What a tourist needs to know about Cyprus. Holidays in Cyprus. Information about pharmacies operating at night, on weekends and holidays, as well as the names of doctors on duty, can be found in local newspapers that publish this information
Climate of Cyprus. Swimming season all year round
Of course, first of all you need to know everything about the climate of Cyprus. After all, you don’t want to spend a tidy sum of money on your vacation and then spend it in a hotel because the rainy season has begun. By the way, the rainy season in Cyprus lasts from November to the end of April. At the same time, the temperature rarely drops below 20 degrees Celsius, and you can swim all year round. The best time to visit Cyprus is the end of May - mid-October. The summer months are quite hot, but the low humidity makes the heat bearable. If you are planning excursions to the mountains, then you need to stock up on warm clothes regardless of the time of year for which your trip is scheduled.
Customs. Do not import parrots, do not export antiquities
To enter the country, residents of other CIS countries need to obtain a visa. There are no restrictions on the import of various funds. It is necessary to declare amounts exceeding 10 thousand euros; you can have a choice of: 200 cigarettes, 250 grams of tobacco or fifty cigars, one liter of strong alcohol or two liters of alcohol up to twenty-two degrees. You cannot import fruits and fresh flowers, parrots, weapons, drugs, and chemicals. Also, no archaeological valuables found at the bottom of the sea or on the shore can be exported from the country.
Transport. Bus or car?
The most common intercity transport in Cyprus is the bus. Moreover, the bus is more in demand in the northern part of the island. It runs here regularly and is quite inexpensive. In the Greek part of the island, there are difficulties with buses: they run rarely and are much more expensive. In large cities, you can use municipal transport (during the tourist season they run from six in the morning until midnight, at other times until seven in the evening) or a taxi, which you can stop on the street. Buses do not run on Sundays, and on Saturdays only until lunch and, naturally, they do not go to the airport and back; this field of activity belongs entirely to taxi drivers. All taxis in Cyprus are equipped with meters, and the fee consists of a landing fee, mileage and additionally for luggage over 12 kg, rates are higher on holidays.
Of course, having a driver's license allows you to rent a car and drive for your own pleasure, without adjusting to the public transport schedule. To do this, you can use the “car rental abroad” service. In order to rent a car in Cyprus, you must be over 25 years old and under 70, and the driver must have at least 3 years of driving experience. If you do not fit into the specified framework, you can try your luck at private rentals, where the requirements are significantly reduced (18-70 years old and two years of experience). The rental price includes unlimited mileage, but not gasoline. But you can return the car with an empty tank. Whether insurance is included in the payment or not depends on the company. On average, a rented car will cost you 35 euros, excluding gasoline.
A little about traffic rules. In Cyprus, driving is on the left, the maximum speed outside the city is 100 kilometers per hour, in the city – 50. Absolutely everyone in the car must wear seat belts. Please note that driving a rented car from the Greek part of Cyprus to the Turkish part and back is prohibited. Almost all gas stations operate around the clock.
Beaches. Birthplace of the goddess and resting place of the local population
The beautiful beaches of Cyprus are actually why people come to this country. Golden sand, gentle sea, entertainment... The most famous beaches of Cyprus are in Protaras, Ayia Napa, Golden Sands, Sand Bay, Petra tou Romiou beach, Makronissos and others.
To the west of Lissamol is the longest beach of the island - Ladies' Mile. Here, unlike other beaches, locals prefer to swim and relax, and they know a lot about beaches. And the very beach where, according to legend, the Greek goddess of love Aphrodite was born, is located between Limassol and Paphos.
Hotels. All at the highest level
Since tourism is very developed in Cyprus, hotels here cater to every taste, from luxurious and expensive 5* hotels to quite decent “double rooms” with air conditioning. At the reception there are often employees who speak not only English, but also Russian. The most common type of food in hotels is breakfast. Almost all hotels are located on the seashore; there are practically no usual animators in them, except for special employees who entertain children. There are many all-inclusive hotels. Hotels and luxury hotels are more likely to have a private beach.
