking across is permitted.
2) Ledra Palace (Nicosia):
This crossing point is strictly for walkers and cyclists. However, it is also used as a crossing point for diplomatic vehicles.
3) Black Knight (British Eastern Sovereign Base Area):
This crossing is one of the two crossings points that are located in the British Eastern Sovereign Base Area. Driving and walking across is permitted.
4) Pergamos (British Eastern Sovereign Base Area):
This checkpoint is the other crossing located in the British Eastern Sovereign Base Area. It is also known as Beyarmudu or Dhekelia. Driving and walking across is permitted.
5) Zohdia (Guzelyurt):
This crossing point may also be known as Guzelyurt or Morfou. This was the last checkpoint to be opened and is located west of Nicosia. Driving and walking across is permitted.

Duty Free Regulations:
Ercan Airport: Each adult is permitted to bring 400 cigarettes, 500gms tobacco or 50 cigars, 1 litre of wine or spirits and upto 100cl or perfume. Duty Free shops can be found at Ercan Airport and at Kyrenia and Famagusta ports.

Larnaca Airport: No tobacco or alcohol purchashed within North/South Cyprus is permitted to pass through any border crossings. We advise you to purchase your duty free items at Larnaca airport on your return journey. All standart EU Duty Free regulations apply.

Tax Free Shopping in North Cyprus:
As a foregin visitor or a TRNC citizen living abroad, you are entitiled to a refund for the value added tax you have paid on the goods you buy during your stay in North Cyprus and which you intend to take with you when you leave the country.
The invoice total of tax free goods purchased from a buyer, must exceed 50 YTL, (can be more than one item). When applying for a tax refund total amount shown on the submitted invoices, must not be less than 200 YTL.

For the buyer to benefit from a tax refund, they must take the goods they have bought out of the country through customs, within three (3) months of purchase. For foreign students and academic staff in North Cyprus, this period is six (6) months.

Easy Procedure

a) While Shopping…
Shop from stores where there is a “Tax Free Shopping” sign and ask for the Special Tax Invoice.

b) At Customs….
When departing from Northern Cyprus, show the customs officer on duty at the exit, the goods you have bought together with the SPECIAL TAX FREE INVOICE and your passport.

c) Collect your value added tax refund….
After the approval of the customs officer, please apply to the ‘tax refund office’.

Traffic:
Traffic and road signs are international. Traffic is on the left hand side. Alcohol limit is 50mgr – as in Europe. For Car Hire an international drivers licence is needed and the age limit is 25. Please view Car hire in Northern Cyprus for more information.

Telephone
Public telephone booths and telephone cards are only available at Telecommunications Office. The best and cheepest way to communicate with back home will be by using local land lines (hotel telephones) or “pay as you go” sim card ( Turkcell/ Telsim / Avea are the main GSM opperators in Northern Cyprus) for mobiles. It is not reccommended to use your international sim card as you will be charged roaming fees.
Emergency: Police 155, First Aid 112, Fire 177.

Public Transport
Small busses called Dolmus, are the cheeapest and the most frequent form of transport in Northern Cyprus. These busses are available to Kyrenia every 10 minutes from the main road of Almond Holiday Village. If you would like to go to Nicosia, Famagusta or Guzelyurt – you will need to get the Dolmus to Kyrenia and then take another Dolmus to these destinations. Taxis are also available. The taxis all have taxi meters and are very reasonable.

Electricity
In North Cyprus, voltage is 220/240 volts AC, supplied at 50 Hz. Standard British rectangular 3-pinned plugs at 5 amp or 13 amp are used, but also exist some 2-pinned plugs. In particular most anti-mosquito machines are continental 2-pinned, so an adaptor is required.

Post
The outgoing postal system is reliable. Incoming mail must be suffixed “Mersin-10, Turkey”.

Time
North Cyprus is normally two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT/UTC), and seven hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time (EST). For summer time clocks go forward one hour at 2 am on the last Sunday in March and back again at 2 am on the last Sunday in October.

Public and Religious Holidays in Northern Cyprus
1st of January – New years Day
23rd of April – Chidrens Day
1st of May – Labour Day
19th of May – Youth and Sports Day
20th of July – Peace and Freedom day
1st of August – Turkish Resistance Day
30th of August – Victory Day
29th of October – Turkish Republic Day
15th of November – Northern Cyprus Republic Day

2 religious holidays called “ Bayram “ one of 3 days and one of 4 days take place every year at different dates.

Banks and Government offices are closed on these dates. Some shops also choose to close. But hotels, restaurants and touristic shops are all generally open.

HOME • ABOUT US • ACCOMMODATIONS • FLIGHTS • PHOTO GALLERY • FACILITIES • BOOKING • FAQ
CONTACT US • ABOUT CYPRUS • CAR RENTAL • WINTER BREAKS • LINKS • SPECIAL INTEREST
TOP OF PAGE