Area: | 9,251 sq km |
Capital: | Nicosia |
Language: | Greek, Turkish |
Currency: | Euro |
Turkish Lira | |
Population: | 784,301 |
Coastline: | 648 sq km |
It is not a regular feature of Cypriot life, except in the case of any souvenir purchase where price is not labelled. However, you should not expect the vendor to cut down the price more than twenty percent from their opening bid. Cyprus hotels and pensions in the South have prices clearly visible and the price is generally respected. At slow times you can get rooms for twenty to forty percent less than posted rates; the same applies to car hire, at least within local chains and one-offs. In the North products and their prices are more flexible. You can agree on prices, but again expect only small discounts.
The South Cyprus shops are usually open from 8.00 – 13.00 and 14.30 – 17.30 in winter (October 1- April 30) and from 8.00 – 13.00 and 16.00 – 19.00 in summer (May 1 – September 30). On Wednesdays and Saturdays shops are open from 8.00 – 13.00. In tourist areas of South Cyprus the souvenir shops and supermarkets remain open until late in the evenings. To be more assured, check the opening times at your local resort. There are lots of fine manufactured and worthy items that you can buy in Cyprus.
Although there is rather less on offer in the North, the
visitors can find extensive range of consumer goods and services
available here. Many of the popular imported brand names are
readily available and can be found in local supermarkets.
Fresh local produce can be purchased from a wide variety of
North Cyprus markets and small stores and there is wide range of wines
and spirits at very low costs: For example, local brandy retailing
at approximately £1.10 per bottle. VAT (KDV) is levied
on most goods and services with rates ranging from 20% down
to 2%. The biggest supermarket chain in Northern Cyprus is
Lemar and Astro.
Kyrenia and Nicosia have the best selection of shops. Alcohol
and cigarettes can be bought cheaply in North Cyprus, but remember to check
the customs allowance.