Although Cape Town has fared better than crime-plagued Johannesburg when it comes to personal safety, the city has experienced an increase in hijackings, robberies and other violent crimes in recent years, and with the city's turbulent history, residents are more preoccupied with safety than ever.
Tourists are particularly vulnerable to petty crime, including purse snatching and pickpocketing. Using common sense, though, will help you avoid trouble: Don't flaunt expensive jewelry, mobile phones, large amounts of cash or expensive items, and don't walk around the City Centre alone at night (be careful even in the daytime around the Grand Parade). If you have a rental car, lock valuables in the trunk, even when using parking garages with attendants. Keep car doors locked and windows closed while driving. Don't use an ATM at night if it's in a lonely location. Rather, go to a shopping center or a gas station where you'll find 24-hour security.
Decline the services of informal parking attendants—only uniformed guards should watch your car for a fee or a tip (R2-R5). At night, park in a secure, well-lit area. The best defense against possible trouble is to travel with a group of friends or fellow travelers. Only visit a township in the company of a tour guide, especially if you plan to go at night, and avoid public transport in township areas at all times.
Day or night, women are at risk walking alone on the many hiking trails throughout the Cape Peninsula. Always walk with a partner or a group, and if you have a mobile phone, take it along as a precaution. Always tell someone (such as a hotel clerk) where you are going to be walking before you leave.
For emergency services, phone 107. You can reach the Police Flying Squad at 10111 or ambulance service at 10177; both operate 24 hours a day.
For more information, contact your country's travel-advisory agency.
Cape Town is not subject to many of the health risks that travelers may encounter in other parts of southern Africa: Sanitary conditions are good, the tap water is safe to drink, and the food in most restaurants poses no great hazard to visitors. Travelers should be aware that South Africa has one of the highest incidences of HIV/AIDS in the world. As in most other African countries, transmission is predominantly through heterosexual sexual activity.
Red tide occasionally occurs on the west coast of South Africa in summer. If it does, avoid shellfish. (Red tide warnings are widely publicized.) In summer, southerly winds sometimes bring marine organisms known locally as bluebottles ashore. They are easily recognizable by their air-filled blue sacs and long trailing blue threads, which can inflict a painful sting. Watch out for bluebottles in the water and on the beaches: Don't step on them.
Although Cape Town is malaria-free, mosquitoes carry a variety of diseases. Ticks are always a risk, especially in the parklands around Table Mountain. Ticks generally come out in the early spring and may carry tick typhus, commonly known as tickbite fever. The best precaution for both mosquitoes and ticks is to cover up and use repellent.
Public health facilities are substandard, so visitors should frequent the more expensive private facilities, for which you'll need insurance or money (or perhaps both, as a deposit is sometimes required even if you have coverage).
In an emergency, there are two hospitals that are centrally located and easily accessible. Cape Town Medi-Clinic (21 Hof St., Oranjezicht, Cape Town; phone 021-464-5500; 24-hour emergency hotline 021-464-5555; http://www.capetownmc.co.za); and the Christiaan Barnard Memorial Hospital (181 Longmarket St., City Centre, Cape Town; phone 021-480-6111; http://www.netcare.co.za).
For more information, contact your country's health-advisory agency.
All public buildings and modern structures have wheelchair ramps, accessible toilets and parking facilities. Even so, hilly terrain and steep stairways mean that Cape Town is not the most user-friendly place for travelers with disabilities. The city does not have buses with hydraulic lifts for those in wheelchairs or for the elderly. The best way for disabled travelers to get around is by metered taxi or by hiring a car. Most major car rental companies offer hand-control vehicles.
Wheelchairs are available at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, though you should call in advance to confirm. Kirstenbosch also offers a Braille-guided trail for the visually impaired.
The National Council for Persons with Physical Disabilities in South Africa is a good initial contact for information on accessible transport and accommodation around the country. Phone 011-726-8040. http://www.ncppdsa.org.za.
Don't think you have to wear shoes in the summer. Many don't; they simply leave them at home and go barefoot—even to the shopping mall.
Don't go to Camps Bay Beach in the afternoon. Nobody does. It's normally too windy. If you do, be prepared for the pitying looks from the bars and cafes across the street when the wind blows you flat on the sand.
Do go jogging—if you must—on the stretch of Victoria Road, Bantry Bay to Camps Bay. It's the after-5 pm activity for singles who also need to exercise. Be sure to wear the latest DKNY jogging gear and don't forget your shades.
Don't cross the road to park on the other side, facing the wrong way. It's illegal.
Do dress down. Men almost never wear jackets, for example, unless they work for a law firm. For dinner in a nice restaurant, wear a smart shirt with rolled-up sleeves and loafers without socks.
