The Ultimate Digital Nomad Guide To Living Like a Local In Cape Town.

A locals guide.

Why Travel To Cape Town.

Cape Town is a well-kept secret which definitely raises eyebrows when I tell people it’s one of my favourite places, mostly due to its reputation in safety (we’ll cover that later).

As a nomad who’s lived there for 9 months and experienced everything the city has to offer, I gained a more local perspective on how to navigate the area. The mother city is my second home.

It has its own charm of stunning scenery, top-grade dining, vibrant nightlife and great weather. Best of all, everything you need is within a 10-minute drive. You can go from the beach to the mountains to wineries on the same day. Life feels like a movie.

Whether you’re visiting for 6 days or 6 months, read on to get the low down on what life is actually like in the city, why you should go there and how to make the most of your experience. Read on for my run down and recommendations of what to do there.

A Typical Nomad Routine In Cape Town.

⏰ For me, a typical day would start with an early morning, cold water dip and Saunders rock pool, followed by a workout. I’d then head to Workshop17 or Bootlegger on Kloof to get some work done before grabbing lunch from NU Health.

In the afternoon, I’d finish a bit more work, take a walk in De Waal Park then meet some friends for an evening hike at Kloof Corner or hit Clifton 2nd beach for golden hour and some bat and ball.

For me, the wholesome, simple activities with friends are what make the special moments in life and Cape Town gave me these every day. It’s impossible not to be present.

The Best Areas To Stay In Cape Town As A Nomad.

Cape Town is a small city but each suburb has its own charm, pros and cons. It often comes down to personal preference but I’ll give you my view on each area.

Seapoint.

Most people gravitate towards here, so it’s definitely a little more touristy than most areas.

While Seapoint is oceanside and has a great prom for running, it’s pretty tourist, noisy and dirty. There’s also not a huge amount of nightlife or evening-vibe restaurants here. The best time to go is Saturday morning for brunch and coffee after your hike, but be prepared to queue.

Personally, I wouldn’t stay in Seapoint. I would often visit to head to Saunders tidal pool for a cold ocean dip and to watch the sunset. I’m not a fan of the vibe though, most locals avoid it unless heading for a Saturday brunch at Kleinskys post-hike.

Camps Bay.

The iconic strip where it all happens set oceanside for perfect sunsets beneath the glamorous mountainside mansions. Most people flock here for cocktails on a Sunday night, Cafe Caprice being the most famous joint.

It’s great to visit but not perfect for living.

While Camps Bay is full of luxury homes with an ocean view and is much safer than other areas, it’s still a long walk downhill to the ocean front where it’s pretty noisy and has a commercial vibe

Again, I see Camps Bay as a destination spot, not a local hub. It’s more of drinks and posing kind of spot, so you won’t find the best restaurants here and there aren’t many great work spots. You will find plenty of music and luxury cars though.

The area doesn’t have a great walking score not because of safety, but because the residential area is set quite far back from the ocean front up lots of winding hills.

It does have a hidden gem: The Camps Bay Retreat. Unreal sunset spot for dinner or a drink. It also has a fancy spa and paddle court for the more active people.

Gardens.

Gardens is where I lived and would certainly recommend it to everyone visiting. You want to base yourself around Kloof Street which is an institution of activity for locals.

Gardens has its own local charm, its vibrant but not touristy. Kloof Street is great day and night with some of the best restaurants, cafes and bars such as Blondie- a hipster joint packed to the roof most nights. Expect to get here early and never leave your table.

Gardens is generally safe for walking around (close to Kloof Street), the area closer to the Gardens Shopping Centre and near Wembly Square is less safe but there isn’t much of a need to go that side unless you’re taking an Uber to the gym.

Kloof Street has everything you need day and night. There’s a great Cowork called Workshop 17 which looks out onto Table Mountain.

Be sure to check out De Waal Park for your daily dose of dog spotting, leisure walks and relaxing in the sun with a book.

It’s a 10-minute Uber to Seapoint or downtown to Dewaterkant. Be warned the traffic is normally pretty bad going towards De Waterkant and the V&A from here, especially during load-shedding.

Greenpoint.

Greenpoint is just next to Seapoint and is a similar vibe but is quieter. It’s a bit spread out and slightly considered no man’s land, although there’s a good strip of cafes and food places for the daytime, one of them being Giovani’s which is another local institution.

De Waterkant.

Dewaterkant is a slightly more modern city-vibe part of the area. There are lots of purpose-built apartment blocks with rooftop pools, good coffee shops, coworking and gyms.

It’s conveniently located roughly equal distance between Seapoint and Gardens.

