Useful Information

Latest FCO Advice (May 2022)

The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), is not valid in Turkey. Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation. You should check whether your health insurance policy includes coverage for COVID-19."

"If you need emergency medical assistance during your trip, dial 112 and ask for an ambulance. You should contact your insurance/medical assistance company promptly if you are referred to a medical facility for treatment.

Newly-opened in June 2019, Eczane Batu is on the main street, opposite the Tea Garden. The pharmacist (Oktay) speaks excellent English and is extremely helpful in the case of minor ailments.

The pharmacy is open year-round, every day between 08:30 and 22:30.

Contact telephone number: +90 (0)252 476 7678

At the time of publishing (Spring 2022) there are no private medical facilities in the village. We will update this page should this situation change. In the meantime we suggest you seek local advice from the pharmacy or your accommodation.

The "International Patient Assistance Unit Interpretation and Call Center" has been established in order to provide easy access to healthcare services for patients visiting Turkey for purposes of health tourism or tourists' health.  The centre provides services in six languages including English, German and French. Contact telephone number:  +90 (0)850 288 38 38

From the 1st July 2022, an ambulance will be in Turunç 24 hours a day supported by two paramedics. This has been made possible by a voluntary effort to upgrade the paramedics' staff accommodation. A huge 'thank you' to everyone who donated, to Rebecca Can for organising the fundraising, and to Ali Gökçe who organised the work. The current arrangement is only in place for the holiday season but negotiations are underway to make it permanent.

While we hope no-one ever needs to use this service, it is reassuring that emergency medical help is nearby without the lengthy delay of driving over the mountain from Marmaris.

Ambulance - 112

There is no bank in Turunç village; the nearest ones are in Marmaris. However, there are several cashpoint machines available near the mosque.

These accept Visa, MasterCard and Maestro cards for cash withdrawals. Some machines offer sterling or euros in addition to lira.

Many local businesses offer currency exchange services - shop or ask around for the best rates,  The PTT also offers currency exchange and rates are generally good.

There are public payphones on the main street which require you to purchase a phone card for use. These cards are available at many shops, in various amounts depending on the credit offered. The country code for the UK is 0044 and then dial the relevant number but remember to omit the initial 0 of that number.

Most mobile phones will work in Turkey as the major UK mobile service providers have agreements with Turkish mobile companies. Remember that you will be charged a roaming fee (for using the Turkish service provider) as well as the charge of the call at UK rates. This also applies if someone calls your mobile from the UK.

Many bars and restaurants offer a free WiFi service for their customers.

The village Post Office is easily recognised by the standard yellow and blue PTT sign.

For 2021, thePost Office has relocated to the small side street down the side of the Chef Supermarket, across the road from the Fidan Bar.

It offers all the usual postal services as well as excellent foreign exchange.

The Jandarma is a branch of the Turkish Armed Forces and it is responsible for the maintenance of the public order in areas that fall outside the jurisdiction of police forces (generally in rural areas like Turunç).  The Jandarma headquarters in the village are at the harbour.

Useful emergency numbers:

• Ambulance - 112

• Jandarma - 156

• Fire - 110

• Forest Fire - 177

• Coastguard - 158

As with many foreign countries, whilst the local water is perfectly safe to drink, the high mineral content may well cause visitors some problems.

It is probably advisable to stick to bottled water which is readily available and inexpensive.

Various bottle sizes and brands are available from all supermarkets and shops. Larger bottles can be delivered by the "water man" who has a shop around the corner from the Palette Bar.

High summer in Turunç can be hot and humid and, even though you may not have pools of sweat on your body, you will still be losing vital bodily fluids from sweating. Medical advice indicates that it's important to keep drinking to avoid de-hydration and you should be careful during the day as some common drinks (like coffee and beer!) are diuretics and make the situation worse. It is also not wise to just drink water. Sweat is not just water, it contains various salts that the body uses as electrolytes and for other functions. Simply drinking water does not replace these salts and can also make the situation worse by flushing out these necessary minerals leading to a washed-out, lethargic feeling.