The official guide to Toamasina

Toamasina, also known as Tamatave, is situated 370 km from Antananarivo in the eastern coast. It is the most important harbor and the second most important city of Madagascar, which is often considered as an economic pole. It has played a significant role in Madagascar history. One of the favorite destinations of Antananarivo holiday-makers is Toamasina, thanks to its accessibility, tropical aspect as well as its adequate tourism infrastructure like hotels, bungalows, seaside resorts, and wildlife parks…

Advantages:

• First tourist destination
• Pleasant weather
• Adequate tourism infrastructure: hotel, seaside resort…
• Historic spot
• Economic pole
• Easy access

As a tourist:

Positive: agreeable weather, fresh air

Negative: expensive, insecurity, power cut

Responsible tourist and traveler:

• Environment protection
• Respect value and culture
• Providing economic benefit

As a Professional:

• Sun and sand tourism
• Business tourism
• Historical tourism
• Cultural tourism
• Nature tourism

Attractions:

• Bien-aimé: mesmerizing spot to see the banyan trees and where tourists enjoy playing Tarzan
• The colonne place: it was constructed in memory of the French combatants.

• The Manda Fortress: built in 1823 during the reign of King Radama I
• Sea-side resorts, such as Ambodiatafana beach where tourists enjoy taking photos and Foullpointe beach where people enjoy swimming

Popular dishes:

• Coconut flavored preparation: merchants sell everything prepared with coco and prepare meal with coconut flavored
• Chinese food
• Exotic fruits such as bananas, litchis, coconuts, custard-apples, etc.

Culture:

The inhabitants of Toamasina differ from the ones in the capital in a matter of clothing. In general, Toamasina dwellers do not wear formal clothes when they are going to work, they usually wear smart clothes.

Shopping places:

Tourists have a large choice of markets going from local markets to a big one including:

• Bazary kely, Bazary be,
• Shoprite, Jumbo Score…
• Souvenir shop where visitors can buy souvenir like hats, bags made of raffia, necklaces, etc.

Public transport:

Tourists can hire a rickshaw with tricycle and or tuktuk one. And at night, taxis will be the appropriate means of transports for tourists wishing to make nocturnal outings.

New hotel business concept:

• Classic and basic atmosphere
• Located in the city center
• High ratio of staff

Facilities (at a business hotel):

• Free car parking
• Valet service
• Restaurant serving local specialties
• Discount price in hotel restaurant
• Phones and TV set and fax in every room
• Car rent services
• Currency exchange
• Air conditioning