Olympos Warnings and Dangers

The beach is used by nesting turtles! So please DO NOT throw rubbish on the beach! The animals can eat these and have a terrible death! Did you know it takes 300 years for a cigarette butt to degrade? Ie if you drop a cigarrrette butt on the beach it's gonna be around longer than you or me and is likely to kill an animal!

Also because turtles nest under the sand, please do not stick umbrellas in the sand or dig up the sand!!! You may be digging up a turtles nest! Turtles only start reproducing when they are around 30 years old, so lets give them a chance!!!!

We drove all the way between Cirali and the entrance of the national park. If you want to walk, it is not a long distance. But!!!!
When we were returning a big boar passed in front of our car. I do not want to face one of them while I am walking in the dark. Be careful!

Olympos beach is clean and protected as far as I've seen. First days we swam for hours and we did not see any garbage in the sea. But at the last days we saw bubles and greasy layer on the water. My friends told me that it was "bilge" (we call it sintine) and it was coming from the boats.
To see a beautiful water in this situation was a painful experience.

Sun goes down early in Olympos because of the mountains at the west. So, if it is autumn, it could be hard to swim after 5 pm. I recommend you to wake up early and enjoy the sea before sunset.

May be in summer time it will not be a problem. The weather can be hot enough to swim in the night.

When we went to visit Olympos, the only access route was flooded by what I think was the spring thaw. If you're visiting in the spring, don't be surprised if you have to park your car (or whatever) by the side of the road, roll up your pants, and wade through this crystal clear and FREEZING COLD mountain water with your shoes in your hands.

Please be advised when travelling to the Cirali / Olympos area that there are NO banks, ATM'S, Post office etc....you can however exchange foreign currancy of Euros, GBP or Dollars at most local shops or at the many small hotels and pensions located in Cirali or Olympos.

The closest ATM machine is15 kms located in Tekirova.

The nearest government banks or change offices to Cirali are located in the larger towns of Kumluca or Kemer and they are located about 30 minutes away. These towns can be accessed by private car or by the local bus system on either Fridays to Kumluca ( costs 10 Euros per person - round trip ) or to Kemer on Mondays ( costs 10 Euros per person - round trip ). The buses leave at about 9:30 am and get back around 2:30 pm.

On Fridays it is nice to visit the local produce market in Kumluca... a special treat away from the more touristic bazzars located in the bigger resort areas.

As Cirali is very small and it does not have a local bazaar day but there are plenty of little shops and markets to buy the necessary items you may need.

It is recommended that you stop off at a ATM or bank before you come to Cirali. Also if you are driving by a rental car make sure you have enough gas and again the closest gas station to Cirali is over 12 - 15 kms away.

The road to Olympos is not your average city asphalt. The buses are old, they might be crowded, people sweat and it might get to you... So if you think you're likely to get sick on the bumpy road to Olympos, buy a lemon before you board and suck it!

Trust me, I was sick all the way and when Nir thought getting a lemon, It was like the greatest cure!