The official language is Malagasy. French is extremely common in the main cities and used in government and business. English is not used very much, but some people in the tourist areas speak it.
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The official currency is the Malagasy ariary. 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. Traveller’s cheques 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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The international country code is 261. To call another country from Madagascar, dial 00 followed by the appropriate country code (0044 for the UK for example). Large cities have public Internet access and Antananarivo has a few Internet cafes.
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Generally not expected but European-style restaurants and hotels anticipate tips of 10 to 15 per cent.
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Trips to Madagascar are generally 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 by cyclones between January and March.
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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. Only drink boiled or treated water and bring antibiotics or anti-diarrheal drugs in case you get severe diarrhoea. Good medical care can be hard to find and you should carry your own health insurance.
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The electrical current is 220 volts, 50AC and uses two-pinned plugs.
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