It’s walkable during the day but less so at night. It’s busier in terms of traffic and doesn’t have any green space so be aware of that.

CBD & Downtown.

Avoid this area at all costs. Even to visit. It’s pretty sketchy even during the day. Not much else to say as I never went there and most people avoid it. Don’t be lured in by any cheap rental offers, they’re cheap for a reason. There’s nothing to see down there and you certainly can’t walk much alone, day or night.

Fresnaye.

Fresnaye is its own little luxury bubble set in the hills above Seapoint. If you have the budget then go for it, although bear in mind it’s not within walking distance to anything, the plus side of that is the peace and stunning scenery you get.

There are some houses rented out here by the room to Nomads, but you have to ask around in groups or check Airbnb regularly.

It’s generally safe and most places get a direct view of the sunset here. Your nearest place to hang out in Seapoint. It’s based directly below Lions Head and you can usually pick up the trail on foot from here.

The Cost of Living For a Nomad In Cape Town.

On average, the cost is about 40% of everything in places like the US & Europe. The only exception is getting accommodation (unless you plan to get a long-term rental).

Short-term rentals always cost more regardless of location.

Accommodation.

A nice standard room in a shared house on Airbnb will cost around 20,000R ($1,100) per month while a nice private apartment will cost R36,000 - R55,000 on average ($2,000-$3,000).

Book in advance, finding accommodation in peak season is super tricky. Always go through Airbnb. There is someone Facebook groups where you can find sublets but there aren’t many, explore at your own risk.

If you’re planning to stay long-term and wish to get your own place then this works out a lot better. You can find a 2-bedroom modern apartment for $1,500 per month no problem, something of average quality would be half this.

My recommendation and something I plan to do in the future is to team up with 2-3 like-minded people and rent a luxury house in Fresnaye. a 4 bedroom would cost around $4,000 per month, split between 4 people isn’t so bad. It’s in a gated community,y with ocean views, a pool and everything you expect in terms of high-end luxury.

The Cost Of Food.

Meat lovers: head to Son Of A Butcher in Seapoint where you can pick up a 300g dry aged sirloin for $6.

Everyday groceries: Woolworths and Checkers. (They’ll deliver most items through the app within the hour). You can easily do a weekly shop for $20-$40 depending on your standards and appetite!

Coffee: $1-$2 in most places except Rosetta (the fancy one) which is more like $4-$6 but it’s a must-try for all coffee snobs. Day to day, head to places like Bootlegger or The Ladder on Bree Street. Both have good food and are nice to work from too.

Fancy wine by the glass: $5.

Smoothies: $5.

Generally, food prices are somewhere between western prices and Asian prices.

Car Rental & Uber Cost.

Most standard Uber rides around town will cost around $3 and $6 for Uber Black.

I paid $380 for an entry-level rental car for the month through Avis. I’d recommend taking out your own policy which covers the excess amount in an incident ($50 for the year).

Fuel typically costs $30 to fill up a full tank on a small car.

If you need a safe and reliable driver for the day, I can’t recommend Warrick enough. He’s a qualified tour guide who looked after my parents on numerous occasions and a few other Nomads also used him. Drop him a Whatsapp on +27792578380

Clothing & Shopping.

Cape Town has some great shopping malls such as the V&A and Canal Walk where you can find every brand you can think of from Gucci to Zara. The problem is that brands are hit with heavy-duty, so it’s often more expensive than purchasing in western countries.

South Africa also isn’t known for being a shopping destination so brands don’t tend to send their best stock there. You can always buy things you want or need but don’t expect to have an ultimate shopping trip on the cheap.

Gym Membership.

Cape Town is a seriously active place so you won’t be short on places to train, although there aren’t many conventional gyms, it tends to be a lot of Crossfit and class-based gyms.

For Crossfit check out Motley Crew. Unlimited membership is around $100 per month.

Conventional gyms: Virgin Active. They don’t advertise month to month but it can be done, although you’ll be paying $100 +. I took out an annual membership and then paid the two-month early leaving fee.

The standard Virgin on this rate is around $50 per month. They have a fancy one in Silo which will cost $150 per month but you get your clothes ironed while you train. (I’m not a huge fan of commercial gyms and the money wasn’t worth it for this one)

For all things combat sport related such as BJJ & MMA, the only place you’ll need is Pride Fighting Academy. Their coaches and training are world-class. They have a safe and welcoming community with some awesome people to meet and train with.

They also have a free weights section for getting the strength workouts in. They normally ask for a 12-month commitment but if you tell them you’re not local they’ll do you a deal for a month. I miss this place every day.

