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| Visas |
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There are various kinds of visas available. To get the relevant information, please contact
the South African embassy in your home country. You are responsible for organizing your own
visa. Contact us directly with any visa questions. |
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| Living Costs |
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Living costs vary dramatically depending on your lifestyle. In general life in Cape Town is
cheaper than living in European cities.
- The costs for sharing accommodation vary between 200-300 Euro a month.
- Petrol and entertainment is much cheaper than in European countries. Eg. 1 Beer = R12; Movie Ticket = R25
- Budget between R5, 000 - R10, 0000 a month.
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| Malaria |
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Cape Town is not a malaria area. Should you travel through the country please consult
the travel bureau to determine if the area you are visiting is a malaria risk. |
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| Money |
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In South Africa the currency is the South African Rand. Currently 1 Euro = R7.40 (May 2006).
The easiest way to get money is from a ATM using your EC card. Most shops accept credit cards Individuals who want to travel in Cape Town are advised to make sure that they have access to their savings accounts just in case they ran out of money.
Currency converter
www.xe.com/vcc/convert.cgi |
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| Some Statistics |
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Here are some facts about Cape Town:
Residents - 2, 893, 000
Ethnic groups
Coloureds 48%
Black 32%
White 19%
Languages
Afrikaans 43%
Xhosa 29%
English 28% |
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*Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of these figures. Cape Life cannot accept
any responsibility for errors or omissions. |
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| Telephone Calls |
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If you are planning to stay in Cape Town for a mid to long-term stay we would recommend that
you buy a cell phone pre-paid card. Vodacom, MTN and Cell C are the three service providers
in South Africa. Once you have a pre-paid number it is possible to recharge your credit in most
supermarkets.
The best way to make international calls from Cape Town is from a landline using a Worldcall card.
This card can be purchased from most supermarkets and convenience stores.
Useful numbers:
- International country dialing code for SA 0027
- Cape Town dialing code 021
- Police 10111
- Ambulance 10177
- Information 1023
- Table mountain cable car 021 424 8181
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| Insurance |
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International insurance should be organized from your own country. Check with travel agents and
local insurance companies for information. |
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| Electricity |
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If you plan to bring electronic goods from home, buy an adapter when you arrive in South Africa.
They can be purchased at the airport and supermarkets for R30. |
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| Weather |
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The seasons in South Africa are the reverse of the northern hemisphere. I.e. Summer in Cape
Town is winter in Europe. Cape Town is the only part of South Africa that gets winter rainfall
and if you are planning to be here over May-August remember to bring warm clothes! |
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| Safety and security |
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If you remain cautious in the same way you would in any city around the world, you shouldn't
have any problems in Cape Town.
Here are a few guidelines to avoid unwanted situations:
- Do not walk alone in the city after dark.
- When using an ATM, don't talk to strangers offering help.
- Do not leave anything in your car.
- Do not hitch hike.
- Do not get involved in arguments in the street.
- AIDS is a major problem in Africa, so be safe.
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| Time differences |
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In summer Cape Town and central Europe have no time difference. Cape Town is one hour ahead of
UK time.
In winter Cape Town is one hour ahead of central Europe and two hours ahead of the United Kingdom
due to daylight savings in Europe. |
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| Nightlife in Cape Town- Restaurants, Bars & Clubs |
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Here is a short list of locations we can recommend in the Cape Town area:
Bossa Nova - Greenpoint
If you love Salsa this is the place for you. Every Tuesday and Thursday Bossa Nova offers Salsa lessons to get you spinning on the dance floor.
Bronx - Greenpoint
This is a meeting point for gay and lesbian. Monday is Karaoke night.
Cafe Caprice - Camps Bay
This beach bar on Camps Bay draws in an upmarket crowd. It is a great spot for sundowners and especially good on a sunny Sunday afternoon.
Dizzy Jazz Cafe - Camps Bay
Dizzy's is a chilled restaurant/bar well known for it's pizza and Karaoke on Tuesdays.
Hemisphere - City centre
This club is located in the ABSA building in Cape Town's CBD. The views are spectacular and remains one of the best places to party.
Ignite - Camps Bay
If you want to be seen out and about, Ignite is where you want to be. Brush shoulders with the rich and beautiful. Thursdays are good, but get there early to avoid queues.
La Med - Clifton
La Med has been around for a long time is still a great location between Camps Bay and Clifton. After relaxing in the beach, it's the perfect place to chill and enjoy the sunset.
Mama Africa - City
Mama Africa is a traditional African restaurant with live music. To avoid disappointment book in advance.
Opium - Greenpoint
Opium is a popular club with two dance floors and you can party till you drop.
Planet Bar - Gardens
The Planet bar belongs to the Mount Nelson Hotel and is a good place to go as a Friday after-work spot.
Relish - City centre
Relish is a new bar/restaurant with two levels that offers great views of Table Mountain.
Rhodes House - City centre
This is a upmarket club which appeals to an older crowd. |
