Just because there is bad press about South African crime doesn't mean that you should put off visiting the beautiful city of Cape Town. You can look forward to a fun and incident-free vacation in one of the world's most popular tourist destinations as long as you follow these simple safety guidelines.
Don't walk around late at night unless you keep to well-lit places like the Waterfront and Camps Bay. Rather take a (decent) taxi than risk being mugged in a dark side street after nightfall.
Accepting help from a stranger at an ATM when drawing cash is a big mistake.
Stay in a group when out at night.
Try not to wave your bag, camera or cell phone around while walking in the city, day or night . If you do this, then you will only attract undesirable attention. Avoid keeping anything of value in back pockets or open backpack compartments.
Keep the windows up and the car doors locked when driving around the city.
Discourage smash and grab theft when driving by keeping bags, keys, cell phones or anything 'tempting' on the floor and not on the seats.
If you wish to visit a township, go with a reputable tour guide, not alone. There are some neighborhood that are less safe than others and it is easy to get lost.
Perhaps you would like to go to a train ride. Go on one with a blue 'Biggsy's Restaurant Car', enjoying a cup of coffee or a yummy breakfast while watching Cape Town's suburbs pass by the window. The bad news is that muggings and harassment are fairly frequent despite the security staff on the trains. When you travel in the restaurant car, it is considered as a more comfortable experience.
Giving cash to beggars should be avoided. Rather make a donation to a registered local charity. Unfortunately, money gained through begging is inevitably ill-spent. Also making you a candidate for being mugged once you have your wallet out is giving out cash.
If you are eating out or watching a movie, do not put your bags on the floor or hang them over the back of your chair. Keep them on your lap, to avoid becoming a victim of opportunistic bag-snatchers. Even in churches, these scoundrels have known to operate.
Don't forget. When it comes to muggers and pickpockets, it is a sad fact of life the world over. As long as you are careful, you will find Cape Town as friendly, safe and enjoyable as any busy cosmopolitan city in the world.
Don't walk around late at night unless you keep to well-lit places like the Waterfront and Camps Bay. Rather take a (decent) taxi than risk being mugged in a dark side street after nightfall.
Accepting help from a stranger at an ATM when drawing cash is a big mistake.
Stay in a group when out at night.
Try not to wave your bag, camera or cell phone around while walking in the city, day or night . If you do this, then you will only attract undesirable attention. Avoid keeping anything of value in back pockets or open backpack compartments.
Keep the windows up and the car doors locked when driving around the city.
Discourage smash and grab theft when driving by keeping bags, keys, cell phones or anything 'tempting' on the floor and not on the seats.
If you wish to visit a township, go with a reputable tour guide, not alone. There are some neighborhood that are less safe than others and it is easy to get lost.
Perhaps you would like to go to a train ride. Go on one with a blue 'Biggsy's Restaurant Car', enjoying a cup of coffee or a yummy breakfast while watching Cape Town's suburbs pass by the window. The bad news is that muggings and harassment are fairly frequent despite the security staff on the trains. When you travel in the restaurant car, it is considered as a more comfortable experience.
Giving cash to beggars should be avoided. Rather make a donation to a registered local charity. Unfortunately, money gained through begging is inevitably ill-spent. Also making you a candidate for being mugged once you have your wallet out is giving out cash.
If you are eating out or watching a movie, do not put your bags on the floor or hang them over the back of your chair. Keep them on your lap, to avoid becoming a victim of opportunistic bag-snatchers. Even in churches, these scoundrels have known to operate.
Don't forget. When it comes to muggers and pickpockets, it is a sad fact of life the world over. As long as you are careful, you will find Cape Town as friendly, safe and enjoyable as any busy cosmopolitan city in the world.
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