Entertainment, excursions and attractions of Cyprus
Considering the legendary history of the island, there are a huge number of attractions here; literally in every city there are original architectural solutions, unusual places and entertainment, or ancient ruins. For example, in the capital of Cyprus, Nicosia, there is a whole ancient quarter with a huge number of palaces, churches, cathedrals, museums and other unique places. For those who love originality, there is an ostrich farm in the village of Ahera. Many places in Cyprus are, in one way or another, associated with Greek legends, for example, the baths of Aphrodite near Latchi Bay, the ruins of the ancient cities of Avagos and Morion and much more. For extreme sports enthusiasts, the beaches are full of interesting activities, such as diving, water skiing, windsurfing, riding on all possible types of boats and much more. There are also various water parks, dolphinariums, aquariums and other entertainment where you can go with your children. The nightlife of Cyprus is also very active - clubs, discos and bars are open until the morning.
What else is worth knowing about Cyprus
A few points that are also worth paying attention to. Since Cyprus is a tourist country, it is quite safe here. Tap water is clean enough to even drink untreated. Bad news for smokers - Cyprus has the strictest restrictions on smoking in public places. The voltage in the network is higher than usual - 240 volts, an adapter is required for sockets, however, you can get an adapter in most hotels, but you will have to pay a deposit for it. Tips are included in the bill only in most restaurants in the south, but in the north it is customary to leave a tip. Taxi drivers and maids also rely on tips.
Cyprus attracts travelers with its mild climate, warm and clean sea, long tourist season, pleasant service and delicious food. Russians also like it because they can apply for a pro-visa to the southern part of the country for free right from home, and to visit Turkish Northern Cyprus a visa is not needed at all.
The relatively small island accommodates not only two warring states, but also two dissimilar mountain ranges, Kyrenia and Troodos, the capital Nicosia, also divided between the Republic of Cyprus and Northern Cyprus, and a large number of ancient monuments lying at the intersection of European and Eastern cultures .
Many city names still have three variants - Greek, Turkish and colonial. For example, Nicosia can be Lefkosia and Lefkosa depending on who is talking about it.
When to go
The tourist season in Cyprus is very long. You can swim from May to October, and sunbathe even longer. Best time to travel: late spring and early autumn, when the air is not too hot and the sea has already warmed up. At the height of summer, the air temperature can rise to +40 ° C, the water is so warm that it is not even refreshing.
Travelers who go to Cyprus in the spring can enjoy the greenery and flowering trees, but by autumn all the vegetation burns out in the sun, the island looks dry and deserted.
Previous photo 1/ 1 Next photo
Beach holiday
Most travelers come to Cyprus to sunbathe and swim. The beaches on the island are covered with yellow or white sand, sometimes interspersed with small pebbles, many of them are awarded the Blue Flag. The entrance to the water is flat almost everywhere, and the sea is clean and pleasant.
In the Republic of Cyprus, all beaches are municipal, entry is free, you only have to pay for sunbeds with umbrellas, but you can sunbathe on a towel. Northern Cyprus has both free and private stretches of coastline.
Previous photo 1/ 1 Next photo
Excursion holidays
Almost all the interesting places in Cyprus are located along the coast, so you can combine a beach holiday with sightseeing. It’s amazing how so many ancient ruins, museums, monasteries, religious sites and uniquely beautiful corners of nature fit into such a small area.
Previous photo 1/ 1 Next photo
The sights of Nicosia deserve special attention - the magnificent Old Town, divided between two states and surrounded by an almost perfectly round fortress wall, the Archaeological Museum, which is worth a few hours to explore, and the modern, but well-stylized Archbishop's Palace.
Many travelers study with interest the ghost town of Varosha, which does not belong to any of the countries that divided the island in 1974. Local residents left the city, and gradually, over the past almost 50 years, it fell into disrepair. It is impossible to get into Varosha; it is examined through a telescope from an observation deck near the village of Derynia, located 10 km from Ayia Napa.