Sweat 1000: This is a super popular place in Seapoint which is class-based but they also have a gym next door. I didn’t go hear myself but heard great things. Memberships are around $100 per month.

There’s an F45 which has just opened up on Kloof Street with an unlimited membership costing around $90.

For Yoga lovers: Shala Yoga in Gardens is one of the best. You can buy a 10-class package for $68. Their teachers are some of the most experienced in Cape Town and it’s run in a super peaceful old building.

For recovery and holistic health lovers, you must check out Athletic Recovery Centre and Seven Circles Cafe & Float Spa.

ARC has everything you need to recover in between training: compression boots, deep tissue massage, infrared sauna and ice baths. Unlimited monthly memberships are around $60 but you can buy one-off sessions for around $20.

Seven Circles is a holistic urban oasis run by a lovely lady called Gill. There’s a healthy cafe, floatation tank and massage available. I purchased a 5 session float package for $130 and can’t recommend it enough. It’s such a great way to unwind mentally and physically.

Activities And Sports for Everyone.

This is one of the biggest draws of Cape Town: it has access to some of the best outdoor adventure activities all within close proximity.

Surfing.

Muizenberg is the go-to surf beach with waves for most levels, just check the reports. Shark sightings are a thing but rare and they have a siren in the event of a sighting.

Kiteboarding.

Cape Town hosts King of the Air for a reason: it’s the wind capital! The regular spot is Bloubergstrand Beach but be warned it’s not beginner friendly. You need to navigate strong winds and high waves so it’s recommended that you’re at least a strong intermediate. It’s only a 20-minute drive from the City which is perfect for squeezing in a session post work.

For beginners: check out the local schools and head to Langebaan for the weekend. It’s a shallow water lagoon around a 90-minute drive so it’s perfect for learning. Even if you’re not into kiting, it’s definitely worth a trip for a weekend getaway to check out the stunning scenery.

FYI in case you didn’t figure it out by now, the ocean is freezing so you’ll need a winter wetsuit for sure.

Rock climbing. 

I’m no rock climber as I prefer activities on the ground (lame way of saying I hate heights), but my girlfriend is big into it and raves about how good it is there. Again, you can be on the iconic Table Mountain within 10 minutes and expect to find an untouched, sticky rock with incredible views. There’s a huge climbing community so you can usually tag along with a local group who have all the gear if you’re travelling light.

Cederberg National Park is a must-do out-of-town climb (or chill camping spot if you’re afraid of heights like me) and another is Silvermine which is closer to the city.

There’s also an indoor rock climbing gym called City Rock which is about a 15-minute drive from the centre.

Hiking.

Cape Town has some of the most stunning hiking routes all conveniently located on your doorstep.

Some must-do trails:

Lions Head, Pipe Track (easy flat walk for day-to-day movement), India Venster, Skeleton Gorge and Devils Peak. Check out Alltrails for the routes.

The best part of Cape Town: you can find a community and group of people for every sport and activity imaginable, including:

• Kayaking.

• Martial arts.

• Paragliding.

• Road cycling.

• Rollerblading.

• Salsa Dancing.

• Mountain biking.

• Running (trail or road).

• Cold ocean dips (Saunders rock pool).

If any of the above is your thing, check Google and the local Nomad groups to find buddies to go with. I’ll link the groups at the end.

The Must Do Cape Town Activities.

Chapmans Peak Drive.

The stunning coastal road is great fun to drive in any vehicle but especially a Cobra which you can hire for $150 for half a day. Stop along the way for great views and photos.

Constantia.

A great winery region on the doorstep of the city. Constantia Glenn and Chefs Warehouse are some of the best for fine wine and dining.

Franschhoek.

The holy grail of wineries is located roughly an hour from Cape Town. There’s an iconic wine tram which takes you through the hills to stop at different wineries. Some of my favourites in the area are Idiom and Babylonstoren.

Stellenbosch.

Stellenbosh is another wine region roughly 40 minutes out of town. It’s perfect for a night away as you can find some luxury accommodation nestled in the wine hills. There’s a cute local town with shops and restaurants to explore.

Swellendam.

Swellendam is a stunning place which I was lucky enough to visit for a week. It’s a 2-hour drive through more stunning mountains. It feels like you’re going back in time. Perfect for a retreat where you can spend your day running in the trails, reading by the dam or taking a local pottery class.

The Cederberg.

Cederberg is an iconic national park roughly 3 hours from Cape Town. There’s an array of campsites with basic pitches or glamping available. Aim to go when there’s no moon to get the full star gazing experience. As mentioned above, if you’re into climbing then you won’t be disappointed.

Safari.

