Safety:
A year ago I bought a new mountain bicycle so I could go mountain biking during the summer. So I took my hatchback car to take the bike home from where I bought it. I had to take off the plastic cover which covers the luggage space so the bike would fit. I loaded the bike and forgot the cover on the pavement unintended! I remembered it the next day, I went there with no hope to find it…but I did!
That was just a simple example which shows Cyprus as a very low crime rate country compared to other European countries. For example crime rate in Cyprus is only 6% of the UK crime rate! The low crime rate among Cypriots is related to the traditional characteristics of the island and to the strong family ties among people; anyone committing a crime would bring dishonor to his family and as family centered society that would be very unacceptable. Drunk people driving cars are also rare to find, due to strict police monitoring and social un-acceptance.
A safe country is likely to be a place of interest for tourists as well as investors. Property buying in Cyprus is increasing year after year.
If you are a first time visitor, you will surprisingly notice that scooters( small motorbikes) are left in the streets unlocked. Moreover, people rarely lock their houses and cars. So its likely that you find car windows open, doors left unlocked etc…
The Cypriot people are friendly, sincere, and respectful that’s why tourists come back year after year.
Generally speaking, Cyprus is one of the safest countries in Europe and the Middle East. As a matter of fact, there is no known road rage, drive shooting, kidnapping, etc…
National Parks
Trodos National Forest Park
With an area of 93 Km2, Trodos National Forest Park was declared as such, while four areas within the park were declared as National Reserves. It is covered mainly by natural black pine and brutia pine forests. The Park is a unique area for Cyprus with high ecological, recreational, hydrological and geological values. It has been designated as a Special Protection Area under the Birds’ Directive and proposed for inclusion in the European network Natura 2000. About 800 plant species were recorded here, 72 of them are endemic to Cyprus, of which 12 are exclusive to the Park. It is also an Important Bird Area (IBA) of Cyprus, about 80 species are recorded there. The Park offers many recreational facilities, such as picnic sites, camping sites, nature trails, facilities for winter sports etc. The Visitor Centre of the Park is situated 200m west of the Troodos Square with a main function to inform visitors about the Park and various environmental issues and to provide environmental education to schools.
Cavo Greko
In the south east part of the island, is a National Forest Park and occupies an area of 390 ha and offers facilities for hiking, picnicking, cycling, horse-riding, climbing, swimming and diving. The National Park Area together with other forest and private land and the surrounding marine area have been proposed for inclusion in the Natura 2000 network.
Athalassa National Forest Park
With an area of 840 hectares with man made vegetation, is situated near Lefkosia town, and offers many recreational facilities, such as nature trails, picnic-sites, botanical gardens, bird-watching sites and volley-ball, basket-ball fields. A Visitor Centre has been recently created providing information to visitors and environmental education to schools. The amazing parts of park are the bicycle routes which offer a superb way for exercising. We go every Saturday with our Trek bikes and helmets to enjoy the nature and at the same to time move away from the ‘driving life’ of Cyprus. We also fly our kites in the light blue clear skies of Cyprus.
Paedagogical Academy National Forest Park
With an area of 45 hectares, with man made vegetation, is situated near Lefkosia town, and offers many recreational facilities, such as picnic-sites, nature trails etc.
Rizoelia National Forest Park
Near the town of Larnaka, covers an area of 97 hectares and it offers recreational facilities, such as picnic-sites, nature trails. The entire area has been proposed as a Natura 2000 site, mainly because it hosts habitats of European interest.
Tripilos – Mavroi Gremmoi Nature Reserve
Covers an area of 3381 hectares and its is situated in the middle of Pafos Forest. The last natural stands of the endemic Cyprus Cedar (Cedrus brevifolia) which are restricted to this area, together with the ancient stands of the endemic golden Oak (Quercus alnifolia) make the area unique from the ecological point of view. The presence of the Cyprus moufflon (Ovis gmelini ophion) and the rare birds of prey (Hieraaetus fasciatus and Accipiter gentilis) add a lot to the ecological value of the area. The area is part of a proposed Natura 2000 site and a designated Special Protection Area under the Birds’ Directive.
Akamas, Pegeia and Meleti Forests
With a total area of 7,140 hectares, have been managed for the last twenty years as National Forest Parks, although they have never been formally gazetted as such. The Akamas Peninsula is the last remaining region on Cyprus with large extent and complete pattern of low land vegetation, most of it in good natural state. The Lara -Toxeftra area is protected as a Marine Reserve and is of international importance. The beaches of the area are some of the few known nesting areas of the remaining populations of the Green turtle (Chelonia mydas) and the Loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta).
