Madagascar Travel Guide

Language

Malagasy is the official language, but French is used in business and government and is widely spoken in the main cities in Madagascar. A few people involved in the tourism industry might be able to speak some English, but it is not widely spoken.

Currency

The official currency is the Malagasy ariary (MGA), which has been reintroduced to replace the Malagasy franc. Coins and notes display both currencies, but newer notes display the ariary more prominently than the franc. One ariary is equal to five francs. Foreign currencies can be exchanged at banks and official bureau de change, but the ariary cannot be changed back into hard currency. Some banks will only accept US dollars or Euro. Travelers checks can be exchanged at most banks and in major hotels, but some banks refuse to accept them. ATMs are available in Antananarivo. Most major credit cards are starting to be accepted in top hotels and major travel agencies in the capital and other major towns, but have limited usage elsewhere.

1955.0000

Electricity

Electrical current is 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Plugs are generally two-pin.

Communications

The international dialing code for Madagascar is +261. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0027 for South Africa). To make an international call to Madagascar, the dialing code of 261 must be followed by a two-digit operator code (e.g. 20 for TELMA, the most reliable), then the regional code (e.g. 22 for Antananarivo) and then the five-digit number. A GSM 900 network is in use, covering major cities and main roads. Public Internet access exists in large cities; there are a few Internet cafes in Antananarivo.

Duty-Free

Visitors older than 21 years may bring 500 cigarettes or 25 cigars or 500g tobacco, as well as one bottle of alcohol into the country without incurring import duty. Visitors are allowed to export a maximum of 100g vanilla without cost.

Tourist Office

Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Antananarivo: +261 (20) 22 66805. Or www.madagascar-tourisme.com

Embassies in Madagascar

• United States Embassy, Antananarivo: +261 20 22 21273 or 21257.
• British Honorary Consul, Antananarivo: +261 20 24 52180.
• Canadian Consulate, Pretoria, South Africa (also responsible for Madagascar): +27 (0)12 422 3000.
• Australian High Commission, Port Louis, Mauritius (also responsible for Madagascar): +230 202 0160.
• South African Embassy, Antananarivo: +261 20 22 43350.

Madagascar Embassies Abroad

• Madagascar Embassy, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 265 5525.
• Madagascar Embassy, London, United Kingdom: +44 (207) 715 4410.
• Madagascar Embassy, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 567 0505.
• Madagascar Honorary Consulate, Sydney, Australia: +612 (92) 992 290
• Madagascar Embassy, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 342 0983.
• Madagascar Embassy, London, United Kingdom (also responsible for Ireland): +44 (207) 715 4410.

Emergency

Police: 117

Language

Malagasy is the official language, but French is used in business and government and is widely spoken in the main cities in Madagascar. A few people involved in the tourism industry might be able to speak some English, but it is not widely spoken.

Currency

The official currency is the Malagasy ariary (MGA), which has been reintroduced to replace the Malagasy franc. Coins and notes display both currencies, but newer notes display the ariary more prominently than the franc. One ariary is equal to five francs. Foreign currencies can be exchanged at banks and official bureau de change, but the ariary cannot be changed back into hard currency. Some banks will only accept US dollars or Euro. Travelers checks can be exchanged at most banks and in major hotels, but some banks refuse to accept them. ATMs are available in Antananarivo. Most major credit cards are starting to be accepted in top hotels and major travel agencies in the capital and other major towns, but have limited usage elsewhere.

1955.0000

Electricity

Electrical current is 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Plugs are generally two-pin.

Communications

The international dialing code for Madagascar is +261. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0027 for South Africa). To make an international call to Madagascar, the dialing code of 261 must be followed by a two-digit operator code (e.g. 20 for TELMA, the most reliable), then the regional code (e.g. 22 for Antananarivo) and then the five-digit number. A GSM 900 network is in use, covering major cities and main roads. Public Internet access exists in large cities; there are a few Internet cafes in Antananarivo.

Duty-Free

Visitors older than 21 years may bring 500 cigarettes or 25 cigars or 500g tobacco, as well as one bottle of alcohol into the country without incurring import duty. Visitors are allowed to export a maximum of 100g vanilla without cost.

Tourist Office

Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Antananarivo: +261 (20) 22 66805. Or www.madagascar-tourisme.com

Embassies in Madagascar

• United States Embassy, Antananarivo: +261 20 22 21273 or 21257.
• British Honorary Consul, Antananarivo: +261 20 24 52180.
• Canadian Consulate, Pretoria, South Africa (also responsible for Madagascar): +27 (0)12 422 3000.
• Australian High Commission, Port Louis, Mauritius (also responsible for Madagascar): +230 202 0160.
• South African Embassy, Antananarivo: +261 20 22 43350.

Madagascar Embassies Abroad

• Madagascar Embassy, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 265 5525.
• Madagascar Embassy, London, United Kingdom: +44 (207) 715 4410.
• Madagascar Embassy, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 567 0505.
• Madagascar Honorary Consulate, Sydney, Australia: +612 (92) 992 290
• Madagascar Embassy, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 342 0983.
• Madagascar Embassy, London, United Kingdom (also responsible for Ireland): +44 (207) 715 4410.

