Madagascar

[Kako123]

Is there anyone who had recently extended his visa in Antananarivo?

[SouthEaster]

Looks like things are looking up. More air routes as of July 14 which is nice. Now if they would just drop the bloody PCR test requirement it would make things a lot easier. I am currently looking at Vancouver. Amsterdam - CDG. Tana for end of September. The only place I need a PCR test for is TANA! I could have a long layover in Amsterdam. Anybody know if there is rapid PCR testing there and approximate cost?

Hopefully by then they will drop the PCR requirement. And clear up the chaos in European airports! Pearson in Toronto is currently one of the worst on the planet.

[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.