Major city · Madagascar
Ambanja
Spend a night in Ambanja as a transit stop before heading to Nosy Be; one night is enough for market visit and rest.
Ambanja is a small transit town at the RN6 junction to Nosy Be. Its market and cheap lodging make it a convenient overnight stop before the beach islands. One night covers the basics; longer stays add little.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- MGA
- Best months
- Apr–Nov
- avoid Jan–Mar (wet season)
- Airport
- NOS
- Nights
- 1
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
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Ambanja117 ▾
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 Ambanja, 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
- SafetyGenerally safe for day visitors; keep an eye on belongings in markets and use reputable transport operators.
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.
- AirportNOS Nosy Be Fascene Airport (about 1 h by minibus + speedboat from Ambanja).
- Getting aroundThe town centre is walkable; taxis‑brousse and Cotisse minibus serve regional routes.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at a café2 000–4 000 Ar
- Street or quick mealStreet food (koba, mofo gasy)1 000–3 000 Ar
- Budget bedHotel double room, a night, per roomMGA 120,000
- Mid-range bedHotel double room, a night, per roomMGA 180,000
- High-end bedHotel double room, a night, per roomMGA 250,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget MGA 120,000 · Mid MGA 250,000 · High MGA 400,000
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
- NOS Nosy Be Fascene Airport (about 1 h by minibus + speedboat from Ambanja)
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
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Apr
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
May
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jun
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Jul
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°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
not flagged
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Best: Apr–Nov. Avoid: Jan–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Jan (30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)), coolest Jun (18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C) low), wettest Jan (20 rain days), driest Jul (4). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Ambanja: 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)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
20 rd
Feb
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
18 rd
Mar
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
15 rd
Apr
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
10 rd
May
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
7 rd
Jun
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
5 rd
Jul
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
4 rd
Aug
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
5 rd
Sep
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
8 rd
Oct
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
12 rd
Nov
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
15 rd
Dec
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°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 town centre is walkable; taxis‑brousse and Cotisse minibus serve regional routes. Hire a taxi‑brousse for onward travel.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Nosy Be
goDoor to door: ≈1.5 h
Cotisse minibus to Ankify (1 h, 6 000 Ar) then speedboat to Hell‑Ville (30 min, 20 000 Ar)
Fastest link to the island; check boat schedule.
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.
AXA Hotel
Central, next to RN6; double room 120 000 Ar per night, Wi‑Fi
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
- 120 000–200 000 Ar excl. bed
- Mid
- 200 000–350 000 Ar excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hotel double room1 × 3 nights × MGA 180,000 | MGA 540,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 3 days × MGA 250,000 | MGA 1,500,000 |
| Trip total≈ MGA 340,000 per person per day, bed included | MGA 2,040,000 |
2026 estimate; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee at a café | 2 000–4 000 Ar |
| Street food (koba, mofo gasy) | 1 000–3 000 Ar |
| Taxi‑brousse ticket (Antananarivo → Ambanja) | 80 000–100 000 Ar |
| Minibus (Cotisse) ticket | 100 000 Ar |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Transport prices can vary; confirm before boarding.
- Roads may be rough in the rainy season; allow extra travel time.
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.
AmbanjaAmbanja
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Azafady, eto ny adiresyTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police117
- Fire118
- Medical124
Embassy
US consular services are in Antananarivo; see /madagascar for details.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Cotisse minibus Antananarivo → Ambanja: about 100 000 Ar, 12 h (check)
- Taxis‑brousse Antananarivo → Ambanja: about 80 000 Ar, 12–14 h (check)
Say or show
- Azafady — Excuse me / Sorry (ah-zah-fah-dee)
- Misaotra — Thank you (mee-sah-oo-tra)
- Ohatrinona? — How much is it? (oo-ah-tree-noo-nah)
- Aiza ny Bazar? — Where is the market? (eye-zah nee bah-zar)
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 Ambanja. 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 (wet season) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 2 bands
- 1 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
Ask about Ambanja
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