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Travel guide – plettenberg bay

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Overview

The upmarket holiday Mecca of Plettenberg Bay, about 380 miles (600km) from Cape Town and 125 miles (200km) from Port Elizabeth, was originally called 'Bahia Formosa' (Beautiful Bay) by the early Portuguese explorers, and it is still possible to see why, despite explosive development of luxury homes, hotels and a thriving town centre. The town is a favourite holiday destination for South Africans and foreigners with its unspoilt golden beaches, year round Mediterranean climate, dramatic rocky Robberg Peninsula, and vibrant nightlife. The bay is a nursery for the endangered Southern Right Whales, which arrive in winter and spring to calve.

Shopping

Shopping malls and a variety of shops provide everything that is needed by holidaymakers and shoppers, including clothing and speciality goods at several boutiques, arts, crafts, and antiques.

Restaurants

There are plenty of dining opportunities, from beach pubs, bistros and deli's to five star cuisine and award-winning a la carte menus. Foodies will find Thai, Italian, fresh seafood, steak and a variety of other choices on offer.

Nightlife

Although Plett is a small town, nightlife is fairly lively, yet laidback, however the choices are somewhat limited. In summer most action takes place on or near the beach, beginning with sundowners in typical South African style at one of the beach bars, but there are a few vibrant pubs and clubs for later evening entertainment with pool tables, live music and dancing.

Activities

The surroundings of Plettenberg Bay provide a playground for sports enthusiasts and the list of activities is almost endless. The lagoon and the bay itself are perfect for all sorts of watersports and activities including boat cruises and sailing, paddling, fishing, swimming and scuba diving, while the beaches allow for long solitary walks. Between July and December the bay is home to Southern Right Whales that come to calve in the protected waters. The mountains and forests offer a variety of trails for hikers, mountain bikers and horseriders. Plett's golf courses are also highly regarded and provide plenty of challenges.

Climate

South Africa is a large country and has diverse climactic regions, but in general the weather is sunny and hot in the summer months (December to April), and mild during winter (May to November). Winters in the Cape are cold and wet, and snow falls on the mountain ranges here and in Natal. Gauteng and the northern areas experience thunderstorms regularly during evenings in the summer months, and winters are usually warm during the day and cold at night.

Health

Travellers arriving in South Africa from infected areas require a yellow fever vaccination certificate. Otherwise no vaccinations are required. There is a malaria risk in the low-lying areas of the Northern Province and Mpumalanga (including the Kruger National Park) and northeastern Kwa-Zulu Natal, and precautions are advised when travelling to these areas. There is a high prevalence of HIV/AIDS. Tap water is safe in urban areas but sterilisation is advisable elsewhere, as there are periodic outbreaks of cholera in the poor communities of rural South Africa, particularly in Northern KwaZulu Natal, Mpumalanga, and Limpopo provinces. Food poisoning is rare. Medical facilities in South Africa are good, but medical insurance is strongly advised as private hospitals expect cash upfront and public hospitals are best avoided.

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Travel Guide by www.wordtravels.com
Disclaimer: By its very nature much of the information in our travel guides is subject to change at short notice and travellers are urged to verify information on which they're relying with the relevant authorities. Winter Sunshine Holidays & Globe Media cannot accept any responsibility for any loss or inconvenience to any person as a result of information contained above.