ECONOMY
Business etiquette
Cypriot business people are known for their hospitality and courtesy. Business trips in July and August should be avoided. Business meetings are best held in the early morning. They often end with lunch together.
Opening hours
Business hours: during the week from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. (summer) and from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. (winter).
Economy
Commercial Section of the Embassy of the Republic of Cyprus
Wall 27, D-10179 Berlin
Tel: (030) 284 45 96.
Internet: www.zypern.com
Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry
(Chamber of Commerce)
PO Box 21455, 38 Grivas Dhigenis Avenue, Nicosia
Tel: 22 88 98 00.
Internet: www.ccci.org.cy
Business contacts
Commercial Section of the Embassy of the Republic of Cyprus
Wall 27, D-10179 Berlin
Tel: (030) 284 45 96.
Internet: www.zypern.com
Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry
(Chamber of Commerce)
PO Box 21455, 38 Grivas Dhigenis Avenue, Nicosia
Tel: 22 88 98 00.
Internet: www.ccci.org.cy
COMMUNICATION
Phone
As a country located in Europe according to thereligionfaqs, Cyprus’s area code is 00357. Card and coin-operated telephones are available, and telecards are available in kiosks, banks, souvenir shops and hotels.
Cellphone
GSM 900/1800. Network operator is Cytamobile (Internet: www.cyta.com.cy/mobile). The cellular network offers good coverage. Roaming agreements exist.
International roaming can be used within the EU at the Euro tariff. Customers of all European mobile network operators automatically make all calls in and from other EU countries at the Euro rate. However, the Euro tariff does not apply to other mobile communications services such as SMS, MMS and data transmission.
Internet
Internet providers include Cytanet (Internet: www.cyta.com.cy/telephony-internet) and Logosnet (Internet: logosnet.cy.net/). There are internet cafes in the larger cities and in the main holiday resorts. Telephone centers and some hotels also provide Internet access. Internet access via Wi-Fi is available at Larnaca Airport, among others.
Post Office
Airmail within Europe takes three days. The post offices of all major cities and resorts accept poste restante items.
Radio
Since the use of shortwave frequencies changes several times over the course of a year, it is advisable to contact Deutsche Welle customer service directly (Tel: (+49) (0228) 429 32 08. Internet: www.dw-world.de) to request.
SHOP
Overview
Popular souvenirs include handmade lace, curtains and tablecloths, silk, wicker and pottery, silver spoons and forks (signs of Cypriot hospitality) and leather items. Jewelry has been made here since the time of the Mycenaeans; Artisans use both traditional and contemporary styles. Lefkaritika lace is world famous and one of the most famous island products; In the little village of Lefkara, which gave the lace its name, you can watch the men and women at work. Traditionally, the local men produce silver while the women make the lace.
Simple baskets, leather goods and pottery are also nice souvenirs. Cypriot wines, including Commandaria, which is made in the area north of Limassol and is one of the oldest wines in the world, local brandies and the strong pomace brandy Zivania are also suitable as souvenirs. All over the island, monks sell icons that have often been painted by the monks themselves. Chrysorrogiatissa Monastery at the foot of the Troodos Mountains is one of the Cypriot monasteries that has its own icon studio.
Opening hours
Shops are closed on Wednesdays, Saturday afternoons and Sundays. Opening times are 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. (summer) and 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. (winter). On Fridays the shops are generally open until 8.00pm / 8.30pm. Many larger department stores and supermarkets, as well as some shops in touristy areas, remain open for lunch.
Annotation
Imported items such as cameras, perfume, china, crystal and English fabrics are sold on the island at reasonable prices. Tailored shirts are particularly inexpensive.
ACCOMMODATION
Hotels
There are over 500 hotels and apartment hotels as well as simple hotels without a category. 10% for service and 3% taxes are charged. Outside the main season, numerous accommodations offer discounts (seaside resorts: Nov. 1 – March 31, except Dec. 20 – Jan 6; mountain resorts: Oct. 1 – June 30). Children who sleep in their parents’ room also receive a discount: 25% (6-12 years); 50% (1-6 years); by agreement (less than 1 year).
For more information, contact the Tourist Offices (see addresses) and the Cyprus Hotel Association, PO Box 24772, 12, A. Araouzos Street, Hesperides Building, 1303 Nicosia. Tel: 22 45 28 20. Internet: www.cyprushotelassociation.org.
Camping
There are seven official campsites: Polis, and Troodos (March – Oct), Geroshipu Zenon Gardens and Agia Napa (April – Oct), Forest Beach (east of Larnaca, June – Oct) and Feggari and Kalymnos Beach (all year round).
Other accommodation options
A number of youth hostels are open to members of the International Youth Hostel Association. Non-members are also accepted, a guest card will be issued upon arrival. Cyprus Youth Hostel Association, 34 Th Theodotu Street, PO Box 21328, Lefkosia. Tel: 22 67 00 27.
