""Logistic" section of my end-of-mission... " a Nicosia Travel Page by carolerica

Telephone code for Republic of Cyprus (South Cyrpus): 357

CURRENCY
Cypriote pounds (1CYP roughfly equals 0.50 euros)

VISA
None if you are from a European citizen. Because of their entrance into EU, they now have same EU regulations concerning visa

SECURITY
Safe, you can walk alone at night, no problem

HEALTH
No specific needs, except if you come from Africa, then you need a proof that you are vaccinated against the yellow fever.

COMMUNICATIONS
Get a cell SIM CARD from CYTA, it is called SOEASY and costs 20 CYP (and very easy, ask the seller to turn the instructions into English) .
All numbers beginning by "2" are "fixed line" numbers, cheaper to call, and the ones starting with a "9" are mobile numbers.
INTERNET
cyber cafes, none preferred, they are all expensive.
However, if you are in Limassol, and want to eat at Agostino restaurant (cheap and good) you can use internet for free!
An other free place in Nicoisa, next to the Hilton (passed the Hilton when going towards the old city) on Makarios Ave (almost in front of the gas station) is the YOUTH CENTER where internet is free of charge. The only thing is that they have 10 computers, and you're only aloud 30mn, but if there is no one waiting, you can stay longer. You need to be under 35 years old. It is open from 10 am to 10 pm!

TRANSPORTATION
Taxi's are between 3.50 and 4 pounds for a ride around the city. You can call them and they come usually quite fast.
No other ways to get from Airport to Nicosia if you arrive late (bus stop running after 8pm) and you'll be paying between 20 and 32 pounds according to the hour, number of piece of luggage and where you go in Nicosia.

ACCOMODATION
I first stayed in the Holiday Inn, inside the old city, nice because close from interesting touristic area, but quite far from Nicosia "business center" which is in the old city.
At Holiday Inn, price was 84CYP, reduced after bargaining to 74CYP.
Castelli Hotel is close by, about 70CYP, you can use indoor pool and sport facilities of Holiday Inn for free, but room much more smaller.
Classic Hotel is a little cheaper but the rooms are micro and very noisy.
Hilton is out in the new city, and price negotiated to 70CYP (you can get it down to 62 pounds if you stay over a full month, which was not my case)
PHONE is damn expensive in hotels (0.16CYP) same for internet (5CYP/45mn), fax is the cheapest international communication mean in a hotel!

RESTAURANTS
In the old city, lots of touristy restaurant, somehow quite expensive. The meze is delicious (a variety of appetizers, better be hungry for a big one!), many places does them. At the top of the Woolworth's department store, there is a cafeteria with good fresh international food, ideal for a not to expensive lunch.
The Italian and Japanese restaurant of the Holiday Inn are great, and they have also two fantastic restaurant on the roof, only at night.
In Limassol, Agostino is a very very good restaurant for food, but not fancy or trendy at all. Go there if you want to eat good Cypriot food at an unexpensive price.

If you are a stone-lover, or a museum-freak, then Cyprus is great: National Museum of Nicosia has splendid pieces (even though the museum is very dusty and old setting). The Tombs of the Kings (some made me think of the temples of Petra/Jordan) and the mosaic found in Nea Paphos, in Paphos are an absolute must! A drive through the Trodo's mountains can be really nice. Limassol has nothing of great, it's ultra touristy, many loud clubs and bars... go there if you're into that!

In the Northern part, North Nicosia is definitely worth a visit, same for Kirenia, and if you can push up to Famagusta then don't miss the ancient city of Salamis! Whaouuuu.

Distances are not that bad, service taxis quite reliable. Unfortunately, no bus running from Saturday to Monday morning.

I love smoking the water pipe (chicha, hookah, narguileh, hobely-bubbely... call it what you want) and found a great place in the old city, by the place going under the name of Tony's B&B (look in the lonely planet for exact location). It's full of Lebanese and Egyptian people, real nice!