First timers in Marmaris often find themselves in a bit of confusion. Marmaris Travel Guide is really helpful if you arrive here with some useful hints and tips already in your mind. Let us discuss some local information that comes in handy for travellers visiting the town.
Local Transportation
The local minibus services in Marmaris are called by the name- ‘Dolmus’. Dolmus services in Marmaris are colour-coded. Green colour minibuses run within the town, orange buses ply in between Marmaris and Icmeler, Bordeaux buses run in between Marmaris and Beldibi, blue buses run in between Marmaris and Armutalan and Marmaris Yalanci Bay buses are pink in colour. Though these buses have assigned stops, most of them stop anywhere you flag down the dolmus. The journey fare is written on the sign over the driver’s seat and you are required to pay the fare as you get on board the bus.
To continue your travel to Datca, Gokova, Hisaronu or Turnuc Bays, you will have to get to the Marmaris Bus Station located on the town outskirts or take a car on hire. If you need to travel for farther distances, you can choose from many bus lines and travel companies offering the services. The northern end of the Marmaris Dancing Fountains in the center has ticket sales offices for bus lines offering travel services.
Taxis in Marmaris are distinct with their yellow colour. The taxi meter shows the fare you need to pay appropriate to the distance you travel. As Marmaris has a better public transport system, it is good that you make use of this system. Moreover, taxi services are expensive in this resort town!
Banks and Exchange Offices
Banks in Marmaris are open from 9:00 am through 5:00 pm (lunch break between 12:00 noon and 1:30 pm) on weekdays. Certain banks are also open for half day on Saturdays. However, Exchange offices are open everyday up to 11:00 pm. Some of the hotels also provide exchange services, but the best place to go is an Exchange Bureau. There are many Cash Dispensers in Marmaris. Foreign currency and credit cards are accepted but Scottish Pound, torn and soiled notes are not entertained. Banks and currency offices charge up to 10% on Traveller’s cheques. Hence, carrying them here is not a good option.
Drinking Water
Tap water in Marmaris and Icmeler areas is chlorinated. Therefore, it is better to opt for bottled drinking water easily available everywhere. Tap water used for drinking or making ice has to be sterilized or boiled before use. A water source labelled as ”icilmez” is not fit for drinking, sources labelled as” icilir”, ”icilebilir ”or ”icme suyu” can be used for drinking. Bottled spring water is also available widely. Pasteurized milk is used in Turkey. When the weather is hot, consume more quantities of safe water. Remember that alcoholic drinks are not good remedies to cure your dehydration.
Electricity & Electrical Appliances
The current voltage is 220 Volts AC in all parts of Turkey. Sometimes, overloads and power cuts may occur in Marmaris and Icmeler. Most of the commercial centers and administrative offices use generators in case a power cut occurs. Electrical items that you bring in here can easily work with a two pin adapter.
Emergency and Useful Services
There are private and state hospitals, surgery doctors and clinics all over Marmaris and Icmeler. There are three hospitals in Marmaris and doctors, opticians and dentists can speak English. Though you are charged per visit, the medical expenses can be claimed once you return back to your country. It is highly recommended that you hold a proper medical health insurance while you enter into Turkey.
The emergency contact numbers are:
Marmaris Fire Department-110
Marmaris Police -155
Marmaris Medical Emergency /Ambulance Services-112
Marmaris Coast guard-158
Shopping
With its rich variety of craft and traditional goods, Turkey is regarded as Shoppers’ Paradise! Market places in Turkey range from being modern boutiques, traditional bazaars and bustling markets. Turkey is known for its carpets, embroidery, handicrafts, ceramics, precious jewellery, various metal wares and fine leather goods. The only difficulty with shopping in Marmaris is that it is hard to choose from hundreds of tempting bargains. It is better to keep receipts of purchases you make. In case there has been any overcharging, you can contact the local police or the Directorate of Consumer Protection.
Phone, GSM & Internet System
Public telephones are easily available all over Turkey. Pay phones can be operated using telephone cards of different units. A telephone number within the town has 7 digits and you can call that number by directly dialing the 7 digits. For a telephone number outside the town, you have to find an appropriate three digit code of that area and also prefix ‘0’ before that code. Thus you have an 11-digit number to call a number out of the town.
