Cape Town is the second largest city in South Africa and home a vibrant and diverse population of people as well as a rich cultural history. It makes a great base for exploring the surrounding natural areas and offers many unique experiences within the city, but in order to enjoy your trip as much as possible there are a few things to keep in mind:
- Watch out for pedestrians! Travel on foot is common in Cape Town, even on major roads and highways, so drive with caution or take a taxi service and leave the hassle to someone else.
- Be careful with fire in natural areas. The natural landscape around Cape Town is beautiful and can be especially prone to brush fires during the dry season, so if you plan on hiking, camping or picnicking around the city be sure to practice fire safety.
- Check the closing times of attractions and museums on your itinerary – Cape Town is known for having some eccentric opening and closing hours at some of its popular attractions, so check ahead to avoid disappointment.
- Avoid looking like a tourist, especially at night. Although Cape Town is generally reasonably safe and crime rates have been dropping, many travelers come back with stories of people who were robbed of their cell phones, cameras and the like while walking back to hotels at night. Make sure you know your route before setting out, and keep valuables out of sight in a bag or backpack to blend in with the locals.
- Consider the season: Cape Town has a generally pleasant Mediterranean climate with cool damp winters and warm dry summers, but the weather is variable so prepare for both extremes when planning a trip. More important to consider is the holiday and tourist season – during school vacations the city is very busy. Locals often recommend traveling in October and November, the spring season for this southern hemisphere destination, before schools get out for summer.
- Avoid carrying food in your pockets if visiting a wildlife attraction, as local wildlife such as baboons is not shy about pick-pocketing humans.
Cape Town has a lot to offer as an unusual and historical vacation destination, and with a bit of common sense and a little planning ahead your trip should be safe, enjoyable and memorable.