Major city · Mozambique
Xai-Xai
Stop for a beach day or one night on the drive between Maputo and Tofo or Inhambane; not a base for longer than that.
Xai-Xai is a coastal town at the mouth of the Limpopo River, about 3 hours north of Maputo on the EN1. Its wide golden beach and coral reefs are the main draw, but accommodation is basic and the town itself has little to do. Most travellers use it as a lunch-and-swim break or a single-night stop en route to Tofo or Inhambane.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- MZN
- Best months
- Apr–Nov
- avoid Dec–Mar (rainy and hot; road conditions may worsen)
- Airport
- MPM
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive befor…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- Southern Africa ↗A rental car may leave its home country only with the rental company's cross-border letter, the registration papers and paid road taxes at each post; driving into Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique or Angola without them ends at the border.
- Southern Africa ↗Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive before sunset: livestock, wildlife, pedestrians and unlit trucks make night driving the main cause of serious visitor accidents.
- Mozambique ↗Many Western passports are visa-exempt for 30 days but still need an approved travel authorisation from the official evisa.gov.mz portal before departure; it cannot be bought on arrival.
- Mozambique ↗Carry your passport or a certified copy at all times; police document checks are common.
- Mozambique ↗Governments advise against travel to parts of Cabo Delgado province in the north; check your own government's advice for the exact areas.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Xai-Xai119 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Xai-Xai, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Mozambican metical (MZN, MT).Mozambique-wide
- SIM or eSIMVodacom, Movitel and Tmcel are the networks; Vodacom has the widest coverage along the southern coast.Mozambique-wide
- Tap waterNot safe from the tap; lodges provide filtered water.Mozambique-wide
- TippingRestaurant: About 10% if no service charge.Mozambique-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/F/M. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Mozambique-wide
- SafetyXai-Xai is generally safe for tourists, but petty theft can occur on the beach.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFlush toilets in hotels and restaurants; basic outside towns.Mozambique-wide
- Emergency numbers119 police · 117 ambulance · 198 fire (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysOffices close at weekends and on public holidays; the long Christmas season slows paperwork.Mozambique-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportMPM Maputo International Airport (About 3 hours south by car; the nearest commercial airport.).
- Getting aroundA car is essential: the beach is 2 km (1.2 mi) from the town centre and there is no public transport along the strip.A car is essential: the beach is 1.2 mi (2 km) from the town centre and there is no public transport along the strip.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- BeerBottle of beer (local)MT 50–80
- Budget bedGuesthouse double room, a night, per roomMZN 1,700
- Mid-range bedGuesthouse double room, a night, per roomMZN 2,500
- High-end bedGuesthouse double room, a night, per roomMZN 4,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget MZN 1,700 · Mid MZN 3,000 · High MZN 5,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- MPM Maputo International Airport (About 3 hours south by car; the nearest commercial airport.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Feb
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Mar
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Apr
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
May
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jun
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Jul
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Aug
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Sep
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Oct
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Nov
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Dec
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Best: Apr–Nov. Avoid: Dec–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Jan (31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)), coolest Jun (16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C) low), wettest Jan (10 rain days), driest Jun (3). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Xai-Xai: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
10 rd
Feb
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
9 rd
Mar
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
8 rd
Apr
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
5 rd
May
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
4 rd
Jun
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
3 rd
Jul
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
3 rd
Aug
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
3 rd
Sep
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
4 rd
Oct
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
6 rd
Nov
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
8 rd
Dec
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
10 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
A car is essential: the beach is 2 km from the town centre and there is no public transport along the strip. Taxis are available in town but scarce on the beach.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: 3 h
EN1 south, about 3 hours by car
Day-trip is possible but long; better as a stop on the way south.
Tofo Beach
goDoor to door: 2.5 h
EN1 north then the coastal road, about 2.5 hours by car
A straightforward drive; Tofo has far more accommodation and activities.
Door to door: 2 h
EN1 north, about 2 hours by car
Old port town with a dhow ferry to Maxixe; a half-day stop.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Praia do Xai-Xai (the beach strip)
A few basic hotels and guesthouses right on the sand; no restaurants or shops within walking distance of most.
Xai-Xai town centre
Closer to shops and the EN1, but the beach is a short drive away.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- MT 1,700–2,500 excl. bed
- Mid
- MT 2,500–4,000 excl. bed
- High
- MT 4,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Guesthouse double room1 × 1 night × MZN 2,500 | MZN 2,500 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × MZN 3,000 | MZN 6,000 |
| Meal at a beach restaurant2 × MZN 500 | MZN 1,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | MZN 950 |
| Trip total≈ MZN 5,230 per person per day, bed included | MZN 10,450 |
2026 estimate in meticais; flights and car hire excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Guesthouse double roomcheck | MT 1,700–2,500 |
| Beach hotel double roomcheck | MT 2,500–4,000 |
| Simple meal (grilled fish, rice, vegetables) | MT 300–600 |
| Bottle of beer (local) | MT 50–80 |
| Bottled water (1.5 L) | MT 30–50 |
| EN1 toll at Limpopo bridgecheck | MT 10 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The beach has no lifeguards: swim only in calm conditions and watch for currents.
- Accommodation is basic and often books out on weekends and holidays: reserve ahead.
- The EN1 toll at the Limpopo bridge costs MT 10 for cars (check).
- No ATMs on the beach strip; withdraw cash in Xai-Xai town or in Maputo.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 119
- Ambulance
- 117
- Fire
- 198
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Xai-XaiXai-Xai
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Para este endereço, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police119
- Ambulance117
- Fire198
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Maputo → Xai-Xai by car (EN1): about 3 hours, one toll of MT 10 (check)
- Xai-Xai → Tofo by car: about 2.5 hours
Say or show
- Olá — Hello (oh-LAH)
- Obrigado — Thank you (oh-bree-GAH-doo)
- Quanto custa? — How much? (KWAN-too KOOS-tah)
- Onde está a praia? — Where is the beach? (ON-de es-TAH ah PRY-ah)
- Não percebo — I don't understand (now per-SEH-boo)
Portuguese is the official language; English is limited outside tourist areas.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Xai-Xai. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Nov · avoid Dec–Mar (rainy and hot; road conditions may worsen) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Xai-Xai
Loading…
Was this useful?