In the print dialog pick “Save as PDF” to keep it on your phone. A5 makes a pocket booklet; A4 suits a desk printer.
Voykit pocket guide · Mozambique
Nampula
Spend 1–2 days in Nampula to see the cathedral, ethnology museum and market; then continue north or west.
Nampula is the provincial capital with a regional market, a cathedral and a good ethnology museum. Transport links (airport, bus, train) make it a convenient stopover, but attractions are limited, so a short stay is enough.
- Country
- Mozambique
- Best months
- May–Oct
- Avoid
- Jan–Mar (heavy rain)
- Stay
- 1–2 nights
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 MT1,500–2,500 excl. bed · Mid MT2,500–4,500 excl. bed · High MT4,500+ 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 |
|---|---|
| Moto‑taxi ride | 50 MT |
| Chapa to Monapo | 100 MT |
| Chapa to Nampula (from Monapo) | 200 MT |
| Train 3rd class ticket | 300 MT (check) |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- APL · Nampula Airport
- 4 km (2.5 mi) from town, walkable2.5 mi (4 km) from town, walkable
Typical fares
- Moto‑taxi
- ≈50 MT per short ride
- Airport → city centre (taxi)
- ≈200 MT (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
Moto‑taxi 50 MT per ride; car rentals (Sixt, EuropCar, Avis, moti) available near the airport; minibuses (chapas) to Ilha de Mozambique 300 MT, to Monapo 100 MT, to Nampula 200 MT.
See and do
Known for
- Our Lady of Fatima Cathedral
- Museu Nacional de Etnologia
- Regional market
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Cuamba (train) | Daily train departs Nampula 05:00, 10‑12 h rideDaily train departs Nampula 5:00 AM, 10‑12 h ride | ≈12 h |
Sleep
- Residencial Karuthakka
- Budget hostel, basic but clean
- Morabeza Backpackers
- Private rooms 2200‑2700 MT, dorm 1300 MT, Wi‑Fi, English‑speaking staff
- Lurio
- Mid‑range hotel, modern, restaurant, free internet; 2100 MT
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | Desculpedeskuˈpe |
| Thank you | Obrigadoobriˈgado |
| How much is it? | Quanto custa?ˈkwɐ̃tu ˈkusta |
| Where is the bus stop? | Onde está a paragem de autocarro?ˈõdʒi ʃtɐ ˈa paˈɾɐʒẽ dɨ awtɐˈkɐʁu |
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
- Train seats are not guaranteed; arrive before 03:00 for boarding.
- Train toilets are basic; bring water and a flashlight.
- Check current security advice for northern Mozambique before traveling further north.
Nampula is relatively safe for day visits, but the northern region has security alerts; avoid night travel outside town and stay updated on local advice.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Nampula yet. Suggested stay: 1–2 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Our Lady of Fatima Cathedral
- Museu Nacional de Etnologia
- Regional market
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 – Nampula: www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q123456
- Wikivoyage: Nampula, revision 5244095 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5244095
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/nampula). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.