Currency:

Since 2005, the reintroduced Malagasy Ariary (MGA) has been the official national currency, replacing the Malagasy franc. An ariary (Ar) is divided into 5 iraimbilanja, making it one of two circulating currencies worldwide that are not divided into decimal.There are banknotes in 10,000, 5,000, 2,000, 1,000, 500, 200 and 100 ariary notes and coins in 1 to 50 ariary notes, whereby the 50 ariary coin with the baobabs stamped on it is particularly beautiful.

Banks

Banks are usually open on weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.Credit cards are accepted in major hotels, restaurants and some shops, especially in Antananrivonur. In the other major cities, cash can only be accessed at ATMs with a Visa, although one has now also been installed at the airport in Antananarivo. Don’t just rely on ATMs as they are often out of order. Have some cash ready in euro bills for emergencies.

Madagascar is a huge place, the roads are bad and travel takes a long time. A drive from Antananarivo (Tana) to Diego Suarez (Antsiranana) means a solid 24 hours, to Tuléar (Toliara) it is 18 hours, 16 to Morondava and so on. Be realistic about how much and what to visit when planning, otherwise you will be in a vehicle every other day of your trip! 

Domestic flights can save a lot of time, but they are also expensive and not good for the carbon footprint. If you decide to fly, you have to choose in advance whether you want to book before departure, claiming the expensive price but have guaranteed availability, or buy a flight ticket on site, which is cheaper but also restricts your flexibility in terms of time. 

Taxi-Brousse (Busch-Taxis) are the main means of public transport. They are slow, inconvenient, cheap, and ubiquitous. A car with a driver is a great, but more expensive, alternative. 

Due to the often difficult driving conditions, most rental agencies make booking a driver mandatory when renting a car. Right-hand traffic applies and police checks are frequent. Also watch out for the traffic spikes on the roads, drive slowly and make sure that your driver’s license and vehicle documents are always close at hand. 

Madagascan cuisine is traditionally based on rice, which is served with a kind of dressing, vegetables, meat and spicy spices. In Madagascar people like to eat spicy, so many dishes are prepared with hot peppers or other spices. The dishes are usually refined with garlic, ginger, onion or curry and desserts with vanilla. 

It is not recommended to drink tap water. For the sake of the environment, you should still avoid buying bottled water if possible and simply fill a reusable water bottle or canteen with filtered water. Most hotels provide drinking water. It is advisable to avoid ice cubes in drinks and to peel fruits and vegetables before eating. 

Except for January and March, every season is suitable for a visit. During this time there is heavy rainfall, which makes the streets in many places everything, just not passable. In addition, the risk of hurricanes is increased.

April to October / November is generally the best time to visit most places. The dry season is from May to October and a little cooler. Therefore, this period is well suited to travel anywhere in Madagascar, although it can get very cold and windy on the Hauts Plateau, i.e. in the central highlands of Antananarivos, and there could be ice-cold showers. 

The west and southwest get violently hot in summer, but the winter months in these regions are pleasant and offer blue skies, cooler temperatures and little rain. Most of the rain in the northeast falls from July to September. 

Average maximum temperatures vary from around 25 ° C on the skin plateaus to 30 ° C in coastal areas (higher in summer). In Antananarivo and other highland areas, temperatures can drop to 10 ° C in winter and even lower at night. 

To cope with the climate in Madagascar, light clothing should be worn on the High Central Plateaus in summer and all year round in the north and south. Cotton and natural fibers are best in this sweaty weather. In mountainous areas, warm clothing is recommended for the evenings and in winter. Rainwear is advisable as a precaution.