Madagascar

[NamasteParis]

Hi, I'm french and arrive there soon for 3 weeks. Info about how to get a visa is very low: the french gov and Mada embassy websites don't say same things. Is it true that you can go there only with your passeport, and get a 1 month tourist visa at your arrival, at Tana airport? What anout e-visa? Are they legit, as there are dozens of different websites proclaming they are only the real one!. I can't call the embassy today, as it is a holiday for Mada people. Can you please enlight this? Thanks in advance.

[SouthEaster]

What the hell is "the tripper"?

[LuckyMen]

New airport looks nice but duty free and others parts are a comedy!

LOL thanks for the info, same old wine in a new bottle. Curious about the new restaurant, will depart in one month.

[Tinte]

On the other hand You made it save and clean to there and moste likely you had a great time in Madagaskar. Full of fond memories, get your self three week back to "normal" and checke your health status as it has been reportet by one wretch ho picked up the tripper unprotected on Prep.

[Kako123]

New airport looks nice but duty free and others parts are a comedy! Duty free does not even sell any foreign alcohol brands or cigars and prices for local things are double or triple price! Though they sell local Thb beer which is for triple price and it is not cold! Not in a fridge! Haha And finally they don't even accept ariary for payments, even the very small grocery store which sells some soft drinks and sandwiches does not accept ariary! The restaurant is not operating yet. Information from yesterday 26 March.

[Tinte]

One thing is how you get the best deal at the ATM by using witch carte. Mine is the maestro debit.

Second is the question were you use the carte. I did pay allays cash, as they asked for it. Some places asked for a Tax carte de credit.

And yes in the brousse that asked for a pile of cash.

Moste hotel rooms are not safe at all.

[Kako123]

If you stay in a brousse then will you be able to hide all the cash you have? It is a bit risky to carry too much I think but anyway everyone is free to do whatever he prefers! This topic is getting a bit boring ha.

[Golfinho]

I pay everything with cash in Africa. Except Air tickets. But you're correct. I don't run around with 1000's of Dollars in Cash. Unless you like to loose your life that is. I know plenty of idiots being robbed of 1000's of dollars. And yes. Am afraid of my life.
.

No one knows how much cash you have on you when you're running around unless you're an idiot advertizing it.

But they will know you have a credit card the moment you use it -- at ATM or anywhere.

Keep the credit card locked in the safe until you need it for online reservations and flights. Or memorize the number and leave it at home.

Cash is King. Enjoy it while we can before it's virtual currency and goodbye to life as we know it.

[Golfinho]

Low-life people don't get a credit card. Assume you are not entitled to get credit and therefore you only can carry cash.

Do it as you like but don't teach the majority here what's right.

Euros or Dollars cash in Madagascar in the brousse is of no use at all!

What's of use in the brousse? Your good looks and charm 🤣.

A credit card is of less use in the brousse.

Change into ariary arriving and you're good to go.

Yes, I am advising what's right: use cash and you don't get stuck somewhere out of the one resource that makes you attractive here -- money.

'Entitled?' Entitled to get a credit card? Are you serious? Banks give them out like a drug dealer gives out free samples to get you addicted. Lowlives are the Banks' best customers.

[Vavy Lover]

I haven't brought cash to Mada for probably 10 years or more, since ATMs became reliable. I never got as good a rate exchanging cash as at an ATM, it was often a hassle to find a good exchange place, and USD are useless otherwise, except as a magnet for theft. Euros are more useful but mostly with ex-pat businesses (tour operators, hotels, not food). Last time I was there, middle 2022, I was able to withdraw 800 k AR from BFV on Nosy Be with my MasterCard debit, and got a rate 4000 AR / USD. Have never seen a limit as high as 1. 2 million, but you can withdraw 800 k as many times as you want up to your own banks daily withdrawal limit.

[Amadeuss]

you're likely someone staying in cheap hotels, trying to exist spending as little as possible, .

Low-life people don't get a credit card. Assume you are not entitled to get credit and therefore you only can carry cash.

Do it as you like but don't teach the majority here what's right.

Euros or Dollars cash in Madagascar in the brousse is of no use at all!

[Golfinho]

Cash is the best when you hide it very well. Buf if you are coming here for 3 months, isn't it risky to carry all the money for 3 months? And banks don't give good exchange rates for usd or euro here and small notes worth less. For example 5, 10,20 euro. They give less money for these bills, it is strange isn't it?

Never been robbed and have stayed for months. Carrying 5 and 10 euro notes? Now that is strange. Why would you do that? For giving tips? If you're life and death to save a fraction of a percent running around to ATMs with your plastic cards, you're likely someone staying in cheap hotels, trying to exist spending as little as possible, like some backpacker in Cambodia. But, if that's your style, getting off with trying to pay a girl as little as possible, well enjoy your lowlife self.

[Kako123]

Cash is the best when you hide it very well. Buf if you are coming here for 3 months, isn't it risky to carry all the money for 3 months? And banks don't give good exchange rates for usd or euro here and small notes worth less. For example 5, 10,20 euro. They give less money for these bills, it is strange isn't it?

Cash is best. Period. But since you go to tourist places with ATM machines, and stay in cheap hotels, it's understandable why you don't go with cash. No matter Africa 'changeing', cash and the man with it is king. Running around with your plastic cards trying to chase bank rates is no way to spend your time. But, ok, we get it; you're scared to death of getting robbed.

[Neddy69]

Cash is best. Period. But since you go to tourist places with ATM machines, and stay in cheap hotels, it's understandable why you don't go with cash. No matter Africa 'changeing', cash and the man with it is king. Running around with your plastic cards trying to chase bank rates is no way to spend your time. But, ok, we get it; you're scared to death of getting robbed.

I pay everything with cash in Africa. Except Air tickets. But you're correct. I don't run around with 1000's of Dollars in Cash. Unless you like to loose your life that is. I know plenty of idiots being robbed of 1000's of dollars. And yes. Am afraid of my life. I draw max. Until I used that up than I draw cash again. And I have two cards. A Revolut Visa Debit card and a Visa Credit card with a high credit line for emergencies. What everyone else does is of no concern to me. Or more precise I don't give a rats ass.

La Buse.

[Pokeris]

Your information is outdated. My mate was in February in Ambatalaka near the pharmacy. And it dispenses now 1.2 million. Visa only. Times are changing quickly in Africa.

I have my contacts anywhere. And these are not tourists. And MasterCard. I never said it doesn't work. But how much money you get at SocGen or BNI? Not 800.000.

Of course it depends. My Visa credit card charges high rates. And it depends on the Issuer. Generally Visa is the better choice in Africa. Period.

La Buse.

Haha tell me where is the big diffrence for me? 1. 2 million in one go or 800 k? I can take 800 k from one go with mastercard after put my card second time and take 800 k again and after again till I reach around 2. 5 million ariary (my bank max limit 500 pound per day for ATM withdrawal). And get zero fees for it with perfect exchange rate. So now sum up: Most visas card gives slightly worst exchange rates than mastercards.

Like example revolut allowed just 200 euros / pounds free ATM withdrawal per month after that charge 2 percent on top on any withdrawal and has just 300 euros / pounds maximum ATM withdrawal limit per day. Also if you use it on weekends its gives very bad exchange rate. Of course in depends from card issuer also but Mastercard for me wins against visa. If you don't use mastercard and don't know advantages or can't get the one who don't have any charges not need share misleading information. I have visas and mastercards and know which is better for me to use in africa to lose less money on using cash machines.