Emergency

Police: 117

Language

Malagasy is the official language, but French is used in business and government and is widely spoken in the main cities in Madagascar. A few people involved in the tourism industry might be able to speak some English, but it is not widely spoken.

Currency

The official currency is the Malagasy ariary (MGA), which has been reintroduced to replace the Malagasy franc. Coins and notes display both currencies, but newer notes display the ariary more prominently than the franc. One ariary is equal to five francs. Foreign currencies can be exchanged at banks and official bureau de change, but the ariary cannot be changed back into hard currency. Some banks will only accept US dollars or Euro. Travelers checks can be exchanged at most banks and in major hotels, but some banks refuse to accept them. ATMs are available in Antananarivo. Most major credit cards are starting to be accepted in top hotels and major travel agencies in the capital and other major towns, but have limited usage elsewhere.

1955.0000

Electricity

Electrical current is 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Plugs are generally two-pin.

Communications

The international dialing code for Madagascar is +261. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0027 for South Africa). To make an international call to Madagascar, the dialing code of 261 must be followed by a two-digit operator code (e.g. 20 for TELMA, the most reliable), then the regional code (e.g. 22 for Antananarivo) and then the five-digit number. A GSM 900 network is in use, covering major cities and main roads. Public Internet access exists in large cities; there are a few Internet cafes in Antananarivo.

Duty-Free

Visitors older than 21 years may bring 500 cigarettes or 25 cigars or 500g tobacco, as well as one bottle of alcohol into the country without incurring import duty. Visitors are allowed to export a maximum of 100g vanilla without cost.

Tourist Office

Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Antananarivo: +261 (20) 22 66805. Or www.madagascar-tourisme.com

Embassies in Madagascar

• United States Embassy, Antananarivo: +261 20 22 21273 or 21257.
• British Honorary Consul, Antananarivo: +261 20 24 52180.
• Canadian Consulate, Pretoria, South Africa (also responsible for Madagascar): +27 (0)12 422 3000.
• Australian High Commission, Port Louis, Mauritius (also responsible for Madagascar): +230 202 0160.
• South African Embassy, Antananarivo: +261 20 22 43350.

Madagascar Embassies Abroad

• Madagascar Embassy, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 265 5525.
• Madagascar Embassy, London, United Kingdom: +44 (207) 715 4410.
• Madagascar Embassy, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 567 0505.
• Madagascar Honorary Consulate, Sydney, Australia: +612 (92) 992 290
• Madagascar Embassy, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 342 0983.
• Madagascar Embassy, London, United Kingdom (also responsible for Ireland): +44 (207) 715 4410.

Emergency

Police: 117

Language

Malagasy is the official language, but French is used in business and government and is widely spoken in the main cities in Madagascar. A few people involved in the tourism industry might be able to speak some English, but it is not widely spoken.

Currency

The official currency is the Malagasy ariary (MGA), which has been reintroduced to replace the Malagasy franc. Coins and notes display both currencies, but newer notes display the ariary more prominently than the franc. One ariary is equal to five francs. Foreign currencies can be exchanged at banks and official bureau de change, but the ariary cannot be changed back into hard currency. Some banks will only accept US dollars or Euro. Travelers checks can be exchanged at most banks and in major hotels, but some banks refuse to accept them. ATMs are available in Antananarivo. Most major credit cards are starting to be accepted in top hotels and major travel agencies in the capital and other major towns, but have limited usage elsewhere.

1955.0000

Electricity

Electrical current is 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Plugs are generally two-pin.

Communications

The international dialing code for Madagascar is +261. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0027 for South Africa). To make an international call to Madagascar, the dialing code of 261 must be followed by a two-digit operator code (e.g. 20 for TELMA, the most reliable), then the regional code (e.g. 22 for Antananarivo) and then the five-digit number. A GSM 900 network is in use, covering major cities and main roads. Public Internet access exists in large cities; there are a few Internet cafes in Antananarivo.

Duty-Free

Visitors older than 21 years may bring 500 cigarettes or 25 cigars or 500g tobacco, as well as one bottle of alcohol into the country without incurring import duty. Visitors are allowed to export a maximum of 100g vanilla without cost.

Tourist Office

Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Antananarivo: +261 (20) 22 66805. Or www.madagascar-tourisme.com

Embassies in Madagascar

• United States Embassy, Antananarivo: +261 20 22 21273 or 21257.
• British Honorary Consul, Antananarivo: +261 20 24 52180.
• Canadian Consulate, Pretoria, South Africa (also responsible for Madagascar): +27 (0)12 422 3000.
• Australian High Commission, Port Louis, Mauritius (also responsible for Madagascar): +230 202 0160.
• South African Embassy, Antananarivo: +261 20 22 43350.

Madagascar Embassies Abroad

• Madagascar Embassy, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 265 5525.
• Madagascar Embassy, London, United Kingdom: +44 (207) 715 4410.
• Madagascar Embassy, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 567 0505.
• Madagascar Honorary Consulate, Sydney, Australia: +612 (92) 992 290
• Madagascar Embassy, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 342 0983.
• Madagascar Embassy, London, United Kingdom (also responsible for Ireland): +44 (207) 715 4410.

Emergency

Police: 117