PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
January 1: New Year’s Day
January 6: Epiphany Day
Variable: Green Monday (50 Days before Greek Orthodox Easter)
March 14: Clean Monday
March 25: Greek National Day
April 1: Greek Cypriot National Day
Variable: Good Friday (Greek Orthodox Church) 29 April 2005
Variable: Easter Monday (Greek Orthodox Church) 2 May 2005
Variable: Pentecost-Kataklysmos (Festival of the Flood) 20 June 2005
August 15: Assumption Day
October 3: Cyprus Independence Day
October 28: Greek National Day
December 24: Christmas Eve
December 25: Christmas Day
December 26: Boxing Day
Notes: All Public Services, private enterprises, banks and shops are closed on Public Holidays. In resort and coastal areas, however, shops and certain services remain open. Banks are closed on Easter Tuesday but not on December 24. BUSINESS / SHOPPING HOURS PUBLIC SERVICE HOURS Winter Period (September 1 - June 30) Monday - Friday: 07:30 - 14:30 Thursday: 07:30 - 14:30, 15:00 - 18:00 Summer Period (July 1 - August 31) Monday - Friday: 07:30 - 14:30 SHOPPING HOURS Winter Period (November 1 - March 31) Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri: up to 18:00hrs Wed, Sat: up to 14:00hrs Spring Period (April 1 - May 31) and Autumn Period (September 15 - October 31) Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri: up to 19:00hrs Wed, Sat: up to 14:00hrs Summer Period (June 1 - September 14) Mon, Tues, Thu, Fri: up to 19:30hrs Summer afternoon recess from 13:00 - 16:00 hrs Wed, Sat: up to 14:00hrs OFFICES HOURS September 15 - May 31 Monday - Friday: 08:00 - 13:00, 15:00 - 18:00 June 1 - September 14 Monday - Friday: 08:00 - 13:00, 16:00 - 19:00 BANKING There are commercial banks everywhere in Cyprus. Banking hours for the public: Monday- Friday: 08:30-13:00. Monday: 15:15-16:45. (June,July,August: Monday-Friday: 08:15-13:00) Centrally located Banks on all tourist regions provide "afternoon tourist services". Banks at the Larnaka and Pafos International Airports provide services in the daytime, as well as a night service for most flights. A number of Automatic Exchange Machines (ATMs) operate on a 24hrs basis in central places of all towns and the main tourist resorts, Agia Napa and Paralimni. Most currencies and denominations are acceptable. Bank holidays are the same as Public Holidays plus Easter Tuesday. Christmas Eve is a working day for banks.
Credit Cards Most credit cards are widely accepted, both at shops, restaurants etc and commercial banks for cash withdrawals. Currency - Exchange Rates The currency of the Republic is the Cyprus pound - C£, which is divided into 100 cents. Notes and coins currently in circulation are as follows: There are C£20, C£10, C£5 and C£1 bank notes in circulation and 1 cent, 2 cents, 5 cents, 10 cents, 20 cents and 50 cents coins. As an indication, one Cyprus pound equals to 1,75 Euros, 1,79 US Dollars and 1,13 Pounds Sterling. However, for more accurate, up to date rates, one may visit any commercial bank. EMERGENCY INFORMATION In case of emergency, immediate response is given by the following telephone numbers, where English is spoken: Ambulance: 199, 112 Fire Service: 199, 112 Police: 199, 112 Night Pharmacies: 192 DRIVING IN CYPRUS
Excellent, four lane motorways connect the capital, Lefkosia with the coastal towns of Lemesos, Larnaka and Pafos, as well as these towns between them. Good surfaced roads complying with international traffic requirements link the towns and the various villages. Forest roads are still largely unsurfaced but in good to fair condition. Appropriate care should be taken when using these roads, especially during wet weather. Driving in Cyprus is in accordance to the British way, i.e. the cars wheels are on the right side of the car and drivers must drive on the left side of the road.
Hands free during driving is mandatory During driving, the driver should take all necessary measures, so that his/her hands are free at all times in order to have full control of the vehicle. Therefore the use of a mobile phone is strictly prohibited, unless a hands free devici is used. Driving licence Visitors in Cyprus can drive using a valid International driving licence, or their National driving licence, provided it is valid for the class of vehicle they wish to drive.
Gas fueling Motor fuel and unleaded petrol may be bought in unlimited quantities at Petrol stations. Petrol stations in Nicosia, all seaside areas and many rural areas are equipped with petrol vending machines, accepting bank notes and credit cards. Vending machines operate during non-working hours, on weekends and on holidays. Petrol stations in rural areas may be found open on Weekends and on Holidays. MINI GUIDE TO DRIVERS Traffic moves on the LEFT hand-side of the road, NOT on the right. International road traffic signs are in use, and placed along the roads and highways, on the left hand-side. Distances and road speed limits are posted in kilometres and kilometre-per hour (km/h) respectively. The use of front and back seat-belts is compulsory. Children under the age of five MUST NOT, under any circumstances, sit in the front passenger seat. Driving or being in charge of a motor vehicle or pedal cycle with alcohol concentration in breath or blood above the prescribed limit, is an offence. Safety in Cyprus Cyprus is a very safe place, either to visit or stay. Crime in Cyprus is, comparatively, at a very low level. The Police is always ready to assist anyone who needs help. In case of emergency, one may telephone 199 or 112 (in all towns). All policemen speak good English. Drugs According to Cypriot Law, the importation, possession and use of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, is strictly prohibited. There are imprisoning penalties for importing or using such substances. |