Previous photo 1/ 1 Next photo
Active recreation and entertainment
In addition to visiting the sights and spending lazy time on the seashore, tourists can relax actively, for example, go hiking along the Camel Trail in the Troodos Mountains or take a boat trip from Larnaca or Paphos to Lara Bay with an incubation station, where they help the loggerhead turtles survive, are in danger of extinction. On the island you can practice almost all kinds of sports - from windsurfing to cycling, from diving to golf (the only thing you shouldn’t forget is diving or yachting, for example).
Those interested in wines go on trips to the wine regions of Cyprus - to the Krosochoria region in the southwestern part of Troodos.
Particularly lucky are those whose trip coincides with local holidays - the Apokreo carnival, which takes place in Limassol and lasts two weeks until Lent, the May flower festival "Antestiria", music festivals in Bellapais Abbey and Larnaca.
Who will like it in Cyprus
Holidays in Cyprus are suitable for everyone, because it amazes with the variety of opportunities, activities and entertainment. The main thing is to choose the right resort.
Many beaches are designed for families with children - fine soft sand, a gentle entrance to the water and the absence of waves, and in the cities all kinds of entertainment await children - from water parks to playgrounds. Young and active travelers can go hiking, diving, golf, hang gliding, windsurfing, tennis and even skiing in the Olympus area. Those who love sightseeing will also not be bored - there are ancient ruins, ancient cities, modern museums and aquariums in almost every resort. Elderly tourists will appreciate the hospitality of local residents, quiet evenings in restaurants by the sea, amazingly beautiful nature and a pleasant climate.
Previous photo 1/
Cyprus is a relatively inexpensive island, so visitors tend to spend less than in other Southern European countries. In Northern Cyprus, prices are slightly lower than in the Republic of Cyprus, the currency in these regions is different: in the south the euro is used, and in the north - Turkish lira. Package tours to Cyprus with flights, accommodation in a 3* hotel and all-inclusive meals cost from 950 EUR for two for 9 nights.
When planning an independent trip, the main expense items are travel and hotel. A trip from Moscow and back costs from 125 EUR for a direct flight with Pobeda without luggage and from 200 EUR for flights with Rossiya, Es Seven or Ural Airlines. The cost of living depends on the level of the hotel or apartment: a bed in a hostel will cost 8-10 EUR per day, and a room in a luxury “five” will cost 150 EUR. Thus, for a 10-day trip you need at least 250-300 EUR per person, but you will have to save a lot. The optimal amount is 500-600 EUR per person. Prices on the page are for May 2019.
BEFORE FLIGHT TO CYPRUS
Check that you have all the necessary documents.
You must have with you:
- a foreign passport valid for 3 months from the end of the trip;
- round trip air ticket;
- visa to visit the Republic of Cyprus;
- tourist package (voucher);
- insurance policy;
- original power of attorney from both parents (for children traveling without parents) or original power of attorney from the second parent (for children traveling with one of the parents), photographs of children must be pasted into the passport of one of the parents starting from 0 years old, or the child must have his own travel document;
- a veterinary certificate in the prescribed form, as well as a document with vaccination and microchipping marks if you are traveling with an animal.
Visa rules for tourists traveling to Cyprus, see the VISA section.
Attention! Before booking a tour, check with the travel agency manager about the rules for traveling abroad for minors, the procedure for submitting and a set of documents for children traveling with parents or accompanying persons.
AIR TRAVEL
Flights within the framework of the Mouzenidis Travel flight programs are carried out to the international airports of Larnaca and Paphos.
The itinerary indicates the airport and departure time (always local for each airport). You must arrive at the airport 3-3.5 hours before departure. The seat on the plane is indicated at check-in for the flight. Check-in for the flight ends 40 minutes before departure.
If you do not show up for check-in at the specified time, the airline has the right to dispose of your seat at its discretion. Keep your boarding pass until the end of your flight.
Read in advance the rules governing the transportation of passengers, baggage and hand luggage, and animals when flying to Cyprus. The rules can be found on the airline's websites.
After checking in for an international flight, you must go through customs, passport control, and security control.
In case of transportation of plants or animals, it is necessary to undergo phytocontrol or veterinary control.
