Currency : The
currency used in South Africa is the Rand.
There are 100 cents to the Rand and notes are issued in R200, R100,
R50, R20 and R10 denominations. Coins
are issued in R5, R2, R1, 50c, 20c, 10c, 5c, 2c and 1c denominations.
The exchange rate is especially good for visitors from America and
Britain. This means that a
holiday in South Africa need not be an expensive one.
At present the exchange rate is as follows (approximately):
1 US dollar = R8,00 / 1 British pound = R11,50.
Shopping :
Because of the exchange rate, Cape Town is heaven for overseas
shoppers! Shops are open from
09h00 until 17h00 from Monday to Friday. Some shops are open until 17h00 on a Saturday as well, while
others close at 13h00. Certain
shops are open on a Sunday until about 13h00.
There are many shopping malls in and around Cape Town where the
visitor can buy anything from gold and diamonds to African curios and
fashion clothing. Banks are
open from Monday to Friday 09h00 – 15h30 and on Saturday 08h30 to 11h00.
Accommodation :
There are many forms of accommodation in Cape Town from five-star
hotels to back-packers hostels and the visitor is certain to find some
form of accommodation to suit the finances.
Visit http://www.cape-town.net
to find what you are looking
for. Bed and Breakfast
accommodation is available in most areas and some of these facilities
cater for physically challenged visitors.
Crime :
As in other many other big cities crime can be a problem in
Cape Town, but there are things that you can do to protect yourself.
1.
Don’t walk alone at night in unpopulated areas.
2.
Don’t wear expensive jewellery in the street and secure your
camera and other valuables properly.
3.
Do not carry large sums of money around with you.
4.
Approach policemen, traffic officers or security personnel if you
are lost or feel unsafe.
5.
Keep your car doors locked
6.
Do not leave valuable items lying in view in the car.
7.
Never pick up strangers.
8.
Ask you hotel to store your valuables in their safety deposit boxes
and obtain a receipt for them.
9.
Keep your room locked whether you are in it or not.
For more safety tips, ask the
reception desk at your hotel or visit one of the local tourist information
centres (e-mail wctbcape@iafrica.com/wcape/).
There is a 24-hour tourist
hotline at 083-90012.
Backpackers :
More information can be found at www.backpackingsouthafrica.com
or www.backpackersguide.co.za