Cyprus Guide

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  NORTH CYPRUS  TRNC

 Colours of the Flag: White and Red
 Capital: Nicosia
 Type of Government: Parliamentary Democracy
 Population: 264,172 (2006)
 Ethnic Composition: 99% Turkish, 1% Others 
 Area: 3,355 km2
 Literacy Rate: 93.5% (1999 - 2000)
Military troops Police Force: 1853
Neighbouring Countries: South Cyprus, Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Egypt

DEEP BLUE

Welcome to the fascinating and unique underwater world of North Cyprus, where you can enjoy one of the longest diving seasons in the Mediterranean. You will find crystal-clear, unpolluted water where the marine life is still undisturbed. Underwater visibility can be more than 30 meters. Down in deep and the warm blue you will meet stringrays, amber jacks, scorpions, bream, grouper, cockoo, wrasse and now and then a sea turtle. The underwater terrain is futhermore an ideal place for octopus and moray eel, colorful sponges, soft corals, as well as treasures from ancient times.
 The deep blue hides a wide mix of fish, corals, wrecks and history.   You can choose from over twenty diving sites east and west of Kyrenia as well as many other diving safaris.   You can experience wreck diving including the site where in the 1960's one of the worlds oldest shipwrecks was found, dating from the time of Alexander the Great.
 You will be accompanied by professional divers who will do everything to give you an unforgettable diving experience.
" We dive slowly along the reef and what we find so remarkable compared with diving sites we have visited in the Med is the marine life. Fish, coral and marine life... 28 meter below the surface the light is striking, we can still see the surface buoy clearly through the simmering clear water. The sites here are neither ruined by too many divers nor over fished”. The Dive Centers tell us that they have an agreement with the fishermen in Kyrenia to live the waters around the diving sites in peace. Summing up our week we are convinced that North Cyprus will be the new eldorado for experienced divers as well as beginners, with a diving season from April to December. Kyrenia town and the island's long history is another asset making the trip interesting for non-diving companions.

Sea Turtles

Caretta caretta & Chelonia mydas both are listed as endangered species. For about one hundred million years, our waters have been visited by the green (Chelonia mydas) and the logger-head (Caretta carettas) turtles. The green turtle only nests in Cyprus and southeast Turkey and sometimes in Israel. These fascinating creatures comes ashore on the deserted beaches of North Cyprus between May and August to nest and Alagadi Beach is classified as a special protected area. After sunset, when it is dark, the adult females, sometimes with a carapace of more than 92 cm long, make their way up the beach to find a suitable nesting place. There, they lay between 65 and 100 eggs, depending on the species. This can be repeated three to five times for each, 10-15 days apart. When the nesting is done, the exhausted female returns to the sea. She will perhaps reappear on the same beach again a couple of years later.  Up to thirty per cent of all Green Turtles nest on the coastline of North Cyprus. Groups of Ecologists and students have been observing and helping to protect these rare animals from extinction for a number of years. Visitors are welcome to observe this exciting experience.

Banking
Commercial banks in Northern Cyprus are of two kinds. There are banks which are branches of large organisations based in Turkey, and there are local banks. Many of these banks have correspondents in other countries. Transactions can be carried out in all leading currencies. The Central Bank of Northern Cyprus is responsible for the monetary, credit and exchange policy, and acts as banker to the government.  Banking hours for the public are from 8:30 am to 12:00 pm in the summer. Throughout the summer, banks are also open on Mondays from 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm. 

Currency/Exchange Rates
The legal tender of Northern Cyprus is the Turkish Lira. The Turkish government, in an attempt to increase the value of the Lira, got rid of six zeroes on the currency.Although not as dramatically as before, exchange rates still change daily, and so it is to the visitors' advantage not to buy large amounts of the currency before embarking on your holiday. Most shops will also be quite happy to accept major foreign currencies.

How to go
Airlines
There are four airlines which fly to North Cyprus. These airlines provide regular daily flights, via Turkey to Ercan International Airport near Nicosia. For information about timetables, prices, and reservations, please contact the numbers below.

 Turkish Airlines (THY); Tel: 0090 392 227 1061;

 Atlasjet Internatıonal Airlines: 0090 392  815 62 78;

 Pegasus Airlines: 0090 392 228 73 11

Bus Tours
Some hotels organize their own tours of the island.  If your hotel does not do so and you wish to join a tour you may contact your hotel reception who will put you in touch with a tour company.

Car Driving in northern Cyprus
Driving in Northern Cyprus is the most advisable form of transport as there are infrequent bus services to many of the more remote areas of the country; and bus services cease to operate after 5:00 pm. Road surfaces between major towns and villages are reasonably good, but some mountain and village roads are still unsurfaced, so care should be taken especially in wet weather. Visitors wishing to bring their own car from abroad may do so for a period of up to 3 months provided the vehicle has a valid registration license from its country of origin. Visitors in Cyprus can drive using a valid international driving license or a valid driving license from their country of origin. Visitors bringing their own cars from abroad will need to purchase insurance upon entry to Northern Cyprus. Most petrol stations are open from 7:00 am and close around 8:00 pm. Some however, stay open later and there are an increasing number of stations which operate 24 hours a day. Free municipal parking is available in all major towns.

