Cyprus

Although there is general hospitality towards tourists in Cyprus, take necessary precautions to stay safe and to avoid petty crime and theft. Always be alert in your surroundings. Keep valuables secured and out of sight. Safeguard your important documents, such as your passport, and never use your passport as a deposit. Avoid walking alone at night. Do not accept drinks or food from strangers and never leave your drinks out of your sight. Specifically, be aware of “date rape” drugs at bars and nightclubs. Tourists to Cyprus have also been subjects of bar fraud, where bar proprietors overprice their products and use violent threats to force payment. Travellers are advised to avoid gambling establishments in Cyprus as these locations have been used for criminal activity.

Cyprus has a strictly enforced, zero-tolerance policy for drug possession.

Roads in Cyprus are generally well maintained, however, poor driving practices and a general lack of respect for road rules may make driving hazardous. Mountainous areas and rural roads may not be well maintained, and unpredictable winter storms may create poor driving conditions. Drive on the left-hand side of the road.

Travel by rail line does not exist in Cyprus, and public buses are limited. Taxis are available as modes of transportation.

Due to Cyprus’ location in an active seismic zone, small earthquakes are not uncommon. Forest fires may also occur due to the hot, dry summer climate. Travellers should be cautious when swimming due to strong undertows; swim at authorized beaches only.

Photography of military establishments and of militarized zones is prohibited and strictly enforced.

Although same-sex relations are not illegal in Cyprus, same-sex travellers may be subject to social discrimination, especially in the North where same-sex relations were decriminalized in January 2014.

Take caution when travelling to the North. Crossing into the North, from the South, by foot is permitted at the following checkpoints in Nicosia: Ledra Palace and Ledra Street. Agios Dometios is the main car crossing point in the capital city. Turkish military presence is evident in the Northern part of the island.

Be cautious when entering Cyprus from a Northern port. The South considers entry from the North as an illegal entry into Cyprus. Anyone entering the country from a Northern port could be subject to fines.

UN peacekeepers control the Buffer Zone between the Turkish (Northern) and Greek (Southern) parts of the island. Do not enter the Buffer Zone which is a restricted military zone that may still be mined. Be aware that violence may occur along the Buffer Zone.