Madagascar

[Albert9989]

Its not free. You pay 120 a year. I pay 70 a year for my Visa including Insurance. There is no free lunch.

Yes the card itself is not free, like many other cards, but you don't pay any other fee when using it worldwide, that's only what I mean.

With my other one, visa from my French bank I pay big fees each time I do a payment with another currency than euro.

[Neddy69]

Ah, sorry, but my n26 black, MasterCard, us totally free of any charge or fee when I use it in mada for ATM or payments, unlimited withdrawals, no charge.

But I pay 10 euros a month to n26 for that card with additional insurances for travels.

So, yes, its proven totally free of any fees worldwide. Except the fees taken locally in some countries like Phil for each withdrawal.

The exchange rate is also at the best level.

I agree its debit even if not sure of the meaning, immediate debit, no credit possible. But unuseful for me so not an issue.

Its not free. You pay 120€ a year. I pay 70€ a year for my Visa including Insurance. There is no free lunch.

[Albert9989]

Unlimited? No. And only Master Card Debit. As I said Master Card is coming back to Africa. Years ago no Master Card was working in Africa. And its not free. Either you pay monthly surcharge. Or its 1. 7% per cash withdrawal.

ATM withdrawals in foreign currencies are also subject to a 1. 70% fee for basic account and are free for N26 You and Metal account holders.

My Visa Credit Card never let me down. With Debit cards are russian roulette. But I agree coverage for Master Card is improving as more and more ATMs accept MC now.

Neddy.

Ah, sorry, but my n26 black, MasterCard, us totally free of any charge or fee when I use it in mada for ATM or payments, unlimited withdrawals, no charge.

But I pay 10 euros a month to n26 for that card with additional insurances for travels.

So, yes, its proven totally free of any fees worldwide. Except the fees taken locally in some countries like Phil for each withdrawal.

The exchange rate is also at the best level.

I agree its debit even if not sure of the meaning, immediate debit, no credit possible. But unuseful for me so not an issue.

[SouthEaster]

The only bank I have found to be reliable in Mada for MC is BFV-SocGen. BNI says it does but I have never been able to get money out of a BNI ATM with my MC. On another (down) note Bank of Africa is starting to charge a fee for ATM withdrawal. 10200 Ariary. Needless to say I went elsewhere. This was in Hellville. Maybe not country wide yet? Let's hope it doesn't spread. It's not much but it is nonsense when you can only withdraw 400000 at a time!

[Neddy69]

I confirm using n26 black, unlimited ATL withdrawal, no fees, same for local payments, no fees at all, worldwide, tested in mada and in Phil at least.
But in Phil each bank adds a fee to each withdrawal.... For any card I guess.

Unlimited? No. And only Master Card Debit. As I said Master Card is coming back to Africa. Years ago no Master Card was working in Africa. And its not free. Either you pay monthly surcharge. Or its 1. 7% per cash withdrawal.

ATM withdrawals in foreign currencies are also subject to a 1. 70% fee for basic account and are free for N26 You and Metal account holders.

My Visa Credit Card never let me down. With Debit cards are russian roulette. But I agree coverage for Master Card is improving as more and more ATMs accept MC now.

Neddy.

[Albert9989]

For people who live england is best starling bank they give perfect mastercard exchange rate and not add 2 percent like revolut. Last time I was at mada I was getting around 4752 ariary for each pound from starling card when money exchangers places was given just around 4300 for each pound. Its unbeliavable diffrent!! I don't suggest people exhange pounds to ariary at mada because the rate isn't great at all. Better use cards which don't have any fees or at least revolut card its still be cheaper than money exchangers. People from europe also can use n26 bank card its simillar for revolut.for americans is best Charles Schwab which even reimbruse all atm fees (if they have one) end of the month. Its probbaly best card you can get in all world.

I confirm using n26 black, unlimited ATL withdrawal, no fees, same for local payments, no fees at all, worldwide, tested in mada and in Phil at least.
But in Phil each bank adds a fee to each withdrawal.... For any card I guess.

