Major city · Mozambique
Ilha de MozambiqueIlha de Moçambique
Spend 2–3 days on Ilha de Mozambique to see the UNESCO stone town, forts and beaches; a half‑day is enough only for a quick walk.
Ilha de Mozambique is a 1 km coral island with a UNESCO stone town, historic forts and a small beach. The island is walkable in 20 minutes end‑to‑end, so 2 days allow a relaxed visit of the main sights, a dive centre and a night in a guesthouse. A single day covers only the highlights.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- MZN
- Best months
- May–Nov
- avoid Jan–Mar (rainy, hot)
- Airport
- APL
- Nights
- 2–3
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 Ilha de Mozambique119 ▾
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 Ilha de Mozambique, 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
- SafetyGenerally safe for tourists; keep valuables locked, avoid swimming in polluted water, and pay entrance fees at forts to avoid double charges.
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 (Closest passenger airport, flights from Maputo, Johannesburg, Nairobi).
- Getting aroundThe island is tiny; walk everywhere (20 min end‑to‑end).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- BeerBottle of beerMZN 50–80
- Budget bedGuesthouse room, a night, per personMZN 400
- Mid-range bedHotel room, a night, per roomMZN 3,500
- High-end bedHotel room, a night, per roomMZN 5,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget MZN 300 · Mid MZN 500 · High MZN 800
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
- APL Nampula Airport (Closest passenger airport, flights from Maputo, Johannesburg, Nairobi)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Feb
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Mar
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Apr
not flagged
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
May
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Jun
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jul
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Aug
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°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
not flagged
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Best: May–Nov. Avoid: Jan–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Jan (30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)), coolest Jul (20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C) low), wettest Jan (20 rain days), driest Jul (4). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Ilha de Mozambique: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
20 rd
Feb
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
18 rd
Mar
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
15 rd
Apr
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12 rd
May
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
8 rd
Jun
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
5 rd
Jul
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
4 rd
Aug
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
5 rd
Sep
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
7 rd
Oct
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
10 rd
Nov
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
14 rd
Dec
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
18 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
The island is tiny; walk everywhere (20 min end‑to‑end). Bicycle hire from Gabriel's is available for a day.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Mainland Lumbo
goDoor to door: 15 min total
Ferry from island bridge, 5 min walk to pier
Visit the notary for passport copy certification (MZN 50).
Diving site north of the island
cautionDoor to door: 30 min
Walk 10 min to dive centre, arrange boat trip there
Ask many questions; suitable for experienced divers.
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.
Casa Luis
Private rooms, breakfast from $12, near main attractions
Hotel Omuhipiti
Only hotel on the island, AC rooms, restaurant on site
Casa Branca
300‑year‑old house, rooms $20–25 incl. breakfast
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
- MZN 300–500 excl. bed
- Mid
- MZN 500–800 excl. bed
- High
- MZN 800+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Guesthouse room2 × 2 nights × MZN 600 | MZN 2,400 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × MZN 500 | MZN 2,000 |
| Bridge crossing fee2 × MZN 5,000 · check | MZN 10,000 |
| Bike hire (1 day)2 × MZN 200 · check | MZN 400 |
| eSIM (1 week)2 × MZN 2,500 | MZN 5,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | MZN 1,980 |
| Trip total≈ MZN 5,445 per person per day, bed included | MZN 21,780 |
2026 estimate in metical; flights and airport transfers excluded.
Prices of common things
| Meal at Reliquias (fish & rice) | MZN 300–500 |
| Bottle of beer | MZN 50–80 |
| Taxi from Nampula airport to island (shared) | MZN 1,200–1,500 |
| Bridge crossing fee | MZN 5,000 |
| Bike hire (full day) | MZN 200 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Cross the causeway by paying Mts 5,000 (check exact fee).
- Swimming in the sea is discouraged due to water quality.
- Ask for a ticket at Fort São Sebastião to avoid double payment.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 119
- Ambulance
- 117
- Fire
- 198
Pocket card
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Ilha de MozambiqueIlha de Moçambique
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Para este endereço, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police119
- Ambulance117
- Fire198
Embassy
US consulate in Maputo; see /mozambique for details.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bridge crossing: MZN 5,000 per person (check)
- Bike hire (1 day): MZN 200 (check)
Say or show
- Desculpe — Excuse me / Sorry
- Obrigado — Thank you
- Quanto custa? — How much is it?
- Onde está a ponte? — Where is the bridge?
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 Ilha de Mozambique. 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–Nov · avoid Jan–Mar (rainy, hot) · 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
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Bridge crossing fee (MZN 5,000) – check before arrival.
- Bike hire from Gabriel's – 1 day MZN 200 (check).
- eSIM data plan – see /topics/esim-for-travel-how-it-works-and-how-to-set-it-up.
Sources
Ask about Ilha de Mozambique
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