Africa · Eastern AfricaUsable guideAfrican island country in the Indian Ocean
Photo: Unknown authorUnknown author, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Madagascar is a country in the Indian Ocean off the eastern coast of Africa. It is known for its particularly unique wildlife and flora. Madagascar split from India approximately 88 million years ago, and as a result of its long isolation it is home to a massive number of unique plant and animal species, with over 90% of its wildlife and 80% of its plants found nowhere else on the planet.
Answers to what travellers most often look up about Madagascar.
Cards and cash
There are ATMs in larger cities and bigger towns where you can withdraw ariary cash with Visa, Visa Electron, MasterCard, Maestro and Union Pay, Diners Club, American Express, and Discover cards.
Tipping
Tipping is a matter of much confusion in Madagascar, and is made more confusing because expectations are different when the customer is a foreigner instead of a local.
French, Malagasy
The entire island speaks one language: Malagasy, an Austronesian language. "Malagasy" refers to both the language and the people of the island. Because the island is so large, there are many different dialects.
International phone calls and 4G Internet via data can be done via cell phone companies such as Airtel, Orange or Telma they work off prepaid phone cards.
Drinking water is almost never safe for foreigners; treated or bottled water should always be used, and salads or dishes containing unpeeled fruits or vegetables should be avoided.
Visitors to Madagascar should be aware of a vast number of health concerns. Diseases such as the plague, which are almost unheard of elsewhere, still occur in Madagascar.
Everyday life in Madagascar is regulated by numerous fady (taboos) which vary from one region to another.
Attractions, food, stays and travel essentials, with ratings, reviews, opening hours and directions.
Antananarivo (AN-tan-AN-ah-REEV-oo) (City of a Thousand), also known as Tana, is the capital and largest city of Madagascar. It has more universities, nightclubs, art venues, and medical services than any other city on the island.
Ambalavao is a city in the Fianarantsoa Province of Madagascar.
Ambositra (pronounced 'Ambushed') is a city in Madagascar, renowned for its traditional decorative paper-making. Ambositra is the capital of the Amoron'i Mania region, and of Ambositra District.
Antsirabe (City of much salt) is in the central highlands of Madagascar. In 2013, it had a population of around 240,000.
Fianarantsoa, commonly abbreviated as Fianar, is a city in the Fianarantsoa Province of Madagascar. Due to its central location, it is a gateway city for transportation to many other places in central and southern Madagascar and many tourists visit to take the FCE train to Manakara.
Ihosy is a town of 283,000 people (2015) on the Ihosy River in Toliara Province of Madagascar.
Morondava is a town on the coast of Western Madagascar. Morondava is a coastal town in the West of Madagascar, connected to the capital by regular plane service run by Madagascar Airlines.
Taolagnaro, or Tolagnaro (also known by its French name Fort Dauphin) is a city in the Toliara Province of Madagascar. It was the first permanent French settlement in Madagascar.
Anakao is a tiny beach village in Madagascar.
Andasibe-Mantadia National Park is about 150 km from Antananarivo in the Toamasina Province of Madagascar. The combined parks are perhaps best known as the home of the Indri lemurs, which is the largest surviving lemur species whose singing can be heard for miles each morning and evening.
Andringitra National Park is in Madagascar.
Île aux Nattes is a small island of the east coast of Madagascar.
Isalo National Park is in Toliara Province of Madagascar.
Masoala National Park is in the Antsiranana Province of Madagascar. It is one of six national parks on the east coast of Madagascar that make up the UNESCO World Heritage site Rainforests of the Atsinanana.
Nosy Be is a resort island in northwestern Madagascar.
Ranomafana National Park is located close to RN7 in Fianarantsoa Province of Madagascar. It holds 41,600 hectares (161 square miles) of rain forest that is home to several lemur species, is accessible by paved road, and contains a variety of lodging options, making it a popular destination for visitors to Madagascar.
Places in Madagascar on the World Heritage List.
Tsingy de Bemaraha Strict Nature Reserve
Listed 1990
Ambohimanga
Listed 2001
Rainforests of the Atsinanana
Listed 2007
Andrefana Dry Forests
Listed 2023
List from Wikidata (CC0). Photos from Wikimedia Commons.
The capital is the arrival point for many visitors, and the hub of the domestic airline and land transport routes. Outside of the capital are small towns known for their craft workshops, as well as small reserves that are home to lemurs.
Home to the beautiful tropical island of Nosy Be, and its surrounding sub-islands, this region is where most travellers go for upscale resorts and pristine beaches, and is one of the most popular destinations in the entire country.
The area south of the capital is home to rain forests and mountains, and relatively accessible via RN7.
Fianarantsoa, Ambositra, Ambalavao, Andringitra National Park, Ranomafana National Park
Mahajanga is home to impressive wetlands and some hidden resorts that can be reached only by private plane or boat.
