Cape Town Welcomes You
General Information
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General information about Cape Town
Latitude: 33° 56' S
Longitude: 18° 28' E
City Surface Area: 2,500 km²
Official Population (2007 survey): 3,497,097
Density: 1,399/km²
Time Zone: SAST (UTC+2)
Note: there are no time zone differences within South Africa and the country has not adopted a daylight saving system in summer.
Visa requirements
A tourist visa for South Africa is required by all except the following for business and tourist purposes:
| • | nationals of EU countries, Australia, Canada, Japan and US for visits of up to 90 days; |
| • | nationals of Iceland, Liechtenstein, New Zealand, Norway and Switzerland for visits of up to 90 days; |
| • | nationals of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Israel, Jamaica, Malta, Paraguay, St Helena, Swaziland, Uruguay and Venezuela for visits of up to 90 days; |
| • | nationals of Antigua & Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Botswana, Bolivia, Cape Verde, Comoros Islands, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Gabon, Guyana, Hong Kong (SAR), Hungary, Jordan, Korea (Rep. of), Lesotho, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Mexico, Namibia, Peru, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Thailand, Turkey (except holders of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus passports, who do require visas) and Zambia for visits of up to 30 days; |
| • | transit passengers continuing their journey by the same or first connecting aircraft provided holding onward or return documentation and not leaving the airport. |
Note:
Holders of Visitors visas are not allowed to take up employment in South Africa. Unaccompanied children must hold written consent from their parents when travelling alone. Passports must be valid for at least 6 months beyond date of departure from South Africa, required by law.
Weather:
Although many joke that Cape Town has four seasons in a day its weather is mild, making the city a year-round destination. Most visitors arrive during the long summer (November to March) to enjoy the Mediterranean climate: little rain, 11 hours or more sunshine per day and long sunny evenings. Spring (September/October) and Autumn (April/ May) are smart times to visit Cape Town too; it is usually balmy in-between seasons, and nature is at its showiest. While Cape Town's winter (June-August) can be stormy, they often produce perfect temperate days. This is also the best time of the year to see the Cape Floral Kingdom in full bloom, Southern Right whale can be spotted from anywhere along the coast and Capetonians gather around fire places and dinner tables with the best of South African wine and food.
Average summer temperatures: 24.3° C
Average winter temperatures: 18.5° C
Average daily sunshine hours: 7.5 to 9.5 hours daily (London=3.8 hours; New York= 6.9hours).
Money matters
Currency:: The local currency is the South African Rand. Foreign exchange facilities are easily available and can be found at the V&A Gateway Centre , Waterfront, Cape town international airport, Willowbridge shopping centre and at Bureaux de change.
Automated Teller Machine (ATMs) accept most international bank and credit cards
Credit Cards: South Africa has a modern and sophisticated banking and commercial system, and most shops and hotels accept all major credit cards.
VAT: South Africa has a value added tax system of 14% on purchases and services. Foreign visitors can reclaim VAT on purchase over R250.
(source: Cape Town Tourism: Official 2008 Visitor’s guide, pages 13; 15)
