Is Cape Town Safe for Travelers?
Cape Town, South Africa, is one of the most beautiful tourist destination and is becoming increasingly popular with travelers from around the world. But many potential visitors worry about safety and security, wondering if their visit to the city will be safe. The short answer is yes, it is certainly safe to travel to Cape Town, though there are some common-sense tips and considerations that travelers should take into account.
The city experiences a range of crime, like any large urban center, but in general it is considered safe. Of course, like any destination, there’s no need to ignore common sense and safety precautions while in the city.
For example, as with many other cities, pickpocketing and theft can be an issue in Cape Town if visitors don’t take precautions. This means it’s important to remain aware of your surroundings and take the same precautions you would anywhere else: keep your passport and credit cards close to your body and shielded, don’t carry too much cash or keep it in your pocket, and don’t leave expensive or valuable items visible or unattended in public places.
Additionally, visitors should be aware that public transport is generally not considered safe, so it’s best to use a reputable taxi company when traveling around. Taking basic safety precautions, such as avoiding poorly lit, deserted areas late at night, is also recommended.
What About Long Term Safety Risks?
In recent years there has been an increase in violent crimes in Cape Town, with murder rate almost double that of the rest of South Africa. However, this is largely localized to certain parts of the city and should not deter people from visiting the city.
As with visiting any new place, it’s important to research the local safety situation before you travel and look out for updates from governmental travel advisories. Additionally, it’s best to check some local sources for up-to-date information that may go against what is published by governmental travel advisories. Searching “travel safety in Cape Town’ on Reddit or looking for related posts on blog sites such as SafeTravelingBlog, can provide invaluable local insight into how safe specific parts of the city are and the precautions that many locals take to protect themselves.
In the end, while some risks are associated with travel to any large city, with some common-sense and caution, visitors to Cape Town can be safe and still enjoy all that this beautiful city has to offer.
