Local Information – Cape Town - International Coastal Atlas Network

Local Information – Cape Town Please carry this important information with you Important information about South Africa, and some fast facts: http://www.southafrica.net/za/en/travel‐tips 1. Websites for the ICAN7 meeting and the MSP course International Coastal Atlas Network (ICAN) 7 http://ican.science.oregonstate.edu/en/ican7_prog IOC/MPR/ICAN/IODE/OceanTeacher Global Academy: Marine Spatial Planning Training Course http://ioc‐unesco.org/index.php?option=com_oe&task=viewEventRecord&eventID=1619 2. Meeting Venue Protea Hotel Breakwater Lodge, Lecture Theatre 5. Information and map: http://www.proteahotels.com/hotels/Pages/protea‐hotel‐breakwater‐
lodge.aspx Portswood Road, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town T: +27 21 406 1911 Email: [email protected] Registration will commence at 08h30 on Sunday 19 April in Lecture Theatre 5. We will begin the meeting at 09h00. 3. Getting from the airport to your accommodation There are numerous options for getting from the Cape Town airport to your hotel. 1. Taxi. Use a reputable service and book ahead of time. Excite Taxis are reliable, inexpensive and can be booked in advance, online. http://www.excitetaxis.co.za/ 2. Uber (https://www.uber.com/) 3. MyCiti Public Bus service (http://myciti.org.za/en/home/) • There is a bus stop at airport arrivals. You need to purchase a card, load credit and can then use the public bus system throughout Cape Town. See the website for maps. It is very reliable, but can be crowded with commuters during rush hours. 4. Local currency The local currency is the South African Rand (ZAR). This is the only legal tender in South Africa and no other currencies will be accepted at hotels/ restaurants/ taxis etc. It is recommended that you change money or draw Rands from an ATM on your arrival at the airport. ATMs are easily accessible throughout Cape Town and will mostly accept VISA and Mastercard related cards. Many establishments accept international debit and credit cards (VISA and Mastercard are widely accepted; check others). 5. Local weather http://www.yr.no/place/South_Africa/Western_Cape/Cape_Town/ 6. Security / insurance Ensure you have medical insurance and/or travel insurance. As in any large city around the world, do take precautions to ensure your security and that of your possessions. Always keep your valuables secure and never leave belongings unattended. Read these useful tips http://www.southafrica.net/za/en/travel‐tips/entry/travel‐tip‐safety‐precautions 7. Visas It will be your responsibility to secure a visa, if required. Please do this WELL IN ADVANCE of travel, and let us know if you need supporting documentation. 8. Yellow Fever certificates South Africa's yellow fever vaccination requirements policy has been reviewed. As of 1 October 2011, South Africa requires all travellers journeying from yellow fever risk countries to show proof of yellow fever vaccination by means of a valid yellow fever certificate. This also applies to those who have travelled to low risk countries such as Sao Tome and Principe, Somalia, Tanzania and Zambia or have transited through a yellow fever risk country. Countries for which a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for entry into South Africa are Angola, Argentina, Benin, Bolivia, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Colombia, Guinea‐Bissau, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ecuador, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, French Guyana, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guyana, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Suriname, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania, Venezuela, and Zambia. Double check your requirements yourself as regulations do change from time‐to‐time. Failure to produce a certificate on arrival may result in you being refused entry to South Africa. They DO check. 9. Plugs •
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The South African electricity supply is 220/230 volts AC 50 HZ. Most plugs are 15 amp 3‐prong or 5 amp 2‐prong, with round pins. If an adaptor is called for, consider bringing one with you, although they can be purchased locally. US‐made appliances may need a transformer. •
Most hotel rooms have 110 volt outlets for electric shavers and appliances. Don’t forget your plug adapter! For information on South Africa’s plugs, see below. http://www.worldstandards.eu/electricity/plugs‐and‐sockets/m/ 10. Local sightseeing As one of the top tourist destinations in the world, Cape Town has an overwhelming offering of things to do and see. Overview of things to do in Cape Town http://www.southafrica.net/za/en/articles/overview/cape‐town See the same website for the entire Western Cape region 41 things to do in Cape Town under R200 http://www.travelstart.co.za/blog/40‐things‐to‐do‐in‐cape‐town‐under‐r200/ And for reputable tours, see Cape Town City tours: http://www.citysightseeing.co.za/compare‐tours 11. The Waterfront area The V&A waterfront is in walking distance of the Breakwater lodge. It offers over 450 retail outlets, restaurants, exhibitions and events. http://www.waterfront.co.za/ 12. Accommodation Rates mentioned are an approximate conversion from Rands to USD (at the time R 11.27 to $1) All recommendations below are within 1km of the Breakwater Lodge. Those with a * are the closest to the venue. Cape Town is also very well covered on accommodation websites such as Booking.com and Hotels.com Protea Hotel Breakwater Lodge* ICAN 7 and CoastGIS venue. Rate: $116 USD if booked with ICAN booking form. http://www.proteahotels.com/hotels/Pages/protea‐hotel‐breakwater‐lodge.aspx Portswood Hotel* Brenwin Guest house Rate: $ 148 Rate: $84 USD Website: http://www.legacyhotels.co.za/en/hotels/portswood Website: http://www.brenwin.co.za/english/home.htm The Commodore Hotel* Rate: $ 157 Website: http://www.legacyhotels.co.za/en/hotels/commodore House on the Hill Rate: $80 USD Website: http://www.houseonthehillct.co.za/ Port View Guest House Rate: $114 USD Website: http://www.portviewhouse.co.za/ Villa Zest Boutique Hotel Rate: $ 132 USD Website: http://www.villazest.co.za/ Sugar Hotel Rate: $ 128 USD Website: http://www.sugarhotel.co.za/ Cascades Suites Studio or two‐roomed apartments Rate: $64 / $73 USD Website: http://www.cascadescapetown.co.za/ Cape Diem Lodge Rate: $173 USD Website: http://www.capediemlodge.com/ Primi Oxford House Rate: $75 USD Website: http://primioxford.pagehotel.co/