Cape Town has a fascinating history combined with a normally excellent climate, so it’s popular with both cultural and leisure tourists. The city can be quite expensive though, so some forward planning is a good idea if you are on a budget.
Attraction prices can be quite steep so it’ll save money if you plan on seeing some of the museums and spending time on the beach instead. Food and drinks are quite affordable on the low end, and beer and wine are particular bargains for those who like to imbibe.
| Population | 3,500,000 |
| Area | 3,500,000 |
| Timezone | UTC+2 |
| Currency | South Africa rand |
| Airports | Cape Town International Airport (CPT) |
| Budget breakfast | If your hotel or hostel doesn't include breakfast you can find some good and simple options in most neighborhoods. | $2.53 - $4.05 |
| Budget lunch | Going for fast food or casual restaurants and pubs can keep your lunches reasonable. | $3.14 - $5.82 |
| Budget dinner | Depending on your neighborhood it might take some looking to find good sit-down budget dinners. | $4.81 - $8.60 |
| Beer (pint) | Pints of the local lager are reasonably priced at most bars and pubs, but night clubs will charge more. | $0.91 - $1.37 |
| Month | High F | Low F | PRECIP (inches) |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 79 | 60 | 0.6 |
| February | 80 | 60 | 0.7 |
| March | 78 | 58 | 0.8 |
| April | 73 | 53 | 1.6 |
| May | 69 | 49 | 2.7 |
| June | 65 | 46 | 3.7 |
| July | 64 | 45 | 3.2 |
| August | 64 | 46 | 3.0 |
| September | 67 | 48 | 1.6 |
| October | 70 | 51 | 1.2 |
| November | 74 | 56 | 0.6 |
| December | 77 | 59 | 0.7 |
Cape Town has a generally pleasant climate all year round, though the winter period from April through August can be cool and wet depending on which part of the city you are in. Summers are typically warm and dry, though extreme heat is rare, as is uncomfortable humidity.
The Cape Town climate is similar to Los Angeles, with seasons reversed, of course. The beach areas can be very pleasant and mild while certain inland areas can be much hotter or much wetter at any given moment.
| 21 Mar | 6:50am | 6:56pm |
| 21 Jun | 7:51am | 5:45pm |
| 21 Sep | 6:37am | 6:42pm |
| 21 Dec | 5:32am | 7:57pm |
There are plenty of hostels in Cape Town and prices for a bed are quite competitive, especially outside of the peak December/January season. Hotels are spread all over and booking a bit into the suburbs can deliver a higher standard at a lower price.
As a Southern Hemisphere beach city, Cape Town hotels operate on a fairly predictable set of seasons. The peak season is generally from mid December through mid January, which is also typically has the best summer weather. High season for Cape Town hotels is usually from October through April, excluding the peak season in the middle.
Low season is generally from May through September, and prices don’t change much near the lower end of the market, but sometimes mid-range hotels can be quite cheap, and deals can be arranged if you are staying more than a few days.
| Rating | Price(USD) |
|---|---|
 | 29.52 - 45.27 |
| 44.61 - 67.57 |
| 26.24 - 72.16 |
| 60.36 - 106.93 |
| 97.75 - 181.07 |
| Type | Price(USD) |
|---|---|
| Hostel Bed | 8.17 - 19.92 |