Madagascar
Venture in the “Red Island”
Far and mysterious, the island of Madagascar evokes African traditions, baobabs and lemurs but also a mosaic of peoples making the cultural wealth of Malagasy society. Still little developed tourist, the island is among the poorest countries on the planet and really gains to be known, both for its exceptional natural wealth and for the kindness of its inhabitants of which about 20% still speak French.
The essentials
Find an overview of the whole year’s climate and weather data for your next holiday destination Madagascar USA.
The local currency is the Malagasy ariary
Time zone: Jet lag with Paris, Is + 1 hour in the summer and also in winter
Documents
– Passeport + Visa short stay non transformable (31 €)
When to go?
Best time to leave: From April to November
Mean temperature: Between 15ºC and 27ºC
Average water temperature : Between 26ºC and 30ºC
The unavoidable events
Here is a small selection of events not to be missed during your stay in Madagascar:
- Alahamady Be (Malagasy New Year) 3-5 February 2017
- Independence Day on the Island June 26, 2017
- The Whale Festival on Sainte-Marie Island July 2 to 10, 2017
- The Famadihana (funeral rite) October 1- 2016
What to do in Madagascar?
Madagascar is known for its diverse fauna and flora that will delight all types of travelers! For this we have compiled a list of activities not to be missed if you decide to choose this destination for your next vacation:
Sunset at the alley of the Baobabs:
An hour’s drive from Morondava, there is a place you must not miss during your stay in Madagascar: an alley of baobabs which, at sunset, will offer you a breathtaking show!
Do not miss to visit the capital of Madagascar: Antanararivo will surprise you with its architecture, its palaces, its craft markets and its colonial past …
Have you ever seen a forest filled with stones? In Madagascar, there are! Indeed, the Tsingy of Bemaraha are worth the detour although they are a little difficult to access. They are a unique attraction that you must add to your activities to do on the island.
During the whale season, from June to September, go out to sea in Sainte-Marie and meet the whales “Malagasy”: it is during this period that you will be able to contemplate their parade and listen to their songs.
If you like scuba diving, Madagascar will surprise you: the island is rich in fauna and flora unique in the world that it is on the North coasts, in the East but also in the South of the island.
Transport and Tips
Getting around Madagascar is an adventure in itself.
The taxi-bush is probably the most popular and economical means of transport (the tariffs are fixed by the government and take into account the distance, travel time and road conditions) in Madagascar even if Comfort is not always guaranteed.
Vehicles wait to be full to leave and stop frequently to refuel or drop passengers.
Avoid in any case take a taxi-bush at night as drivers tend to be tired and roads are lit or unlit, making traffic very dangerous.
If you want to go to Mahajanga, Tamatave or Soanierana-Ivongo, know that it is also possible to travel aboard fast connections, more expensive but also more comfortable and especially, punctual.
In town you will have the choice between city taxis, taxis-be and special taxis, individual or collective. They generally do not have meters and you will have to set the tariff by boarding.
Maldives
A threatened Eden
Seen from the sky, the coral atolls forming the Maldives resemble small confetti floating on the Indian Ocean. Formerly difficult to access except for luxurious resorts, the archipelago is now open to tourism, allowing travelers from all over the world to visit this paradise threatened by rising waters. You can also discover the beautiful colored houses of Male and dive into one of the most beautiful seabed in the world.
The essentials
All the information you need to plan your trip to Maldives
The local currency is the Maldivian rupee
Documents: ID card or passport + Tourist visa 30 days on arrival (free of charge)
When to go?
Best time to leave: From December to April
Mean temperature: Between 26ºC and 32ºC
Average water temperature: Between 28ºC and 30ºC
The unavoidable events
Here is a small selection of events not to be missed during your stay in Martinique.
- The Day of the Republic November 11
- The Day of Fishing December 10, 2016
- Achoura (Muslim Feast) January-February 2017
- Huravee Day (Independence Day) July 26, 2017
What to do in Maldives?
Follow the advice of Benjamin of the blog Benjamin of the blog “Ben cheap travel” and discover the atoll under his other face!
Adaaran club Rhannalhi:
The perfect resort to enjoy the luxury of the Maldives for a reasonable price. The lagoon that surrounds the resort offers incredible aquatic life.
Jupiter Sunrise Lodge Reviews,
A perfect B & B to discover real Maldivian life. As the island of Keyodhoo is not an island reserved for tourists but a real Maldivian village, here, covered arms and legs are preferable. No alcohol available but a glass of Raa, a juice extracted from palm, and the smile of the locals will make you spend unforgettable evenings.
Discover the uninhabited islands and deserted beaches aboard a Dhoni:
For a day, explore the Indian Ocean and the wonders of a traditional boat and admire what will remain the most beautiful sunset of your life.
Citron by Lemongrass:
THE place to be in Male to enjoy a fantastic grilled fish while admiring the ballet of the planes on the island opposite.
Going to sea to discover the seabed:
Whether it’s snorkeling or diving, the Indian Ocean is full of fish, corals and other marine life. Stripes, turtles, multicolored fish, dolphins and if you’re lucky whale sharks that have chosen Maldives home!
Transport and Tips
The boat and plane are the best means of transportation to travel to the Maldives.
To get from one island to another, you can easily book a plane ticket from the capital, Male. The Maldives archipelago has 6 airports served by the Maldivian. Two companies also operate seaplanes from a jetty near Malé International Airport. If you are interested in this option, take a closer look at the Maldivian Air Taxi or Trans Maldivian Airways.
If you are not a fan of the plane, you can also travel between the islands by boat. Three options are available to you: the speedboat crossings between the islands-hotels of the North and South Male Atolls, as well as some of Ari Atoll, quite expensive but practical; The ferry, slow and not always reliable; Dhonis, typical boats whose price depends on the destination and duration of the trip.
In Malé, we advise you to use taxis, whose price of the race is fixed at 15 Mrf. Some hotels also offer a bike rental service if you want to explore the island with a little more freedom.
Which island are you most likely to visit? Leave us your comments below!
