Refresh. Refocus. Renew.

Uber, the MyCiti bus system and car rentals are widely available in the Western Cape. A fast-growing cycle culture in the province also adds an alternative and fun way to enjoy the outdoors.

You can also walk to the Waterfront and many great restaurants and attractions within the city but it is advisable to do so in a group. Avoid walking alone at night. Keep your valuables and belongings safely tucked away out of sight.

South Africa uses the Rand as currency. Keep in mind that you can only use the Rand to shop, dine and experience the province, so you'll have to exchange to the local currency - luckily this can be done quickly and easily at the airport. Most shopping malls also have a Bureau de Change that will assist you.

As we've mentioned you can only pay in Rands in South Africa. But it's super easy to swap your foreign currency for rands. Money can be exchanged at the airport, commercial banks, Rennies Travel and American Express. These can be found in most shopping centres in Cape Town. You may also find exchange facilities in some hotels.

Banking hours are: 9am - 3.30pm (weekdays) and 8.30am - 11am (Saturdays) and are closed on Sundays and Public Holidays.

If you don't have any cash on you, no worries. All major credit cards are accepted at most establishments in Cape Town, as well as payment methods like Apple Pay and Samsung Wallet.

Certain visitors to South Africa require a visa to enter the country. 

It is very important that you apply early for your visa to make sure that you have it in time for travel. 

The organisers have no control over the processing of visas nor the length of time that it takes to process.

Please contact your local South African consulate to check processing times.

For more information about visas and countries that require visas please visit https://www.gov.za/services/temporary-residence/visa

To request a visa letter from the organisers please email iap2025@paragonafrica.co.za.  Kindly note that registration and accommodation fees will need to be paid in full before a visa letter is issued.

Keeping you safe in Cape Town and the Western Cape is a top priority for us.

Unfortunately, like many other places in the world, some areas grapple with the unacceptable impact of crime. To counteract this sad occurrence, we continually invest in and work with initiatives such as increased law enforcement deployment, technology expansion, and safety awareness at work to provide a safe environment for all.

We want you to leave our beautiful region with nothing but happy memories. To ensure a pleasurable trip, please keep in mind a few precautions that you can employ on all your travels across the world:

Avoid walking in deserted and dark places at night

Never allow strangers to assist you in any way at ATM / cash machines.

At night, park in a secure and well-lit area with street guards.

Keep photocopies and all valuable documents in a safe place.

Accidents happen, it's part of life. Be prepared for any scenario by saving these numbers on your phone before your trip:

• For all emergency services from your mobile dial 112
• For all emergencies from a landline, dial 107
• To call the South African Police Service, dial 10111

All stores charge the Value Added Tax (VAT) of 15% levied on the purchase of most goods in South Africa. This is generally already included in the price you pay for any item. As a foreign visitor, you may apply for a refund of the VAT you pay while in the country provided you apply before you depart.

Ensure that you receive your tax receipts for all purchases made. To claim your VAT refund, present all your tax receipts to the VAT administrator at your point of departure.