Kruger is the only place worth mentioning, but I’ll have to write another article for that. Avoid the local safari parks as they’re touristy and don’t have good animal welfare. You can fly straight into Kruger in 2 hours or so, find a lodge and a guide and see the big 5, just expect to pay for it.

Watch a Movie Under The Stars.

Check out the open-air cinema at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens: I took my family here around Christmas time to see Love Actually and it was incredible. It’s super well organised and set in the beautiful Kirstenbosch Gardens which are also a must-see to wander around the beautiful scenery and enjoy a picnic.

Bask In Golden Hour.

It’s magical. Saunders is a go-to spot as is Bokhoven beach (well-kept locals’ secret- enjoy!). Swing by Giovanis to pick up some snacks and a bottle of bubbly for the ultimate experience.

Every Day Is Beach Day.

Clifton beaches are a vibe all day every day. Thursday nights you can find Friends Who Volley on Clifton 1st- a great way to meet people and enjoy the golden hour.

Oranjezicht City Farm Market.

Located by the V&A and open on the weekends and Wednesday nights, Oranjezicht is a great vibe where you can find all sorts of food stalls while catching up with friends.

Bo-Kaap walking tour.

Bo-Kaap has a lot of history with links to the slavery past and is definitely worth a visit to see the colourful houses and learn about the history.

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Go Dolphin Watching On Kayaks.

Atlantic Outlook is the go-to kayak tour company for the perfect dolphin spotting experience out on the water. Reasonably priced and only takes a couple of hours.

First Thursday.

Not to be missed, on the 1st Thursday of each month, the city shuts the streets and turns into a vibrant street party. Start the night around 5 pm by checking out some art galleries on Bree Stree with free wine, while you pretend to be into art. Then head out to the street where you’ll find DJs, bars and crowds enjoying themselves. End the night in Zsa Zsa or Athletic Club & Social. Don’t plan to work on Friday. Find out more here.

Indulge In World Class Dining.

I’m not a foodie but felt obliged to explore the local cuisine and even I was impressed. Over recent years, Cape Town has somehow attracted world-class talent when it comes to cooking.

There’s not enough time to talk through every restaurant, so I’ll give you some of the best for each occasion.

Here are some of the must-dos:

Chefs Warehouse Group.

Run by celebrity chef Liam Tomlin, Thali and Chefs Warehouse Constantia were my favourites but there are other locations too. It’s roughly $40 for a 4-course set menu which is out of this world.

La Colombe Restaurant.

Once voted in the top 50 best restaurants in the world, this is another must providing you can get a table (book 2 months out). Book here now.

Steak Lovers Look No Further.

(Vegans look away).

Bovine in Camps Bay is the best and trust me I’ve tried them all. Great service, the best meat going and sunset views make for the perfect steak night experience.

Seafood Folk.

The Codfather also in Camps Bay is a great experience. There’s no menu, you go up to choose your fish straight from the counter and they cook it for you. Tasty food and a cool experience.

The Black Sheep.

A tasty yet casual local restaurant with South African-style dishes. It’s a popular go-to so it’s worth booking, which you can do here.

Smoothie Bowl Heaven.

Nourish'd Café & Juicery. Be warned, this place is addictive.

Saturday Brunch Spot.

Kleinskies Bagels. A Jewish family-run establishment, they’ve nailed the bagel scene and it’s dirt cheap. Expect to queue on the weekend.

The Only Gelato Joint You Need.

 Morro Gelato, Seapoint & Long Street. Again be warned, this place is addictive. I’d recommend stopping by the Seapoint branch before walking down to the prom to catch the sunset. Or sunrise. Or any time of day.

World Class Quality.

Loading Bay and Pauline’s. Sister cafes specializing in top-grade quality ingredients and coffee. I personally recommend sourdough with chicken liver, bone broth and bacon pate. It tastes divine and it is super light.

Final Tips And a Word On Safety.

Hopefully, by now you can see why this place is like adult Disneyland. As with everywhere, it has its drawbacks which I’ll touch on now so you don’t get caught out.

It’s easy to forget when you’re there, but South Africa is a developing country with a lot of issues surrounding corruption, the wealth gap and safety. Cape Town is a bubble from the rest of the country but it still has issues.

Loadshedding.

The power grid doesn’t have sufficient capacity to run all the time so there are planned power outages throughout the day. They usually last 2 hours and were happening a couple of times a day when I was last there, but that was worse than it usually was.

There’s an app called EskomsePush which gives you the latest times, but usually, only a day in advance at most and they often change so it’s hard to plan.

It’s not so bad in the summer when it’s still light out, but it gets super annoying. If you’re lucky enough to have a generator at your place then you’re good.

