How to make Turkey holidays safe
Answering the questions like "is Ovacik safe", "is it safe to go to Kalkan", "holidays in Turkey is it safe", "is Hisaronu safe" we must admit that Turkey is generally a safe destination excluding areas close to the border with Syria. Bring your friends and family to Turkey and experience just how friendly the Turkish people are. They welcome strangers into their country and into their homes with open arms. Turkey is not only friendly it is as safe as Europe and North America. You can find out more about Turkish traditions at dedicated page.
You can safely enjoy Turkey’s unique landscapes however, as with all travel at home or away you should observe the same precautions with your personal safety in Turkey. Here you will find practical information about Fethiye and Oludeniz safety, travel insurance, the health facilities and services available. Please check Fethiye Travel Advice List below.
Travel Insurance and Medical Services
A travel insurance policy for holidays in Turkey that covers you for theft, loss, accidents and medical problems before you leave home is highly recommended. You may wonder, what holiday travel insurance do i need for Turkey? If you plan on doing any adventure activities like scuba diving, white water rafting or paragliding, check that your policy fully covers these activities. Remember to bring your holiday insurance policy details and emergency contact numbers and with you. A lot of people wonder is Turkey in Europe for travel insurance and does European Travel Insurance cover Turkey, by other words are EHIC cards valid in Turkey? Please notice that the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is not valid in Turkey, so you will need dedicated holiday insurance policy for travel to Turkey.
Turkey's public health care system is presented by two types – state run and private healthcare and both are providing with world-class medical facilities and standards of care. The Turkish private healthcare system is striving to become a strategic global health service provider manufacturing center accommodating not only the regional medical needs but also the needs provided throughout the world. The Medical Tourism is getting more and more popular - Turkey is presently recognized as a competitive and high technology healthcare destination treating thousands of foreign patients from Europe and neighboring countries every month.
Travel medications and vaccinations for Turkey
Do you need injections for Turkey? No special immunizations, jabs or vaccinations for Turkey holidays are required. However, regulations and medical advice can change at short notice, so check with your doctor and the relevant Turkish Government websites before you leave home.
Medicine brought into Turkey for personal use is free import and should not be declared on your arrival. It is recommended you bring a prescription or letter from your doctor outlining your medical condition and the medicine you are carrying. If you need to obtain prescription medicine while you are here, the prescription must be written by a doctor in Turkey – almost all private doctors speak English so you will not have any communication problems.
Accessible Travel
Much time and effort has been spent in recent years to ensure that travelling with a disability will not stop you enjoying all that Turkey has to offer. Turkey became much more accessible destination, like more rooms for disabled people in the accommodation facilities, new barrier free hotels for all and new regulations for accessible tourism in transportation.
Sun protection
Another aspect of Turkey holiday safety is the Turkish sun that is very strong in the southern part of Turkey and can burn your skin, so we recommend using a high factor sun cream at regular intervals, even if it is a cloudy day.
In Fethiye region during July and August the sun is at its hottest so during these months please avoid the sun from midday to around 3.00pm, take the opportunity of shade and make sure you drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration at these times.
Water Fethiye and Oludeniz Safety in Turkey
The public beaches located in Turkey are safe for swimming, so the only danger to swimming is alcohol – please do not swim drunk.
The country of Turkey has Mediterranean climate and it can be very hot so it is recommended to drink a lot, much more then you usually need in the north. Can you drink tap water in Turkey? Tap water is safe for drinking in Turkey though it is hard and does carry lime scale so we would recommend drinking bottled water since it is very cheap.
If you intend to go diving then for your safety please do it taking scuba diving tour.
Wildlife
Wildlife in Turkey is filled with fauna similar to that of the Balkans - bears, lynxes, wild boar, deer, chamois, otters, foxes, camels, buffaloes and a handful of increasingly rare leopards.
The birdlife is of an astounding diversity, with a multitude of raptors, including the majestic eagles and vultures. Migratory species fly over Anatolia twice a year: cranes, storks, countless raptors (black kite, vultures, hawks and eagles).
Some species of the marine fauna, such as the Mediterranean seal and the Caretta Caretta turtle, have sought refuge in the crystalline waters of the Mediterranean and Aegean Seas. Surrounded by four seas (the Black, Marmara, Aegean and Mediterranean Seas), Turkey is home to an impressive plethora of fish so you are very welcome to take fishing tour in Fethiye. Several species of bream, sea wolf, red mullet, and other Mediterranean species thrive in its waters, in addition to the hamsi (a type of anchovy) found in the Black Sea, which is one of the most prized dishes of the Turkish people. Large scale sea and freshwater fish breeding businesses produce bass, breams and trout.
Turkey does have poisonous snakes and spiders, but bites are extremely rare because they are afraid of people and stay out of populated areas. If bitten, you should seek immediate medical attention.
Some plants found in Turkey include: pine, cedar of Lebanon, juniper, plane trees, oak, olive, carob, bay, wild strawberry trees, Judas trees, broom, citrus trees, oleander, pomegranate, bougainvillea, figs, tamarisk, eucalyptus, maquis along the coast, sea squill, poppies, daisies, anenomes, snowdrops, gladiolius, cyclamen, iris, jonquils, thyme, oregano, daphne, myrtle, tulips, fritillaries, hyacinths and crocus. The number of species throughout Turkey is over 80,000.
Natural disasters
From time to time Turkey experiences a range of natural disasters including forest fires, earthquakes and tremors. You should familiarise yourself with safety procedures in the event of an earthquake and follow any advice given by the local authorities.
Emergency Services
To call the Turkey Emergency Services please dial the appropriate Nationwide emergency phone numbers: 112 for ambulance, 155 for city police, 156 for local police (Jandarma), 110 for fire service, 177 for forest fire, 158 for coast guard. The full list of useful phone numbers in Fethiye you may find at dedicated page.
