VALUE ADDED TAX (VAT):
South Africa has a Value Added Tax of 14% on purchases and services.
Foreign visitors can reclaim their VAT on collective purchases of more than R250.00 at the airport when leaving.
VAT refund office at Cape Town International Airport: +27 21 934 8675
BANKING HOURS:
9 am to 3.30pm (Weekdays)
8.30am to 11am (Saturdays)
CREDIT CARDS:
South Africa has a modern and sophisticated banking and commercial system and most shops, restaurants and hotels accept major credit cards.
TIPS:
Taxi Drivers: normally get 10 % of the fare
Porters: R10.00 per bag
Petrol Stations: R5.00
Unofficial car guards: R5.00
BUSES AND TRAINS OPERATE IN THE CITY AREA:
Call for timetable: +27 80 065 6463
Red Bus: City Sightseeing Bus: 021 511 6000
MOBILE PHONES:
Most Mobile phones will operate in SA provided they're unlocked and enabled for roaming.
SIM Cards for the four national networks: Cell C, Vodacom, MTN and Virgin Mobile can be bought at the airport on arrival or at many shops outside of the airport.
USEFUL TELEPHONE CODES:
South Africa Code: +27
Area Code: 021
Directory Inquiries: 1023
ELECTRICITY:
230V AC, 50 Hz, 15 amp, three pronged (round pin) plugs.
LANGUAGES:
South Africa has 11 national languages - English is well understood everywhere.
CAPE TOWN:
Area:2,500 km² (967 mi²)
Population: 2,984,100
Time zone: Cairo / Harare / Pretoria - GMT + 2 hours in European winter and +1 hour in European Summer
SOME PAMPER PALACES:
Angsana Spa: 021 674 505 - The Vineyard Hotel
Arabella Spa: 021 412 8200 - The Westin Grand Cape Town
D&D Spa: 021 794 2785 - Cellars Hohenort
Librisa Spa: 021 483 1000 - The Mount Nelson Hotel
One & Only: 0214315810 - Only Cape Town
One Wellness Spa: 021 441 3000 - The Radisson Hotel
Sanctuary Spa: 021 437 0677 - 12 Apostles Hotel Spa
