Major city · 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.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- MZN
- Best months
- May–Oct
- avoid Jan–Mar (heavy rain)
- Airport
- APL
- Nights
- 1–2
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 Nampula119 ▾
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 Nampula, 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
- SafetyNampula is relatively safe for day visits, but the northern region has security alerts…
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.
- AirportAPL Nampula Airport (4 km (2.5 mi) from town, walkable).APL Nampula Airport (2.5 mi (4 km) from town, walkable).
- Getting aroundMoto‑taxi 50 MT per ride; car rentals (Sixt, EuropCar, Avis, moti) available near the airport; minibuses (chapas) to Ilha de Mozambique 300 MT…
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
- APL Nampula Airport (4 km (2.5 mi) from town, walkable)APL Nampula Airport (2.5 mi (4 km) from town, walkable)
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 (87°F)87°F (30°C)
Apr
not flagged
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
May
Best
29°C (83°F)83°F (29°C)
Jun
Best
27°C (80°F)80°F (27°C)
Jul
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Aug
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Sep
Best
31°C (89°F)89°F (31°C)
Oct
Best
33°C (92°F)92°F (33°C)
Nov
not flagged
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Dec
not flagged
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Best: May–Oct. Avoid: Jan–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Oct (33°C (92°F)92°F (33°C)), coolest Jul (17°C (62°F)62°F (17°C) low), wettest Jan (227 rain days), driest Sep (6). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Nampula: 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)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
227 rd
Feb
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
216 rd
Mar
30°C (87°F)87°F (30°C)
22°C (71°F)71°F (22°C)
181 rd
Apr
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
20°C (69°F)69°F (20°C)
81 rd
May
29°C (83°F)83°F (29°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
23 rd
Jun
27°C (80°F)80°F (27°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
16 rd
Jul
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
17°C (62°F)62°F (17°C)
22 rd
Aug
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
8 rd
Sep
31°C (89°F)89°F (31°C)
18°C (65°F)65°F (18°C)
6 rd
Oct
33°C (92°F)92°F (33°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
24 rd
Nov
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
22°C (71°F)71°F (22°C)
83 rd
Dec
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
184 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
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 & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Cuamba (train)
cautionDoor to door: ≈12 h
Daily train departs Nampula 05:00, 10‑12 h rideDaily train departs Nampula 5:00 AM, 10‑12 h ride
Seats not guaranteed; buy tickets at station window
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.
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
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
- MT1,500–2,500 excl. bed
- Mid
- MT2,500–4,500 excl. bed
- High
- MT4,500+ excl. bed
Trip budget
Prices of common things
| Moto‑taxi ride | 50 MT |
| Chapa to Monapo | 100 MT |
| Chapa to Nampula (from Monapo) | 200 MT |
| Train 3rd class ticket | 300 MT (check) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Train seats are not guaranteed; arrive before 03:00 for boarding.Train seats are not guaranteed; arrive before 3:00 AM for boarding.
- Train toilets are basic; bring water and a flashlight.
- Check current security advice for northern Mozambique before traveling further north.
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.
NampulaNampula
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Para este endereço, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police119
- Ambulance117
- Fire198
Embassy
US consulate in Maputo; other embassies in Maputo.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Moto‑taxi: ≈50 MT per short ride
- Airport → city centre (taxi): ≈200 MT (check)
Say or show
- Desculpe — Excuse me / Sorry (deskuˈpe)
- Obrigado — Thank you (obriˈgado)
- Quanto custa? — How much is it? (ˈkwɐ̃tu ˈkusta)
- Onde está a paragem de autocarro? — Where is the bus stop? (ˈõdʒi ʃtɐ ˈa paˈɾɐʒẽ dɨ awtɐˈkɐʁu)
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 Nampula. 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: May–Oct · avoid Jan–Mar (heavy rain) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 1 day-trips, door to door
- 3 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
- secondaryWikidata – Nampula
- secondaryWikivoyage: Nampula, revision 5244095 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ask about Nampula
Loading…