Bodrum Tourist Traps

Be very, very careful when you change money in some exchange offices that promise no commission. My sister was cheated by the exchange office at the bottom of bar street in Gumbet (opposite Central Bar). I had no difficulties here but my sister lost YTL on a bad exchange - she didn't realise until we walked away and compared our transactions but by then it was too late to rectify the mistake.

Unique Suggestions: Check the exchange rate and if possible calculate the expected amount on a calculator (I used my mobile phone) - this way you can tell them what to give you and it avoids all confusion and possible loss of money on your part.
Check the money you receive in front of the exchange office teller.

Fun Alternatives: Use your credit or debit card in Turkey (although this does incur a charge)
Change money at a recommended and reputable office or your hotel

Once you have passed passport control at Bodrum Milas airport, the prices are all in euros and they are incredibly high, both in the cafeteria and the souvenir shop. I cannot comment on the duty free shop prices as I did not buy anything there.

Examples in July 2007:
one large beer = 12 euros!
a crap plastic toy: 15 euros!
a box of Turkish delights= 6 euros! (price in Bodrum = 5 or 5 liras i.e almost half the price)

Unique Suggestions: Ask to pay in liras, it will be cheaper than euros. Do not buy any food, it all looked greasy and pricey.

Fun Alternatives: Buy what you want to bring back in Bodrum in liras. You will have a better selection and save money. If you have forgotten to buy souvenirs, then buy something in the little shop near the toilets BEFORE passport control where the selection is almost as good and prices are in liras and more realistic!

Try not to be too taken in by the large numbers of street sellers that wander round Bodrum from early evening into the wee small hours. Cute children and old ladies try to sell you flowers and bracelets and the young children in particular can be quite intense. Some bar owners will get rid of them if they are harrassing you but others encourage the practice. It can be quite overpowering, especially when the children are often dressed very shabbily and look in need - there is a pressure to buy. They appear at the bars near bar street every evening and often the bars a little outside the centre.

Unique Suggestions: The best way we have avoided the continued hassle is to buy one bracelet early on in your trip and have it handy to wear when the sellers are lurking. This way you can say no without being too grumpy about it and show them you have bought already.

Try to book your excursions (to Dalyan, Ephesus, Pammukale etc) with your tour operator or a travel agency recommended to you. There are so many people in Bodrum offering to sell you excursions at a fraction of the price of the tour operator but all is not what it seems and you may find that you see less of the site and more of the carpet warehouse or Jewellery discount store!! Ask lots of questions about insurance and what you get for the money before you book. Avoid paying all the money up front unless you really have to. The Turkish urge to sell often belies the hidden flaws (such as taking you to the Jewellery store you didn't want to go to and leaving you there in the hot sun for ages while the grumpy guide tries to find the coach etc). Stick with the tour operator - it will cost more but will invariably be better quality!

We read a tip about the amazing bay "Paradise bay" near the atami hotel (near Golturkbuku). We drove to the village and following a tough uphill road (jeeps are an advantage here...) for 15 mins until we got to the hotel. The bay (I assume) is accessible via a path from the hotel - but the receptionist from the hotel ran after us, asking for 15 YTL (~10 euros) each for the privilege of entering the bay. We skipped.

SO maybe a stay at the atami is worthwhile. However, if you only want to visit the bay in my opinion the price is a rip-off.

Fun Alternatives: Go to one of the many free beaches instead !

In Turkey there is no law on copyright which means that on the street you will find tons of shops selling fake designer clothes, bags, shoes, etc. Still some will try to tell you its the real one (since some copies are perfect) and will try to sell it to you for nearly the same price as the original!! Never buy something expensive at those shops, you can better buy it in the real shops for a bit more money and be assured that its real. If you wanna buy a fake designer shirt for example then always try to get down the price, they start high and its normal to discuss the price till its lower. Try it, it works!!

Unique Suggestions: Discuss the price and when you are in a doubt just dont do it! There are more shops and more occasions where you will be able to buy the same!

In Turkey there is no law on copyright which means that on the street you will find tons of shops selling fake designer clothes, bags, shoes, etc. Still some will try to tell you its the real one (since some copies are perfect) and will try to sell it to you for nearly the same price as the original!! Never buy something expensive at those shops, you can better buy it in the real shops for a bit more money and be assured that its real. If you wanna buy a fake designer shirt for example then always try to get down the price, they start high and its normal to discuss the price till its lower. Try it, it works!!

Unique Suggestions: Discuss the price and when you are in a doubt just dont do it! There are more shops and more occasions where you will be able to buy the same!

You can forget windowshopping or just go in a store and have a look when you go shopping in Bodrum.
From the instant you stop before a store salesmen come out and want to drag you in their store and make you buy stuff. You will here the phrases 'Hello where you from' and 'I will make a nice price for u' a lot.
The same in most restaurants and bars.

Unique Suggestions: If you're not intrested in buying something just walk away when they start talking to you and say you're not intrested.