CONTACT:
Telephone:
If you have a cellphone get one of the cheap prepaid Sim cards from either Vodacom or MTN and save money on local calls.
Internet:
M@IN internet cafe in kloof street. They have private booths, and offer wifi access for laptops.
Other internet cafes can be found all over the city and suburbs, with many coffee shops offering internet access (some free, some not)
WiFi:
Always-On, +27 (0)11 575-2505, provides prepaid WiFi access in a number of locations in Cape Town. Simply connect to the access point and you will be given the opportunity to pay for access by credit card. Pricing starts at around R15 for 10 minutes or R60 for 100MB.
Coverage areas include:
ArabellaSheraton Grand Hotel.
The Cape Diamond Hotel.
Cape Town International Airport. Restaurants and Coffee shops, in Domestic and International Departures, boarding gates, airline lounges and at the Road Lodge.
City Lodge. GrandWest, Pinelands and V&A Waterfront.
Dulce Cafe. Bayside Centre and Durbanville.
Mugg&Bean. Just about all of them.
Nando's. Camps Bay
Sundance Coffee Co. Adderley Str, Buitengragt Str and Mouille Point.
CREDIT CARDS:
Major international credit cards such as American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard, Visa and their affiliates are accepted in South Africa
CURRENCY:
The currency unit is the Rand, denoted by the symbol R1. R1 = 100 cents. Foreign currency can be exchanged at commercial banks, American Express and Rennies Travel. Notes issued R200, R100, R50, R20, R10; coins R5, R2, R1, 50c 20c, 10c and 5c. Currency exchange rates are available at banks and published daily in the press.
ELECTRICITY:
220/230 volts AC at 50 cycles per second. Three pronged plugs are universal, so take an adapter. Most hotel rooms have 110-volt outlets for electric shavers and small appliances.
HEALTH HAZARDS:
The western and eastern Cape are free of both Malaria and Bilharzia (present in streams, rivers, lakes and dams in some of the northern and eastern parts of the country) although for visitors planning to venture further north we recommend preventative medication which is obtainable at all South African pharmacies. It's important to consult a pharmacist for advice on the best drug or drug combination you should take.
SUN PROTECTION:
The South African sun is strong with a high ultraviolet rating, so screening products with sun protection factors of 15 and over are recommended.
VISAS:
Passport holders from more than 80 countries, including the USA, Canada, Japan and the European Union countries can visit South Africa without visas. For further information contact your local office of the diplomatic or consular representative of the South African Government. If you intend travelling to South Africa's neighbouring countries and back into South Africa you are advised to apply for multiple entry visas. Tourists must satisfy immigration officers that they have the means to support themselves during their stay, and that they are in possession of return or onward air tickets. A law has been passed stipulating that all visitors to South Africa are required to have a minimum of two blank pages in their passport to enable the entry visa to be issued. If there is insufficient space in the passport entry will be denied and the person is likely to be detained pending return to their country of origin.
WATER:
In the major cities and towns and most game reserves, tap water is purified and 100% safe to drink.
TIME DIFFERENCES:
Throughout the year, Standard Time in South Africa is two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean time, one hour ahead of Central European Winter Time, and seven hours in advance of Eastern Standard Winter Time.
IMMUNISATION:
People arriving in South Africa from a Yellow Fever zone, must have a valid international yellow fever inoculation certificate. Infants under the age of one year are exempt. Immunisation against cholera and smallpox is not required.
LANGUAGES:
South Africa currently has 11 official languages. English is spoken throughout the country. French, Italian and German are spoken by staff members in many of the larger hotels and shops that cater to the tourist markets.
MEDICAL SERVICES:
South Africa has no national health scheme. It's advisable to purchase travel insurance which covers medical expenses during the period of your stay.
SHOPPING:
South African manufacturers set a high premium on workmanship, and a favourable exchange rate against the major currencies means that you can afford to be a bit extravagant. Shopping hours are generally 08:00 to 17:00 on weekdays, and 08:00 to 13:00 on Saturdays. Many shops in cities and big shopping malls are open Sundays.
DRIVING:
An excellent road network links the largest metropolitan areas with the smallest villages. The speed limit in urban areas is usually 60 km per hour, and on freeways 120 km per hour unless otherwise indicated. Wearing seat belts is compulsory; driving under the influence of alcohol is a serious offence and traffic laws are strictly enforced. A valid driver's license, provided the photograph is an integral part of the document, and provided it is printed in English, is accepted. If your licence does not comply with these requirements, you should obtain an International Driving Permit before your departure for South Africa. Drive on the left and give way to traffic approaching from the right.
