Travel Essentials › Madagascar
Travel Essentials
Plugs: Types C and E, 220 V. Emergency: Police 117, Fire 118. Tipping: Small tips of 5-10% in restaurants and for guides and drivers are appreciated. Tap water: Drink bottled or treated water.
Types C and E, 220 V
| Police | 117 |
| Fire | 118 |
Small tips of 5-10% in restaurants and for guides and drivers are appreciated.
Greetings. Greetings are unhurried and polite; take time for pleasantries before business. A handshake is usual, and friends and family may kiss cheeks.
Fady (taboos). Many regions have local taboos (fady) about food, dress, or behavior at sacred sites; ask a local guide before entering villages or tombs.
Respect for ancestors. Tombs and burial sites are highly sacred; always ask permission before photographing them or approaching a Famadihana ceremony.
Madagascar is generally safe for cautious travelers, with violent crime rare but petty theft, unpredictable transport, and fraudulent tour operators requiring attention, especially in Antananarivo.
Fraudulent tour companies. Some operators, especially in Antananarivo, advertise cheap all-inclusive tours but fail to deliver promised services; book through vetted, reputable operators with verifiable reviews.
Overpriced taxis and inflated 'tourist prices'. Fares and goods are often quoted higher for foreigners; agree prices in advance and ask locals for a fair-price gauge.
Unofficial street guides. Self-appointed guides may offer services then demand high payment; hire guides through your hotel or a licensed agency instead.
Women travelers. Solo female travelers should take extra precautions, especially outside guided tours; avoid walking alone at night, use arranged transport, and consider a local guide for more remote areas.
Legal · Use Caution
Same-sex sexual activity is legal for those 21 and older (versus 14 for opposite-sex), same-sex marriage and civil unions are banned, and there is no legal protection from discrimination; LGBTQ+ travelers should be discreet.
| Coffee (café) | MGA 5,500 | $1.20 |
| Local bus or metro ride | MGA 2,000 | $0.45 |
| Mid-range restaurant meal | MGA 45,000 | $10 |
| Hostel bed / budget room (night) | MGA 90,000 | $20 |
| Mid-range hotel (night) | MGA 190,000 | $42 |
| Daily budget, mid-range traveler | MGA 480,000 | $106 |
2026-09
April to mid-December is the dry season and best overall, with April-May and October-November best for wildlife viewing; avoid mid-January to March when cyclones and heavy rain can make roads impassable.