Ayia Napa really does have something for everyone. And contrary to popular belief It certainly isn’t just a clubbers paradise.
BEACHES AT AYIA NAPA
There are several good beaches in Ayia Napa but we only managed to visit 2 of these. Nissi beach has lovely blue/green sea, and you can walk out quite far without ever being more than 5 feet deep in the water. The amenities at the beach too are also very good. Good Sunbeds, good selection of water sports, and food and drink is also available. The beach is about a quarter of a mile long and in one part of it there is even music with a dj. This is actually quite nice. Its not a constant boom boom boom, but more of a relaxing loud but not too loud soothing sort of music. This beach is always busy and densely populated so some people may prefer to try a quieter less busy beach. Other than this the only thing that I detested was cigarette butts all over the place. I mean the beach is clean, but the smoking tourists really don’t give a damn, and the beach is literally covered in these butts. All around the sun beds and even the tide mark is nothing but a line of butts. So
please smokers I don’t have anything against smoking but please put yer butts out and put them somewhere tidy. Yuk!
CAR HIRE
There is no shortage of car hire places in Ayia Napa. I would recommend you shop around for the best deal. There are a whole load of different offers out there. It is possible to hire a car for CYPŁ80 for 3 days or CYPŁ60 for 2 days via Ham Yam and for this you can get a brand new jeep (Up to 1-year-old) This was the best deal I found having checked 4 different outlets. I counted 8 though and there were probably more. But I didn’t want to waste a whole day of my holiday trying to save a few pounds. I found a good deal and took it. When you arrange your car hire you have to pay the full cost of your hire up front together with the cost of a full tank of fuel (Approx CYPŁ25) and you are unlikely to get a refund on any unused fuel. Credit Cards are widely accepted for larger payments.
ACCOMODATION
We stayed in Thalasakki Beach Village and I find it impossible to criticise anything. Everything is pristine which it should be being less than 2 years old. If you stay here you just could not be disappointed. This accommodation is 4 star and I would highly recommend it. It is suitable for families or couples. Not suitable for groups of teenagers. For anybody traveling or considering Thalasakki then go on. Let me see Its Clean (Spotless) cleaners in for service on a rota system. You get service followed by full service followed by no service and then back to service etc., Tidy, very comfortable. Nice big clean bathroom with a huge glass mirror. Loads of towels changed as often as you like. The shower is brilliant and never runs out of hot water. Free TV and Free Air con. Toaster, Kettle. Patio. The swimming pool area is also unslippy and it is very safe for kids as the pool has clear water and it starts at one end at 0cm deep and gradually gets deeper until half way it is about 2 feet deep and this is clearly marked. These tiles are light blue. The other half of the pool has dark blue tiles and goes to about 6 feet in total. The length of the pool will be 30 meters. There is no life guard on duty but can’t see that one is necessary. There are 2 bars a shop and 24 hour reception. A lift is also available in the hotel. Nighttime entertainment is available too but this is nothing special – usually just something that the reps do. But having said that they do a good job of it. Kids club also available (But not at night).
WATER PARK
Ayia Napa water park was built only recently, so everything is very safe and up-to-date. Called Waterworld it boasts some of the best water slides in the world. A few of them are the best in the world in some form or another. They are either the highest, fastest, deepest, steepest, original or something. There is something here for all ages. The only down side is that there is a lot of height restrictions. 1.04 metres is a cut off point. If you are under this height there really isn’t too much for you. If you are over this then there is plenty you can go on. But you have to be about 1.45 metres for some of the other rides. The water park cost us Ł35 for 2 Adults and 1 child but you will likely be handed a card offering you 20% discount whilst you are walking the streets of Ayia Napa at night. So this is worthwhile. You can hire a locker for CYPŁ3.00. The lifeguards are dedicated to safety and are very strict, but friendly too.
TAXIS
Taxi Prices do not appear to be set prices and you should agree a price before you get in the cab otherwise you will be conned. A 5 minute ride from Thalasakki to Waterworld cost us CYPŁ5 on the way there but only CYPŁ4 on the way back. A lot more expensive that the Canary Islands.
EATING OUT
I can’t tell you what is expensive and what isn’t. I will let you make up your own minds. Our first night out we went to a restauarant called Royal Viking and the meal for 2 Adults consisting of only 1 Course plus Garlic Bread and 2 drinks each cost CYPŁ35.00. On our second night a similar sort of meal but from a set menu at Clarabelles cost only Ł18.00. If you like chinese food then try the Dragon. It has excellent service, food and is very reasonable cost. Typical 2 course meal for 2 with bottle of wine would be less than CYPŁ20.
For breakfast we tried Gary’s Bar & Grill , who did a great English breakfast. They even did Coco pops and Frosties to keep the kids happy. Approx CYP Ł7 for 3 people including a drink each. Dont ask where Gary is though!
NIGHTLIFE
There is an abundance of bars. At the time of year that we went (October 2002) however there just wasn’t enough people to fill them all and gradually they were closing throuhout the 2 weeks that we were there. Some of the bars were desperate for business and were offering Pints for CYPŁ1 and cocktails also for CYPŁ1.Needless to say I took advatage of this and ended up witha sore head the next day.
All in all a great family holiday.
DP
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Oct 26th, 2002
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