[Pokeris]

French mongers who wish to visit Madagascar or any other African country without carrying huge wads of money on them can apply for a carte Max. Except for the exchange rate there are no other costs involved. It seems to be similar to the Barclays card for British residents. Read it on the French mongers site Youppie. Best alternative I found for non French or British residents is Revolut but they will charge you 2% on top of the exchange rate if you withdraw more than 200 Euro within a month.

For people who live england is best starling bank they give perfect mastercard exchange rate and not add 2 percent like revolut. Last time I was at mada I was getting around 4752 ariary for each pound from starling card when money exchangers places was given just around 4300 for each pound. Its unbeliavable diffrent!! I don't suggest people exhange pounds to ariary at mada because the rate isn't great at all. Better use cards which don't have any fees or at least revolut card its still be cheaper than money exchangers. People from europe also can use n26 bank card its simillar for revolut.for americans is best Charles Schwab which even reimbruse all atm fees (if they have one) end of the month. Its probbaly best card you can get in all world.

[Neddy69]

I think we both agree showing off too much in Madagascar will attract unwanted crowd. It's safer to keep a low profile, to stay away from crooks, drug dealers and nightlife experts. I would be more moderate about the risks.

You may have noticed that the only people been abducted are rich Karany. There are historical and cultural reasons for that. No place on earth is 100% safe but Madagascar is still much safer than other popular mongering.

Destinations. Been here for 6 years, never had a problem.

I agree with your assessment. If you run around showing loads of cash you might as well paint a big bulls eye on your back. 6 years? You mean you live here or you come and go? That's a difference too. You were lucky then. But statistically you're not getting robbed that often.

A friend of mine lives 35 years in Kenya and has been robbed only three times at gunpoint.

I agree that downtown Tana is a lot safer than downtown Caracas.

Neddy.

[Neddy69]

French mongers who wish to visit Madagascar or any other African country without carrying huge wads of money on them can apply for a carte Max. Except for the exchange rate there are no other costs involved. It seems to be similar to the Barclays card for British residents. Read it on the French mongers site Youppie. Best alternative I found for non French or British residents is Revolut but they will charge you 2% on top of the exchange rate if you withdraw more than 200 Euro within a month.

I have a Visa Credit card since 25 years and its working. I don't care about charges for cash withdrawals. Once you carry too much cash around and being robbed its more expensive than being robbed by the bank.

My 2 cents.

Neddy.

Ya I looked at revolut. These cards are all based on Bitcoin. I am old fashioned and consider this funny money and just a huge ponzi scheme. Its being pushed now as unlike banks there is almost no currency spread between buying and selling rates.

[TailPipe]

French mongers who wish to visit Madagascar or any other African country without carrying huge wads of money on them can apply for a carte Max. Except for the exchange rate there are no other costs involved. It seems to be similar to the Barclays card for British residents. Read it on the French mongers site Youppie. Best alternative I found for non French or British residents is Revolut but they will charge you 2% on top of the exchange rate if you withdraw more than 200 Euro within a month.

[Nemo974]

I have to spend several weeks in Toamasina on a business trip.

I am quite familiar with Queens and Taxi Be but girls out there are hardcore pros.

I heard Pandora re-opened but is almost empty. Pattaya is said to be the place to be.

Anyone been recently out there with fresh intel?

[Nemo974]

Tulear never sleeps. Most people hang out at night as it's too hot to do anything in daytime. So I would consider it safe.

I would personally always use a pousse-pousse as it's inexpensive and you never know. But Amazioe is not that bad, it.

Will be much more convenient.

I bought a ticket Paris - Reunion island - Tulear for next October with Air Austral. Outbound will be quit long with a 6 hour layover in Reunion and another short layover at Fort Dauphin.

Inbound will be much faster with a direct flight Tulear - Reunion and short layover in Reunion.

I found lots of intel on this forum thanks to you all. Still have one question regarding Tulear.

I know you should be careful in Mada especialy at night. I was wondering if there are taxis at night at the nightlife hotspot close to the shore?

Many reports about taking a pousse pousse or just walking but no taxis apparently.

I would choose Hotel Serena but it is about 500 m along a dark alley form the sea side.

I know from Tana you better take a taxi at night even for a short distance.

