South Africa Travel Guide

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Shopping

Shopping centers are far more common than shopping streets; the Gateway Mall in Durban is reputedly the largest in the southern hemisphere. However, areas where shops and restaurants spill out onto the streets are proving hugely popular, and are steadily becoming more common. Traditional African arts and crafts are sold in numerous craft markets, including Cape Town's V&A Waterfront craft shed and Johannesburg's Rosebank Mall craft market.

Impromptu craft stalls often appear at the side of the road, particularly on popular tourist routes, and some have become permanent attractions in their own right, such as the one between Johannesburg and Sun City.

Traditional crafts include wooden carvings, sandstone sculptures and bead work. Gold, diamonds and local wine also make excellent buys.

Visitors can claim a 14% VAT refund, minus commission, on purchases worth more than R250. You need to show your passport, flight ticket, the items and invoices to the refund desk in airports.

Shopping hours: Many shops stay open until at least 1800, and large shopping malls and tourist spots generally stay open even later.

Currency

Rand (ZAR; symbol R) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of R200, 100, 50, 20 and 10. Coins are in denominations of R5, 2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10 and 5 cents.

Currency Exchange

Money can be changed at banks, bureau de change and some hotels. Proof of identity may be requested; therefore, it is advisable to carry a passport. Visitors are restricted to bringing in and taking out a maximum of R5,000 in cash.

Credit Cards, Debit Cards, and ATMs

MasterCard and Visa are preferred. American Express and Diners Club are also widely accepted. ATMs are available in all towns, cities and shopping malls and most petrol stations, and accept international cards. Almost all hotels, shops and restaurants, and even national parks and game reserves, accept credit cards. They are rarely accepted at petrol stations, however.

Travelers Checks

Valid at banks, hotels, restaurants and some tourist-orientated shops. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travelers are advised to take traveler's checks in Pounds Sterling or US Dollars.

Currency Restrictions

The import and export of local currency is limited to R5000 in cash. The import and export of foreign currency is unlimited provided it is declared upon arrival.

Banking Hours

Mon-Fri 0900-1530, Sat 0830-1100.

Exchange Rate