South Africa Tourist Information: Currency

The Rand (ZAR)
R1 = 100 cents
Coin denominations:
5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, R1, R2 and R5
Banknote denominations:
R10, R20, R50, R100 and R200

Branches and ATMs of major national banks are found in most towns, suburbs and shopping malls.

Most ATM machines accept international bank cards, mainly VISA Electron and Maestro for debit cards, and Visa, MasterCard, Diners Club and American Express for credit cards

.Customer Services

Diners Club: +27 (0) 800 112 017
MasterCard: +27 (0) 800 990 418
Visa International: +27 (0) 800 990 475

Banking Hours
Weekdays: 09h00 – 15h30
Saturdays: 09h00 – 11h00
Sundays: Closed

ACCOMMODATION

(Per person per night)
Campsites: R60 - R200
Backpackers / Hostels: R80 – R150
Bed & Breakfast: R300 – R800
Guesthouses / Lodges / Inns: R350 – R800
Hotels: R800 upwards
Self-Catering: R500 per unit upwards

RESTAURANTS

Starter: R30 – R50
Main Course: R45 – R85
Local Beer (340ml): R16
Imported Beer (340ml): R20
Wine (per glass): R15 – R25
Wine (per bottle): R45 – R100
Spirits (per tot): R12 – R20
Soft Drinks: R8 – R12
Bottled Water (500ml): R8 – R10

ENTERTAINMENT

Nightclub cover charge: R40 – R50
Movie Ticket: R40
Theatre ticket: R80 upwards
Live performances: R40 upwards

TIPPING

(Standard practice for satisfactory service)
Restaurants: 10 – 15% of the total bill
Taxi Drivers: 10 – 15% of the total fare
Porters: R5 per bag
Car guards (street parking) R5+
Petrol attendants: R5+

Foreign currency can be exchanged at airports, commercial banks (Standard Bank, ABSA, FNB, Nedbank), Rennies Travel or American Express. These can be found in most shopping centres, as well as in most suburbs of the Western Cape. Many hotels provide exchange facilities for guests.

Please use converter to the right to work out foreign exchange rate.

Duty-free allowance for adult visitor:
Spirits = 1 litre
Wine = 2 litres
Cigars = 20
Cigarette or pipe tobacco = 250g
Cigarettes = 200
Eau de Perfume = 50ml
Eau de Toilette = 250ml
Other goods = R3 000 (max. value)

NOTE: Firearms require permits, which are available at customs entry points.

Customs Office (Mondays to Fridays): +27 (0)21 413 5000

Avoid the unnecessary display of valuables and keep to well-lit areas after dark. Ask locals about areas that should be avoided. Use a map to plan your route beforehand. In crowded areas, be vigilant of street children, pickpockets and bag snatchers.

National Police Call Centre - 10111

SHOPPING TRADING HOURS

Most shops and businesses are open between 09h00 and 17h00 on weekdays and until 13h00 on Saturdays.

MAJOR MALLS

V & A Waterfront (Cape Town)

Daily: 09h00 – 21h00
Tel: +27 (0)21 408 7600

Canal Walk (Cape Town)

Daily: 09h00 – 21h00
Tel: +27 (0)21 55 4433

Cavendish Square (Cape Town)

Monday to Saturday: 09h00 – 19h00
Sunday: 10h00 – 17h00
Tel: +27 (0)21 657 5620

Willowbridge Shopping Centre (Cape Town)

Monday to Sunday: 09h00 – 17h00
Tel: +27 (0)21 914 7218

Cape Gate (Cape Town)

Monday to Saturday: 09h00 – 20h00
Sunday: 09h00 – 17h00
Tel: +27 (0)21 981 2288

Vangate Mall (Cape Town)

Monday to Sunday: 09h00 – 21h00
Tel: +27 (0)21 633 1065

Somerset Mall, Somerset West (Cape Town)

Monday to Saturday: 09h00 – 18h00
Sunday: 09h00 – 16h00
Tel: +27 (0)21 852 7114

Mountain Mill Shopping Centre (Worcester)

Monday – Friday: 09h00 – 19h00
Saturday: 09h00 – 17h00
Sunday: 10h00 – 16h00
Tel: +27 (0) 23 347 0415

Garden Route Mall (George)

Monday – Friday: 09h00 – 18h00
Saturday: 08h00 – 17h00
Sunday and Public Holidays: 09h00 – 15h00
Tel: +27 (0) 44 887 0044

TRAVEL AGENTS

Weekdays: 09h00 – 17h00
Saturdays: 09h00 – 12h00

POST OFFICE

Weekdays: 08h30 – 16h30
Wednesdays: 09h00 – 16h30
Saturdays: 08h00 – 12h00