CUSTOMS CONTROL WHEN FLIGHTING TO CYPRUS
Before preparing for departure, check with your manager about the rules for exporting goods and sums of money from the country of departure duty-free and importing goods upon return in accompanied and unaccompanied baggage (cigarettes, alcoholic beverages, food and other categories of goods).
If you do not have items and/or valuables that are subject to mandatory customs control, you may not fill out a customs declaration and go through the “Green Corridor” for registration. Otherwise, you must fill out a customs declaration, the forms of which are located in front of the customs line on tables or on special counters.
When filling out the form, do not forget to indicate the ENTIRE amount of foreign currency that you are bringing with you. Cash in the amount of 10,000 US dollars (or the equivalent in other currencies, including Russian rubles) is subject to MANDATORY customs declaration. A certificate from the bank regarding the purchase of currency is not required.
Tourists can import photo and video cameras, sports and camping equipment, as well as 50 cigars or 200 cigarettes or 250 grams of tobacco, 1 liter of spirits, 0.75 liters of wine, 0.3 liters of perfume or eau de toilette into Cyprus without paying duties. .
The export of antiques from Cyprus is prohibited, and any attempt to violate the rules is punishable by law.
RULES FOR CARRYING LIQUIDS DURING AIR TRAFFIC
Liquids are allowed for transportation in hand luggage, the volume of each of which does not exceed 100 ml, and the total volume is 1 liter. Such liquids must be placed in a transparent plastic resealable bag, provided free of charge directly in the passenger screening area. Items containing liquid purchased in the Duty Free area will be packaged in sealed bags that cannot be opened until they arrive at their final destination.
CUSTOMS CONTROL ON ARRIVAL IN CYPRUS
You need to go through passport control and customs yourself. At passport control, present your passport with a Cyprus visa. Lack of an original visa may result in a tourist being refused permission to cross the border zone or board a flight.
It is recommended to carry cash with you at the rate of 500 euros per person per week. After passing through passport control and receiving your luggage, you will find yourself in the “customs area”, where random inspection of your luggage may be carried out.
MEETING IN CYPRUS
When leaving the customs area at Larnaca and Paphos airports, you will be met by representatives of the Mouzenidis Travel company. Comfortable transfer buses will take you to hotels on the island. At the resorts you will be met by company representatives who will help with accommodation, tell you about the offered excursion programs, and answer all your questions.
Attention! In case of any problem related to your stay(transfer, hotel accommodation, shortcomings in hotel service, excursion services, etc.), we ask you contact immediately with a representative of Mouzenidis Travel by phone numbers received from the guide.
BEFORE DEPARTURE FROM CYPRUS
Check that you have all the necessary documents. You must have your passport and air ticket with you.
Check in advance with a representative of the tour operator Mouzenidis Travel about the time of delivery to the hotel of transport that will take you to the airport. If you are late for the bus, the tour operator is not responsible for the expenses you incur (taxi fees, etc.)
On the day of departure, you should fold and pack all your things by the time specified by the tour operator representative, pay for additional services provided to you during your stay at the hotel (telephone calls, payment of restaurant bills, use of the minibar, etc.) and stay at the designated representative "Mouzenidis Travel" time in the hotel lobby.
PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES
IN AN AEROPORT
Never lose track of your luggage at the airport. Your things should be in one place and as close to you as possible. Do not change large sums of money at the airport (you will not need them on the way to the hotel, and the exchange process may attract the attention of strangers).
IN THE HOTEL / AT THE RESORT
Do not allow non-hotel employees to take care of your luggage.
Keep documents, money and valuables, including airline tickets and passports, in a safe located in your room or at the hotel reception (this service may be provided for an additional fee).
The representative of the tour operator serving your hotel will offer you booklets in Russian containing information about the excursions offered, the schedule of breakfasts, lunches and dinners in the restaurant of your hotel, additional services that you can receive at the hotel, as well as other useful information.
Bills for telephone calls and other additional services provided to tourists (minibar in the room, drinks in bars, laundry services, etc.) are paid on the day of departure at the reception.
Each hotel has a check-out time, so on the day of departure you should vacate your rooms by this time and make payments for purchased additional services.
