Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
GETTING THERE AND AWAY
BY AIR
Air Mad flies every day from Tana and Toamasina to Sainte Marie. Flights are
heavily booked, especially in July and August, so try to make your reservations well in ad-
vance. Air Mad's local office is in the north of Ambodifotatra (
57 400 46/403 23;
m
032
0722208; Mon-Fri07.30-11.30&14.30-17.00,Sat08.00-10.30
),downthesidestreet
opposite Hortensia hotel.
BYLAND/SEA
Fourcompanies(Dolphin,CapSainteMarie,GasikaraandTropicana)run
dailyferryservicesfromSoanierana-IvongotoSainteMarie.Thecheapestoptionistotake
a
taxi-brousse
north from Toamasina to S-Ivongo and buy your ferry ticket there (about
60,000Ar). However, it is safer to buy a combination bus and ferry ticket in Toamasina.
This way you don't risk missing the crossing if you get delayed, or turning up to find the
ferryfullybooked.Thecombinedticketcostsaround100,000Aronewayor180,000Arre-
turn.
GETTING AROUND THE ISLAND
A limited
taxi-brousse
service runs up part of the west coast, but it's worth flagging down
any vehicle; most will stop and charge the standard rate.
Taxis are easily found in the centre of Ambodifotatra and at the airport, or can be
summonedbyanyhotelreception.Ashorttripintowncosts3,000Ar.FromAmbodifotatra
to the airport should cost 20,000Ar, or 30,000Ar to go north to Lonkintsy. Beyond Lonk-
intsy the road is bad and you need a 4x4 or motorbike.
Most hotels have bikes for rent (about 10,000Ar/day). Many also rent scooters
(40,000Ar), motorbikes (55,000Ar) and quads (220,000Ar), though sometimes for guests
only.
AMBODIFOTATRA
