Cape Town Guide Sections:

• Visa & Immigration
• Survival Basics
• Cost of Living
• Accommodation
• Communications
• Money
• What To Take
• Health
• Local Transport
• Shopping
• Sightseeing

Visa & Immigration

Tourist Visa Required?

For US citizen: No
For UK citizen: No

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Length of stay allowed as a tourist? 90 days

How to get from the airport?

Taxis: Taxis in Cape Town are a hit and miss affair. If you are arriving at night, in the dark, it is advisable not to take a taxi unless you can see the condition the car is in and that it is a registered taxi.

Transfers: It is advisable to arrange a transfer prior to your arrival - your hotel or accomodation should be able to help you with this. One further safe and cost effective option is the Backpacker Bus - you can see their rates and book online.

Basics of Survival

Main currency accepted?

The South African Rand

Where can I get cash from?

There are some well-known ATM scams around Cape Town; the safest places to use ATMs are inside banks or shopping malls.

Primary language spoken?

English is very widely spoken and you will not need to speak Afrikaans or any local dialect; you may find you sometimes have difficulty understanding the locals at times due to strong accents.

When should I go?

Being in the southern hemisphere means that summer is between mid-October and mid-February and winter is between May to July.

One of the best times to go to Cape Town is Autumn when the weather is hot & sunny during th day and balmy in the evenings.

One thing to note in Cape Town, especially if you stay around the coastal areas or in the southern suburbs is the wind; it can be very strong.

What type of plugs do I need?

Three-pronged plugs for which you will need special adapters. You can purchase them here for most foreign plugs.

Availability of business equipment (laptop, phone, cables etc.)?

Electronic goods are available to purchase but are typically quite expensive. The best places to head are the Victoria Wharf Mall (at the V&A Waterfront where there’s an Apple shop), Century City or if you have a car, go to somewhere like the Java Cafe in Claremont which has cheap software and hardware.

What is the crime situation really like?

Whilst crime in South Africa is publicised as a major problem, if you take the usual precautions you should experience no problems during your stay. Particular points to note include:

• If you can avoid going out in the dark, then this is wise especially if you’re on your own and in an unfamiliar part of town.
• Robberies frequently take place at gunpoint so rather than be a hero, just give up your stuff and you’ll usually be able to walk away.

Where should I avoid?

• The townships unless on an organised tour.
• Streets which look and feel run-down; it’s usually quite obvious which streets should be avoided and which ones are safer.

Cost of Living

What can I expect to pay monthly for a furnished 1 bedroom apartment?

December to January is high season; apartment prices tend to rise sharply during this time. At other times, you should expect to pay between 5,000-8,000 rand (between £300-500/$600-1,000) per month for a fully furnished apartment depending upon location.

How much does a basket of groceries cost for 2 people for 2 days?
- Assume this would include 2 packets of meat, some vegetables, a bottle of water or other soft drink, some eggs, some cheese, some fruit, pasta/rice/potatoes.

The two main supermarkets are Pick & Pay and Checkers; there’s also Woolworths which is a Marks & Spencer equivalent and sells more organic food. Expect to pay around 200 rand (£12/$25) for a basket of groceries (non organic) and slightly more for organic food.

What would I pay for an expensive meal out?

Spending 250 rand (£15/$30) per person would be considered expensive in Cape Town; although there are some more upmarket restaurants in the centre which cater to this type of market.

What can I expect to pay for an average meal out?

You can eat a good quality meal for an average of 100 rand (£7/$13) per person at many places in and around Cape Town and for far less at some cheaper places in town and in the suburbs.

Where To Stay

Unless you’re a real city person (in which case look for places around the City Bowl), you’ll find some very nice areas of Cape Town along the coast, just outside the centre.

Along the Atlantic Seaboard, these include:

• Camps Bay
• Sea Point
• Clifton
• Hout Bay

Whilst these are some of the nicest places to stay, they’re also more expensive and especially during high season and summer, you’re unlikely to get somewhere for the prices mentioned above. Most of them are very small towns along with one or two streets lined with cafes, bars & restaurants along the seafront and not much else.

Some of the southern suburbs include:

• Constantia
• Observatory
• Rondebosch
• Retreat
• Tokai

Again due to their proximity to Cape Town, these suburbs are likely to be more expensive, in particular Constantia which is home to some of the oldest wineries in South Africa and is a lovely, leafy but very upmarket area.

Some of the cheaper accommodation options can be found in the southern part of the peninsular. These include:

• Muizenberg
• Kalk Bay
• Fish Hoek
• Simonstown

Situated along a beautiful coastline but still only a 20 minute drive away from the city, these areas are highly recommended (we stayed in Muizenberg for 3 months and loved it!). Due to their location and distance slightly further away from the city centre, costs for apartments are lower than those areas closer to the city. The commuter train runs a regular schedule to each of these towns and is relatively safe.

Where to Find Furnished Accommodation

Suggestion 1: CapeStay.co.za

Comment: A comprehensive website with a good range of accommodation options.

Suggestion 2: Capetown-direct.com

Comment: Another good website with a good range of furnished, self catering apartments to choose from.

Communications

What’s the availability of high speed internet really like?

High speed internet is readily and widely available in Cape Town but works out to be quite expensive due to the way it is charged.

Usage is billed on a data download/upload basis - many of the rental apartments will have a capped limit (typically about 3GB for the month) so you will need to arrange to increase this or risk being cut off if you’re a heavy user.

Wireless roaming is available via the Skyrove service and similarly, you buy credits for as much data as you plan to use and top this up when needed. This is less likely to be available the further away from the city centre however.

Internet cafes are fairly popular - they’re infinitely cheaper outside of the city centre - with one of the most expensive ones situated at Victoria Wharf where you’ll pay 50 rand (£3/$6) for an hour (in Muizenberg, you’ll pay 50 rand for 5 hours).