Ledra Street
Ledra Street and its surrounding areas is a beautiful shopping area within the old city of Nicosia, mostly kept for pedestrians. There are all sorts of shops ranging from antiques and books to shoes, women clothing and jewellery. One can find large department stores with the latest in cosmetics, clothes and music. You will also find small specialty shops selling arts and crafts, hand made jewellery, souvenirs, etc. For more information you can visit www.e-ledra.com where you can find information about the shops, their unique product offerings and promotions, restaurants, museums, churches and transportation. Even though the area is unfortunately physically divided by barbed wire and sandbags since 1963 www.e-ledra.com virtually reunites this shopping area of around 300 shops. Prior to your visit to the area you can use the map provided to locate a shop, a restaurant, a parking lot or a place of interest and find information on how to cross from south to north and vice versa. You can even buy on-line.
Newspapers
Most newspapers are printed on a daily basis in Cyprus, while some are issued weekly. News from everyday life. The most common newspapers (in greek) are:
1) Phileleftheros
2) Simerini
3) Politis
Many others are also found in the market.
There are also excellent newspapers for English Language readers which contain daily news about Cyprus, and the world:
1) Cyprus Mail
2) Cyprus Weekly (Weekly)
3) Financial Mirror
British newspapers can be also found at major kiosks in the towns. Reading the Cyprus Weekly can be one of the most enjoying things you can do on the weekend with your morning coffee (it’s printed every Friday). It starts with Cyprus related news, and then moves to world news. The second part of the newspaper has everything to do with arts, theatre, health and many other interesting topics. Finally, the newspaper has classifieds, including jobs, flats for rent/sale, and other advertisements, and remember, its in ENGLISH!
Mobile Phone Lines
Two Telephone companies operate in Cyprus. The Cypriot company CYTA and the new Lebanese company Areeba. Of course if you are coming for a visit you can use the roaming service for your original line from you country, but to tell you the truth, it would be cheaper for you to buy a pre paid Cypriot sim card and use it, even if you are staying only for three days! The sim card from both companies costs the same price (about 10 pounds), but Areeba gives more incentives (free minutes or text messages). CYTA has the biggest share in the market, but both companies offer almost the same prices on telephone calls and text messages. You can drop in any of the centers for the companies to buy a sim card, or you can simply buy it from a kiosk. Nothing is required to buy the sim card, just pay for it! The signal is excellent in almost every part of the island. However, if you are planning to reside in Cyprus, and you plan to apply for a mobile or a land line, things might be a little different. A foreigner (it doesn’t matter if you are an EU or non-EU national), can apply for a land line at his house, provided he/she shows a valid passport, residency permit on the island, house rental/ownership contract and a deposit of 100 pounds refundable if you stop the service. On the other hand, if you want to apply for a mobile phone line, you have to provide the same documents but with a deposit of 1000 pounds, which we consider it to be a little of exaggeration. For that reason, foreigners on the island prefer to have a pre-paid sim card.
Banks In Republic of Cyprus:Cyprus is considered a financial haven, considered its place in the region, and the low taxes that the island enjoys. The financial system is robust, and banks are spread all over the country.
Greek as well as foreign banks also exist.
Bank of Cyprus is considered the number one on the island. Howevr, Laiki bank also offers good packages. Choosing your bank will depend on the services you need. In other words, some banks give more interest on saving or fixed deposits, while others charge less interest on loans and so on. Before you decide on which bank you want to dela with, pop in different banks, ask about their products and services, and then choose the most convenient bank that fits your needs. A good piece of advice is: Open accounts in more than one bank! By this way you can benefit from the services that different banks offer.
Loans are quit hard to get if you are not a Cypriot or a permanent residence on the island for some time. However, if you can get all the required documents that the bank asks for, you should have no problem of getting a loan. For more details on the products and services that the banks on the island offer, click on the below links:
1) Bank of Cyprus
2) Laiki Group (recently bought by Marfin)
3) Hellenic Bank
4) National Bank of Cyprus
5) Emporiki Bank
6) Alpha Bank
7) Societe General
8) Barclays Bank
ATMs
ATM’s are found almost everywhere around the island. You can use your visa card to withdraw money, but be aware that you will be charged interest (but you can never run out of cash!). Banks can also change foreign currencies (nearly all foreign currencies). To change money, you have to go to a bank with your passport or an identity card. The bank will take photos of the money and your passport (for security reasons), and will ask for an address and a phone number in Cyprus. You can give your hotel address and room number (they are not very strict about that). An interest is also charged on money exchange.
Opening a Bank Account
To open banks accounts in Cyprus, Foreigners must have a permanent residence or a proof of employment. If you want to open a bank account, the bank requires the following:
1- A valid passport
2- Permanent residence in Cyprus (from the Immigration Department) – please refer to Residency Permit Section to get more details.
3- Employment Contract
4- A proof of address (Rent contract, Utility Bill, etc..)
