Useful travel advice for Port Elizabeth

Bear in mind this essential travel advice for Port Elizabeth:

General information

Port Elizabeth is an exciting holiday city on the Sunshine Coast of South Africa. Temperate coastal weather and warm water draw watersports fanatics to PE (Port Elizabeth) for surfing, sailing, kitesurfing, windsurfing and beach sports. Kilometres of beaches offer horse riding, sandboarding and coastal hikes. Settler history adds quaint charm to the city, and nature and game reserves dot her surrounding landscapes.

Driving

South Africa has an outstanding roads system which makes travelling the country by car a great way of getting around. PE itself has an extensive road network providing access to the city as well as its surrounding areas. A GPS or Satnav will shorten and simplify your routes in and around the city. Please be patient with the “roadworks” on many routes as preparations for the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup are in full swing!

Just as with driving in any metropolis, appropriate precautions should be taken when driving in the city. Follow this important travel advice for Port Elizabeth to stay safe:

• Don’t hang around in parking lots: either lock up and leave or get in and go! Always be aware when returning to or leaving your car.
• Keep car doors locked and windows up at all times.
• Do not stop to help “broken down” motorists or pick up hitchhikers. Criminals use this scheme to attack and rob good-willed motorists.
• Be aware in the city centre at night and don’t drive in townships. Use brightly lit, main roads as much as possible when travelling.
• Be watchful at red robots (traffic lights) at night. If there are people hanging around or somebody walks towards your car, carefully drive through the red light. Risk a fine rather than a nasty experience.
• Don’t give money to street children. In general, children are either used to beg as a business venture for adults, or the kids use the use the money for sniffing glue. Rather give them food, or give money to the charities that provide for them.

Safety and security

Walk in groups, not alone, and don’t spend time in dark and quiet areas.

Look after your assets: Keep cell phones, cameras, and jewellery safe by storing them out of sight whether on your person, in your car or at your place of accommodation (especially if you’re on the ground floor as things are often grabbed through windows).

Tipping and gratuities

A handy bit of travel advice for Port Elizabeth is know-how on local tipping.

At restaurants: some restaurants will automatically include a gratuity on your bill. If not, 10% or more (comparative to the service you received) is customary.

Car guards: car guards work in parking lots and on street parking all over the country. Try to park in decent areas where parking and cars are monitored by trained guards who work for a car guarding company. Reputable guards should be adult in age and wear an official company uniform. Upon returning to your vehicle it is courteous to offer the guard a tip for minding your car. The PE average is about R2.

Electricity

You may need an adapter as electricity is 230 volts and plugs are round three or two pin plugs.

Languages

11 official languages are spoken in South Africa, but business, services and tourism usually function in English.

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