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Madagascar
Country Specific Information
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June 02, 2008
COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: 
Madagascar is a developing island nation off the east coast of Africa. The primary languages are French and Malagasy. French
is less spoken outside of major cities.
Facilities for tourism are available, but vary in quality. Travelers seeking high-end accommodations should make reservations
in advance. Read the Department of State Background Notes on Madagascar for additional information.
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: A passport and visa are required. Visas are available at all airports servicing international flights, but travelers who
opt to obtain a visa at an airport should expect delays upon arrival. Visas obtained at the airport cannot be extended. Most
international flights arrive in Antananarivo, but there are some limited international flights to/from the nearby islands
of Comoros, Mayotte and Reunion from airports in Mahajanga, Toamasina (Tamatave), Nosy Be, Tolagnaro (Ft. Dauphin) and Antsiranana
(Diego Suarez). There are also direct flights between Italy and Nosy Be. Evidence of yellow fever immunization is required
for all travelers who have been in an infected zone within 6 months of their arrival in Madagascar.
Travelers may obtain the latest information and details on entry requirements from the Embassy of the Republic of Madagascar,
2374 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 265-5525/6; or the Malagasy Consulate in New York City,
(212) 986-9491. Honorary consuls of Madagascar are located in Philadelphia, and San Diego. Overseas, inquiries may be made
at the nearest Malagasy embassy or consulate. Visit the Embassy of Madagascar’s web site at http://www.embassy.org/madagascar for the most current visa information.
Information about dual nationality or the prevention of international child abduction can be found on our web site. For further information about customs regulations, please read our Customs Information sheet.
SAFETY AND SECURITY: There are random police vehicle checkpoints throughout Madagascar, so all visitors should carry photo identification (i.e.,
U.S. passport) in the event of police questioning. These check points are routine in nature, and should not result in vehicle
and/or person searches as long as valid identification is shown.
Political demonstrations occur from time to time. There have been incidents of violence during demonstrations, but these have
not been directed against Americans. Travelers should maintain security awareness at all times and should avoid political
gatherings and street demonstrations. Certain large gatherings such as concerts or scenes of accidents also may pose a threat
to foreigners.
For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department's web site where the
current Travel Warnings and Public Announcements, including the Worldwide Caution, can be found.
Up-to-date information on safety and security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States
and Canada, or, for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll-line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available
from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
The Department of State urges American citizens to take responsibility for their own personal security while traveling overseas. For
general information about appropriate measures travelers can take to protect themselves in an overseas environment, see the
Department of State’s pamphlet A Safe Trip Abroad.
CRIME: The major concerns for visitors to Antananarivo are crimes of opportunity such as pick pocketing, purse snatching, or theft
from residences and vehicles. Although these are generally non-violent, incidents involving violence by assailants do take
place and are on the rise, particularly when the victim resists, and especially, when multiple persons confront the victim. In
early 2008, the Embassy received several reports of physical attacks against foreigners, including Americans, in coastal tourist
areas. Criminal elements in Antananarivo and throughout Madagascar are becoming bolder when selecting their victims, and are
also committing more crimes in areas that are generally lit, and well traveled by pedestrians and vehicles. To reduce the
risk of being victimized, travel in groups and avoid wearing expensive jewelry in public. Valuable items should never be left
in an unattended vehicle. Walking at night, whether alone or in a group is not considered safe in urban areas, including in
the vicinity of Western-standard hotels.
Criminal gangs comprised of former felons, ex-military and police from the former regime are known to commit home invasions
and kidnappings, sometimes targeting foreigners. However, Americans visiting Madagascar should not expect to experience any
hostility or aggression solely because of their citizenship. Organized gangs of bandits are known to patrol areas where foreigners
who are perceived to be wealthy congregate. Although crimes such as burglary do occur in areas outside the capital, the threat
of confrontational crime is less prevalent in rural areas.
In major cities, the National Police is charged with maintaining peace and security. Outside of major cities, the Gendarmerie
is primarily responsible for these duties. Due to lack of resources available to the National Police and the Gendarmerie,
police responsiveness to victims of crime is often limited and ineffective.
INFORMATION FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME: The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to local police and to the nearest U.S. embassy
or consulate. If you are the victim of a crime while overseas, in addition to reporting to local police, please contact the
nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for assistance. The Embassy/Consulate staff can, for example, assist you to find appropriate
medical care, to contact family members or friends and explain how funds can be transferred. Although the investigation and
prosecution of the crime is solely the responsibility of local authorities, consular officers can help you to understand the
local criminal justice process and to find an attorney if needed.
