Airport Transfers
We can organise an airport transfer in a mini bus. To book e-mail to bookings@balfour-place.com Dominique on 072 785 1624
Banking
Banks are open from 09:00 to 15:30 on weekdays and 08:30 to 11:00 on Saturdays. Automated Teller Machines (ATM’s) are readily available in cities and towns
Cape Town International Airport
Situated conveniently only 20km’s from Cape Town center, Cape Town International Airport is the main gateway to the Western Cape. Tel: 021 937 1200.
Car Rental
All major car hire companies operate from the airport and have city depots. Several small car hire companies offer competitive rates.
For car rental rates please e-mail bookings@balfour-place.com
Currency
One Rand (R) = 100 cents (c). Notes issued R200, R100, R50, R20, R10; coins R5, R2, R1, 50c 20c, 10c, 5c, 2c, & 1c. Currency exchange rates are available at banks and published daily in the press.
Credit Cards
Major international credit cards such as American Express, Bank of America, Diners, MasterCard, Standard Bank Card, Visa and their affiliates are accepted.
Driving
Drive on the left and give way to traffic approaching from the right. The general speed limit is 120km/h on open roads and 60km/h in urban areas. An international driver’s license is required in SA as the license must include a photograph as well as the signature of the holder.
Duty Free Shops
Duty-free shops are situated at Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban International Airports.
Electricity
Current is 220/230 volts at 50 cycles per second. A three-point round-pin adaptor is required, so take an adapter. Most hotel rooms have 110-volt outlets for electric shavers and small appliances
Health/Medical
Languages
There are 11 official languages in SA. English is the language of administration and is widely spoken. Other languages are: Afrikaans, Ndebele, Northern Sotho, Southern Sotho, Swazi, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa and Zulu.
Passports/Visas
Passports must be valid fro six months after date of departure from SA. Visitors must have a return ticket.
Public Holidays
Fixed: 1 January, 21 March, 27 April, 1 May, 16 June, 9 August, 24 September, 16 December, 25 & 26 December. Variable: Good Friday and Easter Sunday.
Safety Tips
Cape Town ‘s Business District and major malls have been made considerable efforts to safeguard tourists and residents against crime. Surveillance cameras monitor activities in the central business district and security guards watch over major shopping centers. Nonetheless, tourists should take the sensible precautions they would in any major city. Avoid carrying large sums of cash, displays of jewellery, cameras or video cameras, leaving belongings unattended, and in general take advise from locals on where to park after dark. Take special precautions at lonely lookout points, especially at dust or after dark. Keep the car doors locked at all times and wind the windows up, lock valuable items in the trunk. Street children and beggars may approach you for a handout. Many social workers counsel against giving money to the children as it is usually gets handed over to an older figure or is used for sniffing glue. If you wish to do good, rather give food.
Standard Time
Two hours in advance of Greenwich Mean Time.
Transport
Airport transfers. To book airport transfer e-mail bookings@balfour-place.com Minibus taxis have to a large extent taken the place of buses and trains. Most Cape Townians take minibus taxis every day and they offer convenient but sometimes hair-raising fast transport along major routes. Boarding points are whenever and wherever you can get the driver to stop – usually with no warning. If you’re not feeling that adventurous, call for a conventional private taxi (ask for fares beforehand). Or ask Rikki’s to send one of their distinctive open taxis to pick you up in and around the city. There are alot of companies running guided tours of the city and surrounds. All major car hire companies operate from the airport and have city depots. Several small car hire companies offer competitive rates. Check out our winter special car rental rates.
VAT Refunds
Foreign tourists visiting South Africa can have their value-added tax (VAT) refunded provided the value of each invoice for goods purchased exceeds R50 the value of the total items purchased exceeds R250. VAT is refunded on departure at the point of departure.VAT of 15% is levied on nearly all goods and services.
Water
Whilst water is safe for human consumption we recommend that you drink filtered or spring water. As Cape Town often experiences periods of draught we urge you to use our resource sparingly. All taps have been fitted with water saving mesh, this may effect the pressure in the tap but it contributes to helping save water.
Weather
The Four Seasons:
Whatever season you have chosen to visit Cape Town, be warned of the old joke: Cape Town has four seasons – sometimes in the same day. This is especially true if you plan to go hiking or be outdoors.
Summertime
Most tourists visit Cape Town during our long summer from October to March. A Mediterranean climate with little rain and 11 hours or more of sunshine a day. The wind does blow and if you’re after a tan or the beach, remember that mornings are usually much less windy, and that certain beaches ( Clifton, Boulders and Bikini Beach) are more protected than others. And if you’re tanning, remember to take sensible precautions, where a hat or cap and lather in sun block.
Between Seasons
Conventional local wisdom informs that spring (September) and autumn (April/May) are the smart times to visit Cape Town. They are usually balmy in-between seasons, when nature is at its showiest. If you’re into flowers (August – September) or whale watching (June – November), or seeing the vineyards at their best, these are great seasons to be in the Cape.
Winter – the Secret Season<
Although Cape Town winters have days of rain and wind, they often produce perfect temperate days or even weeks. When it’s not raining, winter becomes the perfect ‘secret season’. Accommodation rates are usually lower at this time.
De-stress
Travellers who want to unwind between tours or simply get away from the effects of stress can have aromatherapy, reflexology, wraps, massages, hydro-therapy and expert beauty treatments. What better way to de-stress than a week at a retreat or spa? For more info please e-mail bookings@balfour-place.com
Tipping
It is customary to tip waiters, waitresses, wine stewards, taxi drivers and caddies. Depending on the service, the amount should be around 10%. Porters expect R2 per bag. Petrol station attendants often anticipate a tip if they have gone beyond just filling your tank.
Communication
Public phones are either coin or card operated. Only green public telephones use telephone cards. The cards can be bought at post offices, airports, bookshops and supermarkets.
Mobile phones, known as cell phones, are widely used. Cellular phones can be hired from the airport and various other outlets e.g. Cellucity, situated in the V&A Waterfront. Contact them at rentals@cellucity.co.za or tel. 021 937 1200 or visit their website at www.hire4lower.co.za
Conversions - distances and temperatures:
Distances are given in kilometers (1 mile = 1.62 kilometres)
Temperatures are given in degrees Celsius (Centigrade) (20°C = 68°F)
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