This province is home to Andasibe-Mantadia National Park, where the Indri lemurs sing, and to some less-visited destinations along the eastern coast.
Toamasina, Vatomandry, Ile aux Nattes, Andasibe-Mantadia National Park
The southern portion of the country is the land of the spiny forest, with hot and dry conditions leading to an environment of harsh vegetation that is nevertheless home to a vast array of lemurs, lizards, birds and insects.
Public transport and paid services in Madagascar.
By train
As of 2023 Madarail operates only one service, a 9-hour trip between Moramanga (115 km east of Antananarivo) and Ambila Lemaitso on the east coast.
By boat
If you are looking for an unusual holiday, a yacht charter to Madagascar might be a good choice.
By car
Madagascar's roads are almost all of very low grade (with the exception of 2 routes leading out of Tana). Many roads are studded with potholes and are quagmires in the rainy season.
By taxi-brousse
Taxi-brousse, or interurban shared taxi, is the way most natives travel around the country.
By taxi-be
In Tana, the cheapest way to get around is by taxi-be, or big taxi, which is a bit larger than a mini-van. There is one aisle with seats to fold down so they can cram in even more people.
Apps for booking a taxi or a ride in Madagascar.
Finding apps for Madagascar…
Other ways to travel:By bicycle
Operators checked against their official websites in October 2026; services that have stopped running are not listed. Logos and Wikipedia links: Wikidata (CC0)
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Antananarivo · International · TNR
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Calculated from climate averages: mild daytime highs and lower rainfall. It does not account for festivals, crowds or prices.
Average conditions in Antananarivo
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg. high | 30° | 30° | 30° | 29° | 29° | 28° | 28° | 31° | 34° | 35° | 34° | 32° |
| Avg. low | 21° | 21° | 20° | 19° | 16° | 15° | 14° | 15° | 18° | 20° | 21° | 22° |
| Rainfall (mm) | 330 | 217 | 154 | 45 | 11 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 38 | 90 | 180 |
| Humidity | 80% | 81% | 80% | 75% | 66% | 58% | 53% | 48% | 45% | 49% | 55% | 67% |
Choose your passport and destination to see whether you need a visa.
Budget
$30
Per person, per day
Mid-range
$90
Per person, per day
Luxury
$240
Per person, per day
| Budget | Mid-range | Luxury | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $15 | $50 | $140 |
| Food and drink | $5 | $15 | $40 |
| Local transport | $5 | $10 | $20 |
| Activities | $5 | $15 | $40 |
Estimate from World Bank price levels (2025). Actual costs vary by city and season. World Bank
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We do not label countries as safe or unsafe. Below is the official advice from two governments, with the date it was last updated. Always read the full advice before you travel.
US Department of State
Level 2 of 4Exercise increased caution
Exercise increased cautionto Madagascar due to crime, unrest, and health. Some areas have increased risk. Crime Violent crime, such as armed robbery and assault, occurs throughout Madagascar, particularly after dark, in remote areas, and along major national roads in the south and western areas of the country. Petty crime is common, especially in tourist locations. Stay aware of your surroundings. Unrest Strikes and other protest activity related to political and economic conditions occur regularly, particularly in periods near elections. Violent confrontations between the Dahalo (criminal gangs that steal cattle) and security forces have increased in several regions of Madagascar, particularly in areas south and west of the capital. Health Medical infrastructure is very limited in populated areas of Madagascar and is extremely limited in rural areas of Madagascar. Serious medical emergencies in Madagascar require medical evacuation. Review the Health section of the Travel Guidance on this page for more information.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
No advice against travel. Read the full advice before you go.
Before you travel No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to: see general advice for women travellers read our guide on disability and travel abroad see general advice for LGBT+ travellers read about safety for solo and independent travel see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad Travel insurance If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency. About FCDO travel advice The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice. Get travel advice updates Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated. Follow FCDO: travel advice on X travel advice on Facebook Travel Aware on Instagram
Stories, itineraries and practical advice for travelling in Madagascar.
Nature & adventureMadagascar is sometimes called "the eighth continent" for its distinct biogeography.
Wikivoyage
Nature & adventureScuba diving is an activity in which you swim underwater for extended periods using self-contained underwater breathing apparatus, hence the acronym scuba.
Wikivoyage
ItinerariesThe Cape Route, the route around Africa, the Carreira da Índia or the European-Asian sea route, used to be among the world's most important routes of commerce.
Wikivoyage
ItinerariesMarco Polo was a Venetian traveler who went far to the East, following some of the many branches of the Silk Road. He left in 1271 and returned about 1295.
Wikivoyage
Travel tipsAirfares can be cheaper when booked from the European capital that has a strong colonial link to your destination, which typically means from Brussels, Lisbon, London, and Paris.
Wikivoyage
Culture & historyThe European theatre of World War II (see World War II in Europe) included a major campaign in North Africa and there was also fighting in several other parts of the continent.
Wikivoyage
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