Major city · Madagascar
Antsiranana
Spend 2 days: day 1 city sights and bays, day 2 a park or beach; longer only for Tsingy Rouge or Ambre.
Antsiranana (Diego‑Suarez) is Madagascar’s northern gateway, with historic sites, nearby bays and access to parks; a short stay covers the highlights.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- MGA
- Best months
- Apr–Nov
- avoid Jan–Mar (rainy season)
- Airport
- DIE
- Nights
- 2
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 8Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…
- 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.
- African islands ↗Sleep on the island you fly home from the night before your long-haul departure; inter-island flights and ferries in this region are cancelled or rescheduled often enough to break a same-day connection.
- African islands ↗In the Indian Ocean islands book flexible rates for December to March: a cyclone warning can shut airports, ferries and roads for two or three days.
- Madagascar ↗Check visa and e-visa rules for your passport on Madagascar's official e-visa portal before booking.
- Madagascar ↗Book a travel-clinic visit several weeks ahead; ask about malaria prevention and whether a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for your route.
- Madagascar ↗Hire a car with a driver for road trips; self-drive is rarely practical and driving after dark is unsafe.
- Madagascar ↗Do not buy or export wildlife, tortoise shell, precious stones without a certificate, or protected plants; enforcement at the airport is strict.
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 Antsiranana117 ▾
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 Antsiranana, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Malagasy ariary (MGA).Madagascar-wide
- SIM or eSIMTelma, Orange and Airtel (Yas) sell SIMs at Ivato and in towns with passport registration; data bundles are cheap.Madagascar-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap.Madagascar-wide
- TippingRestaurant: Round up or 5–10%.Madagascar-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/E. 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.Madagascar-wide
- SafetyPatronizing sex work can lead to blackmail, arrest and imprisonment.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels; long-drop or squat toilets at many park gates and roadside stops.Madagascar-wide
- Emergency numbers117 police · 118 fire · 124 Medical (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysShops shut Sunday afternoons in towns; national parks open daily; banks close at weekends.Madagascar-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportDIE Arrachart Airport (Flights from Antananarivo, Nosy Be and Sambava (Tsaradia).).
- Getting aroundBajaj (tuk‑tuk) 1,000 Ar (~USD 2) per ride; real taxis cost more.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Bajaj (tuk‑tuk) ride≈USD 21,000 Ar
- Museum or sight ticketMontagne des Français entry + guide80,000 Ar
- Budget bedBudget hotel double, a night, per personMGA 25,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget MGA 15,000 · Mid MGA 25,000 · High MGA 40,000
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
- DIE Arrachart Airport (Flights from Antananarivo, Nosy Be and Sambava (Tsaradia).)
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
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Apr
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
May
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Jun
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Jul
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Aug
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Sep
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Oct
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Nov
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Dec
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Best: Apr–Nov. Avoid: Jan–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Mar (31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)), coolest Jul (19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C) low), wettest Jan (16 rain days), driest Jun (4). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Antsiranana: 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
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
16 rd
Feb
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
14 rd
Mar
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13 rd
Apr
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
8 rd
May
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
5 rd
Jun
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
4 rd
Jul
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
4 rd
Aug
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
4 rd
Sep
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
4 rd
Oct
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
6 rd
Nov
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
8 rd
Dec
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13 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
Bajaj (tuk‑tuk) 1,000 Ar (~USD 2) per ride; real taxis cost more. Taxi‑brousse to Antananarivo takes ~2 days. No city buses.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Montagne des Français
goDoor to door: ≈1 h total
Taxi 7 km (4.3 mi) east, then hike; entry 30,000 Ar + guide 50,000 ArTaxi 4.3 mi (7 km) east, then hike; entry 30,000 Ar + guide 50,000 Ar
Parc national de la Montagne d'Ambre
goDoor to door: ≈3 h total
2 h drive to Joffreville, then park entrance
Entry 55,000 Ar adult, guide ~90,000 Ar for 2‑3 h.
Tsingy Rouge
cautionDoor to door: ≈2 h total
60 km (37 mi) south, 1 h30 by car37 mi (60 km) south, 1 h30 by car
No entry fee listed; check locally.
Sentier des 3 baies
goDoor to door: Full day
Taxi‑brousse to Sakaleva (≈1 h), then walk the bays
Taxi hire for the day ~150,000 Ar (bargain).
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.
Hotel Concorde
Double room, 30,000 Ar per night.
Haimah Hotel
Double room, 25,000 Ar per night, free Wi‑Fi.
Hotel Le Colbert
Double with bathroom, 127,000 Ar; central location.
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
- 15,000–25,000 Ar excl. bed
- Mid
- 25,000–40,000 Ar excl. bed
- High
- 40,000+ Ar excl. bed
Trip budget
| Budget hotel double2 × 2 nights × MGA 30,000 | MGA 120,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × MGA 25,000 | MGA 100,000 |
| Bajaj ride (short trip)2 × MGA 1,000 · Check exact fare. | MGA 2,000 |
| Taxi‑brousse Antananarivo round‑trip2 × MGA 120,000 · 120 000–155 000 Ar per source; check schedule. | MGA 240,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | MGA 46,200 |
| Trip total≈ MGA 127,100 per person per day, bed included | MGA 508,200 |
Based on listed hotel prices.
2026 estimate; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Bajaj (tuk‑tuk) ride≈USD 2 | 1,000 Ar |
| Hotel room (budget) | 25,000–30,000 Ar per night |
| Montagne des Français entry + guide | 80,000 Ar |
| Parc national de la Montagne d'Ambre entry | 55,000 Ar adult |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Road works may close the last 3 km (1.9 mi) to Ambre park; check schedule.Road works may close the last 1.9 mi (3 km) to Ambre park; check schedule.
- Sex work and overly‑friendly strangers can pose safety risks; follow local advisories.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 117
- Fire
- 118
- Medical
- 124
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
AntsirananaAntsiranana
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Azafady, ity adiresy ityTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police117
- Fire118
- Medical124
Embassy
US consulate in Antananarivo (check address).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bajaj ride: ≈1,000 Ar per short trip (check exact fare)
- Taxi‑brousse Antananarivo round‑trip: ≈120,000–155,000 Ar (check schedule)
Say or show
- Salama — Hello (sah‑lah‑mah)
- Ohatrinona? — How much? (oo‑hah‑tree‑no‑nah)
- Misaotra — Thank you (mee‑sow‑tra)
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 Antsiranana. 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 Jan–Mar (rainy season) · 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
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 2 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
- secondaryArrachart Airport info
- secondaryCotisse transport
- secondaryMontagne des Français site
- secondaryParc Montagne d'Ambre
- secondaryWikivoyage: Antsiranana, revision 5242402 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
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