Protaras - Cyprus - advice, trips, ideas, money saving

nutmegman

Hi,

Me, the wife and two toddlers are off to Protaras in two week for a fortnight:beer:

Money is a little tight, does anyone have ideas on things to do see, saveing money etc etc

Dammam

Haven't been to Cyprus for a few years now but used to go quite regularly (though not Protaras).
If you're eating out, it used to be an idea to ask a (reputable company) taxi driver to take you somewhere nice and away from the main tourist drag - we found some great places with fantastic, reasonable priced food - on one occasion, we were even bought a bottle of wine by a couple of chaps at another table (one was the mayor apparently) because they thought it was great that tourists wanted to experience the 'real' Cyprus and not get bladdered in Limassol!
On my last visit, prices had got higher - the locals blamed the Russians who were apparently buying up a lot of land, but the local markets still provided good, reasonably priced food.
I'm not sure there's a huge amount to see around Protaras, and I doubt the toddlers will want to be carting around too much in a hire car in hot weather, so maybe the best thing is to stay close to the pool and relax when you aren't sampling the local food! Have an authentic meze and you'll feel like you couldn't eat another thing for weeks.
Why not get a lonely planet travel guide from the local library? I have a few guide books so if I find them I'll try to remember to post a few of the tips from them here.

Have a great time, it's a beautiful country.

notakid

Its a very British resort which closes in winter which has lovely beaches. Lots of bars and cafes on the main drag. We really enjoyed it there when our children where small as it is a very much a family resort. Are you going half board or s/c? There is a small funfair at one end which you might want to avoid if you are watching your money also I'm sure theres a water park close by which you could go to direct cheaper rather than using the rep. Thats a great day out.

foxyuk

nutmegman wrote:

Hi,

Me, the wife and two toddlers are off to Protaras in two week for a fortnight:beer:

Money is a little tight, does anyone have ideas on things to do see, saveing money etc etc

where abouts in protaras??? appts/ hotel name...... protaras is so big now and stretches to paralimmi etc

nutmegman

Staying at the brilliant apartments, the OH says it is in the centre just off the strip

Thanks

spender

Just returned (last Sunday). We stayed at the Capo Bay but friends stayed at the Brillant and really rated them. There is a mini golf near the capo bay will cost about 6.00 cyprus pounds for a round, great fun. Not a lot to do just walk up and down the strip only if you like only fools and horses bars, cheers bars, loveboat bars etc.

We went to Egypt for 3 days but would NOT recommend this for young children. Went on a Jeep Safari (also not for young children).

The sea is beautifully clear and your little ones will probably love the beach and the pool (could see the pool at the Brillant which looked great).

Local buses run to Aiya Napa (about 8 kms away) and various other places.

Food for 2 adults and 2 children (aged 8 and 9) starters, main courses plus a round of drinks (not pop for the adults) came to around 23-25 Cyprus pounds.

The food is not fantastic if you want traditional (because it is a made resort) but the No 1 Restaurant, Nicolas (down by the fountains at the opposite end of MacDonalds) and the Anatalia near the spinx are all OK. No 1 Restaurant the kiddie meals are 2.50 which include ice cream.

Plenty of supermarkets to stock up on drinks etc which we did to avoid paying hotel prices.

It was very hot when we were there but it is a dry heat which is far more pleasant than humidity.

You will have a great time. Can not comment on the water park because we ran out of time to get there but do not use the reps, plenty of local companies and the buses go there.

I suggest you go on the holidaytruths website they have great forum pages and the Cyprus pages give loads of information on Protaras etc. Also trip advisor has a large forum covering Cyprus.

spender

The Brillant apartments are off the main strip but ideally situated, the walk to the strip will not take you long at all.

JennyBigBum

We went to Proteras for our honeymoon and returned for many years. There is a fab place to eat called 'Nicholasas' (I think) near the end of the main town opposite a night club - he used to say 'If you don't like it, you don't have to pay!" - mind you, he had just opened then.
You may find that a few places are closed as their season will definitely be coming to an end by the time you travel.
Note that if you take the bus on a Sunday, you don't have to pay - unlike us idiots who couldn't believe that this could be the case
The sea is warm and clear and lovely - I am VERY jealous!
JBB

spender

Nicolas is still there and still have good food.

nutmegman

thanks for your response, what is the local larger like?

frizz_head

You could try using the holiday review websites, people not only review the Hotels/Apartments, but also the restaurants/bars/places to visit etc etc. I find them very useful when planning a holiday.

www.holidaywatchdog.com
www.holidays-uncovered.co.uk

HTH
Frizz