CyprusAnytime.com - Information about Cyprus Holiday and vacation rentals, Long term rentals, Properties and plots of land for sale and rent and to buy in Cyprus, Paphos, Pafos, Limassol, Larnaca, Famagusta

Here is some background information and links for your information about Cyprus.

Currency	Euro symbol €
Credit/Debit cards	All major cards accepted in most places Usually no surcharge for credit or debit cards
Changing Currency	Banks, bureaux de change and many shops exchange English money. Some shops in the tourist areas can be expensive, Shop around for the best rates. There are many bank branches that also change cash so watch for the best prices.
Prices in General	Generally very cheap, some imported items are more expensive as they are shipped in smaller quantities but local alternatives are excellent, eg sugar is 60% of the price and the same. Many items have greek on one side and english on the back so have a look. Also many familar items just have a different name abroad and these are cheaper then the english versions. Ask for directions to the local big supermarkets.
Cigarettes, Tobacco Costs and exporting	Prices are very cheap, cheap brands around �2.5 named brands �3. Each person over 16 can take out up to 16 CARTONS (1 carton is 10 packets or 200 cigarettes) of cigarettes back to the UK and up to 3KG of rolling tabacco for personal use. 2 Adults taking the full allowance can save up to �650 against the UK shop price. Makes it a cheap holiday.
Driving	Cars are right hand drive, automatic and manual. They drive on the left the same as in the UK. Road signs are in English and Greek and the same system is used as in the UK.If you can drive in the UK you can drive in Cyprus
Petrol	Hire cars usually come with very little petrol in them and you leave them as you found them. Prices are very cheap (95c/L) and so don't put much in your hire car when you buy petrol.
License and Hire cars	Using your UK License you can hire a car in 5 minutes. Usually only the card part is required.
Speed Limits	Mileage is in Kilometres. Motorway speed limit is 100km (62Miles), in town the limits are always clearly marked and generally lower than the UK.Hires cars have red numberplates and local cars normal Colour. Cypriots generally drive quite fast, indication is poorly used and the use of the horn is not agressive but used a lot. It is usually used just to say 'I am here'. Road conditions off the main roads can be bad, so care is to be used especially in the country, potholes are frequent and can easily put a hole in your sump.
Law and order	Cyprus has relatively little crime. The Police speak English and the law is based upon UK law. You won't see too many police. Occasionally they go out with speed guns on the bigger roads when they are bored. However Night club areas are well policed and some Police carry guns.
Chemist and medical services	Look for Pharmacy not chemists.Most sell generic (cheaper) brands. Prices are very good. Many items are available WITHOUT a prescription that wouldn't in the UK. eg. you can buy a Ventolin inhaler for �2.50. Check your insurance for medical cover. Generally you pay but its very cheap. An improved national health service is being introduced and as such free hospitals are in most of the main towns.