Cyprus is the third largest island in the Mediterranean. It is the birthplace of the Greek goddess Aphrodite. The world’s oldest wine label belongs to Cyprus. Yes, you heard it right! “Commandaria” is recognized as the world’s oldest named wine dating back 5000 years. Some incredible leftover Roman landmarks can be visited in Cyprus, it is also the place where the oldest water wells in the world may be found. Cypriots are very traditional and deeply Orthodox.

Travelling info

All visitors traveling to Cyprus must have a valid passport or a national identity card depending on their nationality. All citizens of the EU may enter Cyprus without a visa and must either have their passport or national ID with them. Citizens of countries which are not part of the EU must apply for a Schengen visa which allows them to travel around any Schengen zone nation. Tourists who wish to drive in Cyprus may do so, using their national driving permit. An international driving permit is not required however it may come in handy when dealing with police checks, especially when the original driving permit is written in a non-Roman alphabet. Traffic drives on the left side of the road.

Travelling hazards

Road conditions in Cyprus are generally adequate. Roads are well built and maintained both in the cities and out in the country. Roads in the mountainous areas, however, can get quite steep, narrow and winding. Speeding, tailgating, overtaking, and the running of caution lights are commonplace and major causes of accidents. Emergency assistance is available in the Republic of Cyprus by calling 112 or 199. Emergency assistance is available in the area administered by Turkish Cypriots by calling 155. Road safety conditions in the area administered by Turkish Cypriots are similar to conditions in the south, except that the road network is less developed. The insurance purchased in the government-controlled area is not valid in the area administered by Turkish Cypriots, but insurance for that area may be purchased near the U.N. buffer zone checkpoints.

Environmental hazards

Cyprus, despite being the third biggest island in the Mediterranean, is relatively small in size. The largest animal on the island is the Cypriot mouflon however it is not dangerous. There are no predators that pose a threat to people. There is however a number of snakes which can cause a heart attack upon encountering an unsuspecting tourist. Although only one of the snakes is venomous enough to kill a grown adult, fatalities are rather rare due to quick emergency services response. Although only one snake in Cyprus is lethal, the non-venomous snakes, especially the large species will not hesitate to bite any intruders. Although some rather retreat, some species like the large whip snake will stand their ground. There are several species of spiders inhabiting Cyprus however only the Cyprus widow is capable of delivering a lethal bite. Although lethality is almost non-existent due to widespread awareness and accessibility of health facilities, an untreated bite is very possibly deadly. Being an island in the warm Mediterranean swimming is very popular both with tourists and locals. Swimmers should beware of the possibilities of dangers lurking in the waters of Cyprus. Despite the fact that shark attacks are rare in the Mediterranean, such incidents are still a possibility, therefore swimmers should avoid swimming far out into the deep sea or at least not alone.
Cyprus generally does not suffer from any unusual natural hazards. The most commonly occurring danger in Cyprus is earthquakes. These however usually do not surpass the magnitude of 5 and happen roughly once every couple of months. Extreme temperatures, however, are responsible for most deaths.

Health hazards

There are no outbreaks of any diseases nor are there any vaccination requirements. There are however several recommended vaccinations. These are routine vaccines aka MMR vaccines, rabies, hepatitis A and B vaccines. Unfortunately, there is no vaccination against malaria. Malaria is contracted through mosquito bites, therefore, it is important to protect against these by using mosquito repellants. There is also medicine on prescription which is available after consultation with your family practitioner. Cyprus has an effective public healthcare system which delivers great quality of service for free to the citizens of Cyprus and services at a reduced price for citizens of EU countries who have applied for a European Health Insurance Card. Private healthcare facilities also provide great quality of care at affordable prices. Most of the staff are trained abroad and can speak English, especially in private clinics. Despite relatively low prices, tourists are still recommended to purchase medical insurance.
In case of an emergency dial 112.

Crime

Cyprus is generally a safe country and experiences less violent crime than other European countries of similar size. However, crimes of opportunity and crime related incidents do occur. Most street crimes are non-violent, non-confrontational, and range from scams to petty theft. Most street criminals are unarmed and are not prone to gratuitous violence. Rates of street crimes (pickpocketing, purse snatchings, other petty crimes) remain steady. Muggings, armed robbery, and harassment are uncommon but have been reported by local media. Thefts of valuables left in plain sight in unattended vehicles do occur. Crimes of opportunity soar with the influx of tourists in the summer season. There is no risk of terrorist activity in Cyprus. Cyprus has a strictly enforced zero tolerance policy towards drugs. If you are caught with any type of narcotic you will receive either a prison sentence or a hefty fine.

Summary

Cyprus has near perfect climate making it perfect to visit any time of the year. Whilst in Cyprus tourists can enjoy numerous museums and landmarks leftover from the antiquity or visit the incredible beaches of Cyprus and swim in the turquoise waters. There is an attraction for everyone as you can even go skiing in Cyprus. The mountains of Cyprus get covered in snow during the winter season despite the rather warm temperatures around the coast and inland. Remember that planning your trip with Travset.com will give you the quickest information about nearest emergency services and will also help you purchase indispensable travel insurance for the trip of your lifetime. Please feel free to comment and share the experiences of your travels with Travset.com.

Sources

(visa)
https://www.cyprusvisa.eu/
(Vaccinations)
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/cyprus
(EHIC)
http://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=559