South African Currency and Money
The currency for South Africa is the Rand (R) and the smaller denomination is cents (c). There are 100 cents in 1 Rand. You get notes and coins which have changed since the end of apartheid. The largest note you get is the R200, then R100, R50, R20 and R10. The coins start at the gold and silver R5, then R2, R1, and then move down into the 50c, 20c, and 10c.
There was originally 5c, 2c, and 1c coins, but these have recently been discontinued although they are still in circulation at some places and many people still use them.
There are ATMs in every town in South Africa and most shops and restaurants accept credit cards. Master Card, Visa, Maestro, Diner’s Club and American Express are the most accepted credit cards, but various others are also accepted and can be used as debit cards or to draw at any of the ATMs, although the exchange rate conversion is not always controlled. You can use traveler’s cheques which are advised as they are safer and most places in South Africa will accept these at face value.
If you want to exchange your money upon your arrival in South Africa, you can do so at most financial institutions, American Express, Rennies Foreign Exchange, at the airports and even at some hotels. You are allowed to leave the country with no more than R500 in notes. If you want to take out more, you will need to get permission from the South African Reserve Bank.
