madagascar

Madagascar Travel Guide

Trek Zone
bonjour
(bon-zhoor • French)
Say hello
90°F
Saturday
86°F
Sunday

Tourist season

Are December and January good months to visit Madagascar?

12

December

Shoulder
season

1

January

Shoulder
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 30 to 38 USD

Tourist's budget
from 50 to 73 USD

Did you know?

The population of Madagascar is around 27.69 mil., which puts the country in 51. place in terms of population (out of 231 countries and dependent territories).

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.

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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.

Update: 13 Oct 2024

Upcoming holidays

25 December 2024• Christmas Day

1 January 2025• New Year's Day

Currency

Malagasy Ariary (MGA) - rate compared to selected currencies

1000 MGA
Rate
Inversion
EUR
0.20214
4946953
GBP
0.16703
5987105
USD
0.21152
4727729
Update: 13 Dec 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
MilesAntananarivoAndringitra National ParkToamasinaFianarantsoaMarojejy National ParkAntsirabeMenabe ReserveMorondava
Antananarivo-23213417834173204232
Andringitra National Park232-32455568163216217
Toamasina134324-273258195339366
Fianarantsoa17855273-514109191199
Marojejy National Park341568258514-414510540
Antsirabe73163195109414-159182
Menabe Reserve204216339191510159-30
Morondava23221736619954018230-

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 30 to 38 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 50 to 73 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: 13 December 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

51 / 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

47 / 230
Ranking
226.7 thous. mi²
It is approximately 6% of the territory of United States.

Life expectancy

155 / 196
Ranking
67.9
Life expectancy expressed in years.men 66.5women 69.2

Median age

25 / 157
Ranking
20.3
Average age of population expressed in years.men 20.1women 20.5

Population growth

29 / 172
Ranking
2.31%
The difference between live births and deaths. A negative value means natural loss.

Literacy

92 / 131
Ranking
76.7%
Ability to read, write and count.men 78.4%women 75.1%

GDP

187 / 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

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