CAPE TOWN

Population

More than six-million people call Cape Town and the Western Cape their home
(6.166.324, to be exact).

Climate

We have a year-round mild Mediterranean climate, with temperatures averaging
between 15°C and 27°C

Foreign exchange

You can only pay in rands in South Africa. But it’s easy to swap forex for rands.
Money can be exchanged at the airport, commercial banks, Rennies Travel and
American Express. These can be found in most shopping centres in Cape Town and
the Western Cape. You may also find exchange facilities in some hotels.
Banking hours are 9am to 3.30pm on weekdays, and 8.30am to 11am on Saturdays
(closed on Sundays and public holidays).
If you don’t have any cash on you, remember – all major credit cards are accepted at
most establishments.

Water

You have undoubtedly heard of the Cape Town water crisis and Day Zero, the day
that taps in the city would have run dry. We have overcome great challenges and
have become a much greater city for it. We also have a much healthier relationship
with natural resources. On your visit you’ll probably notice water-saving tips and
initiatives in hotels and restaurants. As a result we now have more than sufficient
water.

Safety

Cape Town is a major, modern cosmopolitan South African city. As such, we would
advise travellers to exercise the same level of vigilance they would exercise when
visiting any major city in the world. For the overwhelming majority of the 1,7 million
foreign visitors to the Western Cape in 2018, a visit to Cape Town and the Western
Cape was a positive, memorable experience. 

Cape Town is continually investing in and working with initiatives such as increased
law enforcement deployment, technology expansion and safety awareness at work
to provide a safe environment for all.

To ensure a pleasurable trip, please keep in mind a few precautions that you can
employ on all your travels across the world:

  • Avoid walking in deserted and dark places at night
  • Never allow strangers to assist you in any way at ATMs
  • At night, park in a secure and well-lit area with street guards.
  • Keep photocopies and all valuable documents in a safe place