For Operator Assisted Calls, you need to dial 131 for local calls and 115 for international calls. To make an international call from Turkey, you need to dial 00 + Country Code + Area Code + Telephone Number. Similarly, you need to dial 00+ 90 (Turkey Country Code) + 252 (Mugla Area Code) + 4177131 to call our office in Marmaris.
Turkish mobile numbers have ten digits and you need to prefix ‘0’ in the beginning to call a mobile number. Roaming is applicable with mobile numbers in Turkey and hence you need to activate your roaming facility with your service provider before entering turkey. Foreign mobile numbers get locked upon completing 30 days of your stay in Turkey. Therefore, declare your number with the Customs authorities while entering into Turkey to continue your mobile services beyond 30 days.
Internet services are available mostly in the old town area and most of the hotels. Some of the cafes and restaurants provide wireless internet services. ‘Netpass cards’ needed for internet activation in your devices can be purchased at nominal charges.
Time System
Time system in Turkey is +2 hours of the GMT from October to March and +3 hours of GMT between April and September.
Sun Protection
Temperatures in Turkey during August could soar up to 45 degree C. A high factor sun tan is essential to protect your skin. Also make sure that you build up your tan slowly, tanning all at once can make you ill. Drink more water to keep you hydrated. Children must be protected with hats and give them more water to drink.
Currency
Turkish Lira is the official currency in vogue. 100 Kurus make one Turkish Lira. Currency notes of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 Turkish Lira (TL) are in circulation. The denominations of coins are in 1, 5, 10, 25, and 50 Kurus and 1 TL.
Smoking
Smoking is banned in public buildings owned by the administrative offices, public transport systems, airports, movie theatres and such other places. However, there is not too much emphasis on banning smoking at other places.
Liquor Laws
Turkey is predominantly a Muslim country, but alcoholic drinks are readily available at most times in liquor stores and supermarkets. Bars remain open until late night and there are places where alcohol parties run until early morning. Most of the Turks do not consume alcohol in public or behave indecently in public under the influence of alcohol. However, one must be at least 18 years of age to purchase or consume alcoholic drinks. If the seller suspects you’re underage, documents like passport or a driving license can be used to show your proof of age while buying alcoholic drinks.
Drinking and driving
Driving under alcohol influence is a criminal offense in Turkey. And the same applies to riding a bike and even the bicycle. Persons with blood alcohol limit over 0.5 are prohibited from driving any vehicle. Persons with an excess of 1.8 blood alcohol reading can be fined, taken to court and even banned temporarily from driving any vehicles.
Hygiene
Though a high level of hygienic standard is maintained at most places, high temperature, humidity and instances of food poisoning may cause Traveller’s Diarrhoea in some visitors. Travelers are advised to practice safe eating and drinking habits and pay more attention to personal hygiene. Strictly practice hand washing after visiting the toilet and more particularly before you eat something. Always adhere to food and drinks safety tips to protect yourself from any infections.
• Always consume fresh cooked and well covered food items, if you have the habit of eating your food while it is hot, it is even better;
• Prefer eating fresh fruits that you peel yourself rather than already peeled fruits;
• Use pasteurized milk and milk products only, check if the items like ice-creams are made using pasteurized milk;
• Do not ever consume uncovered foods that have become cold to touch;
• Always drink canned and packaged drinking water;
• Do not brush your teeth using contaminated water;
• Make sure that the ice you use is made using safe and sterilized water;
• Always check the labels of the food items you purchase and avoid foods that you are allergic to;
• Make sure that the place you stay is maintained well and places like bathrooms, toilets, washbasins have better sanitation standard as well, etc.
Use your common sense, be vigilant and play safe. Enjoy your holidays in Turkey with responsibility.
Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes in Turkey are quite tenacious but there are very rare instances of malaria. To have a comfortable sleep (especially when you have a night-out on the deck of a gullet), it is recommended that you carry a proven mosquito repellent.
Hope Marmaris Travel Guide and suggestions will be helpful for you to enjoy your holidays at places in and around Marmaris.
