Travel Facts for visiting South Africa and Moon Bay Guest House in Cape Town

All the information you need for Moon Bay Guest House Cape Town Accommodation

Cape Town's Standard Time
South Africa is two hours in advance of Greenwich Mean Time. South Africa does not change its times from summer to winter. Therefore, as an example the UK is two hours behind South African time in the UK winter and one hour behind in the UK summer.

Visa Requirements
Every person seeking to enter South Africa must be in possession of a valid passport for travel to South Africa and, where necessary, a visa. UK passport holders do not need a visa. Enquiries can be directed to South African diplomatic representatives in your country or the Department of Home Affairs in Pretoria. Many travel agents and tour operators will also advise you on your visa requirements. Visitors who intend traveling to South Africa's neighboring countries and back into South Africa are advised to apply for multiple entry visas. In terms of existing arrangements, passport holders of certain countries are exempt from visa requirements. Tourists must satisfy immigration officers that they have the means to support themselves during their stay, and that they are in possession of return, or onward air tickets.

Immunisations
No international immunisation is needed when entering South Africa.

Visitors from Europe, North America and Australasia will need no immunisation. If visitors come from countries, or travel through, or disembark in areas which are affected by yellow fever, they are advised to be inoculated against the disease before visiting South Africa.

Malaria
This disease is largely under control in South Africa. Regions that are affected are in the extreme north and east of the country. There is no Malaria in Cape Town or any part of the south and west of the country. However if you travel to the north and east of South Africa, the risk of contracting the disease is negligible provided that you take the standard precautions e.g. Malaria tablets, a good insect repellent, particularly in the evening, long-sleeved shirts and mosquito coils are advisable. In Cape Town there is NO Malaria.

Sun Tanning
As some parts of South Africa fall within the tropics, special precautions should be taken to protect your skin whilst out in the sun. The use of sun tanning creams, sun block, hats and other sun-protective clothing are highly recommended. Please consult your doctor if you have sensitive skin before exposing yourself to the intense sun.

Cape Town has many hot days in summer tempered with a wind from across the warm False Bay. Winters are warm with raininy days like may Mediterainian climates.

Phoning
When in South Africa, if you wish to make a call overseas, you must first dial 00, which is South Africa's international access code.

When dialing South Africa from outside the country, you will need to use your international access code (00 in Europe and 01 in North America). The international country dialing code for South Africa is 27.

For national telephone enquiries in South Africa dial  1023
For international telephone enquiries in South Africa dial 0903

Public phones are either coin or card operated. Only green public telephones use telephone cards. The cards can be bought at various hotels, post offices, airports, bookshops and supermarkets.

Mobile phones, known as cell phones, are widely used and there is good coverage in all cities, towns and all major routes.

Skype is available at Moon Bay Guest House at NO Charge

Electricity
South Africa uses 220/230 volts AC at 50 cycles per second. Three pronged round plugs are universal in South Africa. They differ from all European, North American and Australasian electrical plugs. Ensure any purchased plug adaptors are for South African use. Hotel/ Guest House rooms have 2 pin adapters and outlets for electric shavers tooth brushes and small appliances.

We also have adaptors for most other electrical appliances. However these are limited so ensure you have your own if you are bringing several appliances with you.

Hair dryers are provided at this Cape Town accommodation  Guest House.

Water
Tap water throughout the Cape Metropolitan Area is safe for human consumption.

Currency
One Rand (R) = 100 cents (c). Notes issued are R200, R100, R50, R20 and R10. Coins are R5, R2, R1, 50c 20c, 10c, 5c, 2c and 1c. Currency exchange rates are available at banks and published daily in the press

Post Offices
Weekdays 08:00 to 16:00
Saturdays 08:00 to 12:00
Stamps can be bought at many stationery shops and supermarkets. Private companies offer many of the postal services supplied by the main post office, as well as courier and speed post services.

Tipping
It is customary to tip waiters, waitresses, wine stewards, taxi drivers, porters and caddies. Depending on service, the amount should be around 10% of the bill. Petrol station attendants often anticipate a tip if they have offered service beyond just filling your tank.

Travelers Cheques
Most international travelers cheques are accepted, provided they are in an acceptable currency, and may be cashed at most banks. Many hotels and shops also provide this service.

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 and the value of the total items purchased exceeds R250. VAT is refunded on departure, at the point of departure.

VAT of 14% is levied on nearly all goods and services, including hotel accommodation, goods and transport. Foreign tourists may claim back VAT paid on items that will be taken out of the country. Original tax invoices, a foreign passport, plus all the items on which a refund is claimed, must be presented at the VAT refund administration office or an appointed RSA customs and excise official on departure. Then the total VAT on these items can be refunded. Visitors will be requested to fill out a VAT Refund Control Sheet (VAT 255). Where a visitor does not export all the goods specified on a particular tax invoice, only the value of the goods and the tax paid on the goods to be exported must be declared on this form.

Driving
People must 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. Many national driving licenses are accepted in South Africa, provided the license includes a photograph as well as the signature of the holder. Cash is required to pay for fuel. Credit cards are NOT acceptable to pay for fuel. The generally accepted name for a traffic light in South Africa is a robot – and this is often written on the road to indicate that a traffic light is ahead.

Conversions - distances and temperatures:
Distances throughout South Africa are given in kilometers.
1 mile = 1.62 kilometers
Temperatures are given in degrees Celsius (centigrade).
10 degrees Celsius = 50 degrees F (Fahrenheit)

Cost of Living
Cape Town is rated as one of the best value for money tourist destinations in a survey of international cities recently conducted by Cape Metropolitan Tourism. To help you plan your budget we have listed the average costs of some holiday items. The prices listed may vary depending on the service provided and the location.

Can of beer (340 ml) R8.00
Can of coke (340 ml) R5.00
20 cigarettes R18.00
Fuel, per liter (97 octane) R7.50
Bottle of  good quality red wine, at restaurant R100.00 to R 200
Bottle of good quality white wine, at restaurant R70.00 to R100

Credit Cards
Major international credit cards such as American Express, Diners, MasterCard, Standard Bank Card, Visa and their affiliates are accepted.

Customs allowances
400 cigarettes, 250 grams of tobacco, 50 cigars, one liter of spirit, two liters of wine, 50 ml perfume, 250 ml of eau de toilette are allowed. In addition, gifts, souvenirs and other goods to the value of R500 are allowed. Duty is levied at 20% thereafter.

Drinking
Alcohol may only be purchased by persons over the age of 18.

Duty Free Shops
Duty free shops are situated in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban International Airports.

Emergency Numbers
Police and Flying Squad:  10111 (only in South Africa)

Ambulance:  10177
Crime stop:  0800 11 12 13 (only in South Africa)
Tourist Assistance Unit:   +27 21 418-2853 
Emergencies in greater Cape Town and immediate surroundings only:  107  

Languages
There are 11 official languages in South Africa. 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.

Medical Facilities
Doctors are listed under "Mediese Praktisyns/Medical Practitioners" in the telephone directory and dentists can be found under "Tandartse/Dentists".

There are doctors and Hospitals in the Village of Fish Hoek

 Moon Bay Guest House - Accommodation Cape Town - Contact Details

Owners (Peter and Tina Davies) Home -  021 782 4767 

cell / Mobile -  082 441 0871 - Peter

Tina 083 734 1958

e-mail - info@moonbayguesthouse.co.za

Skype - peterdaviesinsa