Visiting in July...a few questions

dw1973


Joined: 04/06/2008
Posts: 10

Message Posted:
04/06/2008 14:36

Hi All



We are coming over to NC in July for 2 weeks holiday at Almond Village near Alsancak and I just have a few questions as this is our first time in Cyprus.



Is the exchange rate better in NC than the UK? ie should we bring a minimum of YTL and change travellers cheques when we get there?



How much is beer/wine in supermarkets/restaurants?



Are switch/visa accepted in most bars/restaurants?



I'm sure I'll think of more but that's it for now!

ROBIN HOOD


Joined: 26/05/2008
Posts: 238

Message Posted:
04/06/2008 14:40

Best rates are from Cash machines ATM in my experience. Card in PIN number and you can draw off Sterling, YTL or Dollars at the big banks. No idea about switch etc sorry.

Skogsy


Joined: 15/05/2008
Posts: 339

Message Posted:
04/06/2008 14:49

Switch Works.



Skogsy

Skogsy


Joined: 15/05/2008
Posts: 339

Message Posted:
04/06/2008 14:51

Oh! and all major credit/debit cards.

Skogs

Lemtich



Joined: 15/02/2007
Posts: 1487

Message Posted:
04/06/2008 14:59

Watch out for ATMs in North Cyprus. They give you the money first then your card unlike the UK. You can stroll off counting your cash with the card still in the machine!



Almonds is nice, got tea making facilities, supermarket across the road, lager in tins a couple of YTL each, lager 3 YTL in pubs but can rocket in restaurants.

Check prices first to avoid heart attack, lots of places don't display prices.



Don't know about wine, don't drink it, its not that cheap from what I saw on supermarket shelves.



Lem

dw1973


Joined: 04/06/2008
Posts: 10

Message Posted:
04/06/2008 15:11

Thanks for responses so far...as for cards are they widely accepted in restaurants?

Hot Hornet


Joined: 03/06/2008
Posts: 343

Message Posted:
04/06/2008 15:13

Not all as I found at at Efendis recently - how embarassing - luckily I was with peeps that had cash!

Most of them do nowadays, but you should be prepared and have cash!

Pools



Joined: 22/04/2008
Posts: 164

Message Posted:
04/06/2008 15:21

You can get a wine starting from 6ytl only to 25ytl per bottle on the stores depends on the brand.Better to bring travellers check.Please note that some of a stores here gets more 2.5% when you are going to pay card.So if you got cash on you it will be better.

cyprusishome


Joined: 31/03/2007
Posts: 2381

Message Posted:
04/06/2008 15:37

Your best rate of exchange is always the cash exchanges in Girne. One half way down high street on left, usually 2 ladies.



Do not bother bring any ytl with you as sterling, euros and brass washers are accepted in most places, including taxis. Make sure you have some small denominations for tips though. You will get a good rate of ex. in most restaurants. Credit cards accepted in quite a few places but beware you may be charged a fee.



Not sure about T/C's living here we do not use them.



Bottle Efes 500ml, 2lira in most shops, anywhere up to 8 in cafes & restaurants. Anywhere that charges more than 5lira avoid!!!!!!! Local spirits 5 - 7 lira in supermarkets. You may be charged 6 - 8 per shot.

brian24001


Joined: 23/03/2008
Posts: 606

Message Posted:
04/06/2008 18:25

very good exchange rate at the money changer by Fashion Bar (formerly Woody's), which is about 300yds (i think) from AHV on same side (heading towards Kyrenia), in the small wooden box outside, also does car hire (but then so does everyone else)



DON'T use cards, this is a cash society. Bring sterling and change at money changers, not banks.

joandjelly


Joined: 24/02/2008
Posts: 2953

Message Posted:
04/06/2008 18:49

Do not bring travellers cheques. They take an age to clear so most places, especially hotels, will not exchange them. Bring sterling and change here or use ATM card.



A bottle of Turkish wine (Cankaya, Angora, Villa Doluca, Yakut) in a restaurant ranges from 20-25ytl and 7-10ytl in the supermarket for the same stuff. Very drinkable in my opinion and not worth paying more for imported unless you are a wine connoisseur. Beware buying a cheap imported wine in a supermarket, in my experience it is undrinkable.



Avoid the Cypriot Aphrodite at all costs - it's gut rot.

dw1973


Joined: 04/06/2008
Posts: 10

Message Posted:
04/06/2008 19:22

Looking forward to teh Efes, not had any in a while although you can buy it here quite cheap sometimes.



Thanks for the replies, much appreciated