Cape Town: Official Travelers Facts

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 11:20:39 EST

Cape Town is the biggest gateway to Africa and the oldest city in South Africa.It also has the top five national attractions in South Africa this includeTable Mountain; the V&A Waterfront, a unique shopping and holidayexperience on a scenic working harbour; Robben Island, the former home ofNelson Mandela; the Cape Town Wine Routes, where some of the world´s best winesare produced and Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, internationally acclaimed asone of the great botanical gardens of the world. It has good coastal beachresorts.

To help you find your way around the Cape Town region, the area is divided into four tourism areas - Cape Town Central, Cape Town North, Cape Town South and the Cape TownEast. languages of South Africa,including English, Afrikaans and Xhosa,zulu etc. There is good communicationmedia of television stations, newspapers, radio, cellular, internet andpost/freight services. Cape Town is thelegislative capital of South Africa.

Accommodation and Food
With an accommodation directory of thousands of luxury hotel, a farmhouseB&B, guesthouse, lodge or resort rooms.

A wide variety of foods from traditional African dishes,imported European fare and spicy Asian flavors. Sea foods and fast foodsavailable too.

Tipping and Bargaining
Tipping?Yes please 10% - 15%. Bargaining? No

Currency
The Rand (R), whichis divided into 100 cents. Coin denominationsare; 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, R1, R2 and R5. Notes are R10,00, R20,00,R50,00, R100,00and R200,00. Most things and services are affordable.

Weather
Mediterranean climate - mild, moist/wetwinters and Warm languid/dry summers; 15ºC (59ºF) to highs of 27ºC (80.6ºF)

Culture and history
It is here where indigenous cultures - San,Khoi and Xhosa followed by Europeans, Malaysians and Indians. it is an excitingmix of first and third world cultures.

The port was used by European from dutch to colonize South Africain 1700 century.

Driving
Non-residentsare permitted to drive with a driving license which is valid in their owncountry, provided that it bears the photograph and signature of the holder andis in English. Driving is on the left and the wearing of seatbelts iscompulsory.

Health tips
Noinoculations are needed and the health infrastructure is of high standard. Tapwater is safe to drink. Bottled water is available. Ii is malaria free and Visitorsare advised to take precautions from HIV/AIDS.

Taxes and Duty
You canbring all your personal effects duty free to the value of R 3 000. Foradditional goods of up to R 12 000, a flat rate of 20% duty is charged.Thereafter, normal custom duties apply,

Safety Tips
Ifunsure of any area, approach the local police station or tourism office forfurther advice and guidance. Emergency Number are 10111 or 112(mobile)

South African Time Zone
South Africa, which is 2 hoursahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+2), does not operate on daylight saving time.

Electricity
South Africa's electricity supplyis 220/230. Most hotel rooms have 110 volt outlets for electric shavers andappliances

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Cape Town: Official Travelers Facts