- Accommodation
- Transport
- Nutrition
- Entertainment
- Purchases
Aphrodite, the goddess of beauty, not in vain came out of the foam of the sea just off the coast of Cyprus. This Mediterranean island is beautiful with golden beaches, pine forests and citrus groves. The most beautiful views, mild climate, interesting sights and good service attract tourists from all over the world here. And everyone finds something for themselves in Cyprus that makes their vacation unforgettable. Especially if it is preceded by careful travel planning.
Even if you are used to traveling on your own, in this case it is worth considering the option of a package tour - with flight, transfer, accommodation and insurance. In Cyprus, with its expensive products, a ready-made tour turns out to be more profitable, while not limiting your trips around the island in any way. Moreover, the type of food offered in hotels is very different - with breakfasts, with breakfasts and dinners, and all-inclusive. Accordingly, the amount that will need to be taken on vacation will also be different.
Cyprus is part of the euro zone, so there is simply no point in taking another currency - you will lose it when exchanging it. The first thing you can focus on when forming a budget is the requirements for the financial solvency of tourists in the Schengen countries. In 2019, the minimum daily amount per person entering is 70 euros. Multiply by the number of days and travelers. This is a landmark.
Regulars in Cyprus are also advised to consider the cost of living on the island equal to the cost of food.
Accommodation
In inexpensive hotels, the cost of rooms and apartments starts from 23-25 euros. In four-star hotels you can find a room for 40 euros, but, as a rule, higher. In five-star hotels - definitely from 100 euros. The principle is the same: the closer to the sea, the more expensive. During the season, it is better to book both cheap and expensive rooms in advance.
Early booking is also advisable for private studio apartments. Prices start at 25 euros (double room in a guest house), you can also find a bed in a hostel for 10 euros, but this, of course, is not a vacation option. On average, you will have to pay for an apartment from 30 to 50 euros per day, renting a villa will cost up to 150 euros per day.
When renting a private apartment, we strongly advise you to discuss the issue of utility bills in advance. Electricity and water on the island are quite expensive, in order to avoid unpleasant surprises it is better to discuss this, as they say, “on the shore”. With a package tour, this cost item is excluded.
Transport
A transfer from Paphos or Larnaca airports to the resort for independent tourists will cost from 8 to 15 euros per person. For children under 12 years old, Aeroexpress trains offer a discount of three to five euros. Taxi cost and transfer cost are almost the same.
Public transport in Cyprus is represented by buses, city and intercity. The fare inside the resort town depends on the time of the day: in the daytime one and a half euros, at night - more expensive by the euro. If you make at least two trips a day, it makes sense to purchase a travel pass, one day or one week. Bus travel costs per week will be 20-30 euros. Children under six travel free everywhere. Passes are also available on intercity buses. It is even more profitable there, because you have to make transfers when traveling to seaside towns.
The rental market on the island is very developed - from scooters and bicycles to cars. Renting ATVs or buggies is unprofitable - the price is the same as renting a car. But bike rental will be quite budget - from six euros per day.
In the high season, renting a car for a week will cost from 20 euros per day. It is more profitable to rent cars at the airport. In addition to checking a driver's license, distributors take a so-called deposit (deposit). In small firms, it is left in cash, in large firms, a certain amount is blocked on the tourist's card for the duration of the car rental. The cost of a liter of gasoline is 1, 3 euros. Together with a car rental, from 150 to 300 euros per week comes out, depending on the distance of travel.
Nutrition
Local cuisine will delight any guest: Mediterranean abundance of vegetables and seafood, a combination of Greek and Turkish culinary traditions. However, those who wish can order an English breakfast.
Catering establishments on the island are found at every turn. You can sit in a restaurant, a tavern, you can buy takeaway food or limit yourself to local fast food, which is very tasty. In general, street food in Cyprus is worth trying at least once. The most common are souvlaki, kebabs on wooden skewers. Greek puff pastries are extraordinarily appetizing, especially with spinach. Tip: the portions - both salads and meat with vegetables - are large enough, and one can easily be ordered for two.
The average bill for two in a restaurant will be around 50 euros, in a tavern - 35 euros. A hearty snack in a fast food network will cost 6-7 euros per person. Consider the middle option - a cafe:
- a large portion of kebab with a side dish costs 14 euros;
- a bowl of seafood soup will cost 4 euros;
- in general, a portion of any salad or soup costs from 3 to 6 euros;
- a vegetable dish will cost no more than 7-9 euros;
- meat - from 7 to 15 euros;
- the cost of the notorious English breakfast will be from 5 to 7 euros;
- a glass of wine will cost 3-4 euros;
- a cup of cappuccino - 3 euros;
- a cup of tea - from 2 euros.
