Ayia Napa

Siogfinsceal

Hi,
I have just booked a week in August in Cyprus - Ayia Napa. Anyone been before just wondering what it is like?

Tipsy Mac

The bad
It's very expensive compared to going to Spanish resorts, expect to pay night club prices here or higher in almost all the pubs and clubs. I recommend bringing duty free with you if you are fond of spirits, some pubs will sell 250ml bottles which look like the 330ml bottles so be on the lookout. Most of the apartments are dives and you have to pay for air conditioning and this could set you back €50 or so for the week and is payable when you check in. There's a couple of Irish bars that are good to start out at in the night but I wouldn't stay in them all night as it's pretty much the same as being at home.

The good
A good idea to rent mopeds to get around but take it easy on them, they drive like lunatics over there and I don't recommend you get them unless you either drive a bike or car in Ireland and even at that be very careful. I recommend heading out to Famagusta, its about 12 or 15 miles away, it'son the Cyprus border with the North and you can see the UN patrolled buffer zone between the two areas, Famagusta is in the middle and is a ghost town. Nissi Beach is great, there's bunji jumps and jet ski's to rent. I highly recommend going diving, it's great craic and the waters are so clear, remember to do this early in the week as it's not recommended you get on a plane for something like 48 hours after diving as the cabin pressure can be a problem. Go to a foam party there's usually one or two on each week,.

branners69

The local beer KEO is cheap, €2 a pint.. they also have Carlsberg for €2 a pint which is very reasonable. Cyprus is a bit more expensive then Spanish resorts but its nicer, so to me is worth the extra. The people are very friendly towards the Irish. In August the weather will be lovely! I was there in September/October and it was still 30 most days!!

I stayed in the Ayia Napa Star which is a 3/4 star hotel and it was fabulous, they didnt charge for Air Conditioning. They even gave me a fridge for 2 weeks for free!! And right accross the road was a 24hour bar!!

All the bars are located on the Ayia Napa Square so once your staying near to that you'll be fine!! U'll get the usual 2 for 1 on the drinks offers so you it wont cost the earth to get a bit tipsy!!

One thing I found very expensive was chocolate and icecream.. so if you like chocolate bring some with you;)

besty

I went a few years ago and I thought it was great as a boozy holiday. Prices weren't too bad, but just make sure you get the best value you can from early in the week - could make alot of difference to you. I would also recommend the moped, just be careful though as some of the guys letting them are dodgy to say the least so don't give them your passport etc. under any circumstances. (some friends were asked to do this when we were there!)

Eoin

I was there a couple of years ago and loved it. Like the others have said, it is one of the more expensive resorts, but well worth it in my opinion. I went in October though, so it was probably a lot quieter than it will be in August. It's one of those resorts which has something for everyone, you can go out clubbing and get absolutely hammered one night, and have a nice quiet dinner 2 doors down the next night.

I think it was either a British colony, or there were loads of British soldiers there for a good while or something like that, so I think the electrical sockets are the same as over here, and they also drive on the same side of the road.

Nissi beach is fantastic, I remember some travel guide rating it in the top 10 beachs in the world. You can get an idea from a google image search, but that doesn't really do it justice (image here). The water is only chest deep for at least 500m out, so nice for the weak swimmers like myself!

You should head down to the harbour some morning and do a boat trip which brings you to Famagusta (as far as they are allowed bring you before you are in Turkish waters). Get a boat run by a local, and you will get a quick history of the Turkish occupation.