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Banking hours
Cape Town banks are open Monday to Friday from 9 - 15.30 and on Saturdays from 8.30 until 11.
Clothing
Cape Town is informal and shorts and tee-shirts very common. Most restaurants require smart casual attire. Cape Town is wet from May to August.
Consulates
Most consulates are in Johannesburg but some countries have local consulates read more.
Communications
Telephone numbers and how to call in and out of South Africa...
Customs
Personal effects duty free to the value of R 3 000 are allowed and for additional goods of up to R 12 000, a flat rate of 20% duty is charged. Thereafter, normal custom duties apply. You are also allowed to bring limited quantities of luxury items into South Africa , duty free such as wine, spirits, cigarettes, cigars, perfume and Eau de toilette. The alcohol and tobacco allowance applies to people over 18 years of age. Persons younger than 18 years of age are not be permitted with any tobacco or alcohol products. When leaving South Africa , you are permitted to take up to R 500,00 in South African Reserve Bank notes. Do check with the authorities as rules do change at short notice.
Electricity
The voltage is 220/230 volts AC at 50 cycles per second. Three pronged round plugs are universal. Adapters are available on arrival. Many hotel rooms have 110 volt outlets for electric shavers.
Health
Cape Town hospitals and other medical information...
Legal
The legal age for drinking and buying alcohol is 18 and 16 to smoke or buy tobacco products and the legal age of consent for sex. It is illegal to drink in public places. For homosexual sex the legal age is 19 years. The drink driving limit is 0.05 g per 100ml of blood. The importing and use of illegal drugs is a serious offence.
Money
The South African unit of currency is the Rand (R).The coin denominations are; 1c, 2c, 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, R1, R2 and R5. The notes are R10,00, R 20,00, R 50,00, R 100,00 and R 200,00. Banks are efficient with a wide range of services. ATM's can be found in shopping centres, and in the centre of most cities and towns. Banking hours vary but are generally from 09:00 to 15:30 on weekdays. On Saturdays banks open at 09:00 and close at 11:00. Banks are closed on Sundays and Public Holidays. Cape Town International Airport has 24-hour foreign exchange facilities. Visa and Master Card is widely accepted and American Express and Diners Club also accepted in many places.
Newspapers
In the morning there is the Cape Times and Business Day (English), Die Burger (Afrikaans) and in the afternoon The Argus (English) and on Sunday the Sunday Argus (English), Sunday Times (English), Rapport (Afrikaans).
Public Holidays
January 1 - New Years Day; March 21 - Human Rights Day; Good Friday, Family Day (Easter Monday), April 27 - Freedom Day; May 1 - Worker's Day; June 16 - Youth Day; August 9 - National Woman's Day; September 24 - Heritage Day; December 16 - Day of Reconciliation; December 25 - Christmas Day and December 26 - Day of Goodwill.
Radio Stations
Most radio stations broadcast in English, some radio stations broadcast in other South African languages. Kfm (94.5FM), Good Hope FM and P4 Radio are the most popular radio stations. There are a number of Community radio stations such as Christian station CCFM in Cape Town and Muslim community station Voice of the Cape.
Religion
Places of worship for all religions.
Safety
Cape Town safety advice...
Time
South Africa operates two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time throughout the year, making it an hour ahead of Central European Winter Time and seven hours behind Australian Central Time.
Tipping
Tipping is expected and for Porters R2 per item and 10% for taxis and restaurants.
Tourist Information
In the city centre the Cape Town tourist information is at the corner of Burg and Castle Streets (021 426 4260). There is a second Cape Town tourist information office at the Clock Tower in the V&A Waterfront (021 405 4500). Other Cape Town Tourism offices are spread around the whole area. And a Cape Town Tourist office at Cape Town International Airport (021 934 4161).
Offices for Cape Town Tourism South are at Kirstenbosch Gardens (021 762 0687); Muizenberg (021 788 6193; Fish Hoek (021 782 4531); Simon's Town (021 786 5798).
Offices for Cape Town Tourism, Atlantic Seaboard are at Hout Bay (021 790 1264) and Noordhoek (021 789 2812). For Cape Town Tourism in the north the office is at Bloubergrant (021 557 8600). Office for Cape Town Tourism in the East are at Cape Flats - Gugulethu(021 637 8449); Cape Town Flats – Khayelitsha (021 364 9660) and Somerset West (021 851 4022). Cape Town Tourism offices in the North East are at Tyger Valley (021 914 1786); Rust-En-Verde cultural centre (021 970 3174); and at Kraaifontein (021 980 6112). Cape Town Tourism offices in the winelands are at Franschhoek (021 876 3603); Paarl (021 872 3829) and Stellenbosch (021 883 9633).
VAT
South Africa VAT is 14% and for purchases to the value of R250 or more the VAT can be claimed back at departure.
Visa
South Africa visa information
Water
Cape Town water is safe to drink
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