FAQs
A full manual of information, restaurant lists, places to visit, contact numbers, maps and villa instructions will be sent to you prior to your departure and is also in the villa, but here are some of the regularly asked questions:
How do we get there?
You can either fly to Larnaca or Paphos in the South of Cyprus. Transfers from Larnaca take about 1¼ hrs but from Paphos it’s a good 2 hours. See Airline list on the home page.
You can also fly into Ercan (Lefkosa) Airport in the North of Cyprus. Flights to the north will involve a touchdown in Turkey, usually Izmir, Antalya or Istanbul. Transfers from Ercan take about 30 mins.[/toggle]
What about transfers to the villa?
We can arrange transfers from all the airports directly to Villa Jacaranda at very good rates.
What about car hire?
We can arrange car hire at discounted rates for you, with your fully insured car being delivered directly to the villa to await your arrival with all payment being taken on your arrival only, for a completely hassle free holiday.
Can we hire a car in the South and drive ourselves to the villa?
Many firms in the South do now allow their cars to be taken across the border, but please check when you book as not all of them allow it. The local insurance does not cover you for driving in the North and you will have to take out additional insurance at the border at a cost of €35 for 1 month, but please note that this insurance is 3rd Party only so will not cover you if an accident is your fault, so you may end up with a bill to fix or replace the entire car and/or any costs of returning it back to the South.
What is the currency?
The North of Cyprus is the Turkish Cypriot side so uses the Turkish Lira. You will find the best exchange rates locally at one of the many exchanges. Rates change daily and are more likely to be nearer to what you will find on www.xe.com so it’s far better to take your money with you and change it out there as required. Most places will also take GBP or Euros and give you the local daily exchange rate so this is also a good option, but please check before you sit down to a large meal! We also recommend using Monzo or Revolut cards as suggested by Martin Lewis (Money Savings Expert).
Can I withdraw money from Cash Dispensers?
Yes, there are many Cash Dispensers around, though most UK banks charge for withdrawals in foreign currency. If you have a Barclays Bank card you can currently withdraw cash from the TEB banks and ATMs free of charge. Its usually best to withdraw GBP and then you can change this at one of the local exchanges, this is by far the best option and saves you carrying load of cash on your holiday.
Where are the nearest supermarkets?
The nearest shop is the Eron Supermarket at the bottom of the hill, and there are larger supermarkets all within a 5 min drive down the hill to the old road. Local produce is relatively cheap though beware of imported foods as they may be marked on the box with prices such as £1.99 but will be a lot more expensive, so check prices on the shelf not on the packets.
Where are the nearest restaurants?
The nearest restaurant is The Treasure Restaurant on the way up to Karmi and The Levant Restaurant in Karmi village about a 10 min walk. The Crow’s nest pub also sells snacks and bar meals. Please check their Facebook pages for opening days and times. There is also the Levant Coffee shop in the village which is open most days.
Where are the nearest Beaches?
The nearest beach is Kervansary a 5 min drive, but please see our Local Information page for more information.
Do I need travel adaptors?
No, all plug sockets are UK style three pin sockets.
Are Hair Dryers provided?
Yes, there are hairdryers in every bedrooms.
What about internet access?
A high speed wireless connection is available free of charge.
What about TV?
A full UK and SKY TV service is provided where you can watch TV as though you are in the UK.
What’s provided in the welcome pack?
Our Welcome pack is provided to give you a snack on your arrival, if you arrive late. It consists of Bread, Butter, Eggs, Jam, Cheese, Cucumbers, Tomatoes, Milk, and Orange Juice, there is a Water Dispenser for chilled bottled water and Tea, Coffee, Sugar etc are always available in the villa. If anything additional is required, I can arrange for my housekeepers to provide it at extra cost.
What about Sun cream and Mosquito spray?
You are best purchasing Sun cream in the UK as it can be quite expensive in Northern Cyprus and in some areas reputable brands can be quite hard to find without going into the main towns. Mosquito spray is recommended for evenings outside and can be purchased cheaply locally. Keep fly screens closed especially when you have lights on.
What is the crime like in Northern Cyprus?
Generally Northern Cyprus is relatively crime free, owing to the zero tolerance of the police authorities and poor prisons and treatment of prisoners.