Otherwise, invest in a powerful camping lamp from TakeALot, as well as a wifi battery (UPS) and if possible a camping stove for cooking- or just eat out as most places have generators these days.

Staying Safe. 

Don’t be put off by the standard Cape Town crime stats online, as most of them are skewed by faraway places run by organised crime which you’ll never see. Petty crime is very much a thing aimed at tourists in the city though and unfortunately, I heard a few too many stories of friends on the receiving end of a weapon being pointed at them.

My view on avoiding this:

The mountains are actually one of the worst places for petty theft, so avoid them pre & post sunlight and never go alone. The quiet side of Signal Hill is the worst, again avoid the single tracks here at quiet times.

The same goes for the city, don’t wander too far at night and stay in groups. Try not to leave your stuff unattended on the beach, everyone does it but there are usually people prowling during busy times.

Make sure your accommodation has security, you’ll notice the gates, electric fences and cameras on every property, they’re there as break-ins are fairly common.

Safety In And Out Of The Car.

Never leave any possessions in your car and park in a busy area or else it will get smashed into. You’ll encounter people selling and begging at the lights, most are harmless but one trick to watch out for is where they point at the front of your car to alert you and try to get you out of the vehicle. Just keep driving and ignore them. If you’re outside the city, never stop roadside and lock your doors.

Avoid public transport like trains and buses.

Please be vigilant but don’t let this aspect put you off going, it’s just something you have to deal with. The locals are all super friendly and always look out for each other.

One last thing to note is that from what I’ve heard, the police aren’t a huge help and often don’t even pick up the phone. They are not known to be a threat like in some countries but it doesn’t seem like they help either.

The Wealth Gap.

You can’t escape that there is a huge wealth gap here, mostly due to the history and current political and corruption situation. You’ll witness a lot of the townships outside of the city as well as a lot of homeless and begging in the city.

There’s not much you can do apart from offering the odd bit of food when you feel comfortable doing so. Most are still super friendly and not in your face or aggressive.

It’s good to educate yourself on the country’s history and why this is a problem. Don’t become one of those arrogant nomads who acts like a millionaire here with no respect for being in someone else’s country. That’s not cool.

We did an organised township tour in Langa which was incredibly eye-opening.

Road Safety.

Driving standards aren’t great here. The locals seem to have a high case of road rage all the time so if you’re not confident, stick to Ubers (also don’t expect great standards with them if you get car sick easily). There’s not much you can do, again just be careful.

Be careful of the local taxis (white minibuses). They’re used to bring staff from the townships and surrounding areas to the city. They’re known to be lawless and paid by the hour so they don’t stop for red lights and speed everywhere. Stay out of their way.

Securing A Visa

Everyone gets 90 days upon arrival as standard. You can apply to extend another 90 days fairly easily which I did, just be prepared for a day of paperwork and waiting. If you overstay there’s a $100 fine and you’re blacklisted for a year, so avoid this.

Paying For Things.

Most places are cashless, I rarely had to take out cash. You can use Apple Pay nearly everywhere.

The Weather.

Cape Town has the perfect climate in my opinion. It’s a dry heat with a constant breeze which means it’s most comfortable, especially in the evening and you don’t have to worry about mosquitoes much.

The wind can sometimes get out of control and can blow in clouds on the odd day which makes it feel a bit wintery but it only lasts a few hours. Don’t trust the weather apps, they’re never right.

Also, don’t be fooled by clouds or wind in one part of the city. It has a tonne of micro-climates so chances are, the beach could still be a vibe! The only way to know is to head there.

Community.

Everyone in Cape Town is super welcoming so it’s impossible not to make friends. The best place to start is the local Nomad group which you can join here: run by a great local called Dan, you’ll easily find new friends and stay up to date with what’s going on in the city.

If you’re thinking of going then this is the sign to commit and book yourself a ticket. I definitely want to hear your plans and chat so shoot me a reply on here or drop me a DM on Twitter if you have questions.

You can join the main Nomad group through Facebook or Whatsapp.

Okay, enough of the less exciting stuff. I’ll leave it on a positive note and finish by saying again how much I love Cape Town. It’s such a special place where I’ve met friends for life, had profound experiences and made lifelong memories. A day in life there feels like a movie. As soon as you step off the plane you’ll notice the energy and vibe that the city creates. It’s so unique.

If you’re thinking of going then this is the sign to commit and book yourself a ticket (just avoid using British Airways unless you enjoy delays and planes from the stone age and general snobbery). I definitely want to hear your plans and chat so shoot me a reply here or drop me a DM on Twitter if you have questions.

Happy Easter.

Tom Scourfield.

Curious entrepreneur and explorer.