The Akamas peninsula is the last big stretch of wild coast in Cyprus, a protected landscape of juniper scrub, limestone gorges and empty beaches with few paved roads. A jeep safari is the easiest way to see it, and this one, run from Paphos by ConstrucTOUR Travel Agency, is among the best reviewed, with a rating of 4.6 from more than 260 reviews on Viator. The day takes you north along the coast and onto dirt tracks to Avakas Gorge, where you walk between sheer walls that close in to a narrow cleft. Further on you reach Lara Bay, a sweeping sandy beach where loggerhead and green turtles nest in summer, and its turtle conservation station. After lunch at the fishing harbour of Latchi, the tour visits the Baths of Aphrodite grotto and the Edro III shipwreck before a wine tasting on the way back. It runs independently of boat schedules, so it is a reliable Akamas day in the cooler months.
How it works: you are collected in Paphos in the morning and travel in a four-wheel-drive vehicle with a driver-guide. The day lasts about eight hours, and cancellation is free up to twenty-four hours before. Lunch at Latchi is a stop on the itinerary; check the listing for whether your meal is included on the date you book.
What to expect: the tracks are bumpy and dusty, which is half the fun, and the guide stops for viewpoints and stories along the way. The Avakas walk is short but rocky, with some scrambling over boulders and, after rain, wet ground; guides decide on the day how far to go. Lara Bay is broad and usually almost empty outside high summer, and the turtle station explains the protection programme even when no nests are active.
Making the most of it: wear trainers or walking shoes with grip, not sandals, and bring a light layer, since the Akamas is breezy in winter. Pack water, sun cream and a swimsuit in case the guide allows a dip. If you also want the sea view of the coast, book the Blue Lagoon boat trip for another day, weather permitting.
What to expect
The experience
A full-day guided 4x4 tour on dirt tracks through the Akamas, with a short gorge walk and stops at Lara Bay, Latchi, the Baths of Aphrodite and a winery.
Best time
Autumn, winter and spring, when the gorge is cool and the tracks are less dusty; it does not depend on calm seas.
How long
About eight hours from pickup to drop-off, with about an hour on foot in total.
Tips
Wear closed shoes with grip for the rocks in Avakas Gorge and bring a windproof layer for the open tracks.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Active travellers who want to see the wild side of Cyprus and a gorge walk without hiring a 4x4 themselves.
- Families
- Great for older children who enjoy a bumpy ride and a scramble; very young children may find the day long.
- Couples
- A fun, sociable day out; finish with a quiet dinner in Paphos old town after the wine tasting.
- Pair with
- The Blue Lagoon boat day for the sea side of the peninsula, on a calm day.
- Time needed
- A full day.
Good questions
Does the jeep safari run in winter?+
Land-based safaris are the most reliable way to see the Akamas in the cooler months, since they do not depend on calm seas. Very heavy rain can change the route, so the guide decides on the day.
How hard is the Avakas Gorge walk?+
It is short but rocky, with uneven ground and some boulders to step over. Most reasonably mobile people manage it in good shoes.
Will I see turtles at Lara Bay?+
Turtles nest on the beach in summer, so sightings are not expected in winter. The conservation station explains the protection programme year-round.
Does the tour visit the Blue Lagoon?+
The product name mentions it, but the published stops focus on Avakas, Lara, Latchi, the Baths of Aphrodite and a winery. If swimming in the lagoon matters, book the boat trip as well.
Is it suitable for people with back problems?+
The dirt tracks are bumpy, so it is not ideal for anyone with back or neck problems, or for pregnant travellers. A boat trip is a gentler way to see the coast.
