Madagascar

[Amadeuss]

Gents. I'm in the process of planning my maiden Mada trip for November and this thread has been super helpful as this forum always is. First stop for me will be Tana. Does anyone have experience with Louvre hotel? Seems to be in a prime spot near all of the main hotshots that I've found referenced here and looks nicer than some of the other options I've seen.

GF hotel recommendations in Diego and Nosy Be also much appreciated. Ideally nicer places. Wheels up in November, will report back!

I always like this line: "will report back".

You been to Tana in 2019, asking questions before. Got infos, but then nada, nothing.

LE Louvre is an excellent hotel. Prime choice if you got a madam with style as copine. She will make a shitloads of selfies in the classic entree. But its bad for street food.

[DonKey82]

Gents. I'm in the process of planning my maiden Mada trip for November and this thread has been super helpful as this forum always is. First stop for me will be Tana. Does anyone have experience with Louvre hotel? Seems to be in a prime spot near all of the main hotshots that I've found referenced here and looks nicer than some of the other options I've seen.

GF hotel recommendations in Diego and Nosy Be also much appreciated. Ideally nicer places. Wheels up in November, will report back!

[Kako123]

Many places don't accept mastercard at the moment, only visa. I don't know what's the issue with mastercard in Madagascar.

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.

[Pokeris]

Was it recently and how was the procedure?

It was around 4 and a half month ago. Procedure is posted already from another member on page 13 no point to repeat it again.

[Kako123]

Was it recently and how was the procedure?

In Tamatave visa extension is at building at Avenue De l'Independance just opposite Telma office on other side of the street. Its around 100-150 metres away from la terasse restaurant at same side where is BVF bank near la terasse restaurant. I get my extension here also.

[SouthEaster]

Pokeris. Thanks for the info mate. Not sure if I will be able to stay longer than 2 months this time as a death in the family has put a wrench in the works but good info all the same.

[Golfinho]

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

Like this place, some Muslim jewelry shops will change -- if they need to, or if they feel like it. Hit and miss same as at Chinese casino.

Baobob Bank gives the best rates so why bother posting information about anywhere else.

BTW, in Tana, best rate is SociMad. No need to run around elsewhere.

[Pokeris]

Try searching for posts from member 740. He did it in Tamatave about 7? Months ago and apparently pretty simple. I have looked in vain on the net for the office where you do this but cannot find it. He gave what appeared to be GPS coordinates but they did not make any sense. Good luck. Let us know what info you turn up.

In Tamatave visa extension is at building at Avenue De l'Independance just opposite Telma office on other side of the street. Its around 100-150 metres away from la terasse restaurant at same side where is BVF bank near la terasse restaurant. I get my extension here also.

[DzikaBomba]

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.

You could fly with Ethiopian Airlines to Tana directly from Toronto through Addis Abbeba, but this for sure will not be cheap.

A Friend went to Weeks ago with Ethiopian to Tana from Frankfurt. Nobody in Frankfurt neither in Tana asked for the PCR. But I would not risk going without.

Now we have Summer Holidays here in Europe and many People are going on Vacation. In September this is over and at least it should be much better or over with the mess at the airports.

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

Thanks! That's really a good tip. I was looking for something like that. Will go there for sure.

[SouthEaster]

Try searching for posts from member 740. He did it in Tamatave about 7? Months ago and apparently pretty simple. I have looked in vain on the net for the office where you do this but cannot find it. He gave what appeared to be GPS coordinates but they did not make any sense. Good luck. Let us know what info you turn up.

[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.