Hotel Amazone is right on the nightlife hotspot but has poorer reviews.

That would be my second choice and only for security reasons.

[Nemo974]

Its not innovative. Its dumb and shows that you have no clue about Madagascar.

I recommend you bring a lot of cash to make sure you're getting robbed and possibly killed by the " additional" security.

As for security in Tulear. Look at the kind of walls the rich indian traders the Karane have erected. These houses are fortresses with 2 outer perimeter walls at least 8 meters high. Last year more than 19 rich karane have been abducted. They bring their family members to safety to France or Reunion.

Madagascar is not a place to play high roller. In case you missed it, its one of the poorest countries on the planet. You attract all kinds of goons and be sure you going to be relieved of your cash and of your life in no time. And the police will also be happy to assist you for a fee.

Stay in Las Vegas.

Neddy.

I think we both agree showing off too much in Madagascar will attract unwanted crowd. It's safer to keep a low profile, to stay away from crooks, drug dealers and nightlife experts. I would be more moderate about the risks.

You may have noticed that the only people been abducted are rich Karany. There are historical and cultural reasons for that. No place on earth is 100% safe but Madagascar is still much safer than other popular mongering.

Destinations. Been here for 6 years, never had a problem.

[SouthEaster]

"When they ask where to? I unsware 3 k. After a few seconds they say OK lets go as they know that for 3 k there only one possible destination. If you ask how much you are fucked. Same as I want to go to Hell-Ville. " You have sure got that right. The cocksuckers would absolutely not take me for 3 K. They just drive away, won't accept the proper price. Maybe I need to learn more patience!

Should you post a review? Why not although I am not sure how much use it will be to those of us who don't mind paying for pussy when you are only looking for free stuff.

[Member #4673]

I have difficult time figuring out your "style'. You don't care about the cost of the extension (although many of us do and it is valuable info) and you are obviously spending thousands and thousands of dollars in airfare to jet around to all of these mongering locations. Yet on the other hand you stay in the cheapest of accommodations to the point where you have to go outside to get WiFi, and you want your pussy for free. How do you reconcile the apparently opposite traits in the same person, IE. You? Seems kind of odd.

SE.

Funny question its a bit of complex unaware. First my last visa extension in Tana cost me 80 k if you remember they gave me 2 month only at ivato but the extension procedure was a nightmare. So for me to get it within NosyBe international airport was a good news regardless of the assumed 80 k price tag.

Yes, I just returned from Colombia and Brazil and those flights were expensive and I been everywhere in those countries taking UBER and premium class flights. Not economy. I normally stay within a budget of 2 K USD per month. So I cut in hotels as I can get the best hotels in the lowest price possible due to experience and negotiation skills. Normally I go to hotels when I negotiate directly with the owner not the stuff and not any booking platform.

Let me give you small example some early report states the hotel Robinson Crussoe in Nosy Be https://goo.gl/maps/pcqSQp22gU4poJnz7 cost 60 k per night. However I pay only 40 k at the peak season August. I do have wifi in that hotel although I manipulate the router for getting the best signal strength. Its a super comfortable place especially one of the Bungalows. As I mention earlier in Toliara previous trip I bought electric kettle to get hot water in a near perfect hotel for 30 k per night. Now in nosy be I pay 40 k with same trick.

So its all comes to budget management and optimization. Also I always know the real price for example TukTuk is only 500 AR within Ambatoloaka or 3 k to Hell-Ville. I do speak french so when I want a ride to Hell-Ville I just said 3 k 3 k without specify my destination. When they ask where to? I unsware 3 k. After a few seconds they say OK lets go as they know that for 3 k there only one possible destination. If you ask how much you are fucked. Same as I want to go to Hell-Ville.

Same person? NMExpert stand for New Mada expert which is evolved version of the older Mada expert. New expert has a magnitude more money, increased and higher standard of living but still burning hate to overpricing things.

So my style? It's a bit polarized I just spent a week in Hilton Frankfurt before my trip to Brazil and also took a Condo in Fortaleza and Rio but now in a super cute bungalow for 40 k Ariary in Nosy Be. Should I post a review on Nosy Be?