Mahajanga is on the west coast of Madagascar.

Understand

Mahajanga or Majunga is the main tourist destination in Madagascar. Located on the sunnier west coast, on the Mozambique Channel, it is less affected by rains than its counterparts on the Indian Ocean coast. More than fifty hotels cater to every budget, from families and groups travelling by bus the island's capital Antananarivo (560 km by a well-paved road) to well-heeled tourists flying in from abroad, notably Mayotte.

The city is famous throughout Madagascar for its easy-going and friendly atmosphere.

Mahajanga is the gateway to a number of nature parks, including nearby Reniala reserve and distant Ankarafantsika, Bay of Baly, and to the natural wonders of Cirque Rouge, Anjohibe caves, and Katsepy peninsula.

Get in

Mahajanga's 1 airport is located a little bit north of the town. It has regular flights to Antananarivo, Nosy Be, Antsiranana with Tsaradia airlines part of air Madagascar.

• EWA Air has flights from Dzoudzi Mayotte.

Mahajanga is situated at the northern end of the national road N4 which connects it with the nation's capital. For most of the distance, N4 is in a good condition, but it is narrow and partly winds itself over very mountaineous territory. North of Maevatanana, the damaged sections are more frequent. Expect to travel around 11 hours.

• 2 Cotisse transport, Ave Barday, ☏ +261 32 12 027 02 (mobile). Offers six daily scheduled minibus services to and from Antananarivo (Gare Routière du Nord), buy tickets with seat reservation in advance. The buses depart on time even if not full. You are required to be at the station 45 minutes before departure. The station in Mahajanga has a buffet service and a toilet. from 55,000 Ar per person. (updated Jun 2023)

For all other destinations, the taxi-brousse congregate on 3 Avenue du 14 Octobre 1960. You must start very early in the morning if you want to make it to Nosy Be (Ambanja).

Get around

Mahajanga's city center is small enough to be discovered by walking. There are plenty of bajaj (tuk-tuks) available; expect to pay 2,000 Ar for a ride in town.

Buy

• There are several banks, including MCB & BFV-SG & BNI & Accesbanque . all of which have Mastercard and Visa card ATMs. BOA & BMOI Atms only take visa card.
• The area south and east of the town hall is a large market.
• Score supermarket, Rue Du col barre. 08:00-20:00. Large supermarket. (updated Jun 2023)
• Leader Price supermarket, Ave Barday. 08:00-19:30. Large supermarket. (updated Feb 2023)
• Super U supermarket, Ave Bamborovy. 08:00-20:00. Large supermarket. (updated Feb 2023)
• Supermaki Tsaramandroso, Ave D Amborovy. 07:00-23:00. (updated Feb 2022)

Eat

• 1 Buvette Macha'llah, Avenue des Comores. Large portions of Madagasy Muslim food. Budget 7,000 Ar for a main dish. (updated Dec 2017)
• 2 Fishing résidence, Boulevard Marcoz, ☏ +261 32 05 160 93 (mobile), +261 32 04 682 20 (mobile), +261 20 62 220 81, enigma974@yahoo.fr. This is the restaurant of a resort with very good kitchen. The setting is under a large thatched roof next to the pool, but it has no sea view. Budget 20,000 Ar for a main dish. (updated Dec 2017)
• 3 La Petite Cour (La piccola corte), Boulevard Marcoz, ☏ +261 32 65 544 50 (mobile), +261 20 62 222 34. French-managed restaurant in a nicely renovated colonial building. Sophisticated kitchen, good service. Open for lunch and dinner. Budget 20,000 Ar for a main dish. (updated Dec 2017)

Sleep

• 1 Hôtel Anjary, Rue Georges V/Rue de la mosquée, ☏ +261 20 62 237 98, resamajunga@anjary-hotel.com. This hotel is near the city center and decorates itself with three stars, which is not justified; the quality of service is by far inferior to Antananarivo's Hôtel Anjary (same owner). Expect 70,000 Ar for a double. (updated Dec 2017)
• 2 Hôtel Coco Lodge, Avenue de France, ☏ +261 20 62 230 23, +261 34 07 011 11 (mobile), cocolodge@moov.mg. Near Mahajanga's city center. Promises "European" comfort and receives very good feedback from travellers. Good restaurant. 180,000 Ar for a double. (updated Dec 2017)
• 3 Hôtel du Phare, Boulevard Marcoz, La Corniche, ☏ +261 20 6292 651, +261 20 6223 500, +261 32 0338 314 (mobile). On a hill with sea view. Old and old-fashioned building that was undergoing renovation in October 2017, small pool available. Friendly, helpful staff and French management. Breakfast is served, for lunch and dinner you are better off eating out. There is a small entrance on Boulevard Marcoz, for the main entrance, go up Rue Marius Barriquand that forks off Blv Marcoz 500 metres north of the big baobab tree. 80,000 Ar for a double with air conditioning. (updated Dec 2017)
• Sambo Milay Bed & breakfast, Petite plage amborovy. Check-in: 12:00, check-out: 12:00. Air-con double room with own bathroom. Has a swimming pool and free Wi-Fi. from 50,000Ar. (updated Mar 2018)
• Convent Sacré-Coeur (north of the city). Offers simple, but clean and bright rooms for 20,000 Ariary (2023). No hot water and no food available, although food stalls pop up in area in evening. Wifi works well. (updated Jul 2023)
• Chez Tranquille, La Corniche Lot 0101. Check-in: 12:00, check-out: 12:00. Double room with own bathroom. Has a swimming pool and free Wi-Fi. 45,000 Ar. (updated Apr 2018)
• Patel Hotel, Ave de I'eglise, ☏ +261 20-6223357. Check-in: 12:00, check-out: 12:00. double room with own bathroom from 32,000 Ar. (updated Apr 2018)
• Central Hotel, Rue Henri Paul (near the score supermarket), ☏ +261 32-6942293. Check-in: 12:00, check-out: 12:00. double room with own bathroom 45,000 Ar. (updated Apr 2018)
• Hotel Bella Maris, Rue Henri Garnier, ☏ +261 34-1009752. Check-in: 12:00, check-out: 12:00. Double room with own bathroom. 45,000 Ar. (updated Apr 2018)
• Hotel 5/5, Rue Julepinte, ☏ +261 20-6222372. Check-in: 12:00, check-out: 12:00. Double room with own bathroom. 45,000 Ar. (updated Apr 2018)