Antananarivo Safety Guide
Health, security, and travel safety information
Emergency Numbers
Save these numbers before your trip.
Healthcare
What to know about medical care in Antananarivo.
Healthcare System
Healthcare in Antananarivo is limited compared to Western standards, with a two-tier system consisting of public hospitals (often overcrowded and under-resourced) and private clinics that cater to expatriates and tourists with better facilities and English/French-speaking staff.
Hospitals
Recommended private facilities include Clinique des Sœurs Franciscaines, Centre Hospitalier de Soavinandriana (CENHOSOA), and Espace Médical. These accept international patients and have better standards than public hospitals. Always call ahead or have your hotel arrange admission.
Pharmacies
Pharmacies (pharmacie) are widely available in Antananarivo, marked with green crosses. Many common medications are available without prescription, but quality can vary. Bring prescription medications from home with documentation, as specific brands may be unavailable.
Insurance
Travel insurance with comprehensive medical coverage and medical evacuation is absolutely essential. Verify your policy covers Madagascar and includes evacuation to Réunion or South Africa, as local facilities cannot handle all serious conditions.
Healthcare Tips
- Bring a comprehensive first-aid kit and sufficient supplies of any prescription medications you need
- Keep copies of prescriptions and medical records with you
- Drink only bottled or purified water to avoid waterborne illnesses
- Ensure routine vaccinations are up to date; consult a travel clinic about malaria prophylaxis, typhoid, hepatitis A/B, and yellow fever
- Private clinics require upfront payment; keep credit cards and cash available for medical expenses
- Have your embassy or hotel recommend specific doctors or clinics before you need them
Common Risks
Be aware of these potential issues.
Pickpocketing, bag snatching, and theft from vehicles are the most common crimes affecting tourists. Thieves often work in pairs or groups, with one creating a distraction while another steals belongings.
While less common than petty theft, armed robberies do occur, particularly at night and in isolated areas. Criminals may use knives or occasionally firearms.
Theft from parked or stopped vehicles is common, including smash-and-grab incidents at traffic lights and theft from parked cars.
Poor road conditions, erratic driving, lack of street lighting, pedestrians in roadways, and poorly maintained vehicles create significant traffic hazards.
Traveler's diarrhea, typhoid, hepatitis A, and other waterborne diseases are risks due to inconsistent food hygiene standards and contaminated water.
While Antananarivo is at relatively high altitude (reducing malaria risk compared to coastal areas), cases do occur, especially during the rainy season.
Political demonstrations and strikes occur periodically and can turn violent or lead to roadblocks and disruptions.
Scams to Avoid
Watch out for these common tourist scams.
Individuals approach tourists claiming to be official guides, offer tours at inflated prices, may take you to shops where they receive commission, or lead you to isolated areas for robbery.
Sellers approach tourists with 'special deals' on precious stones or vanilla, claiming they're authentic local products at bargain prices. Items are often fake or drastically overpriced.
Taxi drivers quote inflated prices to tourists, claim meters are broken, or take unnecessarily long routes to increase fares.
One person creates a distraction (spilling something on you, asking for help, showing you something) while an accomplice steals your belongings.
Individuals, sometimes children, approach with stories of needing money for food, medicine, or school fees. Some are part of organized begging operations.
Taxi drivers or touts claim your booked hotel is closed, full, or has problems, and try to take you to a different hotel where they receive commission.
Safety Tips
Practical advice to stay safe.
Money and Valuables
- Carry only the cash you need for the day; leave excess money and valuables in hotel safes
- Divide money between different locations on your person and in your luggage
- Use ATMs inside banks during business hours rather than standalone machines
- Keep a photocopy of your passport separate from the original
- Avoid displaying expensive jewelry, watches, cameras, or phones
- Consider using a dummy wallet with small amounts of cash in case of robbery
Transportation
- Use hotel-arranged taxis or reputable taxi companies rather than hailing taxis on the street
- Avoid public transportation (taxi-brousse) which can be overcrowded and unsafe
- If renting a vehicle, hire a local driver who knows the roads and conditions
- Avoid traveling between cities after dark due to poor road conditions and crime risk
- Keep car doors locked and windows up while driving
- Have the address of your destination written in French or Malagasy
Accommodation
- Choose hotels in safer neighborhoods like Isoraka, Ambohijatovo, or near the airport
- Ensure your room has secure locks and use them, including chain locks
- Don't open your door to unexpected visitors; verify identity through hotel staff
- Use hotel safes for passports, extra cash, and valuables
- Keep your room number private and don't discuss travel plans loudly in public areas
Personal Security
- Stay alert and aware of your surroundings at all times
- Trust your instincts; if a situation feels unsafe, remove yourself
- Avoid walking alone, especially after dark
- Don't accept drinks from strangers or leave drinks unattended
- Learn basic French phrases for emergencies
- Keep your embassy's contact information readily available
- Register with your embassy upon arrival for safety updates
Health Precautions
- Drink only bottled water and avoid ice in beverages
- Eat at established restaurants rather than street food stalls when possible
- Wash hands frequently or use hand sanitizer
- Apply insect repellent regularly, especially at dawn and dusk
- Avoid contact with animals to prevent rabies risk
- Ensure vaccinations are current before arrival
- Bring a comprehensive medical kit including antimalarial medication
Communication
- Purchase a local SIM card for emergency communications
- Keep your phone charged and carry a portable charger
- Share your itinerary with family or friends back home
- Keep important numbers saved in your phone and written down separately
- Download offline maps of Antananarivo before arrival
- Learn basic Malagasy and French phrases for asking for help
Information for Specific Travelers
Safety considerations for different traveler groups.
Women Travelers
Women travelers can visit Antananarivo safely with appropriate precautions. While harassment is less common than in some destinations, women may experience unwanted attention, particularly if traveling alone. Foreign women are sometimes perceived as wealthy, which can attract opportunistic criminals. Most local women dress modestly, and following suit can help reduce unwanted attention.
- Dress modestly, covering shoulders and knees, to respect local customs and reduce attention
- Avoid walking alone after dark; always use trusted taxis in the evening
- If harassed verbally, ignore and walk away confidently; don't engage
- Consider wearing a fake wedding ring to deter unwanted advances
- Book accommodations in reputable hotels in safer neighborhoods
- Join group tours rather than exploring alone, especially outside the city
- Be cautious about sharing your room number or travel plans with strangers
- Trust your instincts and remove yourself from uncomfortable situations immediately
- Keep your phone charged and accessible for emergencies
- Connect with other travelers or expat communities for advice and possible travel companions
LGBTQ+ Travelers
Homosexuality is legal in Madagascar, and there are no specific laws criminalizing same-sex relationships. However, there are also no legal protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
- Exercise discretion regarding sexual orientation and gender identity in public
- Avoid public displays of affection with same-sex partners
- Be cautious about discussing LGBTQ+ topics with locals unless you know them well
- Research LGBTQ+-friendly accommodations before booking
- Be aware that local attitudes may be less accepting than in Western countries
- Consider booking private accommodations rather than shared spaces
- Connect with international LGBTQ+ travel communities for current advice
- Be prepared that some hotels may question unmarried same-sex couples sharing a room
Travel Insurance
Comprehensive travel insurance is absolutely essential for visiting Antananarivo and Madagascar. The limited healthcare infrastructure means serious medical conditions require expensive medical evacuation to Réunion, Mauritius, or South Africa. Additionally, the risk of theft, trip disruptions due to political unrest or weather, and potential flight cancellations make insurance critical for financial protection.
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