Antsirabe
Antsirabe (City of much salt) is in the central highlands of Madagascar. In 2013, it had a population of around 240,000.
Understand
Get in
Gasycar Vip bus 6 times a day from Antananarivo, fare from 23,000 Ar. It departs from Le Chalet des Roses hotel in Antananarivo.
Get around
The city has more than 5000 colorfully painted rickshaws, called "Push-Push", it is the second most commonly used mean of transportation after cycling. This makes Antsirabe a very peaceful town compared to Antananarivo's traffic jams and pollution.
Taxis and taxi-brousse can get you to nearby cities. Bicycles, quads and taxis are available for daily rent.
- Rando Raid Madagascar. Rents motorbikes, also sells motorbike/horse/trekking excursions. 125cc Lifan motorbike: 40,000 Ar per half-day, 60,000 Ar per day, 50,000 Ar/day for several days, 40,000 Ar/day for more than 20 days.
See
Antsirabe Train Station. The Malagasy railway network dates from the colonial period, though breakdowns are frequent and many lines are now closed. The Antsirabe Train Station is an architecturally interesting example of colonial building techniques, though in it has been closed since 2007 because of problems with the line to the capital city.
Do
Antsirabe is a great place for hiking, be it by foot, mountain bike, or horse.
Buy
Supermarkets
- Super U Avenue Foch. 08:00-19:00
- Score Avenue Grande. 09:00-19:30
- Supermaki next to Antsenakely city market. 08:00-20:00
- Super Maxi Avenue Foch. which has cheaper prices. 08:00-18:00
Banks
- BFV-SG Bank ATM takes most international cards.
- BNI takes Mastercard and Visa card.
- BOA ATM takes only Visa card.
- MCB ATM takes Mastercard and Visa card.
- BMOI ATM takes Visa card.
- AccesBanque. 24 hours atm.. mastercard visa card atm.
Eat
- Crock Inn. Serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The staff has some limited English skills. Associated with the Aro Hotel.
- Chez Billy. Serves lunch and dinner. French-owned and -operated, great place for tourists and backpackers.
Drink
Sleep
- 1 Arotel, 303 303 Rue Jean Ralaimongo Bp (in the center of town near the old train station).
- 2 Hotel Trianon. This seven-room hotel is in a building that dates to 1927, and while the building and furnishings are all older, rather than feeling worn out, the place instead has an antique feel. Rooms have showers but no air conditioning, and wi-fi is available. The parking area is behind a gate and thus offers added security. Continental breakfast is served downstairs, while there is also an attached restaurant that serves lunch, dinner, and drinks.
- Hotel Diamant, Rte d Andranobe, ☏ +261 20 44-48840, +261 20 44-49440. Clean double room with own hotwater bathroom. All rooms cable TV. Has a swimming pool. from Ar 40,000.
- Niavo, Rue de la Myre de Villers (close to the market), ☏ +261 20 44-48467. Single double rooms. Some rooms with own bathroom. from Ar 30,000.
- Blue Sky Hotel, Rte Circulaire (on the street behide the train station.), ☏ +261 34-6121216. Very clean double room with own hotwater bathroom. 32-inch cable TV with USB player. Fast free internet. Free breakfast. Has its own bar and cafe. 40,000 Ar.