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Voykit pocket guide · Mozambique
Beira
Spend 1–2 days in Beira for a quick city glimpse; see the cathedral, central market and Savanna Beach, then move on.
Beira is Mozambique's second‑largest city, a rebuilt port with a colonial core, a market and a nearby beach. A half‑day covers the main sights; a full day adds a beach trip.
- Country
- Mozambique
- Best months
- May–Oct
- Avoid
- Jan–Mar (cyclone risk)
- Stay
- 1 night
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- MZN
- Money
- Currency is the Mozambican metical (MZN, MT). Cards work in Maputo and larger lodges; markets, small restaurants and transport are cash.
- Daily spend
- Budget MT2,500–3,500 excl. bed · Mid MT4,000–5,500 excl. bed · High MT6,500+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Vodacom, Movitel and Tmcel are the networks; Vodacom has the widest coverage along the southern coast.
- Emergency
- Police 119 · Ambulance 117 · Fire 198
- Plugs
- Types C, F, M · 220 V · 50 Hz · South African large round-pin (M) common in the south; bring an adapter for both.
- Tipping
- Restaurant: About 10% if no service charge.; Dive crew: US$5–10 per day in the tip jar.; Lodge staff: US$5–10 per guest per day in the box.; Car guards: 20–50 MT.
- Water
- Not safe from the tap; lodges provide filtered water.
- Toilets
- Flush toilets in hotels and restaurants; basic outside towns.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee | MT200–300 |
| Meal at market stall | MT250–500 |
| Taxi (city, 5 km (3.1 mi))Taxi (city, 3.1 mi (5 km)) | MT300–500 |
| Chapa (city‑to‑airport) | MT150 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- BEW · Beira International Airport
- 10 km (6.2 mi) from town, reachable by bus or taxi6.2 mi (10 km) from town, reachable by bus or taxi
Typical fares
- Airport → city centre (taxi)
- ≈ MT800 (check)
- Chapa to Savanna Beach (round‑trip)
- ≈ MT300 (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Minibuses (chapas) link the city, airport and nearby towns; taxis are common for short trips; walk for central sights.
See and do
Known for
- Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral
- Grande Hotel Beira ruins
- Savanna Beach
- Mercado Central
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Savanna Beach | Chapa north, then small boat across river | ≈2 h round‑trip |
| Rio Maria | Road via Monte Verde, private vehicle or taxi | ≈1 h each way |
Sleep
- Hotel Tivoli
- Central, A/C, small rooms, restaurant on‑site
- Beira Guesthouse
- Budget option near main square
- Jardim das Velas
- Beach‑front lodge, 12 rooms, US $110
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello | Oláolá |
| How much? | Quanto custa?quanto custa |
| Where is the beach? | Onde fica a praia?onde fica a praia |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: 'Bom dia' and a handshake, then your question; avoid: Skipping greetings with officials
- Police stops: Calm, polite, documents ready; avoid: Arguing or offering money
- Dress: Cover up off the beach; avoid: Bikinis in town
- Photos: Ask first; avoid: Police, soldiers, buildings
Scams and watch-outs
- Avoid walking alone in Baixa after dark; petty crime is common.
- Cyclone season peaks Jan–Mar; check forecasts before travel.
Crime is concentrated in Baixa at night; keep valuables secure and use reputable transport.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Beira yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral
- Grande Hotel Beira ruins
- Savanna Beach
- Mercado Central
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikidata – Beira: www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12345
- Wikivoyage: Beira, revision 5334298 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5334298
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/beira). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.