madagascar

Madagascar Travel Guide

Today in Madagascar: Ascension Day (9 May)
Trek Zone
bonjour
(bon-zhoor • French)
Say hello
71°F
Friday
74°F
Saturday

Tourist season

Are May and June good months to visit Madagascar?

5

May

Semi-high
season

6

June

Semi-high
season

Visa Limitations

Visa requirements for citizens of United States visiting Madagascar for tourism.

Visa on arrival (e-visa also available)

A visa is required, but it is possible to obtain it at selected border crossing points (visa on arrival).

Daily budget (1 person)

How much will you spend on accommodation, local transport, sightseeing, meals?

Backpacker's budget
from 33 to 41 USD

Tourist's budget
from 52 to 77 USD

Did you know?

The surface area of Madagascar is 226.7 thous. mi², which puts the country in position number 131 in terms of the area in the world.

How far is it?

1. The site uses the Great Circle method of calculating distances between two points on the Earth
2. To change the cities for comparison, change Your Country in settings

The distance between Antananarivo (MG) and Washington D.C. (US) is 8871 miles

To calculate distance between your location and Antananarivo click here

Antananarivo
Antananarivo
Mahajanga
Fianarantsoa
Antsirabe
Toamasina
Washington D.C.
Washington D.C.
Philadelphia
Houston
Chicago
Los Angeles
New York City
8871
mi

Country Comparison

Compare Madagascar to any country in the world and see key differences between them side-by-side.

MadagascarVSSelect country
Compare
Select country

Time Timezone

00:00

Safety

General travel safety level in Madagascar on a scale of 1 (safe) to 4 (unsafe).

2

Level 2 • Exercise a high degree of caution (plus additional regional warnings).

Update: 25 Mar 2024

Upcoming holidays

19 May 2024• Whit Sunday

20 May 2024• Whit Monday

Currency

Malagasy Ariary (MGA) - rate compared to selected currencies

1000 MGA
Rate
Inversion
EUR
0.20923
4779500
GBP
0.17999
5555999
USD
0.22491
4446216
Update: 9 May 2024

Get ready for your next trip

With just a few clicks you can find the best accommodation, airline tickets, or buy insurance that provides comprehensive protection for your next journey.

Cities and Top Tourist Attractions

From historical cities to picturesque landmarks and fascinating places - don't miss out on these attractions when planning a visit to Madagascar

Map
Distance matrix
MilesAntananarivoToamasinaFort-DauphinToliaraAntsirabeAntsirananaNosy BeFianarantsoa
Antananarivo-13442439573473388178
Toamasina134-500516195406342273
Fort-Dauphin424500-239357894812247
Toliara395516239-324850755255
Antsirabe73195357324-545458109
Antsiranana473406894850545-101650
Nosy Be388342812755458101-566
Fianarantsoa178273247255109650566-

Best Ways to Experience Madagascar

  • Cuisine
  • Animals
  • Plants

Practical Information for Travelers

  • Budget
  • Currency
  • Vaccinations
  • Visa
  • Electricity

Determine the expenses for your travel or vacation budget, as well as the expenditures associated with residing in another country

More

Backpacker's budget

Daily budget for one person, assuming that two people travel in a standard close to 1 star (hostels, public transport). When traveling alone, the cost may be slightly higher (hotel room) or the same (dormitory accommodation).

from 33 to 41 USD

Tourist's budget

Daily budget for one person, assuming that two people travel (they share the cost of a hotel room, taxis, etc.) to a standard close to 3 stars. Costs for a solo traveler will be higher.

from 52 to 77 USD

You can find out more about travel costs and prices in Madagascar via the Prices link

Currency

More

Malagasy Ariary (MGA)

EUR
  • EUR
  • GBP
  • MGA
  • USD
MGA
  • EUR
  • GBP
  • MGA
  • USD
 = 
Exchange rates provided by Open Exchange Rates. Last update: 9 May 2024
Malagasy AriaryMalagasy AriaryMalagasy AriaryMalagasy Ariary

Vaccinations

More

All travelers

You should be up to date on routine vaccinations while traveling to any destination. Some vaccinations may also be required in Madagascar.

