How to Find Hotels in Antananarivo, Madagascar

Be in the center of the action by visiting Antananarivo, Madagascar. This capital city is the largest city in Madagascar and it offers a unique blend of industry and wilderness.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Valid visitor's visa
• Passport
• Internet access
• French phrase book

Know Your Destination

1. Convert your currency to Ariary (MGA) (see Resources, below).
2. Speak with an accent. Inside the city of Antananarivo you can speak either French or Malagasy. However, if you venture outside of the city you will need to speak Malagasy.

Transportation in Antananarivo, Madagascar

3. Land near the capital city of Antananarivo, Madagascar. The Antananarivo Airport is one of the few international airports in the country. Luckily, it is close to the capital city where you can find a good selection of tourist accommodations and attractions.
4. Find local transportation. There are a lot of options for getting around in this city. You can take a zebu cart, a taxi, a pousse-pousse, a bus, a bicycle or you can rent a car.

Lodging in Antananarivo, Madagascar

5. Spend your time and your money in Antananarivo. This city is well known for its amazing tapestries and local products. If you enjoy shopping, you will want to find accommodations near shopping areas in and around the market district. To book accommodations, contact Office National du Tourisme de Madagascar at 011 ([phone] or visit their Web site (see Resources, below).
6. Cruise the local cuisine scene. If you enjoy sweets, then you will want to find accommodations near the city center. Here you will find sweets made from the locally grown sugar cane.
7. Ruin your vacation! If you are a fan of modern day ruins, then you will want to find accommodations near Upper Town. Here you will find what remains of the Queen's Palace as well as the President's Palace.
8. Become a history buff! If you are interested in history and art, then you will want to find accommodations near the Museum of Art and Archaeology.
9. Have a swinging time at the zoo! If you love animals, then you will want to find accommodations that are located close to the Tsimbazaza Zoo. Here you will find an amazing collection of primates and reptiles, most of which are native to Madagascar.

Tips & Warnings

• All phone numbers include the international prefix "011." When calling internationally but not from the United States or Canada, substitute that "011" with "00." All country codes are within parentheses and begin with a "+" sign.
• Register with the nearest U.S. Embassy when you land in Madagascar.
• Always carry photo identification and your passport with you as police officials can ask to see these documents at any time.
• Avoid participating in political demonstrations as these events can turn violent quickly.
• Petty theft is the biggest threat in Antananarivo, especially in the market areas of the city.