Cape Town
Travel Guide

Cape Town is one of the most populated cities in the Republic of South Africa. Its history, multiculturalism, extraordinary landscapes and its atmosphere will captivate everyone who visits this part of the world. Cape Town is characterized by its social movements and has been the cradle of many political movements, including the anti-apartheid fight against racial segregation, initiated when the country was colonized.
One... of this movement’s icons was Nelson Mandela, who advocated racial equality. Thanks to the success of these ideas, today Christians, Jews, Hindus, Muslims and traditional African beliefs coexist peacefully in the same territory. This mix has certainly become a worldwide benchmark of tolerance and acceptance for different civilizations.
Also, the legislative capital of South Africa's cultural movement is present in all its streets and of course, all its surrounding natural landscapes: mountains, oceans and an amazing wildlife. And we must not forget the vineyards! The long and deep history of Cape Town make it an endearing, interesting, liberating and magnificent destination.

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Cape Town Overview

Language

Several languages are spoken it Cape Town due to the coexistence of different religions and cultures. English has already been established as the lingua franca between locals and foreigns. Although Afrikaans, Xhosa, Zulu, Sesotho, Tsonga, Tswana and Venda are also among the list of most spoken languages.

Weather

Cape Town has moderate weather so the temperatures aren't extreme. Winter is from May to August, with relatively cold temperatures ranging between 44,6ºF and 62,6ºF (7 and 17 °C). This is the cold, rainy and windy season, mainly due to its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean. Summer is from December to March and is usually hot. The average temperature is about 77ºF (25°C) although the humidity also plays a role in increasing the sensation of heat.

Money

Rand (ZAR). The Rand is the national currency and most local institutions and services work with it. Exchanging foreign currency in Cape Town might be a little exhausting, so it is best to bring cash to pay on your first days there. Fortunately, many local businesses and institutions take credit cards, which will ease the daily life in this city. But you mustn't, forget to tell your bank you're visiting this country. It will save you lots of possible headaches. At the airport there are exchange houses for Rands and hotels and banks also exchange currency, but as expected, they do charge a commission.

When to go

Between March-May, when it is their fall, or between September and November, when it's spring.These are the two times of the year when temperatures are milder, there's less rainfall recorded and this will allow us to visit Cape Town with good weather conditions.

Days

3 days: This is the minimum amount of time you will need to discover the places, sights and capture Cape Town's spirit. South Africa's capital is gigantic and almost endless, although the country as a whole also has spectacular parts. If you travel to this part of the world we recommend that you also explore some other towns' fauna, flora, villages and coasts.

Surroundings

De Hoop Nature Reserve (Nature Reserve of dunes)
Kogelberg Nature Reserve (Protected Nature Reserve)
West Coast Fossil Park (park with animal fossils)
Paternoster (fishermen's village retreat)
Addo Elephant National Park (Elephants conservation park. 7 hours away by land)
Storms River Mouth Rest Camp (routes along the blue coast crossing bridges, 6 hours away by land)
Namaqualand (Park with an amazing vegetation, 6 hours way by land)

Store Hours

On weekdays most shops are open from 09.00 am to 5.00 pm. On Saturdays the schedule is shortened and many stores close at 13.00. Shopping malls have longer hours, most of them open at 09.00 am and close at 9:00 pm.