first time visiting North Cyprus

McDfamily


Joined: 07/08/2010
Posts: 10

Message Posted:
15/02/2011 19:53

Hello finally booked our flights & villa for 2 weeks October 2011. This will be our first visit and are very excited. We have yet to book a car and are looking for some suggestions. We are staying in Alsancak and hoping to scuba dive at Escape beach. Our children are 9, 12 & 14yrs so any suggestions of things to do would be great. How much does it cost to use the beaches eg escape beach?? Any useful tips or do's/ don'ts. What is the best currency? Thank you x

shrimp


Joined: 01/09/2010
Posts: 939

Message Posted:
15/02/2011 20:01

You are in for a wonderful time, pack your toothbrushes and spend one night in one of the beach huts at the top of Karpaz, bit basic and bit over the top cost wise, but worth every penny and something you will remember for the rest of your lives....

berilela


Joined: 17/07/2010
Posts: 590

Message Posted:
15/02/2011 20:38

KIDS WOULD LOVE LAPTA AQUA PARK AND ZET GO KARTING

mint1955



Joined: 30/05/2007
Posts: 988

Message Posted:
15/02/2011 20:41

Shrimp, Do you have any details of the Karpaz stay overs as its something we want to do this year.

Sheila

shrimp


Joined: 01/09/2010
Posts: 939

Message Posted:
15/02/2011 20:45

we were there last summer, dont have much details except the huts are on stilts, as far as you can go at the top of Karpaz, there is a restaurent there and they are owned by them....cant tell you more about it but the cost was about hundred pounds for the night and I think included breakfast but cant be sure......

fosterscan


Joined: 27/02/2010
Posts: 541

Message Posted:
15/02/2011 23:46

Mcdfamily try scuba divein at the sempati in lapta will be better value.Long time to wait could you not made it earlier then you could do it again in october.

kavenkoy


Joined: 10/04/2008
Posts: 1787

Message Posted:
16/02/2011 07:05

m cdfamily



we stay in alsancak and its quite central for your needs.

the village has some nice cypriot restraunts and food outlets (cenap,cafe fast food ,dophin cafe ,blue house ,achmenya etc etc)



we use ibo rent a car as he lives in the village ,100% reliable and cars good standard email him on .....ibo_taxi@hotmail.com...he will also arrange airport collection etc .



try walking up st hillarion castle one day ,great fun and the views are superb

drive up towrad Karpaz and just explore miles of open beaches ?

harbour area is great and arrange many boat trips (few threads on here ) lunch included

harbour can be more expensive for a meal ,but in the evening a must do at least once



we use kervansary beach ,and the pizza place afterwards

got the new bowling alley on the new bypass,with games room downstairs for kids ...and burger city half way to girne



kav

flowerfairy


Joined: 17/09/2008
Posts: 1277

Message Posted:
16/02/2011 07:46

Golden bay beach is also lovely, you can go on the banana boat ride also paraglide.

I agree Kervansary beach is also lovely, but I use Ayse's cafe,It's a family run restuarant,

the food is lovely, and much cheaper than the pizza restuarant.

nostradamus


Joined: 15/04/2008
Posts: 557

Message Posted:
16/02/2011 07:52

I second message 6 regarding the scuba diving. Go to: http://www.turtlebaydivecentre.com for information about the dive school at Sempati Hotel in Lapta. Run by a really nice couple, very experienced and professional.

Perry


Joined: 27/01/2007
Posts: 413

Message Posted:
16/02/2011 09:20

You will have a great time.



As well as the other points - be sure to visit Bellapais and the Abbey - very nice restaurants as well. I would second Kervansary beach - but also try Alagadi (Turtle) beach, and Lara Beach east of Kyrenia. Alagadi is free (in the summer where the turtles nest) and LAra has a small sunbed charrge (if you use them) of 5YTL.



It is also worth visiting the old city in Nicosia, cross over at Ledra street to the greek side and compare the two cultures. (We prefer Turkish side ...) Also, the old city of Famagusta is worth a trip, the Roman ruins at Salamis and Silver Beach right next door......

JohhnyLee


Joined: 25/04/2009
Posts: 2495

Message Posted:
16/02/2011 09:31

What really good positive comments , and help. Hope you have agreat time here.



Also try going West and pay a visit to Horse Shoe Beach, and some of the quieter places around there,



If you can , try hiring a small 4x4 so many beautiful unspoilt beaches that you can get to.

babygirl


Joined: 13/02/2010
Posts: 109

Message Posted:
16/02/2011 09:45

As far as currency is concerned sterling is accepted in most shops, bars, restaurants etc. For your turkish lira I am almost certain (hopefully someone else will confirm this) that you are better off exchanging your money once you get here. As everyone else said you will have a fab holiday and will soon be booking another trip on your return!!!!!

louthlass


Joined: 09/11/2008
Posts: 271

Message Posted:
16/02/2011 11:01

Notice you are from Scotland. The Scottish pound is not accepted here, so better to have sterling.

briggus


Joined: 25/07/2007
Posts: 161

Message Posted:
16/02/2011 11:56

Message 4.