Routine vaccines

Before each trip, it is worth making sure that we are up to date with the routine vaccinations. These include vaccinations against measles, mumps and rubella, diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, chickenpox, polio and flu.
Prevention
  • Get vaccinated
  • Reduce your exposure to germs

Most travelers

Get travel vaccines and medicines because there is a risk of these diseases in the country you are visiting.

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is a digestive disease caused by the hepatitis A virus and is closely related to a lack of good hygiene.It can be asymptomatic, moderate, or very severe.
Prevention
  • Get vaccinated
  • Eat and drink safely

Typhoid

Typhoid fever is an acute, systemic infectious disease caused by Salmonella typhi.The source of the infection may include dirty water, raw fruits, vegetables, dairy products, as well as dirt containing bacteria.
Prevention
  • Get vaccinated
  • Eat and drink safely

Some travelers

Vaccinations and medications that may be recommended under certain conditions, depending on where you will be, the length of your stay and the nature of your stay.

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is a disease caused by the hepatitis B virus.Infection occurs through contact of injured skin or mucous membranes with virus-infected blood or other secretions (e.g. during sexual contact, through contaminated needles or as a result of medical procedures).
Prevention
  • Get vaccinated
  • Avoid sharing body fluids
  • Avoid non-sterile medical or cosmetic equipment

Malaria

Malaria is a life-threatening parasitic disease transmitted by mosquitoes.
Prevention
  • Take antimalarial meds
  • Prevent bug bites
Estimated relative risk of malaria in Madagascar

Umiarkowane

Areas with malaria

All areas, except rare cases in the city of Antananarivo

Rabies

Rabies is an acute infectious disease caused by neurotrophic viruses from the rhabdovirus family.The infection is most often caused by biting a sick animal or other contact of its saliva with mucous membranes, conjunctiva or damaged skin.
Prevention
  • Get vaccinated
  • Keep away from animals

Yellow Fever

Yellow fever is an acute viral disease which is transmitted by virus-infected mosquitoes.
Prevention
  • Get vaccinated
  • Prevent bug bites
Vaccination requirements

Required if traveling from a country with risk of YFV transmission and ≥9 months of age, including transit >12 hours in an airport located in a country with risk of YFV transmission.

This section is for informational purposes and does not exhaust all issues related to vaccination. Based on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

With or without a visa?

Visa requirements for citizens of

United States
  • United States
  • More

visiting flagMadagascar for tourism

Updated on 2 March 2023. Based on Visa requirements for United States citizens
Visa on arrival (e-visa also available)

A visa is required, but it is possible to obtain it at selected border crossing points (visa on arrival).

  • Allowed stay: 90 days

Electricity

220V (50 Hz)

In Madagascar the standard voltage is 220V and the frequency is 50 Hz. Type C, E sockets are used.

Click on the socket icon to see more information
socket CType C
socket EType E

Facts and Figures

Fundamental socio-economic statistical data pertaining to the country

Population

130 / 231
Ranking
27 691 018
Malayo-Indonesian (Merina and related Betsileo), Cotiers (mixed African, Malayo-Indonesian, and Arab ancestry - Betsimisaraka, Tsimihety, Antaisaka, Sakalava), French, Indian, Creole, Comoran

Area

131 / 232
Ranking
226.7 thous. mi²
It is approximately 6% of the territory of United States.

Life expectancy

126 / 221
Ranking
67.9
Life expectancy expressed in years.men 66.5women 69.2

Median age

126 / 222
Ranking
20.3
Average age of population expressed in years.men 20.1women 20.5

Population growth

125 / 224
Ranking
2.31%
The difference between live births and deaths. A negative value means natural loss.

Literacy

118 / 210
Ranking
76.7%
Ability to read, write and count.men 78.4%women 75.1%

GDP

111 / 194
Ranking
1 544 INT$
GDP per capita is gross domestic product converted to international dollars (Int$) using purchasing power parity rates and divided by total population.
Source: WDI World Bank & CIA World Factbook Country Comparison

Where to next? Try the destination finder and find a place or country worth visiting