VAT (Value Added Tax):
Currently set at 14%, VAT is included in the marked/quoted price of most goods and services. Foreign visitors are not exempt from paying VAT on purchased goods. They may, however, claim back VAT paid on items taken out of the country when the total value exceeds R 250.00.
TRAVELLERS CHEQUES:
Most international traveller's checks are accepted provided they are in an acceptable currency and may be cashed at most banks. Many hotels and shops also provide this service.
IMPORTANT TELEPHONE NUMBERS:
From a fixed line
107 - Emergency
10111 - Police [125]
10177 - Ambulance
082911 - Netcare911 and The National Sea Rescue Institute
From a mobile phone
112 - Emergency
911 - Netcare911 and The National Sea Rescue Institute
GET AROUND:
By foot:
Public transport in Cape Town (and South Africa in general) is not very good. Unless you are staying within walking distance of the beach in Camps Bay (or some other area where everything you want is close by) then you will find it very frustrating not to have your own transport.
By car:
Car Rental Services - CARS, City and Airport Branches, ¢Ï +27 (0)21 553 8000 (cars@rcjm.co.za).
Avis, Cape Town International Airport, ¢Ï +27 (0)21 934-0330. Always open.
Cruise Table Bay Car Hire, 25 Aviation Crescent, Airport City, ¢Ï +27 (0)21 386-7699 (info@cruisetablebay.com).
Hertz, Cape Town International Airport, ¢Ï +27 (0)21 935-3000. Always open.
Thrifty, Cape Town International Airport, ¢Ï +27 (0)21 936 2116. Always open. Drive Africa, 370 Main Road, Observatory, ¢Ï +27 (0)21 447 11 44.
Please note that you can't pay for Petrol or Diesel with a credit card, only with cash or a South African bank issued 'Garage' card.
By metered taxi:
Metered taxis are controlled by the city council and can be considered safe and reliable. The price per kilometer is around R8-R10 and can often be read at the taxis side door. You can also set a fixed price with the driver, especially when going to a far away destination. Please note that there is only one official taxi company at the airport. But you might as well ask your hotel to pick you up, as pick up service are provided by nearly all hotels, guesthouses and so on.
By bus:
There is a network of public buses (Golden Arrow buses) that offer cheap connections for example from the city centre to the Waterfront. They run mostly during the day. It is better to ask the driver where the bus is going, to make sure you wont end up somewhere else.
By scooter or cycle:
You can also hire a scooter or a small motorbike. A number of places in the city offer this service and it is a great way to be mobile and save over hiring a car.
LDV Biking, 13D Kloof Nek Road, ¢Ï +27 (0)83 528-0897 (mail@ldvbiking.co.za). The recommended place to rent a scooter or motorbike. From about R100 to R170 per day depending on how many days you are renting for and the time of year.
Unless you love the pain of cycling up and down mountains while dodging city traffic on narrow streets, cycling for transportation is not recommended. However, cycling in the area is very popular.
By motorbike:
Cape Sidecar Adventures, 2 Glengariff Road, Three Anchor Bay, ¢Ï +27 (0)21 434-9855 (info@sidecars.co.za, fax: +27 (0)21 434-9860). Open 9AM to 5PM weekdays and 9AM to 1PM on Sat. Explore Cape Town in a vintage World War II sidecar
Harley Davidson Cape Town, ¢Ï +27 (0)21 424-3990 (rentals@harley-davidson-capetown.com). Explore the cape on the back of a Harley. From R650 per day.
By train:
There is a system of public train transport, although it is mainly used by locals. Operator Metrorail has done a lot to increase safety and comfort on board the trains, but they still do not live up to European standards. So make sure to buy a first-class ticket. Cape Town station is situated in the city centre on the corner of Adderley Street and Strand Street and there is a reasonable suburban network of lines with more than 80 stations. A nice scenic ride can be done south to Simon's Town, all along the east coast of the Cape Peninsula. Stick to the Simon's Town line and make sure you are not on the train after 18h30 or when it is dark. Make sure you do not carry anything expensive on the train as this is an invitation to thieves. If you must carry a camera, make sure it is well out of sight (preferably a small wallet sized camera). Ear rings, necklaces and any form of visible jewellery are not recommended as these can be ripped (rather painfully) from one's person by an enterprising thief. Keep your wits about you and the journey will be pleasant.
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