Many cafes offer a set menu during the day for 10-15 euros.
In short, if you live in a hotel with breakfast, about 40-50 euros are spent on food per day. In the case when the package tour includes both breakfasts and dinners, the daily expense will be no more than 10-15 euros.
Many hotels on the island have apartments with a small kitchen where you can cook a little something. Local supermarkets, as well as some bakeries, sell ready-made food that you just need to reheat in the microwave. By the way, there are no fixed prices in supermarkets; prices in the same chain vary depending on the location of the store in relation to tourist places.
- A kilogram of beef in a store starts at 9 euros.
- A kilogram of lamb - from 6 euros.
- A kilogram of pork - from 3 euros.
- Fish, 1 kilogram - from 7 euros.
- Chicken, 1 kilo - from 5 euros.
- A kilogram of cheese - from 8 euros. It is better to take it, like sausage, not in packaging, but by weight. The seller, at the request of the buyer, will immediately cut any product
- One and a half liter bottle of water costs 0, 7 euros. It is more economical to buy water and beer in packs of six.
Beer and wine in the store is two to three times cheaper than in any cafe. The same goes for strong alcohol.
Entertainment
The ancient island, steeped in legends and myths, has a lot to see. Perhaps these will not be world-class attractions, but very interesting and pretty monuments of history, culture, art of different eras, as well as natural beauty.
Many attractions on the island are free, but located in different locations. Renting a car will help you save on travel or group excursions. There are fun, educational and non-tiring car tours for groups of up to four.
- A three-hour adventure trip through pirate caves, ancient churches, beautiful places of southeastern Cyprus with visits to places of Greek mythology, and, of course, swimming on beautiful beaches will cost 118 euros.
- A car trip around the beautiful places of the town of Ayia Napa and its surroundings, with an inspection of cave churches, a sculpture park, visiting observation decks and mythological places, will cost 140 euros.
- A trip to mythological places where the beautiful Olympic goddess Aphrodite appeared, with a visit to the former kingdom of Paphos and other legendary places costs 270 euros.
- Riding donkeys on the eco-farm and meeting other inhabitants is especially interesting for children. During the trip, a visit to an authentic local village, a visit to a monastery with a miraculous icon and a healing spring is planned. All this costs 125 euros.
- An excursion from Larnaca to the shrines of Cyprus will also cost 125 euros.
- An evening sea cruise that allows you to admire the sunset with a visit to the dancing fountain show in Protaras costs 120 euros.
- And the price of an ordinary boat trip along the nearby bays will be only 20-30 euros.
The entrance to state museums and archaeological sites is the same throughout the island - 2.5 euros. Fans of antiquities can purchase a subscription. For one day it will cost 8, 5 euros, for two - 17 euros and for three days - 25 euros. With this subscription, you can see the ancient cities, ancient castles and ancient sites of Cyprus, no more than 11. In fact, this will be enough, because the main thing on the island is the sea and magnificent beaches.
Renting a sun lounger with an umbrella on the beach costs 5 euros daily. If you come with a child, visiting the water park cannot be avoided. A ticket there for children costs 20 euros for the whole day, for adults - about 40 euros.
Even if you will explore all the sights on your own in a rented car, you need to plan at least 50 euros per week for entertainment.
Purchases
Cyprus is not a shopping destination. Therefore, we will focus on souvenirs that can be brought to friends and relatives, as well as for memory.
- From food it is, first of all, the famous Cypriot cheese "Halloumi". It is goat or sheep, pickled, rich in taste and very healthy. Give 10 euros for a kilogram of cheese.
- The famous "Commandaria", an original Cypriot unique wine made according to old recipes, is best bought at certified wineries. The best producer is Kykkos Monastery. Prices - from 15 euros per bottle.
- Another alcoholic souvenir is the local Zivania whiskey with an original bright taste. It costs between 10 and 12 euros.
- Natural Cypriot soap costs less than one euro, but it will be a useful and pleasant present.
- Olive oil, as in the entire Mediterranean area, is of good quality and inexpensive at a price of 7 euros.
In total, about 100 euros will be spent on souvenirs and small gifts.
As a result, the average option according to the principle of "maximum pleasure with minimum spending" will be as follows:
- For a package tour with breakfasts and dinners, the costs will be for the beach, water, lunches, car rental for self-guided excursions, boat trips and visits to the water park. It turns out 53-55 euros per day per person. Plus souvenirs home.
- When traveling alone, the cost of accommodation and meals is added.
In any case, these figures can be taken as a basis. At the same time, the amount that a tourist will take with him depends on a variety of factors - from financial resources to having children and the desire to save money on vacation.
