COVID: Review the latest FCDO Travel Advice before travelling to or from Madagascar
Antananarivo has an approximate population of around 1,275,207 people and you can typically expect to pay around £0.67p for an equivalent pint of lager or beer.
Antananarivo in Madagascar is a serene mountain resort city on the eastern side of Madagascar. It was originally a small fishing village until the Portuguese brought with them woodchips, salt and fish from South America. Today the beautiful old buildings and narrow streets of Antanasarivo are reminiscent of a small town with a big city flair.
It is easy to reach Antanasarivo from any major city in Madagascar. From the airport the international airport in Antananarivo will take you to a city of over 14 millions people. You can catch a flight to Madagascar from any country worldwide. To reach the hotel in Antanasarivo simply walk to the south of the town, take a taxi or use your own private transport.
The hotel in Antanasarivo has many attractive features and rooms that are elegantly furnished. Many visitors choose this location when booking a hotel in Madagascar. The hotel has recently been featured on many television shows because of it's romantic location, excellent cuisine and great service. and has many local products. You will also find a number of international foods available such as fish, mangoes, coconuts, locally caught food and meat. You can find traditional clothing, gold jewellery, shoes, silverware and many other types of merchandise in the Antanasarivo market.
Up to date information for vaccinations before you travel to Madagascar are available from the NHS Fit for Travel website.
For up to date information around safety and security in Madagascar read the Foreign & Commonwealth Office latest information for Madagascar.
The best time to go to Madagascar. WhilstMadagascar holidays can be enjoyed year-round, the principal wet season is from late December through to the month of March; often involving cyclones, it is probably best avoided! The best time to go to Madagascar is therefore between the months of April through to mid-December
There are many different festivals in Madagascar. Most of these festivals are centered on religious events. There are also many unique local ones. Christmas and Easter are among the most popular holidays in Madagascar. On Christmas day, Malagasy people exchange gifts. During Easter, people will enjoy outdoor activities and colorful fair trades. The local New Year, Alahamadi Be, is celebrated in the month of March. If you want to enjoy one of these holidays, make sure to book comfortable accommodations in Madagascar before you leave.
Whether you're interested in history or culture, there's a festival to suit every taste and interest. There's the traditional Santabary Festival, celebrated in late April or early May to celebrate the first rice harvest. There's also the Labour Day celebration, when city people flock to the countryside to see the countryside. And finally, on June 26, the country's independence day is celebrated. Visitors often book hotel accommodations near Famadihana to take part in the festivities.
Some of the most popular festivals in Madagascar are Santabary and Embakasi. These celebrations mark the first rice harvest. While you're in Madagascar, be sure to visit these festivals and enjoy the cultural performances and food. There are several other festivals in Madagascar. You can attend the L abour Day celebration in the capital, Antananarivo. In June, there is the Donia Music Festival, where top international jazz artists come to perform.
The traditional new year in Madagascar is Alahamadi Be, which lasts for two days. Thousands of people fill the streets, homes are decorated with lights, and traditional music is played. Martyrs' Day is held on the 29th of March, which commemorates the 19th century rebellion against French colonial rule. There are also religious services held during Easter. The country is known for its unique festivals, so you should consider booking accommodation near the celebration.
The country's cultural festivals vary from the traditional tribal celebrations to the Catholic festivals. There are many popular traditional festivals in Madagascar that blend Catholic traditions with tribal customs. A Famadihana Festival takes place in July, when the bones of ancestors are removed from their family tomb. The graves are wrapped with new lambs and put back into the tomb after a kabary speech. For the religious, Easter is celebrated in March or April.
The country's Santabary Festival is an ancient celebration that takes place in late April or early May. It is a time to celebrate the first rice harvest of the year and is celebrated by locals. Another traditional festival is the Fisemana festival, which is held in June. It commemorates the end of colonial rule and is a three-month family tradition. This is the main reason why it is so popular.
You can buy a 30, 60 or 90-day tourist visa on arrival at the airport in cash using US$, Euros, or Malagasy Ariary. Make sure an entry stamp is recorded in your passport, and that your visa is valid for the period and purpose of your journey. A tourist visa cannot be extended beyond 90 days.
See which forms you may need for entry into Madagascar.
The official currency of Madagascar is the Malagasy Ariary (MGA). If you're looking to transfer or spend money in Madagascar you can grab amazing Malagasy Ariary deals via Wise.com (GBP to MGA).
Most of these species found in Madagascar are endemic, meaning they cannot befound anywhere else in the world. The Madagascar fody, tomato frog, satanic leaf-tailed gecko, panther chameleon, comet moth, fossa, and the lemurs of Madagascar are some of the unique animals in Madagascar.
French food? Romazava is considered the national dish of Madagascar, and each family makes their own version. It is a one-pot dish, usually eaten with rice for lunch or dinner. The basic ingredients are beef, pork and chicken cut into equal-size cubes, chopped onions, tomatoes, spinach and crushed garlic.
The official languages of Madagascar are Malagasy and French. Madagascar is a Francophone country, and French is spoken among the educated population of this former French colony. You can learn some basic French before you travel to Madagascar and really impress the locals!
The currency in Madagascar is the Malagasy Ariary (Tipping is a gratuity that one gives because one wants to reward good service regardless of what the person is being paid. It's a personal choice. It's correct, this isn't a society where anyone would look at you badly if you didn't tip like they would in the USA for example, but if you've enjoyed the service that you received and you want to tip, go for it.).
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What is the time difference?
The GMT time difference is 3 hours