During an emergency, visitors to Antananarivo can contact local police at telephone numbers 117 and 22-357-09/10 or 22-227-35.
See our information on Victims of Crime.
MEDICAL FACILITIES AND HEALTH INFORMATION: Standards of healthcare throughout Madagascar are well below U.S. standards. However, there are foreign physicians in Antananarivo representing a broad range of specialties, but their training is variable and often not to U.S. standards. The hospitals in Antananarivo vary greatly in standards of care. Medical care outside of Antananarivo is generally well below the care available in the capital city. Caution and good judgment should be exercised when seeking hospital and medical services. The Embassy maintains a list of hospitals and specialists. A Seventh Day Adventist dental clinic offers emergency procedures and x-ray facilities.
Some medications, generally of French origin, are available in Antananarivo. If you need to refill a prescription from home, it is important to carry a prescription from your doctor listing the medicine's generic name. There is limited availability of both prescription and over the counter medications, and outside of Antananarivo, medications may not be available. Travelers should have a supply of any needed medication sufficient for the entire length of a visit before arriving in Madagascar. Americans who will be carrying medications with them to Madagascar may wish to contact the Malagasy Embassy in Washington, D.C. regarding any restrictions on imports.
Ambulance services are available in Antananarivo with Polyclinique Ilafy at 22-425-66/69 or 033 11 458 48 / 032 07 409 38;
Espace Medical at 22-625-66, 22-219-72, or 032-02-088-16 (cellular); and CDU (Centre de Diagnostic Medical d’Urgences) at
22 329 56 or 032 07 822 28 or 033 11 822 28. However, due to traffic jams, response times are often dangerously slow.
Malaria is prevalent, particularly in the coastal regions. Using preventive measures and malaria prophylaxis is strongly recommended. Rabies
is endemic and there are many street dogs. It is recommended travelers have the pre-exposure vaccination series prior to arrival
in Madagascar. If bitten by an animal, the effected area should immediately be washed with soap and running water for ten
minutes. Seek medical care immediately. Plague is also endemic to Madagascar. While the reported HIV prevalence rate is low,
particularly by African standards, Madagascar suffers from a very high reported incidence of other sexually transmitted diseases.
The East African Indian Ocean islands have seen a rise in the cases of Chikungunya. As with Malaria, Chikungunya and Dengue
are transmitted by mosquitoes. Every effort should be made to use repellants, proper clothing and barriers that discourage/prevent
mosquito bites. The CDC web site contains further information chikungunya at http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/chikungunya/ and dengue at http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/yellowBookCh4-DengueFever.aspx.
Travelers should drink bottled water or carbonated beverages. Local water is not generally potable. Water purification tablets
may be used as necessary. Bottled water is readily available in Antananarivo but is less so outside the city.
Information on vaccinations and other health precautions, such as safe food and water precautions and insect bite protection,
may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP
(1-877-394-8747) or via the CDC’s website at http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/default.aspx. For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad consult the World Health Organization’s (WHO) web site at
http://www.who.int/en. Further health information for travelers is available at http://www.who.int/ith/en.
MEDICAL INSURANCE: The Department of State strongly urges Americans to consult with their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad
to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and whether it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation. Please
see our information on medical insurance overseas.
TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United
States. The information below concerning Madagascar is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate
in a particular location or circumstance.
In Madagascar, one drives on the right side of the road, generally yielding the right of way to vehicles coming in from the
left. Some major intersections and traffic circles have police directing traffic. If a policeman has his back to you at an
intersection, you are required to stop. Laws make seatbelt use mandatory and prohibit cell phone use while driving, even with
a hands-free attachment. Child safety seats and motorcycle helmets are not required in Madagascar. If you are caught driving
under the influence of alcohol, your car will be impounded for a few days and you will have to pay a fine. If you are involved
in an accident involving injuries and/or deaths, there is a mandatory court case. The losing party of the court case must
then pay all costs.
