Madagascar

SAFETY & SECURITY

• Armed gangs commit robbery, carjacking, home invasion, and kidnapping nationwide — foreigners are regularly targeted in both urban and rural areas.

Prepare: Stay in a well-secured, lockable accommodation; keep valuables out of sight; if attacked, do not resist.

• Petty crime is endemic in Antananarivo — pickpocketing and purse snatching occur on the Rova steps, Avenue de l'Indépendance, and near Soarano station.

Prepare: Avoid showing expensive jewelry or carrying large cash amounts; keep passport and documents secure at all times.

• Avoid travel after dark — violent assaults spike after sunset; fake "guides" on beaches and coastal areas commit robbery.

Prepare: Plan all movement during daylight; use hotel or airport taxis only, never hail on street; confirm driver name and plate number before boarding.

• High-risk areas for violent crime — Sainte Marie island, Pic Saint Louis in Tôlanaro, and Batterie Beach in Toliara have reported assaults.

Prepare: Do not visit these locations alone; seek current local security advice from your tour operator before travel.

• Demonstrations are frequent and can turn violent without warning; elections create heightened risk of civil unrest.

Prepare: Monitor local media daily; avoid gathering areas; comply immediately with police instructions if caught near a demonstration.

• Road travel is dangerous — armed attacks occur on Route nationale 13 (RN13) and Route nationale 7 (RN7), especially at night; driving conditions are poor and drivers ignore traffic laws.

Prepare: Fly between cities where possible; if driving, hire a professional driver, use a four-wheel-drive vehicle, avoid driving after dark, and confirm route passability with local authorities before departure.

• Public transportation is unsafe — "taxis brousse" (multi-passenger vans) and buses ("taxi be") are overcrowded, poorly maintained, and involved in frequent fatal accidents; ferries have poor safety equipment and maintenance.

Prepare: Use only official taxis, hotel taxis, or hire a private driver; if using ferry, verify life jackets are available and the vessel is not overloaded.

• Pirate attacks occur in coastal waters — maritime robbery is reported along Madagascar's coast.

Prepare: Consult the International Maritime Bureau Piracy Reporting Centre before any boat travel.

• Political transition is ongoing — military took control in October 2025 with a 2-year transition period; conditions are currently calm but remain fragile.

Prepare: Register with Global Affairs Canada's Registration of Canadians Abroad service; monitor travel.gc.ca for updates.

HEALTH

• Measles circulation is active — ensure MMR vaccination is current; measles spreads through air and is highly contagious.

Prepare: Verify your MMR vaccination status with your healthcare provider at least 6 weeks before travel; if you lack two doses after age 12, get vaccinated before departure.

• Mpox cases have been reported — practice careful hygiene and avoid close contact with sick individuals.

Prepare: Familiarize yourself with mpox symptoms (rash, fever, swollen lymph nodes); seek medical care immediately if symptoms develop during or after travel.

• Ebola outbreak response measures are in effect — health screening and entry/exit restrictions may apply for travelers with symptoms or recent exposure.

Prepare: Contact Madagascar's authorities before travel to confirm current entry health requirements; if you develop fever or suspect exposure, report to local health authorities immediately.

• Hepatitis A is a risk — spread through contaminated food or water.

Prepare: Get hepatitis A vaccination before travel; practice strict food and water precautions (drink bottled water, avoid raw or undercooked food, wash hands frequently).

• Hepatitis B is a risk worldwide — transmitted through blood and body fluids.

Prepare: Get hepatitis B vaccination; use only sterile equipment for any medical procedures, tattoos, or piercings; practice safe sex.

• Seasonal influenza circulates year-round in the tropics — flu season in the Southern Hemisphere is April–October.

Prepare: Get the annual flu vaccine at least 2 weeks before departure.

• COVID-19 remains a risk — vaccination is the most effective protection.

Prepare: Ensure your COVID-19 vaccination is current before travel; practice hand hygiene and use masks in crowded settings.

• Yellow fever vaccination may be required — check current entry requirements with Madagascar authorities.

Prepare: Consult a travel health clinic 6 weeks before travel to determine if yellow fever vaccine is needed for your entry.

• Routine vaccinations must be up to date — measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, varicella, meningococcal, and others.

Prepare: Review your vaccination record with a healthcare provider or travel clinic before departure.

• Medical care is limited — facilities outside Antananarivo are basic; emergency rescue services are sparse in rural areas.

Prepare: Obtain comprehensive travel health insurance with medical evacuation coverage; carry a personal first-aid kit and any prescription medications in original, labeled bottles.

VISA & ENTRY

• Tourist visa required for stays over 15 days — available on arrival at Antananarivo airport for 30 or 60 days.

Prepare: Bring cash in USD, EUR, or Malagasy ariary for visa fee; allow extra time at airport (processing can be lengthy).

• Passport must be valid for 6+ months beyond entry and have 2 blank pages minimum.

Prepare: Renew your passport now if it expires within 6 months of your planned travel or has fewer than 2 blank pages.

• Gender marker "X" on Canadian passport may not be recognized — some countries and systems only accept "M" or "F" in their entry systems; you may be asked to declare a different gender.

Prepare: Contact the Malagasy embassy or consulate in Canada (through Global Affairs Canada) before travel to confirm whether "X" is accepted; carry documentation of your legal gender identity.

