Madagascar

[Manfield04]

In Toliara (TuléAR), walk towards Serena Hotel, after the hotel on the same side, you will find Oasis Café and just after that, you will find Mohamedi Hardware Store. You can change your Euros at this hardware shop.

I'm going to Toliara this October after a two days in Tana. Could you please tell me how the situation with ATMs and Money Changers is in Tana and Toliara? I want to use a mix of ATM and Changing (I have Euro).

[Golfinho]

Could you please tell me how the situation with ATMs and Money Changers is in Tana and Toliara?
Some recommendations where to change cash? And where to withdraw money in this two places?

Will stay in Sole in Tana and LE Recife in Toliara.

In Tana, change at SocioMad.

In Tulear, change at Baobob Bank.

These places can easily be found, so you don't have to ask here again.

As to why you would travel all the way to Mada to stay at a dump like Sole Hotel, well, smh.

For hotels in Tulear: if you're a truly cheap person, there's the Albatros Hotel at $15 usd. The Palm Hotel is $20: recommended.

The Sapphire around the corner is an option.

You're welcome.

[Bienenstich]

I'm going to Toliara this October after a two days in Tana.

Could you please tell me how the situation with ATMs and Money Changers is in Tana and Toliara?

I want to use a mix of ATM and Changing (I have uro).

Some recommendations where to change cash? And where to withdraw money in this two places?

Will stay in Sole in Tana and LE Recife in Toliara.

Speaking tana theres no shortage on atms and money changers. Mcb having no fees and accepting mastercard so can recommend. Near swiss embassy. Money changers from worst to best. Street changers, western union in boa, small offices in tsaralalana near pompier and next to central hotel.

[Golfinho]

You would think that after the shitkicking the tourist industry underwent the last 2 years they would be making things easier to pay for, not harder. I wonder why the embargo on US issued cards?

Yep. A card issued by USA Bank not accepted on line, at call center in Paris, or in person. As for the travel agents advertizing on Skyscanner: they could not complete the transaction. The only one that worked back in March was travel2be, but they're located, I believe, in Ukraine so you might not want to take your chances with them at the moment.

[DzikaBomba]

I'm going to Toliara this October after a two days in Tana.

Could you please tell me how the situation with ATMs and Money Changers is in Tana and Toliara?

I want to use a mix of ATM and Changing (I have €uro).

Some recommendations where to change cash? And where to withdraw money in this two places?

Will stay in Sole in Tana and LE Recife in Toliara.

[Tinte]

I always paid cash, at one hotel I stayed in there was a note at the reception: Carte de credit + 20 % . LOL.

[SouthEaster]

You would think that after the shitkicking the tourist industry underwent the last 2 years they would be making things easier to pay for, not harder. I wonder why the embargo on US issued cards?

[Golfinho]

Sorry but these are fake news!

2 weeks ago they charged my MasterCard (issued by an European bank) with 1 mio MGA for my flight TANA. TOLIARA and back in October.

Zero problems.

[Deleted by Admin]I wrote American Bank. I'm in Madagascar today, and yesterday, and the weeks before. They did not accept a Mastercard at the Air Mada office in Tana or at Tsaradia in Tulear. Try limiting your commentary to your specific experience.

[DzikaBomba]

You can't dick around with flights --they're aren't many and they sell out. It's also impossible to use credit card issued by US bank and they don't take Mastercard only Visa.

Sorry but these are fake news!

2 weeks ago they charged my MasterCard (issued by an european bank) with 1 mio MGA for my flight TANA. TOLIARA and back in October.

Zero problems.

[Golfinho]

Albert9989, thank you again. The smaller seaside towns you mentioned sound good: Morandava, Mangily, Sakava Bay, and Ifaty. And Tulear is worth a look, even if the beaches aren't great. As for overland transport, I'll follow the advice of locals, as you recommend.



TailPipe, I see the flights which all connect in Tana as of now. Will continue to watch the schedule to see if they bring back the direct flights between other cities.

You can't dick around with flights --they're aren't many and they sell out. It's also impossible to use credit card issued by US bank and they don't take Mastercard only Visa.

[ChocolateHuntr]

Morondava also has nice beaches and nice girls, good to check. . . But at the end, if you follow the advices of knowing people nothing will happen, you just have to be aware and not decide to go anywhere without taking care. . . Last point is about beaches. . .

Albert9989, thank you again. The smaller seaside towns you mentioned sound good: Morandava, Mangily, Sakava Bay, and Ifaty. And Tulear is worth a look, even if the beaches aren't great. As for overland transport, I'll follow the advice of locals, as you recommend.

Took a look at the Tsaradia website. Any interior flight lands or departs from Tana now. There used to be a flight from Nosy - Antsiranana, Tamatave - Sainte-Marie and Toliara - Toalagnaro. Maybe they'll reinstate them in the future idk.