Except for Antananarivo’s main streets and a few well-maintained routes to outlying cities, many roads are in various states
of disrepair. Some may be impassable during the rainy season. Night travel by private or public transportation outside Antananarivo
is strongly discouraged due to poor lighting and road conditions. Roads tend to be narrow and winding with many one-lane bridges
and blind curves. Most vehicles tend to drive in the center of the road unless another vehicle is present. It is common to
find livestock or human-drawn carts in the middle of the road, even at night. Local practice is to blow the horn before going
around a curve, to let others know of one's presence. Few pedestrian crosswalks or working traffic signals exist.
Travel within Antananarivo can be difficult with poor road signage, streets congested with pedestrians, bicycles, animal carts,
and vehicular traffic, and an abundance of one-way streets. Taxis are plentiful and are generally reasonably priced. Bargain
for the fare prior to getting into a vehicle. Most accidents are pedestrian-related, due to narrow roads and lack of sidewalks
on many streets. When traveling between cities, travelers must have clear directions as there are rarely signs indicating
where one must turn to reach a destination. Conditions of rural roads can degrade significantly and with little notice during
the rainy season.
Rental cars generally come with a driver who is responsible for maintaining the vehicle and sometimes acts as a tour guide. Public
transportation is unreliable and vehicles are poorly maintained. Rail services are extremely limited and unreliable.
The Ministry of Public Works, telephone (20) 22-318-02, is Madagascar's authority responsible for road safety. During an emergency,
visitors to Antananarivo can contact local police by dialing 117, 22-227-35, 22-357-09/10. American citizens can also call
the U.S. Embassy at 22-212-57/58/59 if assistance is needed in communicating with law enforcement officials.
Please refer to our Road Safety page for more information.
AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: As there is no direct commercial air service to the United States by carriers registered in Madagascar, the U.S. Federal
Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed Madagascar’s Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with International Civil
Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards. For more information, travelers may visit the FAA’s web site at http://www.faa.gov/safety/programs_initiatives/oversight/iasa.
Domestic and international air services operate regularly but are subject to delays and occasional breakdowns. Air Madagascar
often changes in-country flight schedules based on demand; flights that are not full may be cancelled with little or no prior
warning to passengers. Overbooking is also common. Reconfirmation of tickets prior to flight day is recommended, especially
when flying from provincial airports.
SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES: It is advisable to contact the Embassy of Madagascar in Washington or one of Madagascar's consulates in the United States
for specific information regarding customs requirements. In many countries around the world, counterfeit and pirated goods
are widely available. Transactions involving such products are illegal and bringing them back to the United States may result
in forfeitures and/or fines. Taking photographs of airports or military installations is prohibited.
Madagascar is renowned for its natural resources. These include a wide variety of gemstones. The Government of Madagascar
recently imposed restrictions on the export of precious gems; before purchasing or transporting any gemstones it is advisable
to seek clarification of the applicable laws.
Madagascar is primarily a cash-driven economy. Although some high-end establishments catering to tourists accept credit cards,
normally only Visa-logo cards, most shops and restaurants are cash only. Although the government changed the local currency
from the Malagasy Franc (FMG) to the Ariary several years ago, many Malagasy still think in terms of FMG. When talking about
prices, it is important to quantify whether the price is in Ariary or FMG. (1 Ariary = 5 FMG). A few ATMs are available in
large cities. Dollars are not widely accepted.
Please see our Customs Information.
CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While in a foreign country, a U.S. citizen is subject to that country's laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly from those in the United States and may not afford the protections available to the individual under U.S. law. Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than in the United States for similar offenses. Persons violating Malagasy laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested or imprisoned. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Malagasy are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime, prosecutable in the United States as well as in Madagascar. Please see our information on Criminal Penalties.
CHILDREN'S ISSUES: For information see our Office of Children’s Issues web pages on intercountry adoption and international parental child abduction.
REGISTRATION / EMBASSY LOCATION: Americans living or traveling in Madagascar are encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate through
the State Department’s travel registration web site and to obtain updated information on travel and security within Madagascar. Americans without Internet access may register
directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy or Consulate
to contact them in case of emergency.
The U.S. Embassy is located at 14-16 Rue Rainitovo, Antsahavola, Antananarivo. The mailing address is B.P. 620, Antsahavola,
Antananarivo, Madagascar; telephone [261] (20) 22-212-57; fax [261] (20) 22-345-39. The Embassy’s web site is located at http://www.usmission.mg/.
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This replaces the Country Specific Information dated October 26, 2007, to update the sections on Crime and Special Circumstances.
