Banking and financial services in South Africa

Banks and foreign exchange in SA

With a favourable exchange rate for many international currencies, you'll find South Africa a very inexpensive destination. And an easy one – our financial institutions are world-class, with no shortage of banks, bureaux de change and automatic tellers.

Phoning to and from South Africa

The ins and outs of phoning to and from (and within) South Africa, plus information on dialling codes, directories, time differences, special services and more.

Health tips for travellers

South Africa is a safe destination with good levels of hygiene and drinkable water. There are nonetheless some health issues that you should be aware of.

Useful facts for tourists

Information about public holidays, tipping, smoking zones and the seasons

Don't leave home without ...

Plan ahead so you don't have any unpleasant surprises. Bring walking shoes, sunglasses, medication and insect repellant. If you forget anything, don't panic - you can buy whatever you need here

Tips for staying out of trouble

Like anywhere in the world, crime can be a problem. But all you really need to do is keep your wits about you and take the usual sensible precautions.

Tourists with disabilities

South Africa is constantly improving its facilities for disabled tourists, and many places of interest have specially adapted accommodation and wheelchair-friendly facilities and walks

South African Tourism information hotline

Tourist info hotline

What to bring, where to stay, what to see ...? Our call centre is here to help you in Dutch, English, French, German, Italian, Mandarin or Portuguese.

South Africa travel documents

Visas and permits

Helping you cut through the travel red tape.

Taxes and duties

What can I bring into South Africa? Will I have to pay tax on goods I buy?

South Africa's weather and climate

Climate

Warm, temperate conditions and a seemingly endless supply of sunshine.

isiZulu phrasebook

isiZulu phrasebook

To help you break the ice: a few basic phrases in the first language over 10-million South Africans.

South African slang 
dictionary

SA English is lekker!

Our robots are nothing like R2D2, just now doesn't mean immediately, and babbelas isn't a shampoo. Tune in with our quick dictionary of South African idiom.