Madagascar — Shopping
Shopping
Handicrafts include lamba (traditional squares of cloth in various designs and woven materials); zafimaniny marquetry, which is applied to furniture, chessboards and boxes; silverwork such as mahafaly crosses and vangavanga bracelets; jewelry made from shells and precious stones; items woven from reeds, raffia and straw; antemore paper decorated with dried flowers; and embroidery. All products incorporating Malagasy flora or fauna (including dried flowers) often require export permits (see Duty Free section).
Shopping hours: Mon-Sat 0930-1800.
Currency
The pre-colonial Ariary (MGA; symbol Ar) has replaced the Malagasy Franc (MGF). Notes are in denominations of Ar10,000, 5,000, 2,000, 1,000, 500, 200 and 100. Coins are in denominations of Ar50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1.
Note: Malagasy Francs are no longer legal tender but can be exchanged at banks until 2009.
Currency Exchange
Currency can be bought only at banks and official bureau de change in hotels and at the airport in Antananarivo. Hotels have a less-favorable exchange rate. The Ariary is a non-convertible currency and cannot be exchanged back into tradable currency. Therefore it is a good idea to exchange currency as required.
Credit Cards, Debit Cards, and ATMs
American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are accepted at top-end hotels in Tana and the provincial capitals. These and other cards have limited use elsewhere in the country. ATMs are increasingly available around the capital and in some of the larger towns.
Travelers Checks
These can be exchanged in banks and major hotels. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travelers are advised to take traveler's checks in Euros or US Dollars.
Currency Restrictions
There are no restrictions on the import or export of local or foreign currency.
Banking Hours
Mon-Fri 0800-1100 and 1400-1600.
Exchange Rate
| 1.00 GBP = 3188.24 MGA |
| 1.00 USD = 1985 MGA |
| 1.00 EUR = 2802.88 MGA |
| Currency conversion rates as of 19 July 2011 |
