Tip
Cape Town is largely card-friendly — restaurants, cafés, and shops will take Visa and Mastercard without issue. You get a good rate (close to mid-market). Many places offer contactless payments.
The South African rand means everything feels inexpensive in USD or EUR — a good Uber ride across the city centre costs R50–120, a café lunch R80–180. Tipping around 10–15% is standard and expected at restaurants.
ATMs: Common everywhere. Fees for foreign cards: R30–80 per withdrawal (around $2–5 USD). Limits vary (often R2,000–5,000 per transaction). Best banks: Standard Bank, FNB, ABSA. Avoid airport ATMs for high fees. Use cards with no foreign fees (e.g., some Revolut or Schwab) to minimize costs.
Recommendation: Use card for most payments (hotels, big restaurants, tours). Carry cash for daily small spends. Withdraw larger amounts less often to reduce fees. Always notify your bank of travel.
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