Go with a plan.
No major changes since yesterday.
Governments, one trip
What they're telling their own citizens about Madagascar
The real score
The breakdown
See it from your perspective
Go with a plan.
The general Sketch Score, unweighted for any specific traveler.
Staying healthy
What to watch out for, health-wise
Active notices
- • Global Measles
Vaccines
Required: Yellow Fever
Recommended: Chikungunya, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Malaria, Measles, Monkeypox, Rabies, Typhoid
Source: CDC Travelers' Health →Getting in
What you'll need at the border
Citizens of any country (except Burundi and Palestine) may obtain a visa on arrival or eVisa to Madagascar.
Source: Wikipedia →Real, not invented
Terrorism
Although there’s no recent history of terrorism in Madagascar, attacks cannot be ruled out. Terrorist attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by foreign nationals.
Source: UK FCDO →Real, not invented
Cultural & legal notes
LGBT+ travellers
Same-sex sexual activity is legal among persons of at least 21 years old. However public attitudes are less tolerant than in the UK and showing affection in public may receive negative attention. Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers .
Source: UK FCDO →From people who've been there
Local know-how
Staying safe
- •Madagascar is a fairly safe country. You must, however, respect some simple principles:
- •Don't walk around at night in Antananarivo (other cities are pretty safe).
- •Like any other developing country, there are a lot of beggars.
Staying healthy
- •Visitors to Madagascar should be aware of a vast number of health concerns.
- •Research malaria prophylaxis options, and follow through.
- •Areas inhabited by humans will invariably have large populations of stray dogs.
- •Remember that Madagascar is in the tropics and take precautions against sunburn and heat exhaustion seriously.
Adapted from Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA — edited by travelers, not us.
Right now
In the news the last few days
Real talk
What travelers actually say
Madagascar is not a destination for those seeking comfort, but rather an adventurous environment where safety requires active management. Travelers report that the country is not inherently safe, with specific risks of robbery when wandering alone. To mitigate these dangers, the consensus is to hire a trusted local guide and adhere to established safety protocols throughout your trip. Beyond personal security, rural areas present challenges where children may beg for money or candy. Infrastructure is poor, with extremely bumpy roads outside the capital, and the country struggles with significant poverty and corruption. Do not expect a stress-free vacation; prioritize professional guidance to navigate the local conditions effectively.
“Definitely be careful wandering out on your own since you might get robbed, and do indeed get a trusted local guide. Follow the safety protocols!
— r/travel
“Transportation across the country is a pain because they dont have much airports so driving is needed. The roads are HELLLA BUMPY if you are outside of Antananarivo, like be prepared it will be the most bumpy ride of your life.
— r/travel
“Btw children in rural villages will stare at you really curious some may also beg for money/candy. Madagascar is definitely not a comfort destination but more of an adventurous one.
— r/travel
Pack this, know this
The little things that trip people up
Plug & voltage
C / E · 220V
Driving side
right
Emergency
police: 117 / ambulance: 124 / fire: 118
Tipping
Tipping is a matter of much confusion in Madagascar, and is made more confusing because expectations are different when the customer is a foreigner instead of a local. In restaurants and bars you should leave a tip equivalent to ten percent of the total bill. Locals will generally leave far less. If someone helps you with your bags consider a tip equivalent to US$1 per bag. In taxis, rounding the
Cash vs. Card
Local money is the Malagasy ariary, denoted by the symbol "Ar" (ISO code: MGA). Ariary banknotes come in denominations of 100, 200, 500, 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000 and 20,000 Ar.
Show the receipts (9 sources)
- us-state — observed 2026-09-09
- uk-fcdo — observed 2026-09-09
- ca-gac — observed 2026-09-09
- worldbank-political — observed 2026-09-09
- worldbank-policeTrust — observed 2026-09-09
- cdc-health — observed 2026-09-09
- wikivoyage — observed 2026-09-09
- reddit — observed 2026-09-09
- lgbtq-legal-wikipedia — observed 2026-09-09