Local guide on how to survive Dezemba in Cape Town

December in Cape Town isn’t just a month. It’s Dezemba.

It’s all the feelings, flavours, and festivities that come with spending the holiday season in the Mother City. For you, it could be sandy skin, sunburn, sea breezes, and icy Atlantic waters that make your toes go numb. Or perhaps it’s that refreshing sip of a cold one, while lighting the fire for a lekker family braai, surrounded by the sounds of kids splashing around in the pool.

As more people want a taste, Cape Town’s Dezemba is getting crazier every year. And locals are starting to feel it. Born-and-bred Capetonians constantly complain about the dreaded descent of crowds into their beloved city. Newbie residents understand the true meaning of traffic. And, if you’re planning to move to Cape Town, you may be questioning whether it’s worth facing the Dezemba madness.

That’s why we’ve put together the ultimate survival guide to Cape Town in Dezemba for locals and newbie residents alike. With these 10 tips, you’ll not only know what to expect but also how to navigate it like a pro. That way, you can say goodbye to December and hello Dezemba!

Time your leave perfectly

Most people take leave in December over the holidays, coming back to work in the new year. However, some clever Capetonians have hacked the system.

Instead of taking leave during the city’s busiest month, they keep their heads down in December, opting for time off in January or February. This way, they can enjoy all that Cape Town has to offer after the crowds of tourists have left and the kids have returned to school.

Prepare for prices to peak

In anticipation of the tourists’ foreign currency, many places will raise their prices over the summer, adding to the already high cost of living in Cape Town.

Here's how you can avoid breaking the bank

1. Pay for big expenses in advance: This could be for Christmas dinner groceries, restaurant trips, booking family activities, or even short staycations.
2. Make the most of local discounts: Participate in local tourist activities that offer discounts for locals, such as the Two Oceans Aquarium and Kirstenbosch Gardens. Just remember to bring your ID or driver’s licence to get the discount.

Do your Christmas shopping early

There are few experiences more overstimulating than a Cape Town mall in Dezemba. And it only gets worse as Christmas approaches. The V&A Waterfront attracts over 3 million visitors in December alone.

Do your future self a favour and get all your Christmas shopping done far in advance. You’ll save yourself the stress of last-minute shopping, and you’ll get the good stuff before it runs out. 

Local tip: If you want to avoid malls altogether, take advantage of South Africa’s online delivery platforms, such as Takealot, Superbalist, and One Day Only. You’ll also want to get it done early to allow time for shipping and delivery.

Book things ahead of time

Many local businesses and service providers close over the December holidays. If you have important things on the Dezemba to-do list, book in advance and check them off early. 

Things to get on top of in early December

1. Family activities: Things like restaurant reservations, day trips, outings, and events.
2. Admin: Including banking, home affairs, and licence renewals.
3. Moving: Booking a moving company, arranging professional cleaners, changing your address, and setting up internet and utilities.

Local tip: If you’re moving in December and still haven’t booked your movers, Wise Move is your go-to moving service provider to book the best Cape Town moving team to help you get the job done without a hassle.

This way, you can settle in before the holidays and enjoy your first festive season in the Mother City.

Schedule ahead to prevent social burnout

Dezemba comes with back-to-back plans, nonstop WhatsApps, and friends assuming you’re free because 'the sun is still out'. To survive the month and avoid social burnout, you’re going to need a strategy:

1. Expect last-minute plans: Beach missions, braais, and dinners will pop up every hour. Be prepared for your day to change and go with the flow.
2. Decide your non-negotiables: Pick the few events you really want to show up for and prioritise those.
3. Say no early and kindly: It’s better than ghosting or arriving exhausted.
4. Schedule rest days: Treat downtime like an actual appointment.
5. Don’t feel pressured to do everything: December FOMO is real, but so is burnout.

Learn your back routes to skip traffic

While peak-time traffic may calm down with many locals on leave, the influx of people driving through the city over the holidays more than makes up for it. 

