Major city · Madagascar
Ihosy
Skip Ihosy as a stop unless you need an ATM or a fuel break on the RN7: the town itself has no sights. Use Ranohira (30 min north) as your base for Isalo National Park.
Ihosy is a crossroads town on the RN7 between Antananarivo and Toliara, with a bank (Visa only), fuel and basic supplies. The only reason to stop is to withdraw cash before Isalo National Park, 30 km north. The park itself is the draw — sandstone canyons, natural pools and ring-tailed lemurs — but you should sleep in Ranohira, not Ihosy. Half a day in town is more than enough.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- MGA
- Best months
- Apr–Nov
- avoid Dec–Mar (rainy season, roads can be difficult)
- Airport
- IHO
- Nights
- 0
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 Ihosy117 ▾
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 Ihosy, 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
- SafetyIhosy is a quiet crossroads town; the main risks are petty theft around the market and poor road conditions on the RN7.
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.
- AirportcheckIHO Ihosy Airport (Regional airport; check for scheduled flights — most travellers arrive by road.).
- Getting aroundThe town is small enough to walk.
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
- IHO Ihosy Airport (Regional airport; check for scheduled flights — most travellers arrive by road.)
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
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Jun
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jul
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Aug
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Sep
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Oct
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Nov
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Dec
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Best: Apr–Nov. Avoid: Dec–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Jan (30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)), coolest Jul (13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C) low), wettest Jan (15 rain days), driest Jun (3). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Ihosy: 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)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
15 rd
Feb
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
13 rd
Mar
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
12 rd
Apr
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
8 rd
May
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
5 rd
Jun
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
3 rd
Jul
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
3 rd
Aug
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
3 rd
Sep
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
4 rd
Oct
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
6 rd
Nov
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
9 rd
Dec
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
14 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 is small enough to walk. Taxi-brousse (shared minibus) and taxis gather near the market. A private driver is the best option for the RN7.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Isalo National Park
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Taxi-brousse or private car north on RN7 to Ranohira (30 km (19 mi), about 30 min), then park entranceTaxi-brousse or private car north on RN7 to Ranohira (19 mi (30 km), about 30 min), then park entrance
A local guide is required. Treks from 2 h to full day. Natural pools and ring-tailed lemurs.
Ranohira
goDoor to door: About 30 min
Taxi-brousse or car north on RN7
Better accommodation and park access than Ihosy.
Toliara
goDoor to door: About 5–6 h
RN7 south, about 325 km (202 mi)RN7 south, about 202 mi (325 km)
Full-day drive; beaches and the end of the RN7.
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.
Ihosy town centre
Basic hotels and guesthouses near the RN7; expect simple rooms with fans. Better to stay in Ranohira for Isalo access.
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
- MGA 40,000–70,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- MGA 70,000–120,000 excl. bed
- High
- MGA 120,000+ excl. bed
Watch out
Safety
- Bank of Africa only accepts Visa — bring a second card or cash.
- Fuel stations can run low; fill up in Fianarantsoa or Toliara.
- The RN7 is paved but potholed; night driving is not recommended.
- Last ATM withdrawal before Isalo — plan ahead.
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.
IhosyIhosy
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Mankany amin'ity adiresy ity azafadyTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police117
- Fire118
- Medical124
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Taxi-brousse Ihosy → Ranohira: about MGA 5,000–8,000, 30 min (check)
- Private car Ihosy → Isalo park entrance: about MGA 60,000–100,000 one way (check)
Say or show
- Salama — Hello (sah-lah-mah)
- Misaotra — Thank you (mee-sow-trah)
- Ohatrinona? — How much? (oo-ha-tree-noo-nah)
- Aiza ny banky? — Where is the bank? (eye-zah nee bahn-kee)
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 Ihosy. 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 season, roads can be difficult) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area 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 Ihosy
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