Toamasina
Madagascar · Africa
About Toamasina
Toamasina, meaning "like salt" or "salty", unofficially and in French Tamatave or in the past as Port aux prunes, is the capital of the Atsinanana region on the east coast of Madagascar on the Indian Ocean. The city is the chief seaport of the country, situated 215 km (134 mi) northeast of its capital and largest city Antananarivo. In 2018 Toamasina had a population of 325,857.
Under French rule, Toamasina was the seat of several foreign consuls, as well as of numerous French officials, and was the chief port for the capital and the interior. Imports consisted principally of piece-goods, farinaceous foods, and iron and steel goods; main exports were gold dust, raffia, hides, caoutchouc (natural rubber) and live animals. Communication with Europe was maintained by steamers of the Messageries Maritimes and the Havraise companies, and also with Mauritius, and thence to Sri Lanka, by the British Union-Castle Line.
During the colonial period, owing to the character of the soil and the formerly crowded native population, the town was often plagued by epidemics; the plague broke out in 1898, and again in 1900. Since the draining of the...
Toamasina travel guide
Getting there
By plane Air Austral from Saint-Denis de la Reunion. (You can use Air Austral to go via Reunion too Mauritius or Nosy Be.)
Madagascar Airlines Avenue De Independence. from Antananarivo and Sainte-Marie.
By car From Antananarivo to Toamasina is 355 km, which takes six hours by car.
By bus Cotisse Transport to and from Antananarivo, (9 hours) 7 trips a day. Lite 30,000, Premium 45.000.
By boat
By train 1 Toamasina railway station. The train runs every Saturday to Moramanga 152 km via Brickaville 102 km. (updated Jun 2023)
Getting around
First when you come at the first time, there are many places that you have to visit during your trips, they are the following ones
Bord de la mer: the seaside is a few hundred meters from the city hall to the north point, it has many attractions like the view of the Port and also some domestic bars and restaurants. La Mairie (in Malagasy, "Lapan'ny tanana"): the city hall is one of the most known places in Toamasina. It is where people prepare their civilian documents like marriage certificates.
See
1 Saint Joseph Cathedral (Cathédrale Saint-Joseph de Toamasina). (updated May 2021)
Do
Canal des Pangalanes. There are overnight trips on this amazing man-made and natural canal that effectively extends half way down the east coast of Madagascar. Ask at the Hotel Joffre or the travel agents nearby. The boat service is run by a French man who only runs services when there is sufficient clientele.
Buy
Banks & ATMs BFV-SG. Avenue De L'Independance. 24-hour ATMs take Mastercard, Visa card, Diners Club, American Express, Discover card, Union Pay. MCB. Boulevard Joffre. 24-hour ATM take Mastercard, Visa Card, Diners card, Union Pay. BOMI.Boulevard Joffre. ATMs take only Visa card. BOA. Boulevard Augagneur. ATMs take only Visa card. BNI. Boulevard Joffre. 24-hour ATMs take Mastercard and Visa card. AccesBanque, Boulevard De La Fidelite. 24 hour ATM. Mastercard and Visa card. (updated Jun 2023) Master Bureau De Change, Boulevard Joffre (next to La Terrasse), ☏ +261 341711610. 09:00-18:00. The exchange rate is not so good as in Tana: 500 Ar less per euro. (updated Jun 2023)
Supermarkets Super U supermarket, Fokontany 23/41. 08:00-20:00. Large supermarket chain part of Super U france. (updated Jun 2023) Score supermarkets, Boulevard Augagneur. 08:00-20:00. There are two Score supermarkets in Toamasina. (updated Jun 2023) Leader Price Supermarket, Rue Flacourt. 09:00-21:00. Many imported goods from France. Higher prices. good quality. (updated Jun 2023) Supermaki has two stores in Toamasina: in Ankirihiry and Morafeno.
Eat
Budget LA Terrasse Bar and restaurant. Good priced food and drinks.
Mid-range
Splurge
Drink & nightlife
Sarkis Bar, Boulevard De La Liberation. (updated Dec 2018)
Sleep
Budget Hotel Plage, Boulevard De La Liberation, ☏ +261-20-5332090. Old and rundown. Large double room with own cold water bathroom 40,000 Ar. It is near many bars and a 5-minute walk to the beach. Hotel Les Flamboyants, Rue de La Liberation, ☏ +261 32-71-09351, +261 34-78-74595. (updated Jun 2023) JRJ Hotel, En Face De L'eglise Fjkm Betela Bazarikely, ☏ +261 034-6814074. Check-in: 11:00, check-out: 10:00. Clean, air-con double room with hot water bathroom. Cable TV, free Wi-fi. depending on room size 45,000-55,000 Ar. (updated Jun 2023) Hotel Mahatoky, Immeuble Mahatoky, Boulevard De La Liberte 12/13 (behide the Cotisse transport.). Check-in: 11:00, check-out: 11:00. Clean double rooms with or without own bathroom 20,000/25,000 Ar. Has nets in all rooms. (updated Dec 2018) Beryl Hotel, Logt 200 Cilte Beryl rose Tanambao, ☏ +261 34 6801304. Check-in: 11:00, check-out: 11:00. Double room with own bathroom, free Wi-Fi. From 40,000 Ar. (updated Jun 2023)
Mid-range 1 Hotel Joffre, 18 Bd Joffre, ☏ +261 20 53-323-90. Hotel Joffre is an excellent mid-range hotel. Classic old-style fully renovated hotel in downtown with excellent French restaurant. Try to get the 1st floor rooms - the top floor rooms get very hot through sun on the roof. Old wing: double 122 500 Ar, twin 137 500 Ar, family room 167 500 Ar, large family room 200 000 Ar; new wing: double 202 500 Ar, twin 217 500 Ar. (updated May 2021)
Splurge
Overview adapted from Wikipedia, travel guide fromWikivoyage (CC BY-SA)。Photography via Wikimedia Commons.