Traffic tips to keep your Dezemba plans running smoothly and on time

• You’ll want to avoid roads near beaches at all costs. Instead of driving the strip that runs between Camps Bay, Clifton, and Sea Point, go over Kloof Nek. Take Boyes Drive instead of Kalk Bay Main Road.
• Steer clear of roads near tourist destinations, including the Waterfront, Kirstenbosch Gardens, and the City Bowl.
• Keep an eye out for summer events around the city to avoid getting caught in a sudden traffic jam.
• Expect traffic on weekends and outside of peak times.
• Always add an extra 10-15 minutes onto your travel time.

Plan for parking

Parking is notoriously difficult in Cape Town, and in Dezemba, it’s an entirely different beast. Here are some things to consider so that the stress of finding parking doesn’t ruin Dezemba’s chill vibes:

1. Arrive early: Parking near beaches is limited with tricky access, so get there before the crowds.
2. Carry cash: Always keep small change in your car in case there’s only paid parking, and you need to tip the car guard.
3. Check maps beforehand: Scope the area on maps ahead of time to find any secure parking areas near your destination.
4. Prepare for the worst: Add an extra 10-15 minutes onto your travel time just in case.

Local tip: Taking the MyCiti Bus is a great way to avoid the stress of parking. Plus, it runs right past many of Cape Town’s best beaches, including Camps Bay, Clifton, and Sea Point.

Choose your beaches wisely

Cape Town boasts some of the best beaches for the perfect beach day, each with its own personality. You can pick yours based on your mood: 

• Muizenberg for long swims and surfing.
• Llandudno for sunset missions and beach games.
• Bakoven and Beta Beach for the true locals and a bit of privacy.

Beach alternatives to the popular hotspots

1. Camps Bay and Clifton are gorgeous, sure, but if you don’t feel like fighting half of Joburg for a patch of sand, it’s worth exploring quieter, local favourites like Cosy Bay or Saunders. 
2. Boulder’s Beach is the famous place for penguins, but if you want a free and peaceful penguin encounter, check out Windmill Beach just around the corner.

Local tip: It’s a massive tradition in Cape Town for locals to flock to the beach on Boxing Day. Steer clear of the main beaches if you want to avoid the crazy crowds and an insane amount of traffic.

Keep a summer survival kit with you 

Living in Cape Town in Dezemba means you have to be ready at a moment’s notice for whatever the summer will throw at you. That’s why you should always try to keep a few special items in your car boot just in case:

1. Jacket: You never know when the chilly Cape Doctor (southeasterly wind) will pick up and cut through the heat.
2. Sunblock: Don’t let the cool wind fool you. The summer sun is still to be taken seriously.
3. Deodorant: On a sweltering, sweaty day, you don’t want your BO getting in the way of your good vibes.
4. Swimming costume and towel: You must always be ready for a spontaneous afternoon ocean swim.

Be extra aware of pick-pocketing

It may be peak season for the tourists, but it’s also peak season for pickpockets.

Tips to avoid becoming a pickpocket’s next target

• Never leave your belongings unattended in public.
• Only use bags that can be securely closed or zipped.
• Never keep anything important in your back pocket or jacket pocket, especially when walking in a big crowd.
• Avoid leaving anything visible in your car, even if it is just a beach towel or plakkies. Rather, put it in your boot out of sight.
• Ask a neighbouring beach-goer to watch your stuff if you have to leave it unattended to go for a dip in the water.

Thriving, not just surviving, in Dezemba

If you can handle Dezemba, you can handle anything the Mother City throws at you. Whether you’re a born-and-bred local, newly settled, or are brave enough to move here in this madness, with these local tips in your back pocket, you won’t just survive Dezemba, you’ll thrive in it!

Once you taste Dezemba, you’ll understand why people move here despite the traffic, the wind, and the inflated prices. Because even on its craziest days, Cape Town is still worth it.