the World Cup-Save Money in South Africa
South Africa - dubbed the 'Rainbow nation' - is a melting pot of different nationalities, cultures and ethnicities. Although the conversion rate is favourable for Western visitors it's easy to get carried away and be left out of pocket by the end of your trip. Visit South Africa with a number of money saving tricks up your sleeve however and you could avoid paying more than should and still have an unforgettable time. Despite boasting a whirl of culture and character, South Africa is still considered amongst the world's most dangerous countries and visitors should keep their wits about them at all times. Keeping a credit card on you is the best call for optimum protection and ease of use, although caution should be taken when using ATMs to avoid hefty service fees.
Once you've made it to South Africa and are looking for somewhere to stay it's advisable to avoid popular tourist destinations or big name hotels as these can often be more than triple the cost of privately owned, independently run alternatives; especially during a big event such as the World Cup. Staying in an independent hotel will not only save you money but also allow you to meet local people which is a great way to get information on the country. Once you've found an affordable place to stay and are armed with your credit card, you're inevitably going to need to keep in touch with other holidaymakers and football fans. British tourists are being warned about the cost of mobile use in South Africa with bills expected to cost as much as £400 due to roaming fees.