HELPFUL INFORMATION
ON EXCURSIONS
You can choose and order the excursion you like when booking a tour or on site from a representative of the Mouzenidis Travel company. Before each excursion, check the availability of documents for this particular excursion. Don't take more cash with you than you need for one day. Don't be late to board the bus at the start of the excursion. During the tour, during stops, arrive on time to the meeting point appointed by the guide. Do not leave money or valuables on the tour bus; the driver is not responsible for them. At the end of the excursion, do not forget your things on the bus.
Attention! The tour operator Mouzenidis Travel is not responsible if a tourist encounters problems with organizing an excursion purchased from other companies.
ON THE STREET
There is no need to carry personal documents with you - they will be replaced by a hotel card. We recommend that you always carry copies of your passport and insurance policy with you. If your credit cards are stolen or lost, block them immediately. On the street, try to avoid large crowds of people - a favorite place for pickpockets. When traveling on public transport, prepare money for travel in advance, without giving strangers the opportunity to remember the place where you keep your money and valuables. Do not take large amounts of money with you unless absolutely necessary and avoid storing money in hand bags. Carry cameras and video cameras only with a strap over your shoulder. When you go for a walk with your family or in a group, agree in advance on a meeting place in case you suddenly get lost. Do not buy jewelry or other valuables on the street. In bars and restaurants, do not leave bags on the floor or on the backs of seats.
AUTOMOBILE
Please note: in Cyprus you drive on the left!
If you decide to rent a car, follow the general rules:
- never, even for a few minutes, leave a car with things unattended;
- never get out of a car with the engine running, even if you only need to ask for directions;
- always carry your car keys with you;
- try to remove all valuable items (cameras, car radios, etc.) from sight when leaving the car in the parking lot;
- do not leave documents in the car;
- If, while driving along the highway, one of your companions asks you to stop, do not do so until you reach the “Service Area”.
CIRCUIT
Please note: in Cyprus, electrical sockets are used in the “British” format - with three holes. To charge phones, laptops and connect other compact devices that require electrical power, you will need an adapter. A travel adapter can be purchased locally. The mains voltage is 240 Volts, with the usual frequency of 50Hz, no additional transformers are required.
EMERGENCY HELP
In the event of an unpleasant incident (threat or actual attack, robbery, etc.) with you or other tourists, be sure to contact the nearest police station.
- A single number for calling the police, firefighters or ambulance (Police / Fire Service) is 199 or 112.
If you lose your passport You must report the incident to the police, where an appropriate report must be drawn up, one copy of which will be given to you. You will need the protocol in order to obtain a return certificate – a document replacing a passport. You need to contact the Embassy (Consulate) of your country in Cyprus:
Consular Section of the Russian Embassy: tel. +357 22-776832, fax +357 22-783030
Consular Section of the Ukrainian Embassy: tel. +357 22-464383, fax + 357 22-464381
Consul of Kazakhstan:+357 25-351888
You can contact the Consulate in case of emergencies or other circumstances that threaten the safety of your life and health, as well as in cases of danger of harm to your property.
MEDICAL INSURANCE
Each tourist traveling to Cyprus is insured for the amount of 30,000 euros. Be sure to read the insurance conditions before your trip. If an insured event occurs, you must contact representatives of the tour operator Mouzenidis Travel at the resort, who will call a doctor. If you consult a doctor on your own, the insurance company does not guarantee payment of compensation for the insured event.
For a longer period, it is more profitable to rent an apartment or apartment. The cost of renting an apartment starts from 300 euros per month, in addition, you get the opportunity to cook at home to your taste, saving on restaurants.
When renting housing, electricity is usually paid separately. Attention, electricity is quite expensive in Cyprus - so when leaving, turn off the lights and do not turn on the air conditioning unless necessary.
Staying in a hotel is more comfortable for you. Look at the accommodation conditions - do you need full board at the hotel if you plan to drive around the island all day or sunbathe on the beach?