TailPipe, I see the flights which all connect in Tana as of now. Will continue to watch the schedule to see if they bring back the direct flights between other cities.

[TailPipe]

Took a look at the Tsaradia website. Any interior flight lands or departs from Tana now. There used to be a flight from Nosy - Antsiranana, Tamatave - Sainte-Marie and Toliara - Toalagnaro. Maybe they'll reinstate them in the future idk.

Imo the Ministry of Sex Tourism ought to organise direct flights between Nosy Be, Toliara and Tamatave. Would make life a lot easier!

[Amadeuss]

Albert9989, I appreciate the info. I would prefer to travel overland, but you mentioned the Dahalos targetting buses. Is this an issue across the whole country?

Tailpipe, thank you for the details. Good to know about the dirty beaches in Tulear (Toliara). So maybe I'll focus on Nosy Be, Antsiranana (Diego Suarez), and Mahajanga (Majunga). From there, I'll play it by ear.



Golfinho, both you and Tailpipe have said Tulear (Toliara) is not the best beach destination, so it's now out. Replaced it with Sambava. And good point about the sharks, so I'll check out Tamatave (Toamasina).

Updated list for beach trip, in order:

• Nosy Be

• Mahajanga (Majunga)

• Antsiranana (Diego Suarez)

• Sambava

• Toamasina (Tamatave)

Neither Diego nor Sambava do have beaches for swimming. Its not only about the sharks but more of the strong waves and currents. That refers to the whole east coast. However, an upcoming place is Saklava Bay near Diego: a home for kiters. You can find new hotels (rooms above 50. - a nice fine sand beach, a lot of wind for kiting but not much on nightlife, except you wish to fuck a backpacker girl there.

Near Tamatave you can visit Fenerive. The beach there is gentle and you can find nice beach cottages. Or go further to Ile St Marie: beautiful beaches, boutique hotels and willing girls not in bars but just from the brousse. Go explore.

[Albert9989]

Albert9989, I appreciate the info. I would prefer to travel overland, but you mentioned the Dahalos targetting buses. Is this an issue across the whole country?

There are many roads which are qualified as dangerous, at least it was the case when I was there in 2018, but all drivers knows, and they will tell you if you can or not take that road and at what time.

Antsirabe to Morondava road for example was also a road to take during day only.

But at the end, if you follow the advices of knowing people nothing will happen, you just have to be aware and not decide to go anywhere without taking care.

Last point is about beaches.

I agree fully that Toliara / Tulear doesn't have beaches, but we don't go there for beaches, its the place to meet girls and there was a great choice there.

But at about 1/2 HR distance with a good road, you have Mangily or Ifaty, and there you can find a marvellous beach.

I add some pics, one from Google maps showing were is Ifaty from Tulear, and the other taken from inside a cottage which is on the beach, at Hotel Bella Donna in Ifaty.

If you find a good girl in Tulear then you can bring her there in Ifaty and spend some marvellous days and nights, or you can just decide to rest a bit there.

You can also stay in Ifaty and do the go and back to Tulear during the day to get some girls and bring them back. Some can be found also in the ifaty village at evening.

So, up to you, depend how you want to spend your time. 3 months is a lot, you have time to go in many places.

Morondava also has nice beaches and nice girls, good to check. But road is a bit long. Close to there you have the famous Baobab Alley, good to give a visit also.

[ChocolateHuntr]

Dahalo's are targetting buses and sometimes taking some lifes in addition to all the belongings of passengers.

Albert9989, I appreciate the info. I would prefer to travel overland, but you mentioned the Dahalos targetting buses. Is this an issue across the whole country?

The main 4 punting areas are Tana (mainly nightclubs), Nosy Be, Tamatave and Tulear. . . BTW, didn't see any sunbathing or swimming in Tulear / Toliara either. The beach is dirty. You can go to Mangily but you have to take a taxi brousse to get there but it basically is just a small village with a nice beach.

Tailpipe, thank you for the details. Good to know about the dirty beaches in Tulear (Toliara). So maybe I'll focus on Nosy Be, Antsiranana (Diego Suarez), and Mahajanga (Majunga). From there, I'll play it by ear.

Forget Toliara for beaches. Sambava and Tamatave have nice ones. You're not going to get shark eaten splashing around waist deep with a girl or three.

Golfinho, both you and Tailpipe have said Tulear (Toliara) is not the best beach destination, so it's now out. Replaced it with Sambava. And good point about the sharks, so I'll check out Tamatave (Toamasina).

Updated list for beach trip, in order:

• Nosy Be

• Mahajanga (Majunga)

• Antsiranana (Diego Suarez)

• Sambava

• Toamasina (Tamatave)