Cyprus on a Shoestring – Making the Most of a Cyprus Trip on a Budget
The Republic of Cyprus is definitely not one of the cheapest countries to visit – most likely because the country is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe. A tour of Cyprus is an event that you will really have to save up for, but if you really can’t afford to take a grand tour, you can still see the magnificent sites that it has to offer on a shoestring budget. Here are some tips on how you can enjoy your visit without doing too much harm to your bank account.
Taking a tour around Cyprus has certainly become increasingly expensive over the years. The European economy hasn’t been doing very good and tourist spots around Cyprus have been forced to increase the prices of their goods mainly because of a significant drop in visitors. However, there are still some places that have figured out that increasing their prices may have an adverse affect on the remaining visitors of the country so they have tried to keep their prices as low as possible.
The trick to touring Cyprus on a shoestring is to live as close as possible to the way the locals live. Locals would rarely go to the shops that tourists would go to, simply because they tend to cost a bit more than usual. So, the best tactic is to shop at the shops where the locals go. Try to avoid spending your money at the tourist shops so that you can stretch out your budget as far as possible.
Before you head to Cyprus, take a moment to study some travel tips for backpackers. Your aim is to lighten your load as much as possible.
Cyprus is a country that is blessed with the sun all year round. You will surely want to take a stroll on one of its beaches, or maybe go for a swim once in a while in the warm waters. However, try to avoid eating in one of the beach front restaurants as the prices are definitely more than what you would want to spend. Some beach front restaurants that have decent meals for under €10, but they make most of their money by selling you expensive drinks.
The best thing to do is to take a short walk to the village Tavernas of Paphos. Most of the hotels and restaurants are designed for tourists, but if you really want to get a good feel of traditional Cyprus, head to Tavernas.
If you want to make the most out of your shoestring budget, there are a number of free guided walk trails in Paphos and the other cities. The entrance to historical sites is something you won’t be able to save on, but they are rather inexpensive so these shouldn’t become a problem.
If you’re planning to stay in Cyprus for some time, it would be better to get a car so you can drive around the different historical sites – you’ll probably even see some of the same budget car brands from home around the place. Renting a vehicle is relatively inexpensive, compared to other countries.
It is possible to enjoy Cyprus and visit all of the historical sites, beaches and the food that they have to offer even if you’re on a shoestring budget. Just remember to spend your time as closely as possible to the locals.