You can save significantly on a hotel by lowering the number of stars or choosing a hotel not on the first line. Read reviews of inexpensive hotels; Cyprus is a civilized country in terms of tourism; a three-star room will not be unsanitary. The number will just be smaller. Pay attention to apartment hotels - as a rule, they are equipped with a small kitchen. This is an excellent solution for holidays with small children, allowing you not only to save on restaurants, but also to provide the youngest travelers with a complete, familiar breakfast.
Save money on excursions? But that’s why we travel, to see more interesting things and get new experiences! KiprGuru excursion programs can be viewed.
Before departure, take the time to find out more about the area in which you will live. The cities have many attractions located within walking distance from the resort area: temples, museums, forts, parks.
Non-tourist restaurants“for our own” - taverns or cafes with several tables, paper tablecloths and always a Greek grandfather with a cup of coffee at the end table. There are no such cafes on the first line or overlooking the main local attraction. However, the prices, service and serving size will pleasantly surprise you.
Cheaper to take away: many restaurants and cafes will offer you a separate menu for takeaway dishes - prices there are usually 15-25% lower.
Fruits and vegetables It is better to buy at small village markets. Fruits and vegetables here are fresh, as a rule, picked the same morning, and prices are 2-3 times lower than in stores. If you are taking a tour with a private community guide, instruct your guide to stop at a fruit market. Such markets are more like small supermarkets, they are found in almost every village, so they do not require deviation from the route (by the way, they are always popular with our tourists).
Wine and Zivania at wineries it will cost you even less than in chain stores. Visits to wineries (not to be confused with wine museums) and extensive tastings of wines, olives and sweets are included in some full- and half-day excursions.
Drinking water there is a fee on the island. Compared to a hotel bar or beach shop, it is cheaper to buy water in hypermarkets. When ordering from us, make a special note, the driver will bring you the required amount of bottled water to the hotel.
4. Beach holiday in Cyprus
Guests staying in hotels on the first line are provided with free sun loungers and umbrellas on the beach. If you rent an apartment or live in a simpler hotel, the cost of renting an umbrella with 2 sun loungers will cost you on average 6-7.5 € per day. When paying, the beach keeper issues a ticket, with this ticket you can return to the beach after lunch and take a sunbed without additional payment. You can save by buying an umbrella (from 10 €) and a rug (from 1.5 €), or taking them from home.
Prepare for a beach holiday: take your sunblock, sunglasses, hats, burn creams (after sunburn). All this can be bought on the beach, but, as a rule, at inflated prices. It’s better to enjoy your vacation from the first minutes, leave shopping for later.
5. What to bring from Cyprus?
In the nearest hypermarket you can find “delicious” souvenirs several times cheaper than in souvenir shops in the tourist areas of the city: the famous Cypriot vodka “Zivania” and the legendary sweet wine “Commandaria”, traditional Halloumi cheese, extra virgin olive oil, olives and black olives, the famous Turkish delight and other sweets made from local fruits, and, of course, Cypriot coffee. In the cosmetics department you can find cosmetics based on olive oil.
As mentioned above, wine and Zivania at wineries will cost you even less. Visiting wineries (not to be confused with wine museums) is included in some.
When buying nice little things for friends in souvenir shops - magnets, postcards, key rings, etc. - ask for a discount for wholesale: 4 for the price of 3, or a discount on the total amount.
6. They don’t skimp on children.
Find out in advance what is interesting in the vicinity of your hotel or rented apartment. For example, in Larnaca there is a small but free Bird Park - several aviaries with peacocks and poultry and several playgrounds with swings, carousels and bungee. In Limassol there is an inexpensive but very cozy zoo (adult ticket 5 €, children from 5 to 12 years old 2.5 €), adjacent to the zoo there is a free park with swings and ladders. A very interesting zoo is located in the suburbs of Nicosia: .
It is better to take water and fruit with you to the beach; it is most convenient to use lunch boxes. Beach shops cater to tourists and often offer overpriced items.
Entrance fees for children are usually lower than for adults, and sometimes free for children. Don't forget about this and don't overpay:
– children under 3 years old free; from 3 to 12 years old is 2 times cheaper than for an adult. This park often organizes promotions - it distributes discount coupons through hotels, agencies or through its website; offers special prices for a repeat visit or a special price for “early booking” - when paying for a ticket through the website in winter or spring (we plan to visit in summer) - a discount of up to 20% is provided. You can take water and fruit with you.