Walking - Hiking - Trekking
Hiking tours for people of all ages and physical disposition are organised by a number of centres in the Girne (Kyrenia) area and are generally conducted in the Girne mountain range. One particular tour party, organised by the Mountain Climbing Sport Association , meets every Sunday between October and the end of April, and twice a month (again on Sundays) between the summer months from May to the end of September. During the winter the tour programme is published at the beginning of every month, explaining the route and where to meet etc. All walks, as well as being good exercise, endeavour to show walkers interesting natural and historical features. The tours generally start at 7:30 am and finish between 10:00 and 1 1:00 am. It is essential that you wear proper grooved walking shoes. You must also take your own water, and a hiking stick is advisable.
Tel: (+90 542) 851 18 00
(Mustafa Cemal-Chief of the association)

Caving
There are several caves in Northern Cyprus that you are free to explore. One, known as the Hot Cave, north of Agirdag village on the southern slopes of the Five Finger mountains, is a partially collapsed natural formation. Warm air emanates from the cave, hence the name; Do not attempt to enter the cave. Another natural cave in Girne area is the Güvercinlik Cave near Alevkayasi. Access to the cave involves some fairly difficult climbing. Proceed with caution. There are three more caves in the Gazi Magusa area. Probably the most beautiful cave is Incirli Cave, a hundred meter long passage which contains an amazing collection of stalatites and stalagmites. The cave is opened on Sundays (or by special arrangement with the village muhtar). There is a small entrance fee. Gastro Cave between Kuruova and Kaleburnu villages is a man made cave containing three rooms. Finally the omniously named Execution Cave, near Kaleburnu. There is set to be a golden earthenware jar hidden somewhere in the cave.

Hospitality
The tradition still continues.
The visitors to the Island are most impressed by the hospitality of the Turkish Cypriot people as they are not only warmhearted and welcoming but also very generous. This tradition of hospitality was noted by Charles C. Flankland in 827 as he recounts ... We were regaled with pipes and coffee, after which we were each presented with conserves ~Macun)... then followed by excellent sherebet... next we were sprinkled with rose-water and perfumed with incense in filagree silver censers."
Please be our guest! Coffee houses are amongst the places where the visitors may experience traditional hospitality. It's not surprising that one of the most well known expressions is "A single cup of coffee is remembered with respect for forty years".
In fact, the relationship between the coffee and the hospitality is rather an old one; the heart desires neither coffee nor coffee house, what the heart desires is friendship".

An island for all seasons
North Cyprus enjoys the benefits from the Mediterranean climate with long hot summers, short winters and little rain. The temperature in summer reaches 30/35 degrees centigrade, while winter is mild with an average rainfall of 500 mm. Fascinating multi-colored vegetation dominates autumn, winter and spring. Olive and carob trees thrive in the countryside, together with citrus fruits such as oranges, lemons and grapefruit plus melons and vegetables. Mountains are covered with sweet-smelling pines. While the coastlines offer bushes of acacia and eucalyptus. The landscape is ideal for goats and sheep and tourists are often delighted to see flocks being shepherded along peaceful by-ways.
Mean monthly Temperature
Jan: 10.9 / Feb: 11.0 / Mar: 12.9 / Apr: 16.5 / May: 20.8 / Wun: 25.1 / July: 27.8 / Aug: 25.0 / Oct: 21.2 / Nov: 16.2 / Dec: 12.3

The Land of Festivals
International Spring Concerts
The International Spring Concerts, organized by The Friends of Music Association of North Cyprus is very popular amongst the classical music lovers. These concerts take place during April and May every year. Held at the historical settings of Bellapais Abbey, it is an occasion not to be missed.

Guzelyurt Orange Festival
Guzelyurt Orange Festival, organized by the Guzelyurt Municipality, has been held since 1977. It takes place in May. As its name suggest, this festival provides the best opportunity to taste the world famous North Cyprus oranges.  During the festival week various concerts, competitions and art events are performed.

International Bellapais Music Festival
North Cyprus is home to some very important festivals. One of these festivals is the North Cyprus International Bellapais Music Festival. This festival brings together world famous musicians and performers every year.  The North Cyprus International Bellapais Music Festival takes place between May and June.

Famagusta International Festival
Famagusta International Festival that in the past hosted groups like Aswad, Los Paraguayos and the Berlin Art Ensemble deservedly claims to be the best festival in the Mediterranean. The festival is held between June and July.

North Cyprus International Music Festival
North Cyprus International Music Festival takes place between September and October. During the festival the chamber music, symphonic rock, choir, flamenco, tango and recitals are performed in historical settings such as the Bellapais Monastery, Salamis Amphitheatre and the Kyrenia Castle.

Cuisine of North Cyprus
In most of the hotels in North Cyprus international cuisine is offered to guests. However smaller restaurants throughout North Cyprus serve delicious local dishes. Although influenced by Mediterranean and oriental cuisine, North Cyprus food is not heavy but extremely tasty. The traditional "Meze", which consists of a variety of cold and hot appetizers, salads, meats, vegetables, and fish dishes, is a very special attraction, while typical local dishes include "shish kebap", doner kebap", "sheftali kebap , "molehiya", "yalanci dolma", kolakas" and "bumbar". The famous cheese "hellim" is another delicacy not to be missed. Many local fruits including verigo grapes, oranges, tangerines and grapefruits can end a tasty meal before sipping a beautiful Turkish coffee".

Shopping in North Cyprus
All tourists love to shop and in North Cyprus this is particularly pleasant experience. The friendly traders offering a buyer almost anything they could want. There is a variety of copper, silver, bronze, onyx and gold, together with traditional dolls, boards and embroidery. Most of the shops are open between 8:00am to 12:00pm, and from 3.30 pm to 6.00 pm.