Fast Facts

American Express -- Main local offices are in the city center at Thibault Square (tel. 021/425-7991) and at the Waterfront, Shop 11A in Alfred Mall (tel. 021/419-3917). City center hours are from 8:30am to 4:30pm Monday through Friday. Waterfront hours are from 9am to 7pm Monday through Friday, and from 10am to 5pm Saturday and Sunday.

Area Code -- The area code for Cape Town and the surrounding Winelands is 021.

Babysitters -- Contact Supersitters (tel. 021/439-4985; www.supersitters.net; R50/$7/£4 per hour before midnight, thereafter R80/$11/£6 per hour), or Mary Poppins (tel. 021/674-6689 or 083/454-1282; vicky@icon.co.za; around R550/$82/£50 per day) for au pair placements.

Bookstores -- For books on Cape Town and South Africa, head for Traveller's Bookshop (tel. 021/425-6880) or Exclusive Books (tel. 021/419-0905), both in Victoria Wharf, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront.

Doctors & Dentists -- Call tel. 021/671-3634 or 021/671-2924 for a 24-hour referral service. Or try SAA Netcare Travel Clinic (tel. 021/419-3172) or MTI Medi-Travel International, in the Clock Tower, Waterfront (tel. 021/419-1888).

Embassies & Consulates -- U.S.: 4th floor, Broadway Centre, Heerengracht Street (tel. 021/421-4280); Canada: 19th floor, Reserve Bank Building, corner St Georges Mall and Hout Street (tel. 021/423-5240); U.K.: 15th floor, Southern Life Centre, 8 Riebeeck St. (tel. 021/405-2400).

Emergencies -- For an ambulance, call tel. 10177; for police, call tel. 10111; in case of fire, call tel. 021/535-1100; for a sea rescue, call tel. 021/449-3500.

Hospitals -- Groote Schuur (tel. 021/404-9111), in Observatory, is the Cape's largest hospital. However, for immediate attention in more salubrious surrounds, you're best off heading for a private clinic (this is why medical insurance is recommended). The Chris Barnard Memorial Hospital (tel. 021/480-6111) is in the center of town, at 181 Longmarket St., while the Cape Town Mediclinic (tel. 021/464-5500) is at 21 Hof St. in Gardens. Contact Mediclinic (tel. 021/883-8571) if you're in Stellenbosch.

Hot Lines -- Automobile Association (for vehicle breakdown, tel. 082/161-11); Rape Crisis (tel. 021/447-9762 for 24-hr. advice and counseling).

Internet Access -- There are numerous Internet cafes all over the city, but the Cape Town Tourism offices are probably the most convenient places to surf, given the volume of hard-copy information at your disposal. Alternatively, ask your host for the nearest Internet access.

Mobile-Phone Rental -- You can rent a phone in the International Arrivals terminal at the airport from MTN Rentals (tel. 021/934-3261) or from Cellucity, Kiosk 5, Victoria Wharf Centre, Waterfront (tel. 021/418-1306), for about R20 ($3/£1) a day.

Newspapers & Magazines -- The morning paper, Cape Times, and the more sensationalist afternoon and evening paper, Argus, are sold at most street corners. You'll find international titles at the Waterfront.

Pharmacy -- Lite-Kem (tel. 021/461-8040), at 24 Darling St., opposite the city post office, is open Monday through Saturday from 7:30am to 11pm and Sunday from 9am to 11pm. Sunset Pharmacy (tel. 021/434-3333), in Sea Point Medical Centre, Kloof Road, is open daily from 8:30am to 9pm.

Post Office -- The central branch is located on Darling street (tel. 021/464-1700), on the first floor. Hours are Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm (Wed from 8:30am) and Saturday from 8am to 1pm.

Restrooms -- The city's large population of homeless people means that the hygiene of public restrooms can be of varying quality. You're best off going to a coffee shop or restaurant, or visiting a gas station.

Safety -- The formation of the Central City Improvement District (CCID), the installation of closed-circuit cameras, a dedicated city police force, and 24-hour care centers for Cape Town's street children has resulted in a drastic reduction in crime in the city center. This is no reason to let down your guard, however. Muggings can be avoided by taking the same precautions you would in any large city. Be aware of street children, many of whom beg at large intersections. Visitors are requested to give them food coupons (inquire at the CCID Kiosks in St George's Mall and Company Gardens) or make a donation to one of the child-care centers rather than provide them with cash, which keeps them on the streets. Note that it is inadvisable to pull over and stop on the N2 (the airport highway), and it's worth traveling with a cellphone in case your car breaks down. For detailed advice, pick up a brochure on safety from any tourism office.

Weather -- Call tel. 082/231-1640.