Try the Karpaz Info website - this provides inforamtion on the Karpaz and where to stay eat etc



http://www.karpazinfo.net/



Regards



Briggus

kathsj


Joined: 25/06/2009
Posts: 72

Message Posted:
16/02/2011 12:07

I work at Heathrow and dont have to pay fees on currency exchange but always take sterling to Cyprus. Far better rate of exchange. Most supermarkets will give you very close to the bank rate without fees.

cyprus-underwater-explorers.com at the Manolya Hotel are excellent, friendly and professional. Good prices and not far from you.

Enjoy

chrism


Joined: 27/10/2008
Posts: 1465

Message Posted:
16/02/2011 13:07

look forward to welcoming you to North Cyprus we own a pub in Ozankoy and often have entertainment we have a facebook page @ theoldmill ozankoy where we post all our events first drink on us when you come over.

TinLondon


Joined: 20/07/2009
Posts: 171

Message Posted:
16/02/2011 13:11

Well the first thing i noticed and wished someone had told me about are Zebra Crossings.... i waited almost 10 minutes under the hot, burning August sun waiting for someone to stop and let me cross the road. No one will stop!

Sandcastle


Joined: 16/03/2009
Posts: 215

Message Posted:
16/02/2011 14:20

Whilst going to the Karpas, visit Kantara castle. Views are amazing but wear good shoes.



If you get to go to the East side, try and go to Salimas ruins. Beaches on this side are amazing and cheaper than the west side. Proper golden sandy beaches. Water sports are also slightly cheaper and are available at Bafra and some at Famagusta beach.



The kids will love all of these.

vadiev


Joined: 29/08/2009
Posts: 204

Message Posted:
16/02/2011 14:21

Something worth noting - the swimming pools will be cold in October but the sea will still be lovely and warm although quite a few of the beaches will be closing up for the season.! Also recommend Turtle bay for diving as there is no parking charge and good diving practises.

kirton


Joined: 28/08/2008
Posts: 60

Message Posted:
16/02/2011 16:55

mint 1955

Try Burhans on Golden Beach, wooden huts with a restaurant and a lovely beach. Take a torch the generator goes off usually about 1 am and you will not see a thing after that. The huts are basic but clean with a shower, toilet and beds.

McDfamily


Joined: 07/08/2010
Posts: 10

Message Posted:
16/02/2011 19:04

Thanks to everyone for their suggestions, I don't think 2 weeks will be long enough!!! Keep your ideas coming as they are very useful. How safe is the mountain scenic road to drive on? Just spoke to a couple who were in North Cyprus in October and said their was a lot of military barracks and soldiers present and sometimes they weren't allowed to stop the car and take photos of the surrounding area!

Many thanks to you all

McD Family

martinD41


Joined: 06/09/2010
Posts: 3001

Message Posted:
16/02/2011 20:10

Many Thousands of Turkish Soldiers since 1974 intervention....If you stopped outside an English barracks you would be told NO PICTURES...

tonienite


Joined: 16/02/2011
Posts: 3

Message Posted:
16/02/2011 20:55

enjoy it while you can - it isn't quite europe yet!

Woodspeckie


Joined: 25/01/2009
Posts: 2263

Message Posted:
16/02/2011 21:07

The mountain roads are fine, it's quite clear where the military bases are so you just don't stop there, some lovely scenery to take pictures, go over the five finger mountain road, turn left at the restaurant at the top take your time and you will not have any problems, leads to Esentepe then turn left when you get to the main road takes you straight back to Kyrenia, a lovely scenic ride.

joandjelly


Joined: 24/02/2008
Posts: 2953

Message Posted:
17/02/2011 17:22

Take the mountain road up above Karsiyaka across to St Hilarion Castle, stopping at the old tank on the way. Stop at Kozan restaurant on the way for superb views and lunch.

Sundance


Joined: 15/07/2010
Posts: 213

Message Posted:
17/02/2011 17:33

Hi McDfamily, you will have a great time im sure, you where asking about car hire, try A-one cars. aone.rentacar@yahoo.com.tr

Call from UK 00905423006 or 00905428511235 and ask for ismail Soker, it should be about £15 a day and he will pick you up from Laranca for a small fee, or have your car waiting for you at ercan airport,



Sundance