— children under 3 years old free; from 3 to 12 years old is 2 times cheaper than for an adult. You can take water and fruit with you.
The Limassol Zoo is open free of charge for children under 5 years old, Paphos Zoo - up to two years old. For older children, take a cheaper children's ticket.
On regular buses, children under 6 years of age travel free of charge, and older ones - for 50% of the cost of a full ticket.
In Cyprus, a lot of attention is paid to road safety; a child of any age should travel only in a specially equipped seat. This rule is strictly observed, because violating it is not only a very high fine, but a security threat!
7. What to take with you to Cyprus?
- Cash euros, Visa, Mastercard. It is very unprofitable to exchange rubles for euros in Cyprus, and exchangers have limited operating hours. You will need euro cash (preferably small bills) to pay for public transport and taxis, tickets to museums, purchases at markets and small shops. There may be problems with paying in large bills (200 and 500 euros). Restaurants, hotels, and large stores accept card payments.
Medicines. This will save you not only money, but also your nerves - analogues of our medications here sometimes have completely different names. Pay attention to the opening hours of pharmacies - they are open on weekdays in the first half of the day (except for pharmacies on duty).
Camera.
A convenient backpack or bag for outings.
Sunscreen. Sunglasses. Hats. Burn cream. All this can be bought in residential areas and on the beaches, but it will be more convenient if you already have your own accessories that suit you, so you will save time and money.
Repellents.
Adapter from English type socket to Euro socket. If you don’t find them, it doesn’t matter, most hotels issue them with a symbolic deposit. Otherwise, you'll have to buy it.
We are talking about a refund of value added tax on goods; this tax is not required to be paid by citizens of countries that are not members of the EU and do not reside in the EU. That is, you and I can freely save on purchases :) Currently, VAT in Cyprus (VAT - Value Added Tax) is 19%, but of course it will not be possible to return all of them; part of it is taken as payment for services by the company that provides the tax refund.
There are two tax refund companies in Cyprus: TAX FREE WORLDWIDE and GLOBAL BLUE. The store chooses which company to enter into an agreement with. Your actions in both cases are identical, the counters at the airport are nearby, so it doesn’t matter to us who we deal with.
Instructions for applying for TAX FREE
STEP 1:
When paying for a purchase in a store, please apply for “TAX FREE” (in some large stores, processing a VAT refund may not be done directly at the cash register, but at a separate counter).
Stores that refund VAT are marked with a “TAX FREE” sticker on the door. VAT refunds are provided by all major brand stores (Marks&Spencer, Debenhams, Mango, Zara, etc.), and many jewelry stores. The minimum purchase amount is limited (here the store is free to set the amount itself - it can be 20, 30 or 50 euros), as a rule, it is indicated at the checkout or at a separate specialized counter.
Together with the receipt from the store (the name and details of the store are indicated in the header), you receive an envelope with a special check (here in the header are the details and logo of the tax refund company) and instructions.
STEP 2:
Fill out the check.
STEP 3:
At the airport, before checking in for your flight, go to the customs office, present the completed receipt, the original receipt from the store, your passport and confirmation of your departure from the country (ticket). You may be asked to present purchased items, so it makes sense to put them on top of your suitcase or even separately. The customs officer checks the receipts and stamps them (check that the stamp is in the right place). You put your things back in your suitcase and go to check-in. You will no longer need to present them. Checks with a validity of no more than three months are accepted for tax refunds!
STEP 4:
Go to the departure area. Directly in front of passport control there are two counters: TAX FREE and GLOBAL BLUE. You choose the one you need, present the check stamped by the customs officer, and receive the money. You can receive money either in cash or on a card. Please check locally - a fee may apply for cash advances. Money is transferred to the card within a few days; no commission is charged for this service. A bank card - Visa or Mastercard - must be valid for at least three months. Even if you do not speak foreign languages, there is always an employee at the counter who speaks Russian.
