Hostels in PLETTENBERG BAY, SOUTH AFRICA

Touring through the Whale Capital of the World, Plettenberg Bay

Plettenberg Bay forms a part of Western Cape Province in South Africa. The town lies on the famous Garden Route, 600 km from Cape Town. The beautiful place has many amazing beaches and spectacular lagoons along the Indian Ocean. It is a paradise for boating enthusiasts and nature lovers. Plettenberg Bay is famous for its whale watching activity during their breeding season and is known as the whale capital of the world.

Accommodation Options
Plettenberg Bay has accommodation options to suit every pocket from budget hotels to excellent camping facilities. Beach houses, guesthouses, lodges, cottages, country houses and hotels are available in Plettenberg Bay and the surrounding areas. Bed and breakfasts can be availed as well. Various travel agencies offer accommodations as an option.

History
Plettenberg Bay was inhabited even during the prehistoric age and archaeological remains are still found here. Portuguese explorers were the first to discover Plettenberg Bay. It was named Bahia Formosa, which literary means beautiful bay in Portuguese language. Van Plettenberg Stone, the stone left behind by initial Portuguese sailors is housed in the Cape Town museum. The bay got its most recent name in 1779.

Climate
Plettenberg Bay experiences a mild maritime type climate with an annual rainfall of around rainfall of 945 mm. The mild climate makes for an exciting environment here.

Popular Places
Plettenberg Bay houses one of the largest seagull breeding colonies in this part of the world. Dolphin watching is also popular but for a short span of time. Pansy shell, a flower shaped seashell near the coast is a popular place with locals as well as visitors. Robberg Peninsula is famous for its flora and fauna.  Eden Bird Sanctuary is famous for bird watching while Garden Route National Park is known for its amazing natural scenery.
 
Getting Around
Hiring a car would be the best option for travel here. It is convenient, as the public transport is not well established but still improving with time. Cars and other 4 wheelers are the best options to enjoy the scenic beauty for a thrilling experience. People with international driving license can hire a car. Driving is done on the left hand side of the road. Camper vans are also getting popular with tourists. Camping equipment can be rented here. Travel agents or guides can be availed quite easily here.
 
Places of Entertainment
The white, unspoilt, sandy beaches are popular with tourists. Robberg Beach and Central Beach are 2 most popular beaches for entertainment with theme parties, great music and good food. Polo, yachting and most forms of water sports are available at many places with variety of cuisines coupled with a friendly atmosphere.  The Crags with its famous ‘Cruise the Crags’ route is popular for polo fields, wildlife sanctuaries and for vibrant art. The place has many cafes, bars, bistros and other excellent dining facilities. Other places for recreation are Lunchbox Theatre, Monkeyland century, bungee jumping and skydiving centres. Beach parties along the garden route offer great entertainment for tourists.
 
Languages
English is popular along with other African languages like Afrikaans and Zulu.
 
Currency
Rand is the official currency but foreign currency can be easily exchanged at banks and even at hotels. News and updates about current currency rates are available online.