Where’s the best place to get pre-paid SIM card?

Vodacom is one of the main carriers and has a booth in the arrivals lounge at the airport where you can purchase a pay-as-you-go SIM card.

Is free wireless available?

Wireless access is available via the Skyrove service; it’s not free and you buy bundles of data.

Quite a few cafes offer free wireless access, although many advertise wireless access which is accessed via the Skyrove service, so is not free.

Is is safe to carry your laptops around?

If you’re in the centre of Cape Town and you stick to the main areas, you should be safe carrying your laptop around in a bag. It wouldn’t be recommended to take your laptop and be seen out and about with it frequently.

It’s also advisable not to take a laptop on the commuter train or on public transport.

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What To Take

What kind of clothes will I need?

Cape Town is a very casual and laid back city; even in some of the smarter establishments you’ll see people in shorts and t-shirts especially for lunch. In the evening however, you may find that long trousers are more appropriate.

Any specific items that aren’t available?

Most items can be purchase in and around Cape Town.

Health

What’s the emergency services number to call?

In the event of an emergency, it’s advisable to call one of the major private clinics if you have travel/health insurance.

Police = 10111
Ambulance services = 10177

Can I drink tap water?

Yes.

Are there any specific health risks (diseases etc.) I need to know about?

Most waters around South Africa are shark-infested so you should heed the local warnings and only swim when advised. HIV/Aids is also a problem in South Africa so take the necessary precautions.

What are mosquitoes like for foreigners?

Mosquitoes are generally not a problem in Cape Town, unless it’s hot and the usual winds drop.

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Getting Around

What transport options are there?

Public transport isn’t as easy and safe as other global cities although if you stay in the southern suburbs, you can get the commuter train in relative safety.

Ensure you pay for a first class ticket (not expensive) as these are generally the safer carriages and you’ll find more tourists/affluent locals and security guards here.

For the safest way to get around, hiring a car is preferable and you can usually negotiate preferable rates with local companies that start from around 290 rand (£18/$30) per day including insurance.

What’s the driving like?

Driving is relatively civilised although South Africans are not the most competent drivers in the world - especially when it comes to reversing. Traffic lights are called robots and you drive on the left.

Shopping

Do you have to hand in your other bags (handbags, rucksack, shopping bags) at the entrance to the shop?

No.

Do you have to weigh & price fruit & vegetables yourself prior to check out?

No

Do you pack your own bags?

Yes, most of the time. Although they may offer you help to pack.

What else do I need to know when out shopping?

The larger shopping malls (the ones at the waterfront and Century City/Canal Walk) stay open until 9pm every day.

In the centre of Cape Town (business district), most shops and restaurants close on a Sunday.

Things To See & Do

Best ‘Hidden Gems’ & Must Do’s

These are not all hidden gems but they are must do’s.

# 1: Table Mountain
Comments: If you’re a keen hiker, a walk up to the top of Table Mountain should not be missed. If you’re less actively-inclined, take the cable car!

# 2: The Southern Suburbs
Comments: If you’re not staying in the area, a trip on te commuter train to Simonstown is a welcome relief from the city. You’ll be treated to gorgeous views of the coastline and tidal pools and a 1st class return ticket from Cape Town cost less than £2.50/$5. If you’d like to try your hand at surfing, head down to Muizenberg and check out some of the surf schools along the beachfront.

# 3: Constantia wineries
Comments: For some gorgeous countryside (within a 15 minute drive of the city centre) and world class wines, an afternoon spent wine-tasting at the wineries in Constantia is well worth doing.

# 4: Cape Point & The Cape of Good Hope
Comments: Spectacular scenery, whale watching and huge secluded beaches make a day trip to the Cape of Good Hope an absolute must. Watch out for the wild baboons!

# 5: Chapman’s Peak Drive
Comments: Another spectacular driving route (you have to pay a toll - approx. 25 Rand/£2/$4) taking you past some gorgeous coastal scenery.

# 6: Boulders Beach
Comments: If you’ve ever fancied swimming or sunbathing with penguins, here’s where you can do it! A secluded, sheltered small beach characterised by large boulders upon which the penguins sunbathe - it’s a nice place to relax for an afternoon.

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Where To Go:

…for good food:
For a great meal head to the wineries for lunch or to the V&A Waterfront where the majority of restaurants are good, if a little more expensive than usual. The restaurants on Long Street are also worth a visit - particularly Maharaja for great Indian curries!

…to chill:
Head to Camps Bay or one of the Atlantic Seaboard towns for a day on the beach.

…to see wildlife:
The Cape of Good Hope is excellent for whale-spotting in season (June to November) and for all sorts of wildlife such as baboons, birds and tortoises. You could always of course head to one of the private nature reserves nearer Cape Town for some larger wildlife viewing.

…to be refreshed & invigorated:
A dip in the sea or a surf lesson in Muizenberg is guaranteed to wake you up; situated at one end of False Bay, it’s a great surfing beach for beginners.

…to get a good bargain:
Head out on the N1 to the mall complex of Century City/Canal Walk. There’s a shuttle bus from most of the major hotels in the city centre, or hire a car for a day and drive yourself there; it takes about 15-20 minutes from the V&A Waterfront.

Any other secrets a LIP should know?

If you’re an organic food fan, it’s plentiful in South Africa particularly in the town of Muizenberg - which, despite its tiny size has 2 organic food shops and an organic box service.

Regarding internet access - if an apartment comes with internet access included, make sure you check about the data package they’re on and any limitations or restrictions which may apply (e.g. 3GB limit a month).

Guide Credits:

This guide was written by Lea Woodward.