The official language is Malagasy, but French is extremely common in the main cities and used in government and business. English is not very common, but some people in the tourism industry speak it.
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Madagascar’s official currency is the Malagasy ariary, which has replaced the franc since 2005. You can exchange money at banks and official exchange bureaus. It’s a good idea to carry US dollars or euros, as banks will sometimes change only these currencies. Traveler’s checks can sometimes be exchanged at banks and major hotels. Antananarivo has ATMs and the biggest hotels and travel agencies have begun accepting credit cards.
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Madagascar’s international country code is 261. To call another country from Madagascar, dial 00 followed by the appropriate country code. Large cities have public Internet access and Antananarivo has a few Internet cafes.
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European-style restaurants and hotels expect tips of 10 to 15 percent, but tipping generally isn’t customary.
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Trips to Madagascar are usually trouble-free, but it’s a good idea to guard against opportunistic crime, especially in the cities. Pickpockets are known to strike at the airport and in crowded public places. Don’t walk or drive around at night; there have been occasional hold-ups on the main roads. The coasts are sometimes hit with cyclones from January to March.
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Be diligent with protection against mosquitoes and insect bites. Malaria is a problem all year around, especially on the coast. Dengue fever and chikungunya fever have also been reported. It’s a good idea to get vaccinated against typhoid and hepatitis A. If you’re coming from an area infected with yellow fever, you will need to show a yellow fever vaccination certificate. Bilharzia, tuberculosis, rabies, bubonic plague and HIV/AIDS are all prevalent. Be careful with food and water consumption. Only drink boiled or treated water and bring antibiotics or anti-diarrheal drugs in case you get severe diarrhea. Good medical care can be hard to find and you should carry your own health insurance.
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Madagascar’s electrical current is 220 volts, 50AC and uses two-pinned plugs.
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