LANGUAGE
English. Afrikaans and Xhosa
CURRENCY
South African Rand
BEST TIME TO VISIT
March to May & September to November
NEAREST AIRPORT
Cape Town International Airport (CPT)
EMERGENCY HELPLINE NUMBER
10111
INTERNET ACCESS
Wi-fi access is available at hotels and hostels, as well as most cafes, some restaurants and tourist hot spots throughout the city. It is usually free but don’t expect it to be fast or that reliable. Some establishments will also have download limits.
VISA
Australian, UK, US and most Western European citizens can get a 90-day entry permit on arrival.
Visitors on holiday from most Commonwealth countries (including Australia and the UK), most Western European countries, Japan and the USA don’t require visas. Instead, you’ll be issued with a free entry permit on arrival, which is valid for a stay of up to 90 days. But if the date of your flight out is sooner than this, the immigration officer may use that as the date of your permit expiry, unless you request otherwise.
All children aged under 18 must show an unabridged birth certificate, with additional paperwork needed in some cases. Your airline will likely alert you to these immigration regulations when you buy your flight. If you aren’t entitled to an entry permit, you’ll need to get a visa (also free) before you arrive. These aren’t issued at the borders, and must be obtained from a South African embassy or consulate in your own country. Allow several weeks for processing. For any entry – whether you require a visa or not – you need to have at least two completely blank pages in your passport, excluding the last two pages.
HOTEL
Accommodation in Cape Town ranges from hostels to luxury accommodation. Actually, there are so many hotels, B&Bs and guest houses that it can be difficult to decide where to stay! Staying in city centre can often work out cheaper as obviously all the attractions are to hand, but stick to one of the neighbourhoods next to the central area for better prices and a quieter night’s sleep. The area around vibey Kloof Street in Gardens/Tamboerskloof with its young cafe culture and hip shopping is a good choice. You could consider sleeping in one of the suburbs. It is normally quieter and there is less traffic than in Central Cape Town. The suburbs in the south, like Muizenberg, Fish Hoek or Simon’s Town, or near the Winelands are ones to try. Areas along the western seaboard of the peninsula (such as Camps Bay) will be more expensive.
LUXURY
Radisson Blu Hotel Waterfront
The Westin
MID RANGE
Aloe House
De Tafelberg Guest House
BUDGET
33 South Backpackers
Ashanti Lodge
COST OF LIVING
Cape Town has a fascinating history combined with a normally excellent climate, so it’s popular with both cultural and leisure tourists. The city can be quite expensive though, so some forward planning is a good idea if you are on a budget. There are plenty of hostels in Cape Town and prices for a bed are quite competitive, especially outside of the peak December/January season. Hotels are spread all over and booking a bit into the suburbs can deliver a higher standard at a lower price. Attraction prices can be quite steep so it’ll save money if you plan on seeing some of the museums and spending time on the beach instead. Food and drinks are quite affordable on the low end, and beer and wine are particular bargains for those who like to imbibe. As a Southern Hemisphere beach city, Cape Town hotels operate on a fairly predictable set of seasons. The peak season is generally from mid-December through mid-January, which is also typically has the best summer weather. High season for Cape Town hotels is usually from October through April, excluding the peak season in the middle. Low season is generally from May through September, and prices don’t change much near the lower end of the market, but sometimes mid-range hotels can be quite cheap, and deals can be arranged if you are staying more than a few days.
