Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
INTERNET
The best place seems to be
CyberCorsair,
650m north of the harbour. There
near the harbour but more expensive.
WHATTOSEEANDDO
Therearesomeinteresting sightsaroundAmbodifotatra which
are aneasy cycle ride frommost ofthe hotels. Inthe townitself there isa
Catholicchurch
built in 1837, which serves as a reminder that Sainte Marie was owned by France from
1750. As a further reminder of French domination there is a
war monument
to a French-
British skirmish in 1845.
The
pirates' cemetery
is just after the bay bridge south of town. A signposted track
leads to the cemetery. It's impassable at high tide but you can cross by pirogue (agree
a price in advance). This is quite an impressive place, with gravestones dating from the
1830s, including one carved with a classic skull and crossbones. There is a 2,000Ar charge
to visit the cemetery or 10,000Ar with a guide.
The
towncemetery
is worth a visit too, though it lacks the story-book drama of the pir-
ates' final resting place. It's about 5km north of Ambodifotatra at Bety Plage on the right-
hand side of the road.
BEACH HOTELS
Mostofthebeachhotelsarerangedalongthewestcoast,withonlyafewintheeast.Sever-
al more are on Ile aux Nattes to the south (see
Click Here
)
.
Bear in mind that airport transfers to the more isolated hotels north of Ambodifotatra
are most expensive and there are fewer alternatives to eating (perhaps expensive) meals at
your hotel. Those on a tight budget would do best to stay in Ambodifotatra where there is
a choice of eateries and other facilities.
Prices for high season (September to mid-November, Christmas and school holidays)
tend to be substantially higher than for low season and be aware that - unusually for Mad-
agascar - prices here tend to be quoted per person, not per room.
HOTELS BETWEEN THE AIRPORT AND AMBODIFOTATRA
Luxury
Princesse Bora Lodge & Spa
(20 villas) 57 040 03;
m
032 07 090 48;
e
resa@princessebora.com
;
www.princessebora.com
.
Within walking distance of the air-
port, but transfers are usually by zebu cart. Owned by François-Xavier Mayer, whose fam-
ily has been on Ste Marie for over 200 years, & his partner (architect of the hotel) Sophie