Accounts can be opened in different currencies other than Cypriot Pound (US$, GBP, EURO, etc.)
Bank of Cyprus is considered the number one on the island. Howevr, Laiki bank also offers good packages. Choosing your bank will depend on the services you need. In other words, some banks give more interest on saving or fixed deposits, while others charge less interest on loans and so on. Before you decide on which bank you want to dela with, pop in different banks, ask about their products and services, and then choose the most convenient bank that fits your needs. A good piece of advice is: Open accounts in more than one bank! By this way you can benefit from the services that different banks offer.
Loans are quit hard to get if you are not a Cypriot or a permanent residence on the island for some time. However, if you can get all the required documents that the bank asks for, you should have no problem of getting a loan.
Banking hours
June, July and August, Mon-Fri 8:30-12:30
Rest Of Year, Mon-Fri 08:15-12:30, and Monday Afternoon 15:15-16:45
In Airports, Banks are open all day. Currency exchange Prior arrangement is needed to obtain foreign currency in Cyprus Credit & debit cards All major credit cards are accepted at most places. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available. Travelers cheques May be cashed in all banks. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travelers are advised to take travelers cheques in Pounds Sterling or Cyprus Pounds. Currency restrictions You can import local currency, but you need to declare it. You can export local currency equivalant or less than the amount imported. Import of foreign currency over 1000 USD must be declared too. Exchange rate indicators The following figures are included as a guide to the movements of the Cyprus Pound against Sterling and the US Dollar…
Paintball Game fields in Cyprus:
Introduction:
It’s a very popular game world wide where millions of people in more than forty countries worldwide engage in this game. It is action packed. And Cyprus is one of the countries who is famous for its huge game fields. This highly competitive game is for adventure loving competitive people. No matter their age, their social status, or their profession, as long as you like adventure (male or a female doesn’t matter), and you have the guts, go play paintball in one of Cyprus’s large gaming fields.
What is paintball game?
It is usually an out-door game but sometimes it is played in an indoor arena. Adventurers are usually divided into two teams. Supplied with air guns, paintballs and other extra materials like special protection eye glasses, the two teams hit the field. An ordinary game would capturing the enemy’s flag and re-attach it to you flag without being eliminated by the other team. Expect to be fired at hard and in surprising times and ways! When a paintball hits a player, it splits out causing a paint mark on that player thus eliminating the player from the game.
What is a paintball?
A round thin gelatin filled with non toxic colored fluid that is biodegradable and water soluble. So it is not harmful. And paint can be washed out with soap and water.
When the paintball hits an object it splits and paint is spread forming a colored spot on the object.
Paintball in Cyprus:
Paintball stated legal in Cyprus in May, 2004.
Cypriots enjoy paintball and there are many nice fields in the island. The weather itself also, makes it Cyprus a great place for playing paintball out in the forest, mountain or else where! Cyprus’s fields offer range of game scenarios like storming a castle, mock battles around makeshift villages and even paintball battles by floodlight.
Moreover, Cyprus holds and arranges tournaments for this game and there are many famous teams who usually play and compete in tournaments and cups.
Private reservation of fields is quiet usual but it is required that you call or just go there and reserve the field or ask about required arrangements or ongoing games.
Game fields in Cyprus:
Nicosia:
Paintball War Zone
Nicosia, Latsia
+357-99592578
Nicosia Cyprus Nicosia Paintball Field
Nicosia
+357-99940953
Larnaca
KWEST Cyprus Paint Park
Larnaca 6305
+35799669343
Limassol
Paintball Cyprus Limassol Paintball Field
Limassol
+357-99656474
Village Paintball Fields
Limassol
+35799656474
Paphos
DNA Paintball field
Paphos
+357 99620920
Paintball City
Mesogi, Paphos
+357 26 813 999
Petrol Stations
The petrol of Cyprus is of a high quality the same as other European countries. Make sure you know what type of petrol your car needs (if you renting one), before you go to fill it with petrol. The types of petrol found in petrol stations are:
1- Unleaded 95
2- Unleaded 98
3- Unleaded 100 (new)
4- Euro Diesel
The prices are the same as all the European countries. The petrol stations in Cyprus are also modern, clean, and offer excellent services. The operating times are from 7 am until 6pm. Wednesdays and Saturdays until 2pm, and Sundays are closed. Closed, does not mean that you cannot put petrol. Cash / Credit Card machines are found in ALL petrol stations, where you can insert money or your Credit card and fill you car even at 3 in the morning (and they are absolutely secure to use). The petrol stations also offer Car washing services as well as oil changes and a mini market that sells car accessories and food and drinks. Also air pumps are a must in every petrol station.
The main petrol stations in Cyprus are:
1- EKO (the biggest-more branches)
2- Esso
3- Petrolina
4- Lina
5- Lukoil