Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
buildings, with street arcades topped by upper-story verandas, crumbling in disuse, aban-
don and neglect. Here is where you find most of the tourist activity: hotels, restaurants and
handicraft shops. It has a languid, empty feel. But walk south down Rue Lafayette, then
Rue du Suffren, and the activity increases exponentially as you find yourself in the bustle
of the Malagasy centre.'
A set of pamphlets giving historical background to a series of self-guided walking tours
of the town is available from the tourist office.
If you want to relax on a beach for a few days, stay at
Ramena
(see
Click Here
).
GETTING THERE AND AWAY
Byair
There are flights to and from Tana most days, and also weekly services to Nosy Be,
Sambava and Mahajanga. The local Air Mad office [327 C5] is on Avenue Surcouf (
82
23389;
m
0320766615;
e
airmaddi@moov.mg
;
Mon-Fri07.30-11.00&14.30-17.00,
Sat 08.00-10.00
).
Taxis are easily found at the airport for the 8km trip into town (10,000Ar), but a consid-
erably cheaper alternative is to walk 250m to the main road and wait for a
taxi-brousse
.
By road
The overland route between Ambaja (nearest town to Nosy Be) and Antsiranana
is scenically beautiful and on a good road. Much tougher, but possible, is the road to Ihar-
ana (Vohemar). Both routes are described later in this chapter.
GETTING AROUND
Within the town, taxis should cost a flat rate per person of 800Ar
(1,200Ar at night) - or more on a private hire basis. You can also rent bicycles.
where to stay
Upper range to luxury
Grand Hotel
[327 B4] (66 rooms) 46 Rue Colbert; 82 230 63/64;
f
82 225 94;
m
032 40 881 43/033 14 168 59;
e
grandhotel_diego@yahoo.fr
;
www.grand-hotel-
& a few rooms. Large public pool, patisserie, 2 restaurants, bar & boutique.
Allamanda
[327 B1] (24 rooms) Rue Richelieu; 82 210 33/231 47;
f
82 221 80;
m
032 07 666 15;
e
hotelallamanda@gmail.com
;
www.allamanda-hotel.com
. Upmarket
hotel at the north end of town. En-suite rooms with AC, minibar & TV. Cards accepted.
€€€€€
Colbert
[327 B3] (34 rooms) 51 Rue Colbert; 82 232 89;
f
82 232 90;
e
hl-
cdiego@moov.mg
;
www.hlcdiego.com
. Popular en-suite rooms with AC, safe & TV in 4
standards. Good restaurant, but expensive. €€€€
