Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
INFORMATION
There are many banks in the centre with ATMs; BNI-CA takes MasterCard.
Butterfly Cybercafé
(Blvd Joffre; per hr Ar1800; 8.30am-noon & 2.30-6pm Mon-Sat)
Cyber Sky
(Blvd Joffre; per min Ar30; 8am-8pm Mon-Sat)
Espace Médical
( 53 315 66; Blvd de la Libération; 24hr)
Librairie GM Fakra
(Rue Joffre; closed Mon morning) Some English newspapers and
magazines, plus maps of the region and postcards.
MNP
( 53 327 07; Rte d'Ivoloina) General information about national parks in the re-
gion, a kilometre out of town on the road to the airport.
Speed Net
(Blvd Augagneur; per min Ar15)
GETTING THERE & AWAY
Air
Air Madagascar
( 53 323 56; Ave de l'Independence) flies most days between
Tamatave and Antananarivo (€150, 45 minutes), and Ile Sainte Marie (€150, 30 minutes).
Other services connect Tamatave with Sambava (€200, 30 minutes) and Maroantsetra
(€150 to €200, 30 minutes). Prices can change depending on whether you purchase tickets
abroad or domestically (much cheaper). Be forewarned that during the vanilla season (June
to October), flights in the northeast can be full.
Air Madagascar and
Air Austral
( 53 300 26; Rue de Lattre de Tassigny) each fly sev-
eral times a week to St-Denis on Réunion for around €400 return.
Boat
If you are heading to Ile Sainte Marie via Soanierana-Ivongo, your boat company will
provide a shuttle service from Tamatave. If you are heading to the Pangalanes Lakes,
Click
here
for transportation information.
Cargo boats without set schedules also ply the waters of the northeast. This type of travel is
generally slow and uncomfortable, and potentially dangerous, particularly during cyclone
season(DecembertoMarch);alwayscheckforecastsandasklocaladvicebeforetravelling.
Those prone to motion sickness should not attempt it. Standards vary widely; cabins are
sometimes available, but on most boats you can expect to be bedding down on deck, and
you will need to bring your own food and water. If you're still interested, ask any
pousse-
pousse
driver to take you to the bureau of boats going to Mananara or Maroantsetra. This
is an obscure shed by the port that you will never find on your own.