• Entry rules may differ for temporary passports or emergency travel documents — verify with Malagasy consulate before travel.

Prepare: If traveling on a temporary document, contact the embassy in advance for specific entry requirements.

Verify all visa and entry requirements directly with the nearest embassy or consulate before travel. Requirements can change without notice.

LOCAL LAWS & CULTURE

• No specific laws targeting tourists are highlighted — but general criminal laws are enforced; violent crime carries severe penalties.

Prepare: Avoid confrontation; comply with police; know the location of your nearest Canadian diplomatic mission.

• LGBTQ+ travelers should exercise caution — no specific legal prohibition is noted, but social attitudes toward LGBTQ+ persons may be conservative in some areas.

Prepare: Avoid public displays of affection; research current social climate in specific neighborhoods before visiting.

• Women travelers may face harassment and verbal abuse — particularly when traveling alone.

Prepare: Stay in groups when possible; avoid isolated areas; dress conservatively; trust your instincts and remove yourself from uncomfortable situations.

• Religious and cultural respect is important — Madagascar is predominantly Christian but has strong traditional Malagasy spiritual beliefs (famadihana is a major family celebration).

Prepare: Dress modestly in rural and spiritual areas; ask permission before photographing religious ceremonies or sacred sites.

PRACTICAL & CONNECTIVITY

• Currency is the euro (EUR) — Madagascar adopted the euro on 1 January 2023; the kuna is no longer accepted. Ariary (MGA) was the previous local currency; verify current local acceptance.

Prepare: Exchange currency before arrival or at Antananarivo airport; ATMs are limited outside the capital; carry USD or EUR as backup.

• Power outlets are type E and type F (European standard) — voltage is 220V, 50Hz.

Prepare: Bring a universal adapter compatible with Types E and F.

• SIM cards and mobile networks are available — coverage is good in urban areas but spotty in remote regions.

Prepare: Purchase a local SIM at the airport or in Antananarivo; verify roaming rates with your home carrier if using your own SIM.

• Internet is available but slow and unreliable in rural areas — use hotel Wi-Fi in urban centers.

Prepare: Download offline maps and important documents before travel; don't rely on internet for emergencies.

• Tipping is not customary but is appreciated — round up taxi fares or add 5–10% for good service in restaurants.

Prepare: Carry small bills for tips and informal payments.

CLIMATE & TIMING

• Rainy season is November to April — heavy rainfall causes poor road conditions, particularly in northern provinces; some roads become impassable.

Prepare: Avoid travel during November–April if possible; if traveling during this period, confirm route passability with local authorities before departure.

• Cyclone season overlaps with rainy season (November–April) — tropical storms can disrupt transportation and accommodation.

Prepare: Purchase comprehensive travel insurance that covers weather-related cancellations; monitor weather forecasts daily during this period.

• Best time to visit is May to October — dry season with cooler temperatures and lower cyclone risk.

Prepare: Book accommodations and tours well in advance for this popular period.

• Coastal areas are warm year-round — interior highlands are cooler, especially at night.

Prepare: Pack light clothing for coastal regions and a light jacket for highlands.

TOP SIGHTS

• Avenue of the Baobabs — iconic tree-lined landscape near Menabe; photogenic at sunrise and sunset; hire a guide and visit during daylight only.

• Ranomafana National Park — rainforest with endemic lemurs and rare wildlife; visit only with an accredited Ministry of Tourism guide and never alone.

• Isalo National Park — canyon landscape with hiking trails and natural pools in central Madagascar; arrange tours through established operators only.

• Nosy Be — island off the northwest coast with beaches and coral reefs; avoid Sainte Marie (Nosy Boraha) island and inland beaches at night due to reported assaults.

• Andasibe-Mantadia National Park — rainforest near the capital known for lemur viewing; hire an accredited guide through your tour operator.

WHERE TO STAY

Antananarivo

• Haute-Ville (Upper Town) — government and administrative area; quieter than lower city; stay near hotels in Ankorondrano for security and proximity to services.
• Anjanamasina — central neighborhood with hotels and restaurants; reasonable security when staying in established lodges; avoid walking at night.
• Anosibe — emerging business district; newer hotels offer better security standards; convenient for accessing main roads.

Toliara

• Central Toliara — main commercial area near market and port; stay in established hotels only; avoid Batterie Beach (reported assaults) after dark.

Antalaha

• Town center — main commercial district; limited accommodation; arrange lodging through tour operators; avoid traveling in surrounding areas at night.

EMERGENCY CONTACTS

• Canadian Embassy in Madagascar: Antananarivo (consular services provided through the Canadian Embassy in Mauritius; verify current contact details at international.gc.ca or call Global Affairs Canada).

Prepare: Register with Global Affairs Canada's Registration of Canadians Abroad; save embassy contact details and your government emergency line before departure.

• Global Affairs Canada Emergency Line: 1-800-387-3124 (call collect from anywhere if in crisis; available 24/7).

• Madagascar Police: 17 (local emergency number; limited English-language capability).

• Madagascar Ambulance/Medical Emergency: 14 (local emergency number; verify availability in your specific region).

• Your travel insurance provider's emergency line: Verify 24/7 contact numbers before departure; carry documentation in your phone and on paper.

Prepare: Photocopy your passport, travel insurance documents, and emergency contact information; store copies separately from originals; register with your embassy before arrival.