Safety

Emergency medical aid (the telephone number is 03) is free of charge for tourists from the 11 countries of the CIS, from Bulgaria, Romania, China, and Great Britain. This list is always extending. Citizens of other countries should obtain medical insurance before crossing the border. Drug stores work from 9 a.m. until 6-8 p.m. and are numerous. Pharmaceutical kiosks can also be found in hotels and large shops, and in every city there are "drug stores on duty ” that work round the clock.

Criminal activity at Crimean resorts is of much the same character as at summer resorts throughout the rest of the world, so it is necessary to be careful, and where possible to use hotel safes for valuables. Do not become too trusting with casual acquaintances, keep away from noisy parties, do not leave your things unattended (for example on a beach, or in the car) and do not carry large sums of cash.

Drinking Water. For preparing meals and for drinking, the Crimeans mostly use tap water. In mountain villages and towns, (where the water is supplied from mountain sources and reservoirs) the water tastes great. During droughts, the water supply can be faulty. When selecting a hotel, or indeed any accommodation, it makes sense to find out how reliable the water supply is first.

Toilets in hotels, restaurants and other paid urban establishments are usually of a good standard. However, in cheap boarding houses, camp sites, and small garages, you can come across common cess pits. Free toilets in cities and resorts have become a rarity.

Toilets are not provided in the electric suburban trains. On occasion it is possible to find a toilet in a cafe or a bar. In dining-rooms they are normally not provided, likewise only in very large shops. At the markets toilets are common.