Embassys

As with any travel, its best to be up to date with any relevant information based on your country of origin, if you are American, you can sign up through Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)

Ordering at a Restaurant

Water will be offered as still or sparkling. It is customary that the server won't bring you your slip until you ask. They must also bring a card machine as payments are done at the table— do not let a server take your card out of your presence. If you are in a group, the slip will not be split by the server, you simply let the server know how much your portion was that you are paying, plus tip which is 10-15% (tax is included). If you have any leftovers, ask for a “box for takeaway”.

Payment

Cape Town is shifting away from plastic bags— reusable bags can be bought from most supermarkets. then you will avoid a fee from your card company.

Grocery Shopping

Cape Town is shifting away from plastic bags— reusable bags can be bought from most supermarkets.

  • Woolworths or Spar - $$ (if you have any food allergies or preferences, Woolies has marked packaging)

  • Pick’n’Pay or Checkers - $

  • If you’re near the city center, I would recommend some local deli’s - Olive Branch, German Grocer or Giovanni’s

  • Grocery Delivery — all of these stores have apps you can download - PicknPay, Checkers, and Woolworths

Pharmacies

Clicks or DisChem

Drinking + Using Water

I would recommend not drinking the local water just being super cautious about any rumbly tummies while you travel - so either bring a water bottle that has a filter with you, you can pick up bottled water at local grocery stores, or order “still water” at any restaurant

Another consideration is that our water here is very hard, so just be aware for your hair & skin routines

Winter in Cape Town

Due to the literal wind from the Antarctic and because the buildings are not insulated (its typically colder inside than outside)— Cape Town actually can be very cold when its not summer. Some tips for getting through the winter— invest in a hot water bottle & fuzzy thermal socks (you can usually find a pair at DisChem).

Electricity

If you are staying at an Airbnb, this could be relevant but hopefully won’t be — electricity is likely on a pay as you go meter, so if the power goes out, contact your host. If they dont respond in a timely manner, you can purchase electricity at most gas stations, supermarkets, pharmacies, service stations, at major banks and ATMs. You will need to know the code on your electric box (often it can be found in your kitchen), to be able to purchase electricity (if going to a physical store), and then you plug in the code that you will receive into the electricity box. I would just purchase R100 (or $5) to reliably buy time before your host responds.

If your have issues with the electricity box, call the 24 Hour Electrical Faults Council +27 086 010 3089, or SMS 31220 or email power@capetown.gov.za

Loadshedding

Load shedding, or load reduction, is done countrywide as a controlled option to respond to unplanned events to protect the electricity power system from a total blackout. This could happen while you are here, so some tips:

  • Download the EskomPush app, and check the schedule to know when the power will be out. If needed- just drive to a nearby city that won’t be loadshedding (often times Claremont and Cavendish aren’t load shedding, so you can go to see a movie at the mall for the duration of load shedding in your city)

  • Many restaurants & cafes have a generator - so just check beforehand if they do - Instagram usually is a reliable way to message

  • Plan meals appropriately-- often it seems to happen during dinner prep, so keep a little food around that doesn’t require electricity to prepare— if you learn how to braai you can always cook, or check if your stovetop is gas

  • Charge up your electronic devices in advance

  • Premake a hot drink and put it in a thermos

  • Wifi / cell service typically goes down, so prepare accordingly

Geyser Usage

One more note related to electricity - “geyers” are the water heating systems found in most buildings in South Africa— which can be around 40-60% of your electricity bill to keep heated if left on all the time. So many people opt for automatic geyser timers which turns off your geyser during “off peak hours” which is helpful— other homes you have to manually turn your geyser on and off. This is helpful information to know to prevent having unwanted cold showers so just confirm with your host if this is something worth considering :)

Banking

Based on your personal bank, you will want to look into what fees they charge for ATM’s (to withdraw money from an international ATM) and transaction fees (for use of any cards internationally). We just use a travel credit card (Chase Sapphire which doesnt charge for international transactions) & have a Charles Schwab ATM card (as they don’t charge fees.

Banks are open from 08h30 to 15h30 on weekdays and from 08h30 to 11h00 on Saturdays. There are foreign exchange bureaus at the malls and of course, foreign currency can be exchanged at the airport on arrival.

It is also unlikely that you will need cash unless you want to tip (but in most if not all circumstances, that can be done with a card).

The unit of currency is the Rand (R), see the current rate HERE.

For the most updated information, check HERE.

Public Holidays

There are several South African public holidays to celebrate, click on each to learn more:

Note: the Christmas season is a very big deal in Cape Town, especially in Muizenberg where the tradition post-Apartheid for many of those living in the townships is to come and celebrate on Muizenberg Beach (especially on January 1)— so the city is packed as soon as schools let out for about a month. From around December 12 through the end of January, prepare for ministry to be limited and many shops to be closed or services to be limited

Christmas Celebrations to Know About:

Daylight Savings

South Africa does not observe Daylight Savings time (the practice observed by some countries of setting the clocks forward one hour from standard time during the summer months, and back again in the fall, in order to make better use of natural daylight).

Weather

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SETTLING INTO LIFE IN SOUTH AFRICA :